On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers went to the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In the Charles Engelhard Court, they were given a chance to look at ten mannequins dressed in garments from the curatorial department of the Costume Institute, including looks from Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, Madame Grès, Claire McCardell, Norman Norell, Pauline Trigère, and other American and European fashion icons.
The designers were then broken into teams and given the task of creating a high-end signature look that would be appropriate among the ten iconic designs. After they’d sketched, shopped, and started sewing, the designers were presented with a twist. They had to create a second look that cost less and would be accessible to a mass market. Furthermore, their second look had to be derivative of the high-end look of one of the competing teams–without copying or pirating the original design. For their signature look, they went to Mood to shop for fabric with $500. For their derivative look, they were given $50 and a second trip to Mood.
Since I can’t be part of a team and am not competing with other designers, I decided to take what I think is a high-end look in Timothy J. Lambert’s final collection from the first season of Live Journal’s Runway Monday. For both of this week’s designs, I tapped into my vast collection of fabrics. But was I up to the challenge? And would Summer be available to model either of my looks?
As some of you may recall, Summer isn’t just a model, she’s also a college journalism student. According to her agent, she can’t take any modeling assignments until she finishes a big school project.
Uh-huh. Translation:
Okay, Summer’s out. But am I in?
This is one of Timothy’s Nikki models from his final collection in 2008. I love the black and white fabric with its gold shimmer, the under-dress of black with its ribbon straps, and Timothy’s creative use of strands of pearls as an embellishment. This is among my favorites of his designs, and I couldn’t wait to create a wearable, affordable look from it.
As you may be aware, I enjoy nothing more than dipping into the styles and fabrics of the 1960s and 1970s. First, I created a black cotton cropped top with ribbon straps.
Then I borrowed elements from the design of sailor pants for a hip hugging, six-button front flap construction, billowing out to over-long bell bottoms. The pants are also done in cotton with a design similar to Tim’s higher-end fabric. Ahoy!
The total look on one of Mattel’s beautiful Top Models, Meggie:
For my high-end look, I dressed my model Cari (gift of LJ’s Cari) in a sheer print lined with a shimmery mauve metallic fabric (gift of LJ’s Debbie). The dress silhouette is among my favorite designs for the Top Models (you may remember Summer wearing a similar dress to the Oscars in 2009). Inspired by some of the great designers featured in the Costume Institute’s collection at the Met, I wanted to add drama to the look.
Hope you’ve enjoyed my interpretations of this week’s challenge. See you next time on the runway!
For my previous looks:
PR 7:2–The Fashion Farm
PR 7:1–Back to New York
ETA: Summer is wearing leathers from Mattel’s 1996 Harley Barbie, gift of
Both are fab, but I particularly like the high end look. :o)
Thanks, Mark!
Oh, my GOSH!
Your high-end design is incredible! SO beautiful…the colors, the fabrics and the design are so well-suited to your model Cari. She looks fantastic!
(And her hair is so stunning! You did an amazing job styling it! WOW!!)
I also like your Timothy inspired work. The buttons are a fabulous touch. One only hopes that they are decorative versus functional… Eek. O.o Those would be some really teeny-tiny button holes!)
You are so talented, hon.
Brava!
🙂
Thank you–I’m especially happy you like the styling of Cari, since she was your model originally.
On Maggie’s pants, I promise, there are no teeny button holes. 😉
I’m imagining the sound of a sewing machine in the night, with a lone lamp….
Your high-end look is a vision. And I love it when this happens: It made me do a double-take. I wondered, “Is the filmy fabric behind the dress or in front of it?” She would no doubt steal many such looks from people wherever she goes. : )
Timothy’s look is fantastic, and so good to see again! The over-under effect of the black and the black-and-white fabrics is so cool, and I like how your rendition pays homage with a new spin.
Imagine the sound of that sewing machine accompanied by rats frolicking in the attic. I swear, my life gets more like some nineteenth-century French novel every day.
Thanks for the compliments–always welcome from a Style Guru such as you. =)
haha @ nineteenth-century Anybody with TB comes near you they have to deal with me. : )
How are you with a Glock?
Okay the clothes are awesome, but IS SUMMER WITH LORENZO? Are they dating, or is she working undercover to find out the secret to his luxurious hair? I am GASPING!
Thanks for saying the clothes are awesome.
He is NOT Lorenzo. I see I’ll have to come up with a name and a backstory to stop this nonsense.
I guess we’ll have to see how this season progresses to know what’s really going on with Summer.
Also … banner!
‘Cause I haven’t had anything else to do…
I only epect what I know you can deliver … I have faith in the Becks abilities… Writer, blogger, designer, banner changer… I love all your hats.
I like Lorenzo’s hats too
There. Happy?
I especially love the font!
You know I can’t be blamed, you are the one that trained me to notice these things
Okay, you should never put a hot male doll at the beginning of the post if you want me to scroll down…it’s a bit distracting. LOL Yes, I know that says something about my love life, but still.
However, once I got past Summer’s date, this week’s designs were great. Like British Mark,I LOVE the high end look especially. It’s just damn near perfection!! I like the fun flirtiness of the low cost look, too!
Totally understandable–the doll’s hotness is what made me buy him–precipitating a year-plus buying frenzy THAT HAS TO END!
Thanks for your praise of the designs. =)
They’re both great, but I’m especially loving your high end look. The 2 fabrics are awesome. The height behind her head that you gave the overdress is beautiful.
Thanks, Lisa! That fabric was probably not the best choice because it’s so lightweight, but I really loved the collar, too. (And notice that so far, no one has screamed at me for my capery.)
Fabulous! Both designs, but I particularly like your haute couture look. Ethereal — reminds me of an over-the-top dress in one of Audrey Hepburn’s movies.
I worked at EB all weekend so I have not yet begun to sew! Thanks for the fabric, btw!
Thanks, Meesh. “Ethereal” was exactly what I was going for. =) I’m looking forward to seeing what you do–glad you got the fabric. The Rhonda is better than a carrier pigeon.
Your high end look is breathtaking, a much needed glimpse of beauty on an otherwise cold and dreary day.
Merci!
No, no, thank YOU.
Big Projects
Now… If only I could pull a stunt like that off… LOL
(I’m sure the networks will come up with a “reality” TV show that reflects what Summer is up to while away for Winter.)
I like the last one best and Tim’s best.