On Bravo’s Project Runway, contestants were asked to design an outfit transforming recent college graduates into career women. The designers had to please not only the young women who were their clients, but also the women’s mothers.
Heidi Gunn asked the Runway Monday designers to show the judges what our models would be doing if they weren’t models. When Summer was discovered by Mattel, she was a college student with a double major in broadcast journalism and political science. When I asked why she picked those fields, she said she’d always been inspired by Barbara Walters’ interviews with world leaders including U.S. presidents, Egypt’s President Anwar Sadat and Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Russia’s Boris Yeltsin, China’s Jiang Zemin, the UK’s Margaret Thatcher, Cuba’s Fidel Castro, India’s Indira Gandhi, and King Hussein of Jordan.
As Summer said, “A good TV interviewer wears clothes that make her look professional and attractive, but her clothes shouldn’t draw attention away from the person she’s questioning. The interviewer isn’t the story.”
With a bag large enough to hold her organizer, cell phone, notepads, pens, small tape recorder,
and personal items, Summer steps onto the runway looking like a pro.
Behind a desk:
or on her feet:
Summer is ready to go head-to-head with any interview subject.
The vertical lines of her blouse and satin skirt, as well as the conservative blue colors,
give Summer an authoritative appearance.
The grosgrain ribbon accents on her belt, bag, and shoes add a touch of whimsy
without detracting from her conservative blouse and skirt.
The skirt can easily transition from day to night
when Summer puts in long hours pursuing an interview.
You can see Timothy’s design for Nikki here, and Mark G. Harris’s design for Figaro here. Tomorrow, you can read what the judges have to say about the designs in Heidi Gunn’s comments. Feel free to share your own thoughts about the designs in comments to any of these posts.
Also, a note from Heidi Gunn to our Runway followers:
Are you an avid follower of Runway Mondays? Have you ever screamed “NO!!!!” when the judges announced the winner–leaving your favorite designer out in the cold? Which Runway Monday designer was a cut above the rest? Here’s your chance to play judge: Between now and October 7, vote for the contestant you loved most! The Designer who receives the most votes will win a fabulous surprise. How do you vote? Just send an e-mail to ljrunway@gmail.com and let us know who your favorite designer is, and why. One vote per person, please!
Finally, if you’re interested in my previous designs:
Week 9: Here’s Your Sign I won!
Week 8: A Foreign Affair
Week 7: Drive It or Wear It
Week 6: It’s a Drag! I won!
Week 5: Lipstick Jungle
Week 4: Olympic Gold
Week 3: New Orleans Inspiration
Week 2: Going Green I won!
Week 1: Grocery Store
This is such a classic look, Becky. As well as beautiful. My favorite part is the collar, but you’re going to get tons of compliments on those SHOES! You really make Summer look her best every week. Congratulations (already!) for making an outfit that will never go out of style! : )
Thank you. =)
I love those shoes, too, Becky.
Could I get a closer view of the back at the waist, please?
I’ve already removed the outfit (we’ve discovered the fabrics can irreparably stain our models), so hopefully this is good enough. There are two darts in the skirt and the belt is tied, if that helps.
Thanks! I couldn’t quite tell what the tie was from the first picture.
As usual, Summer looks thin and gorgeous. And professional!
Thank you!
Very classy, Becky! And these are the best shoes yet!! One question, though… can she walk in such a slim skirt?
Yes. There’s a slit on the side seam.
Thanks!
Wow, very classy! And the shoes, to die for!
Thanks! Modifying the shoes being my trademark, you can imagine how disappointed I was during the drag queen challenge when nothing I did with Alan’s feet worked. If only there were a Brucettes for male dolls!
Ohhh… I think Summer is a sex machine. This week she’s reminding me of the hot secretaries on Mad Men– all buttoned up but still sexy as hell. I love the big bag– I NEED the big bag. You three need to produce a line of bags inspired by this competition. And you rock the shoes again like you always do. I’m glad I’m not a judge this week.
I’m going to have to rent the Mad Men DVDs at some point since first reading about the show on–I think–David’s LJ.
I’m glad I’m not a judge, too, and I think Mattel needs to call us. =)
Thanks!
Becky, this is very professional looking. I agree with the “Mad Men” comment, I just hope she doesn’t end up “in trouble” like some of the girls would by wearing that around the office.
Thanks! Trust me, Summer can’t end up “in trouble.” When she’s not being dressed, posing, or modeling, her stand doubles as a great chastity belt.
Can you make this in real people clothes? Because I would totally wear this outfit… to everything… so you might want to make me multiples in different colors. 😉
THANK you. So far, I’ve made three outfits that you said you’d wear. I think when you get stinkin’ rich, you need to let me design for you. (Although I strongly suggest you let someone else sew.)
Super cute… you have my vote to win for this week!
Many thanks! Now why aren’t you one of the judges, dammit…
Just dazzling, darling.
Thank you, sir!