Tag: entertainment

Runway Monday All Stars: Redemption on the Runway

The second season of Lifetime’s Project Runway All Stars kicked off last week. As I did last time with All Stars, I’m letting the Model Muses take a break and the Monsters come out and play. The show’s designers had to work as teams and create a collection inspired by one of the attitudes listed on a board. I don’t have a team to work with, so I created one look using the “Bold” theme.

I couldn’t think of a better model than Operetta because of her striking hair, tattoo, and scar-like “beauty mark” running from her face to her upper left arm. She’s perfect as a bold lady in red satin.

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Hope you’ve enjoyed the look. See you next time on the runway!

Clear crystals gift of Kathy S.

Runway Monday: Finale, Part 2 (PR 10:14)

On the final episode of Season 10 of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers showed at Fashion Week. The winner and his model received their fabulous prizes. No prizes for Becks or her final collection–so praise is always welcome! As I mentioned last week, this is a line developed with my Model Muse Summer. In fact, the Summer Fun line bears her name. The collection is for Spring 2013 and the theme is “Summer Fun: Tied Up in Ribbons.” Hope you enjoy!

Fallon.

Tanya.

Jessica.

Sarah.

Maia.

Summer.

Ellison.

Esperanza.

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Justine.

Victoria.

Faizah.

Alexandria.

Summer Fun: Tied Up in Ribbons

Thank you all for checking out the fashions throughout Season 10. Project Runway All Stars begins this Thursday. Should I sit this one out or bring the Monsters out to play again?

CREDITS:


Fallon’s ribbon bodice courtesy Laura and Jess.
Tanya’s ribbon belt and straps courtesy Aunt Gwen and Lindsey.
Ellison’s swimming suit fabric courtesy Marika.
Esperanza’s blouse fabric repurposed from Tom’s dress shirt.
Alexandria’s red ribbon tie courtesy Aunt Gwen and Lindsey; ivory collar repurposed from another of Tom’s dress shirts.

For previous looks from this season:
Episode 13: Finale, Part 1 (PR 10:13)
Episode 12: In a Place Far, Far Away (PR 10:12)
Episode 11: It’s Fashion Baby (PR 10:11)
Episode 10: I Get a Kick Out of Fashion (PR 10:10)
Episode 9: It’s All About Me (PR 10:9)
Episode 8: Starving Artist (PR 10:8)
Episode 7: Oh My Lord and Taylor (PR 10:7)
Episode 6: Fix My Friend (PR 10:6)
Episode 5: It’s My Way On the Runway (PR 10:5)
Episode 4: Women On the Go (PR 10:4)
Episode 3: Welcome Back (or not) to the Runway (PR 10:3)
Episode 2: Candy Couture
Episode 1: A Times Square Anniversary Party

Runway Monday: Finale, Part 1 (PR 10:13)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers received home visits from Tim Gunn before they returned to Manhattan. After five weeks and nine thousand dollars each, they returned to New York to send three showcase designs from their final collections down the runway for the judges. This challenge was to determine which of the remaining four contestants would be showing at New York Fashion Week. Congrats to the final four–I wish I’d had your budget! But… I did get a visit from Tim Gunn.

Tim: What’s the inspiration for your collection?

Becks: This is a line that I’m designing with my new business partner, Model Muse Summer. The label is “Summer Fun,” and for Spring 2013, this is “Summer Fun Tied Up in Ribbons.”

Tim: I’m extremely excited! Let’s see what you’ve got.

Becks: Sorry, Tim, you get to see ONLY ONE LOOK this week. Next week, you’ll see the full collection.


Summer wears a cotton dress with a playful pattern reminiscent of the groovy Sixties.

The ribbon at the neckline is gathered and enhanced with emerald and clear crystals.

The A line is a popular silhouette that looks good on any figure. Summer wanted to design a line that suited a variety of body types.

The shoes are from Mattel’s Swimsuit Basics collection.

Hope to see you next week when my full collection will walk the runway!

Tim Gunn bobblehead gift of Marika.

To look back at previous designs from this season:

Episode 12: In a Place Far, Far Away (PR 10:12)
Episode 11: It’s Fashion Baby (PR 10:11)
Episode 10: I Get a Kick Out of Fashion (PR 10:10)
Episode 9: It’s All About Me (PR 10:9)
Episode 8: Starving Artist (PR 10:8)
Episode 7: Oh My Lord and Taylor (PR 10:7)
Episode 6: Fix My Friend (PR 10:6)
Episode 5: It’s My Way On the Runway (PR 10:5)
Episode 4: Women On the Go (PR 10:4)
Episode 3: Welcome Back (or not) to the Runway (PR 10:3)
Episode 2: Candy Couture
Episode 1: A Times Square Anniversary Party

Runway Monday: In a Place Far, Far Away (PR 10:12)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were taken to Oheka Castle in Long Island to get inspiration for the avant-garde look that would be their last challenge before showing at Fashion Week. I couldn’t go to Oheka Castle, but I did take my inspiration from a princess and a castle: the movie Snow White and the Huntsman. I loved the variations of gray and silver of the sets and the costumes in the movie, as well as the combination of soft and hard textures in the outfits worn by Kristen Stewart.

Debby was the backer who provided the fabric for this challenge, and I chose one of my favorite models, Shannon, to walk the runway.

The knit fabric of the dress is a mix of textures and patterns.

The single touch of color is provided by a ruby pendant, reminiscent of the movie’s drops of blood that give Snow White her red lips.

The tattered princess look is one of my favorites to design. The metallic strips at the hemline mimic the color and shine of chain mail. The slight ruching below the hips, though not as obvious in the photos, provides additional dramatic texture to the length of the dress.

The shoes are by Mattel.

From the Carmen neckline to the raw hemline, my princess, like Snow White, is a contrast of softness and strength.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the avant-garde challenge. See you next time on the runway!

To see previous challenges from this season:

Episode 11: It’s Fashion Baby (PR 10:11)
Episode 10: I Get a Kick Out of Fashion (PR 10:10)
Episode 9: It’s All About Me (PR 10:9)
Episode 8: Starving Artist (PR 10:8)
Episode 7: Oh My Lord and Taylor (PR 10:7)
Episode 6: Fix My Friend (PR 10:6)
Episode 5: It’s My Way On the Runway (PR 10:5)
Episode 4: Women On the Go (PR 10:4)
Episode 3: Welcome Back (or not) to the Runway (PR 10:3)
Episode 2: Candy Couture
Episode 1: A Times Square Anniversary Party

Runway Monday: It’s Fashion Baby (PR 10:11)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were asked to create a look for Heidi’s Babies ‘R Us collection using fabrics from her line. Their models were twelve to eighteen months old. In a twist, they also had to design a look for their models’ mothers.

Once again, PR failed to appreciate that I’m out here in the fashion vortex designing, so I didn’t receive any of Heidi’s fabrics. But I did have some fabric Lynne has used to make things for Lila. I used a striped cotton to make a romper for Maria.

For the back, I used a print and added oversized yellow buttons.

The front of the romper has a frog prince (sitting on a mushroom) appliquéd on it.

Tim was in Maine recently and saw Helen, who sent him back to Houston with a gift for me that she found in her basement. Her generosity inspired retro fashion on a vintage model.

Helen sent a pair of vintage pink mules.

For an appropriately vintage look for Kelly’s mom Chris, I designed a pink cotton chemise dress.

The oversized collar uses the same fabric that was used on Maria’s romper.

Since Helen sent a second pair of vintage shoes, I designed a second retro look. I think these pink and white gel pumps may have been designed originally for Francie, because Gwen had to go all Wicked Stepsister to get them on her feet.

To go with the shoes, I designed a basic shift dress in pink Dupioni silk.

Nobody has arms that look as good as Barbie’s in cap sleeves.

Three girls: pretty in pink!

Hope you enjoyed the fashions. Thanks, Helen, Lynne, and Tim. See everybody next time on the runway!

To see previous challenges from this season:

Episode 10: I Get a Kick Out of Fashion (PR 10:10)
Episode 9: It’s All About Me (PR 10:9)
Episode 8: Starving Artist (PR 10:8)
Episode 7: Oh My Lord and Taylor (PR 10:7)
Episode 6: Fix My Friend (PR 10:6)
Episode 5: It’s My Way On the Runway (PR 10:5)
Episode 4: Women On the Go (PR 10:4)
Episode 3: Welcome Back (or not) to the Runway (PR 10:3)
Episode 2: Candy Couture
Episode 1: A Times Square Anniversary Party

Legacy Writing 365:274 and Button Sunday

I’m betting this button came to me via my sister.

I may as well get this out of the way, because I know it’ll be shocking to some of you. I wasn’t a Scooby-Doo fan. I watched it if I’d spent the night with Lynne, because she watched it, but it was not a must-see for me. I hope this doesn’t disappoint anyone; I liked plenty of other Hanna-Barbera cartoons, including the Flintstones and Yogi Bear, also featured on the button. But in the great realm of television cartoons, I was more of a Looney Tunes fan (Daffy Duck being my favorite of all TV cartoon characters).

Still, I definitely tuned in to The Jetsons and The Flintstones. Although even as a little tot, one thing always drove me crazy on The Flintstones. In the closing credits, when Fred put Baby Puss, the saber-toothed cat, out at night, Baby Puss jumped back in through the window, put Fred out, and locked the door. Fred then banged on the door and hollered for Wilma. Why didn’t Fred go through the window, too? I guess I was a hard-sell on that gag.

I’ll never forget how excited I was when my mother drove us to the Sinclair station so I could get my inflatable Dino for our little backyard swimming pool. Somehow my brain thought Sinclair’s mascot Dino and the Flintstones’ dogasaurus were the same creature. I blame black and white television: Who knew Dino was a purplish color?

When Dino got punctured, I was heartbroken, and Mother actually bought me a replacement Dino, which was rare. Usually, if you broke something, that was it. Dino 2 definitely lasted through the end of summer, and by the next year, we’d moved, the pool was no more, and Dino was forgotten. That’s the kind of memory that makes Toy Story 3 heart-wrenching for adults, isn’t it?

Runway Monday: I Get a Kick Out of Fashion (PR 10:10)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers went to Radio City Music Hall, where they were treated to a performance by The Rockettes. Their challenge: to design a new costume for The Rockettes to wear during an upcoming appearance. The look had to have appeal both close up and far away from the stage, be durable enough for a dancer, and be appropriate for appearances that would include children.

Pamela is the perfect model for this challenge and my choice of silver for the design. I wanted an outfit that would be shiny, eye-catching, and fall somewhere between a costume suitable for a ballerina and an ice skater.


The way these sequins seem to be always in motion is not as apparent in photographs, but they catch and reflect all movement and light in a dramatic way.


The straps are silver sequins, as are Pamela’s earrings.


The black mesh bodice has barely discernible sequins on the reverse side, to mimic the skirt without turning the costume into sequin overkill.


Mattel designed the perfect shoes for the costume.

Hope the design makes you feel like kicking up your heels. See you next time on the runway!

Skirt fabric gift of Rhonda and Lindsey. Bodice fabric provided by Timothy J. Lambert.

To see previous challenges from this season:

Episode 9: It’s All About Me (PR 10:9)
Episode 8: Starving Artist (PR 10:8)
Episode 7: Oh My Lord and Taylor (PR 10:7)
Episode 6: Fix My Friend (PR 10:6)
Episode 5: It’s My Way On the Runway (PR 10:5)
Episode 4: Women On the Go (PR 10:4)
Episode 3: Welcome Back (or not) to the Runway (PR 10:3)
Episode 2: Candy Couture
Episode 1: A Times Square Anniversary Party

Legacy Writing 365:261

One of the things the nomadic life of an Army brat teaches is that it’s okay to make friends, but don’t get too close. After twelve to twenty-four months, you’ll be moving on, friends will be left behind, and new friends made in another town or at another Army post far away.

When we left South Carolina, my Sunday school class gave me a little silver charm–my first silver charm–a car. “So you’ll always remember to come back,” they said. I was years and years away from being able to drive a car, but I did always feel like there was a road back–even after my charm bracelets, including the car, were stolen in an apartment break-in many years later.

One of the friends I made was Lisa; she’s pictured here with her little brother, Chris.

Their dad was Clarence and their mother was Colleen. Of all the families I’ve forgotten, for some reason, I remember them very well, including plenty of private details about their lives that I’m not inclined to share publicly. Colleen loved music and loved to sing, and I believe she played piano. There was one in their home. Another thing I remember about Colleen was that she called my dad “Sarge,” a shortening of his rank that I’m not sure he liked, but he accepted it from her.

Lisa was younger than I was, and both of us were too young to write letters, so once we moved away, that was the end of our friendship. However, since Terri’s from that small town, I did see Lisa again a couple of years later when we went back to visit. At that point, a year or two age difference was like–I’m grown, and you’re still just a kid! So things were a little strained at first. I remember sitting with her on the piano bench, attempting an awkward conversation, when she finally asked me if I liked a new singer she’d heard on the radio, Karen Carpenter. INSTANT bonding over that sweet, sweet songstress, and all the strain was gone; we were friends again.

I don’t believe I ever saw any of their family again after that visit. I recently found obituaries online for Clarence and Colleen–they both died in 2005. But in my head, Lisa still looks as she does in this photo, they are still a young family, still enjoying music together–and when I think of them, it’s yesterday once more.