On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were taken to a plant where the Los Angeles Times is printed and assembled. They were directed to stuff plastic bags with copies of the newspaper, which would be their fabric for the design challenge. When they returned to the workroom, they were also given colored markers, dyes, glue, and tape along with their regular sewing supplies.
Not being in LA and needing only a 1:6 scale for my design, I opted to grab a copy of the Houston Press, the source of information on all that’s happening in the arts in the Bayou City.
I originally chose Rita as my model for this week’s design because of the green streaks in her hair. Just in case I ended up with only black-and-white newsprint, I felt I needed some color. But as I examined the paper, I decided to use mostly the color ads because, when cut, they reminded me of the Sunday comics. The effect I wanted: Rita as a new super hero, “The Green Goddess.”
I didn’t want to be too literal with the comics idea, so instead of cutting squares, I chose circles.
I left the upper back of the bodice bare. Though the skirt fanned into a train in the back, it was cut short in the front, the better for the Green Goddess to kick some Anti-Fashionista butt.
When I found this illustration in an advertisement, I was sure the message was,
“Time for a Green Goddess!” And Rita delivers.
To see my previous designs for this season:
6:4–What a Woman Wants
6:3–Rumble on the Runway
6:2–We Expect Fashion
6:1–The Red Carpet
There is no way that eye-burner will get spiked by the city desk.
Journalism talk is sexy!
Thanks. =)
I especially love the Green Goddess Pinup on the front, did you do something to the paper to give it that shine?
“did you do something to the paper to give it that shine?”
Looks like decoupage, maybe??
No way was newsprint touching and possibly permanently staining my doll. I’ve already got one stained Summer doll thanks to a black dress I made last year. So I taped over both sides of the paper I was using before I cut it out. I deliberately chose that tape for its shine.
Hmmmm…What a novel idea. Did you find sewing with the newspaper as difficult as some of the contestants seemed to? I’d think that the tape would make it firmer, thus easier to sew.
On this small a scale, sewing was impractical. The PR designers were allowed to use a muslin lining. So I sewed the bodice and the skirt of fabric, and used snaps for fasteners. Then I hot glued the paper pieces to the fabric. My fingers have plenty of burns to show for it.
Thanks!
WOW, Becky. This is a really cool one. I was quite curious to see what you would do withthis challenge, given the difficulty some of the designers on the show complained about. I really like Christopher’s design with week with that movement in the skirt.
Thanks! Christopher’s was my favorite, too.
oh I disagree … I thought Chris’s dress was nice, but the feathered skirt didn’t seem as interesting as the other things that went down the runway. I think the right person won.
The thing that bothered me was Gordana – while not my favorite, I just don’t think that shew should have been in the bottom. I think that the judges just hate her!
Go Louise!
Along with the feathery skirt, I loved the silvery bodice of Christopher’s dress. The total look–the rigidity juxtaposed with the flowing lightness–was what made it my favorite.
Every week, I’ve felt like the people who were “safe” had more exciting designs than some of the work that was in the top two. This has been a strange season, in my opinion.
Oh, and I ADORED Louise’s dress, especially the neck/bodice.
I think everything she’s done has been really good .. Louise is my favorite … but really the best part was Tim being so pissed… I think there is more to the story then Lifetime is giving, which is odd since this is coming from the same people that do real world
Oh yes. Anything that socks it to the anti-fashionista has my vote. >: )
If you shine the Coco Chanel logo in the sky, the Green Goddess will rescue you.
YES! How have I been missing these?
You so would have won the real show.
I always love your opinion on our doll fashions!
LOVE IT!
Thank you, kind sir.
black pants
I liked it until I saw the black pants, though I guess it’s better than fluorescent pink 🙂
I saw a bumper sticker today saying, “If Barbie is so popular, why do we have to buy her friends?”
Re: black pants
Thanks. They are not pants, but black stockings, which I added because I think it’s a rare super hero who fights the bad guys bare-legged.
Re: black pants
OIC, stockings! That makes more sense now. 🙂