Tag: fashion

Runway Monday: Sew 70s (PR 9:10)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were told to look to the past and create a modern design inspired by 1970s fashion. After a trip to Mood and a start on their designs, they were surprised by another challenge: to create a second look.

I don’t have the advantage of going to Mood and selecting fabulous fabrics; however, the PR designers don’t get to dig through my bins and find actual vintage fabrics from the fashion era of this challenge. My designs use silk scarves that once belonged to my mother and were donated to be wrapped and pinned on my Barbie dolls when I originally played with them. If one of the fabrics I used for this challenge seems familiar, it’s because Timothy J. Lambert created a dress from it for the Lipstick Jungle challenge in 2008. It’s a favorite pattern of mine.

However, first up is Alexandria in a subtle copper polka dot.

I created an updated version of the maxi dress using oversized beads to belt it for a sleek silhouette.

I gave the dress a gathered neckline. Her earrings were created by me using gold, copper, and silver sequins and beads.

A final side view of Alexandria’s look with her copper-enhanced Mattel heels peeking out from her hemline.

The second vintage fabric is part of Amelia’s look.

I pulled back Amelia’s curls and banded them with oversized red beads to link her accessories to Alexandria’s.

The wide-legged pants use the patterned vintage fabric. The top is a form-fitting black knit. I accessorized with Mattel’s red belt and shoes.

My updated take on 1970s designs with decades-old silk.

See you next time on the runway!

Previously this season:
9:9 Image Is Everything
9:8 What Women Want
9:7 Can’t We All Just Get Along?
9:6 The Art of the Matter
9:5 Off to the Track
9:4 All About Nina
9:3 Go Big Or Go Home
9:2 My Pet Project
9:1 Come As You Are

Runway Monday: Image Is Everything (PR 9:9)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the remaining designers were asked to create new looks for the Sheepdogs rock band. The winning look will be featured worn by the band member in Rolling Stone and Marie Claire magazines. Um… Since I can’t make clothes for the Sheepdogs (they had previous engagements), and won’t be making menswear, I’ll withhold my scathing comments about the PR designers–no, I won’t. HAVE THESE PEOPLE SEEN A ROCK BAND PERFORM IN CONCERT SINCE 1972? OR EVER? Moreover, do they listen to their clients?

Okay, now that I got that out of the way, I am willing to design for a band I’ve mentioned on here before: The Opposite of Math.


The founding members of this glam/punk/pop band which has been described as Dollyrots Meets Spice Girls are Rocky, Juliet, Grace, and Barcelona.


Rocky describes herself as the happy-go-lucky member of the band: The Fun Girl.


Rocky doesn’t dance as much as her band mates, but she does want clothes that give her movement and comfort. She’s wearing a metallic dragon-skin patterned T and the pants are a similar pattern in cotton. Her black leather belt, jewelry, and boots are from Mattel.


Juliet says meditation keeps her the most stable member of the band: The Earth Mother.


She takes the lead on a lot of the songs, and she loves to sparkle when she dances. I put her in comfortable velvet pants with a sleeveless metallic top and a jacket that picks up and reflects the stage lights. Her belt is my design; the boots are Mattel.


Barcelona admits that modeling gave her a passion for fashion: The Sophisticate.


Barcelona wanted something chic that she could move in. I designed her midriff-baring satin top and leather pants with a wide flare to mimic the free flow of a skirt. Her earrings and shoes are from Mattel.


Grace dubs herself the love child of Joan Jett and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry: The Rebel.


Grace loves to juxtapose shimmering effects with black. So I gave her a black coat, a metallic silver bandeau top, and skin-tight sequined pants. She never rocks without her Chuck Taylors. The shoes and jewelry are from Mattel.


A sizzling foursome.

Where will you see The Opposite of Math next? The cover of Rolling Stone, of course!


And we’ll see you next time on the runway!

Thanks to Timothy J. Lambert for the fabric for Barcelona’s top and Grace’s pants. Thanks to Lindsey for the painting backdrop for the first group shot of The Opposite of Math. Thanks to Tom for the fabric backdrop for the other group shots and the runway. (It’s his Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge tour T-shirt.) The name The Opposite of Math grew out of a Craft Night conversation long ago.

Previously this season:
9:8 What Women Want
9:7 Can’t We All Just Get Along?
9:6 The Art of the Matter
9:5 Off to the Track
9:4 All About Nina
9:3 Go Big Or Go Home
9:2 My Pet Project
9:1 Come As You Are

Runway Monday: What Women Want (PR 9:8)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers’ clients were a group of men. But they weren’t designing menswear; they interviewed them for information and ideas to help them create a look for the men’s wives or girlfriends. I could have used the opportunity to bring back my Super Doll Couple Summer and Walt, but instead, I posed some style questions to my nephew Jess about his wife Laura.

Petite and beautiful, Laura has a relaxed style that’s perfect for her busy life. In addition to office work and the responsibilities that come with being a minister’s wife, she’s a homemaker and the mother of a very active three-year-old. I wanted to give her a design that would be ideal for a date with Jess to an event like the symphony–something a little dressier for a special occasion. I chose Rome as my model because of her fair skin, sweet face, and long hair.


Rome is wearing a vintage silver necklace. Jess told me Laura prefers silver to gold.


I chose a shiny plissé fabric that alternated black with silver-and-black print. It’s dressy but also soft and comfortable.


I stretched most of the pleating out of the bodice, because Jess said Laura would wear something fitted. He also said she wouldn’t mind if the dress was strapless, but she wouldn’t wear anything with a plunging neckline in the front or the back.


The skirt of the dress is flared, based on Jess’s recommendation, and I created a belt from the black part of the fabric.


I accessorized with a black patent leather clutch with a silver clasp.


Rome’s shoes are black and finished with a touch of silver on the sole and heel.


The hemline is just above the knee, a length Jess thought Laura would prefer.

I don’t know if Jess has seen the look he helped me design. I think he did a great job, because when I sent Laura a photo of Rome in the dress, she said she’d wear it–although she was doubtful she could get Jess to a symphony! I’m pretty sure if she wanted to go, we’d see them there, because he adores his wife.


And we’ll see you next time on the runway!

Previously this season:
9:7 Can’t We All Just Get Along?
9:6 The Art of the Matter
9:5 Off to the Track
9:4 All About Nina
9:3 Go Big Or Go Home
9:2 My Pet Project
9:1 Come As You Are

Runway Monday: Can’t We All Just Get Along (PR 9:7)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were divided into teams for a three-part challenge. They had to design their own textiles, come up with a theme for a runway show featuring five looks, and create a video to provide a backdrop while their designs were modeled. They also got to meet Betsey Johnson, whose light spirit and sense of fun were apparently lost on all of them. But this blog is about Becks, not those in-fighting, bullying crybabies.

So: Design my own textile… Why do I feel that I’ve done this before? Here, or maybe here, or perhaps here? I’m always game to do it again, however, even though I don’t have all that technological assistance the show’s designers get. I just have paint and unbleached muslin to create something for my theme, which is “Garden Party.”

My first look, modeled by Cassidy, uses my fabric as the yoke of her baby doll dress.


I made her a simple necklace.


The button on the back of the yoke repeats her shoe color.


My second model, Morgan, wears pants made from my fabric, along with a print shirt.


Her gold necklace belonged to my mother.


Her gold belt is paired with gold shoes.


The side panels of DJ’s tea-length dress use my fabric.


You might recognize the necklace from last year’s final collection.


Mattel’s teal belt is paired with platform heels to give her legs more length with the mid-calf hemline.


Simone’s long-waisted bodice is separated from her dress’s floor-length skirt with a band of multicolored stones.


I love these colors with her eyes and hair.


The dress is simple enough for a casual outdoor setting, but a bit more formal for an evening event.


Esperanza models my final look, separates made completely from the textile I designed.


The top has a single button at the collar and dolman sleeves that can be pushed above the elbow or dropped to three-quarter length.


The short, round skirt is as playful as the look from head–with her bright hat–to toe, with her high-heeled Mary Jane shoes.


The full collection.

ETA 2022: The video I made as part of the challenge was deleted by the site host, and I no longer have my own copy.


See you next time on the runway!

Previously this season:
9:6 The Art of the Matter
9:5 Off to the Track
9:4 All About Nina
9:3 Go Big Or Go Home
9:2 My Pet Project
9:1 Come As You Are

Runway Monday: The Art of the Matter (PR 9:6)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers created paintings with students from Harlem School of the Arts. Each designer then had to design an avant-garde look inspired by the painting.

Marika suggested that I draw my inspiration from “Stravinsky,” by Gilbert Ruiz. Here’s his painting.
Photograph and painting copyright Gilbert Ruiz, 2011. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

I love the colors in the painting, as well as the contrast between the bold geometric shapes and the delicate lacy colors. I was inspired to return to one of my favorite looks to create, what I call the “tattered princess.”


Christine, with her two-toned blonde and brown hair, is the model I chose. Since Gilbert’s painting is alive with multiple layers and textures, that’s how I wanted to create Christine’s look.


The doll Christine is based on Debbie Harry so…New Wave meets Gaga. Both women have been among their generations’ avant-garde performers.


The skirt is made of black, white, and green lace, red mesh, and turquoise net.


Underneath: Black and white tights, to reflect the foundations of Gilbert’s painting.


The bodice is also multiple layers: a white knit bandeau top, covered by black lace, with a top layer of the red mesh.


I used cut-outs of the white lace to embellish the hat.


Detail of the skirt layers.


Something photos can’t show you is the movement of the skirt’s fabric. This was important to me because Gilbert’s painting is so fluid, as of course it must be when sharing a name with one of the world’s greatest and most innovative composers.


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

Some of the fabric for this week’s challenge was donated by Timothy J. Lambert.
To see more of Gilbert Ruiz’s work, check out his Flickr photos at this link.

Previously this season:
9:5 Off to the Track
9:4 All About Nina
9:3 Go Big Or Go Home
9:2 My Pet Project
9:1 Come As You Are

Runway Monday: Off to the Track (PR 9:5)

Oh, Heidi. You’re at it again. On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were asked to create a look for Heidi Klum’s New Balance line to be sold on amazon.com. You might remember that during Season 8, one of the challenges had the designers creating looks for Heidi’s activewear line to be sold on Amazon. Here’s what I did for that challenge last year:

This year, the designers had to make suede or denim part of their looks to go with the sneakers in Heidi’s New Balance line. They were warned to keep fashion in mind; Heidi wasn’t looking for workout clothes.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the New Balance shoes in 1:6 scale. But here’s the first shoe I designed for, made of denim and tan suede:


I dressed Ellison in a blue suede dress and gave her a clunky necklace to make the look more casual and sneaker-friendly.

The second sneaker is made of black suede with wine-colored accents.


I dressed Jillian in a shorts-dress of black suede with a wine-colored gathered bodice.

The third sneaker is black fabric with brown suede:

I chose to dress Heidi in a black suede vest with a pair of brown-patterned slacks.

The overall looks for New Balance:


See you next time on the runway!

Ellison’s beads are a gift from Marika.

Previously this season:
9:4 All About Nina
9:3 Go Big Or Go Home
9:2 My Pet Project
9:1 Come As You Are

Runway Monday: All About Nina (PR 9:4)

In the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were asked to create a look for PR judge and Fashion Director of Marie Claire magazine Nina Garcia. Nina made it clear that she didn’t like loud prints, lots of volume, or too much color in her fashion choices. She also wanted a look that would transition from her work day to evening, when she might have industry meetings or events to attend. I selected Justine as my model because she has features and coloring similar to Nina Garcia’s.


I chose to create separates for Nina, because she seems to appreciate their versatility. I picked a chocolate silk for Justine’s slacks.


For the jacket, I chose a print that I thought was muted enough to add interest without putting Nina off. The jacket is trimmed with power-color-red braid and finished with red-bead buttons.


This is one of my favorite of Mattel’s shoe designs–a style that works for day and night. The gold and red compliment the colors of Justine’s jacket and jewelry.


Removing the jacket transitions this to an evening look.


A gold taffeta top and a sheer red belt make Justine shimmer.


The stone on the necklace I designed adds to Justine’s touches of red from head to toe.


A delicious silhouette for nighttime.


See you next time on the runway!

The fabric for Justine’s jacket was a gift from Marika. The fabric used for the runway was a gift from Lindsey.

Previously this season:
9:3 Go Big Or Go Home
9:2 My Pet Project
9:1 Come As You Are

Runway Monday: Go Big Or Go Home (PR 9:3)

In the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were asked to create a look for stilt walkers.

Though I’m getting tired of the gimmicky beginning-of-season challenges, Tim Gunn finally took everyone to Mood to choose their fabrics. This gives me the chance to show you a gift Marika sent me months ago: my very own Mood shopping bag!

For this challenge, I chose one of my favorite models, Tabitha, because I knew I wanted to create a look with a late 60s-early 70s vibe (surprise!), and being able to put her hair in a high ponytail gave the illusion of height from the waist up, important to balance the length of her legs on stilts.

Does she look tall? How about when she’s standing next to Heidi?

The use of vertical cords as part of the bodice also adds length to Tabitha’s torso.

Stilt walkers, don’t try this at home.

I do love this silhouette, and using the black cord as a fringe down the back seams of both legs added playfulness and movement.

Talk about bringing sexy back.

The beautiful fabric used in this full-legged jumpsuit was a gift from Timothy J. Lambert.

Gotta stilt on out of here! See you next time on the runway.

Previously this season:
9:2 My Pet Project
9:1 Come As You Are

Runway Monday: My Pet Project (PR 9:2)

In the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were asked to create a look using supplies they could get at a pet store. They were also given muslin and some trims and embellishments to complete their looks.

I purchased a dog toy and some greenery designed for use in an aquarium.

Using the fabric from the dog toy, I gave my model, Louise, a sexy little top. Then I fashioned the greenery into a short, puffy skirt.

I accessorized with a silver clutch and embellished the shoes with green and silver trim. The skirt may look sharp, but the plastic is so soft it’s completely comfortable against the skin. (I should know, since I made three versions of the skirt before I was satisfied.)

A closer look at the shoes.

Just for fun, I added a shrug using the same fabric as the top.

Hope you’ve enjoyed my Pet Shop Model.

See you next time on the runway!

Previously this season:
9:1 Come As You Are

Runway Monday: Come As You Are (PR 9:1)

The ninth season of Lifetime’s Project Runway kicked off with a challenge to the designers to create a look using their pajamas (or whatever they slept in) and one sheet from their bed. They were also given some trims and dyes they could use to alter their fabrics. Working at 1:6 scale, I could have just used cotton fabric and painted or dyed it. I certainly wasn’t going to use my recently-purchased Eileen West nightgowns–I’m not that dedicated to the show. I remembered that I’d cut off the bodice of an old nightgown and stored it with my fabrics, but I couldn’t find it when I went looking. However, I did find one of my mother’s pale green nightgowns that I’d stored in my fabric bins a couple of years ago.

If you recall, Lindsey modeled Tim’s shorts for me last year when I used them for Season 8’s first challenge. She was here for Craft Night anyway and agreed to be my model again. Thanks, Lindsey, for being a good sport.

In examining the bodice of the gown, I knew the look I wanted to create: something that would marry a modified 1920s silhouette with the pastels of a Southern belle. The model I chose, Gail, is named for a girl I knew in South Carolina in elementary school who could easily have grown up to play Scarlett O’Hara, she was so gorgeous. With all that in mind, here’s how Gail’s dress turned out:


Form fitting with no waist, gathered just above the knee, then flaring out to the hemline.


I added the beading to help transition from Gail’s vivid lip color to her muted dress color.


It was a bold move to leave a lace panel all the way down the back of the dress. Is it a nude illusion because of lining? I’ll keep you guessing.


Detail of the embroidery on the dress.


A last look at the silhouette.


I hope you enjoyed my season debut. See you next time on the runway!