On the seventh episode of Project Runway, the designers were asked to create two looks in blue that could be part of Macy’s INC. collection. The designers were given an INC. dossier before they sketched their designs.
I, of course, didn’t see this dossier, but I did Google INC.’s line, and… How shall I say this tactfully? I was underwhelmed. There were a lot of leggings (UGH), odd late-seventies patterns and embellishments that reminded me of middle-aged priests out of their vestments, along with three-quarter-length sleeves, and… Okay, I’ll just say it. INC. brought the dull! There was hardly any dress or separate that would make me stop and look at it hanging on the rack with a sigh of pleasure or a grab for my Macy’s card.
Did this mean I should design something that might have hung in Macy’s a couple of years ago and could now be found in Ross or Marshall’s? I’m not criticizing those retailers, because I love a bargain as much as the next person. But as Lynne often says, just because you can find it cheap and in your size doesn’t mean you should wear it.
To liven up the challenge for myself, I decided to look among my fabrics for things that would be a little playful and maybe retro, since on a recent trip to Macy’s, I fell into a time machine that took me back to the 1970s. Staring at the racks, I expressed a wish to Tim that I could be thin again so I could wear those clothes. Then I hid the hash pipe and ate a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos and a box of mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I’M KIDDING! I get my substances from a pharmacist with a prescription, like everybody else.
My first look, for Tamala, was a modified version of one of my favorite dresses to fit on Mattel’s Top Models, the baby doll with a gathered neckline. I chose a Mediterranean blue for my enhancement of a pleated ruffle at the hemline, and a shinier version of the same color for the shoulder ties. The dress itself is a vintage pinwheel patterned cotton. A comfortable, casual look, this dress would be great for a weekend lunch date with a special someone or a group of friends.
With Rocky as my model, I designed a second look that would be appropriate for the office but still have a playful quality. I used a fabric with spirals that are a little more subtle than the usual celestial designs but that would be a good match for the mood of Tamala’s baby doll dress.
The three-quarter-length sleeves fall in line with the INC. look. After work, the jacket can be removed for happy hour or dinner out.
Rocky’s short-waisted bodice uses the same Mediterranean blue that’s on Tamala’s dress. The slit to the waist in the back, covered by the jacket during the day, provides the dress with its evening element.
Thanks for checking out my designs. See you next time on the runway!
To see my previous designs for this season:
6:6–Lights, Camera, Sew!
6:5–Fashion Headliners
6:4–What a Woman Wants
6:3–Rumble on the Runway
6:2–We Expect Fashion
6:1–The Red Carpet
I think that Tamala looks like she should be sitting at a beach cafe sipping latte’s with her friends … It is very retro… and I love it?
I like the short waist, but would like the skirt a tad shorter, she has the legs for it.
You are doing a great job …
Thank you, ma’am! =) This was kind of an icky week fashion wise, but I did end up liking my dolls’ outfits.
Sorry you lost Louise, but I have to say her work was really not up to snuff on this last challenge. I regret that Nicolas had immunity and didn’t go, too, after he was so snarky about her designs.
Honestly, this season, no one stands out for me–some of the lesser talents from previous seasons would eat these guys alive!
I loved Louise I have loved no other contestant other then Uli … I think Chris would have gone home if he hadn’t been in the top before. The shirt dress. really? Didn’t we do that with our dad’s tops in the 80’s … and all that weeping…. but honestly I see why she went home.
I was surprised at how diappointed I was with both Louise and Chris. While Chris ha s consistently been my favorite, I have always thoguth Louise had soemthing special in her work until this week. Like Becky, I wish Nicholas had gone along with her, though. I haven’t liked him for a while.
Chris makes a similar look each week … I think he’s going to get in trouble for that. This was the girst week of tight top billowy bottom that he didn’t do
These are both better than anything on the real show this week. I especially like Rocky’s.
Thanks, Gary.
I feel so honored that I got to watch you sew these… it’s so awesome to watch. And the finished products look fantastic! 🙂
Thank you! These probably took the least amount of time of any of the designs I’ve made. Though I like them, they’re not exactly trailblazing–it was a dull challenge. You should watch me sometime when I have to really create, which means lots of screw-ups and cussing!
Because there’s nothing I love more than screw-ups and cussing! A “murder” of cussing, if you will…
pairings
I like them in the “together” shots best.
I was in Boulder, CO a few years ago where I chanced upon a Ross outlet. Inside, they had a really nice coat that was thick and warm and sheepskin-like but made of polyester instead that could be machine washed. I was really, tempted but I had no space in my luggage and no way of wearing three coats (including the one at Ross) all through the airports. So, I didn’t buy it. But I wished I did when Blackburgs winter (TM) came along.
Re: pairings
The nice thing about my models is that they ALL get along. None of that drama like you see on the model reality shows.
So far.
Ross can have some good buys, though I rarely buy clothes. I think Ross is like Marshall’s and TJ Maxx, two stores I love for their housewares and their great doll finds!
Re: pairings
We are not without civilization around here without Ross; we all succumb to the dealings of the Marshals and the TJMaxx, street life, you know. I too have entered the narcotic high of the Marshals and exited with teak and iron lawn furniture, glass end tables upon cymbal stands, bathroom stock and –of course– chocolate
(TJ Maxx on the other hand has been the victim of many a check card compromised and has resulted in my card being breached on more than 2 occasions. The last time it happened I never used my card there. Fortunately, no cash was lost.)
Re: pairings and doll drama
I seem to recall some clashes last season between the models??
Re: pairings and doll drama
That was Mark’s model, Figaro. She’s a pistol.
I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know a lot about fashion, but Tamala’s dress made me think of the last scene of Rigoletto. Sorry, the opera season starts this month.
I don’t understand the reference because I know less about Rigoletto/opera than you know about fashion. So I’ll take your word for it.
For some reason I think I should be sending you peace offering BBQ Fritos on the off chance you might go to the Houston Opera.
There’s very little chance I’ll be going to any opera, so it’s all over my head! No BBQ Fritos are needed, thanks!
Those are great outfits, especially for Houston weather. (Well, once Rocky takes off the jacket.) I like the shades you chose. The bright blue is a bit more subtle than aqua or turquoise, but still beautiful. (I don’t know my colors that well, but I think you know what I mean.) Do you remember the Mtv VJ, Idalis? She is the one person I can think of who could really get away with wearing aqua and look phenomenal. I think your color (is there a name for it?) looks a lot more “wearable” for people.
Great job 🙂
Thank you!
While we were watching the show, Lynne suggested that I go for a Mediterranean or Caribbean blue. When I looked up those colors, some of the samples were close to the bright blue that I used on the bodice of Rocky’s dress and the ruffle of Tamala’s dress. Since I already had that fabric–it’s a shiny cotton–I decided to use it, because I could match the others to it and have a matching color palette for the two outfits.
There’s a dark blue floral that I wanted very much to use, but I couldn’t tie any other fabrics I had into it. I hope I get another chance to use it.
Okay, I love these Barbie runway models that you always make! Keep ’em coming!
Aw, thank you!