Early in June, Mark G. Harris did a post about the late designer Edith Head and her book How to Dress for Success. Included in his post was one of Miss Head’s sketches from her book:
As soon as I saw it, I began my top secret Edith Head Project: to design and sew my versions of the outfits pictured on Miss Head’s models. Lynne said it was an ambitious project, and she was right. And even though it has taken a lot of my time over the past couple of weeks, I’ve learned several things.
*I CAN follow directions when I sew. It still doesn’t always turn out the way I hoped, but I enjoy the challenge.
*The EH Project reinforced my enjoyment of using my blend of my mother’s sewing supplies and my own. It provided a happy means of thinking of her while I worked during this month that marked the first anniversary of her death.
*One night when I was buying small amounts of three trims at the fabric store, the associate asked what I was using them for. I said, “Doll clothes. Barbie doll clothes.” She asked if I was sewing the clothes for an exhibit or for a special little girl. I said, “A special little girl. ME!” That began a lovely conversation in which she told me that she learned to sew as a child by making clothes for her Barbies. A happy gleam in her eyes made me think she might intend to pick up that childhood hobby again.
*When I sew, I work out all kinds of problems in my head. I’ve come up with so many ideas for characters I want to write that sewing has now become synonymous with research to me.
*In the book Marika sent me–11,002 Things To Be Miserable About–one of the items is “adults with doll collections.” When I ruefully repeated that to Lindsey, she said, “It’s not a collection. It’s an OBSESSION.” And somehow, that made it better.
Scoff if you must, but I say a life without obsessions is a life unlived.
Here’s the finished Edith Head Project. For a look at all the designs with comments, I made a public Flickr group. Enjoy!
Thanks to Tom, Tim, Lynne, Lindsey, Rhonda, Marika, and a bunch of dogs, all of whom supported the Edith Head Project in a variety of ways.
Who’s the glamourpuss in the background? Audrey Hepburn or Jackie O..?
Ah, you’re so adorable. She’s more like Roseanne Barr. 😉
Actually, she looks like Julianne Moore.
If it were true, I could live with that.
Edith Shmedith. Greg’s right. You look FAABULOUS!
Okay, okay! I’ll write you both a check!
(Thank you.)
This is amazing! I’m really impressed.
I still have the clothes my Mum made for my Barbie back in the sixties, but this project takes the cake.
Thank you so much! I’d love to see those doll clothes.
Ha! I hope you don’t regret typing that. ;D
Rather than hijacking your entry, I’ve made one of my own. Please click here, if you’d like to see some of the outfits.
THANK YOU! I really enjoyed seeing those. =)
I didn’t know Edith Head had died until I read this…that’s sad. I remember seeing an interview with her some years ago and she was amazing – as are your dolls’ outfits!
You are one clever lady, Becky 🙂
Thank you, Chris! According to our friend David, she’s alive and well in Fashion Paradise, still handing out style tips.
Where to start…
Kikki and Summer’s outfits ar emy favorrite. Are those boots summer is wearing or something like legwarmes over regular shoes? Either way. As always the shooes rock!
I like Lacy’s blouse withthe black braidd tim, too.
Lindsey’s idea for the chess board stage is GENIUS!!
Thanks, Gary. I’m not sure which doll you mean. Summer’s legs are bare and she’s wearing black heels. Unless you mean Tanya, in the red stockings? (She’s the Hear Wear Barbie.) She and Kikki (Hair Wear Teresa) are the only ones with anything on their legs.
That Lindsey had her thinking cap on, all right.
Okay, so I was still asleep. I was referring to Kikki’s shoes. LOL
Kikki is wearing black tights and black boots. I love those boots–don’t remember which doll they came with.
What models? You look super hot in this photo. Like, whoa.
And I feel so lucky to have gotten to see these designs in person. They really are amazing.
Thank you. It was fun putting the set together with y’all. Crazy people always want to draw others into their madness, yes?
Does that mean you’re willing to debate quantum mechanics with me?? B/C I’m having issues with oxymorons found in Hilbert Space. ;p
I’m having issues with four moronic dogs in a small space. Is that similar? 😉
You can’t tell by my user pic (“I am smiling!”) but this post is yet another reason why I’m thrilled Heaven is now Wi-Fi friendly.
If YOU’RE happy, Oh Great Designer, then I’m happy!
(Thanks, David.)
very cool!
you look very hollywood. 😉
Thanks! Heh heh on the Hollywood. Glam is so not me. Unless I get skinny. Then I’m wearing sequins and carrying a long cigarette holder. (Cigarette unlit and only for effect, naturally.)
In less than 20 days you made all these by hand. That’s one thing that’s impressing my fool ass off right now.
Well, I’m pretty overwhelmed by it all. Everything is just so beautifully made, in ideal colors. Were I the boy I was, and had accidentally wandered into this room, I think I would’ve swallowed my bubblegum from gasping.
And I’d be standing right behind you, trying to decide whether to do the Heimlich maneuver or steal all your doll shoes after you expired.
THANK YOU! Other than for my own satisfaction, you’re the person for whom I did the Edith Head Project.
It’s wonderful. It’s a little like a limited-run exhibit at a fashion museum!
Any time. =)
I haven’t even told you what a shock it was, seeing this today. You should’ve heard the ruckus at chez me. : )
Yay!
WOW Becks, that is amazing! WOWWOWWOW!
Thanks! Just think of all the times I stabbed myself while sewing and talking to you on the phone.
Brava!
Thank you!
That turned out so much better than I had it imagined in my head. And what I imagined in my head was pretty awesome. I was happy to be a tangental part of this most awesome project. And trust me…what you did was awesome. It was tons of fun AND I got to play with sharp objects.
Thank you. I still regret that we didn’t have a rousing game of chase in the house while holding our scissors. Next time…
And next time, I’ll have just the sign to warn people what’s happening.
Ha!
dollies
I never considered doll collections to be something to be miserable about… they’re right up there with poster boy collections! –AN OBSESSION–
😉
Re: dollies
I dream of a world where we are not mocked for our obsessions. 😉
(That sounds better if you read it in the voice of Meryl Streep playing Karen Blixen in Out of Africa.)
Re: dollies
I think you’ve stumbled onto something big. I just tried this, and everything sounds better in my head this way! I’m off to read the back of a cereal box. : )
Re: dollies
Oh, it’s a brilliant voice. Even though the voices in my head are most often Beavis and Marge Simpson, I LOVE hearing the Meryl Streep accent.
I also think in an accent I call deep South Virginian. Sometimes I speak aloud in that one, but only to the dogs.
Re: dollies
Is it akin to when Loretty calls Doo a “big ol’ bar (bear)”?
Re: dollies
Oh, heavens no. It’s a very refined deep-South Virginian. Probably even the word “aboot” is used, which would startle Marika, who seems to think it’s only Canadians who must use that word once every few sentences.
Great job (as always) with the clothes!
And you do look quite elegant, yourself!
Thanks! As for elegant: TRICK photography!
P.S. I have on no eye makeup, either. The joy of sunglasses!
fantastic!
Merci, friend Rio. =)
This year it is Barbie clothes… One year it was paper angels that we colored and decorated.
I need a project.
This is fabulous, Darling!
Thank you!
I got a million projects you can do. Of course, one woman’s “project” is another woman’s “drudgery.” Or “servitude.” But why quibble over semantics?
Holy crap, that’s awesome!
Thank you very much, ‘Nathan, a/k/a Literary Lego Man.