On the most recent episode of Bravo’s Project Runway, contestants were sent home from New York to work on their final collections. Among their assignments: Include a wedding dress as part of the collection. Style guru Tim Gunn visited the designers in their homes, then they were brought back to Manhattan to face one new elimination challenge before Fashion Week: Design a bridesmaid’s dress to go with their wedding dress.
LJ Runway Monday producer Heidi Gunn decided there was no need for the Runway Monday designers to spend our time on a bridesmaid’s dress, since all of us are showing final collections. Although she was unable to personally visit each of us as we worked on our final designs, she did send her Fashion Ambassador to check on us. Who could possibly know more about fashion than our producer and judges?
The ultimate Mattel Top Model, Barbie, that’s who.
Before we went to my design studio, Barbie asked for a tour of some of the places in Houston that inspire me. First, we went downtown, so she could see my beloved skyline up close and personal.
We drove to the George R. Brown Convention Center for several reasons. From there, Barbie could see Minute Maid Park, where the Astros play, and which used to be called Enron Field. Visitors seem to get a little thrill out of the Enron story. It’s also a good place to see an example of how color is often used in even the most commonplace of Houston locations, the entrance to a parking lot:
We also saw Jean DuBuffet’s sculpture “Monument to the Phantom,” which has been relocated from its old home among the skyscrapers on Louisiana Street. It seems to be able to breathe and really show off here.
Everywhere we went, fans called Barbie’s name.
Before leaving downtown, we checked out Sam Houston Park, where “The Old Place” reminded Barbie of her humble beginnings.
Except then she remembered that was actually the story of ANOTHER doll, Dolly Parton, and we moved on.
Of course I had to take her to the Menil Collection, because that’s the location of my favorite art in Houston, where I can always count on getting inspiration.
Then we checked out some of the flora that could be part of my final collection’s color palette.
Barbie was spotted by more fans near St. Thomas University:
Back in the workroom, Barbie agreed not to reveal much more than some fabrics and scraps from my final collection. After all, if I showed you everything, why would you come back next Monday?
Barbie: “I’m pleased with the designs you’ve finished, and this coat is lovely, but you still have a lot of work to do.”
Becks: “I’m sure I can be finished on time.”
Barbie: “I’m concerned about some of the patterns. And also that sequined fabric. Do you remember how hard the judges were on Timothy for using a similar fabric in the Foreign Affair challenge?”
Becks: “Timothy’s dress was gorgeous! Anyway, these fabrics are part of a future project. Not my final collection. You know my design aesthetic is more subdued than that.”
Barbie: “Four words: New Orleans fashion disaster.”
Becks: “Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m going to show my mermaid dress at Fashion Week.”
Barbie: “Mermaid dress? What is this dress of which you speak? Mattel Ariel hasn’t seen it yet, has she?”
Becks: “No one’s seen it. Would you like to try it on?”
Barbie: “Love it!”
You can see MTM Barbie’s visit with Timothy right here, and Mark’s musings about the season are here. Before I close, congratulations again to Mark for his win as Fan Favorite.
Thank you Barbie!
Tell me honestly, is there a cloak in that collection?
“Tra la la–I can’t get that freaking Banana Split song out of my head.”
Notice Fleegle, Snorky, Bingo and Drooper were cloakless….
There is no cloak. There is what’s called a “swing coat.” It is neither a cape nor a cloak. It’s a coat. That’s all the info you’re getting, missy.
I wonder how much fertilizer it took to grow that Barbie in the flower bed?
We have all the fertilizer we’ll ever need.
Love the mermaid dress!
The YouTube was a fun reprise of all the fashions.
Thanks!
Beautiful Houston. : )
I can’t wait to see what you come up with, Becky. I have a hint, but I wonder if, like me, you’ve changed a couple of things? My wedding dress has gone through 4 sketch-versions so far.
Man, I need to get busy posting, I guess.
I’m looking forward to seeing your and Tim’s collections.
POSTING? You’d better get busy sewing!
The video montage put a big smile on my face. Next week is going to be bittersweet for me. I can’t wait to see your collections, but I don’t want the show to end either! 🙂 🙁
Then perhaps you want another Runway Monday next season? THE FANS HAVE SPOKEN!
1) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the video!!
2) Thanks for all that fabulous Houston scenery.
3) A week with no shoe fix??? You can’t do that to me. LOL
4) If Chris has his way, I may be using sequins in my Halloween costume.
Thank YOU. And just think–in less than a week, you’ll get several shoe fixes all at once. Delayed gratification is the best kind, they say. (I think they are full of shit.)
“I think they are full of shit”
Me, too! lol So next week, I’m in for sensory overload… is that what ya are telling me?
I hope so!
OMFG!! The Banana Splits!! Oh. Wait. There’s a topic here.
I don’t mind fondue.
Your pictures of Houston are marvelous!
2 questions…
Is Top Model Barbie a Tiffany/Tuesday Taylor…? (I can never remember which one is/was the Barbie-sized Doll…)
And.
My.
Heavens.
To.
Becky!!
Did you create that Mermaid dress…?
That is an absolutely stunning, WOW sort of dress… I adore it.
*shakes head*
Adore is not the right word.
I LOVE that dress!
It is one of the most beautiful confections I’ve ever seen ~ be that in Barbie-World sizing or in human sizing…!
Thank you! I’ll confess right here and now that the mermaid dress is really not a dress at all, but a way I’ve draped that fabric on her to make it look like a dress. I fell in lust with that fabric when Mark, Tim, and I went to JoAnn’s. I’m afraid to cut it because it looks so fabulous on a large scale like that! The other night, Lindsey was over and wore it as a tube top over her T-shirt for a while. In addition to a mermaid, it would make a great dragon or snake costume.
Top Model Barbie is a real Barbie in the Mattel Top Model dolls. In 2004, Mattel introduced its ModelMuse line with a different body mold ideal for model poses and showing off fashion. The most recent set of dolls to use this body mold are the Mattel Top Models, including Barbie, Summer (the doll I use), Nikki (the doll Tim uses), and Teresa (the doll Mark uses and calls Figaro).
Next season (which I hope will include you as a designer!), I would recommend that anyone find a doll with the Muse body type. Although it’s a challenge to sew for because of the contorted body, it shows off clothes better than any of the other Barbie molds. I look on ebay all the time and see the old ModelMuses and the Top Models cheap (especially if they’re not in the box, don’t have their original clothes, etc.).
I’d LOVE for more designers to do this next time! We have plans for making it a lot easier for LJers to post and see the fashions in one place. It’s been a lot of fun.
The big question I have, Barbie, is whether or not you got to keep the mermaid dress.
Whatever Barbie wants…
Oh, that video is brilliant! So many memories… ah… 🙂
I can’t believe how much work you all did. The dedication! The talent! Just amazing 🙂
Thank you! It’s been a blast. Except sometimes, when it’s been painful.
Are you going to design next go round?!?