Tag: fashion

Let’s get some shoes

I’ve been enjoying a web site that shows tennis greats from Wimbledon over the decades. It’s fun to see some of the world’s best players hit the scene looking so young and continue to improve and hone their athleticism as they age. And the tennis fashion! Or even the fashion, like this:


Platform shoes worn by Chris Evert at a Lawn Tennis Association ball in 1974, as she and her then-fiance Jimmy Connors led off the dancing. (AP Photo)

Speaking of fashion, photos of my first challenge for Runway Monday will be posted in a few hours. I HOPE I WIN!

Oh, wait…

Your assistance is required

One week from today is the first show of Project Runway’s Season 9 on Lifetime. This is one reason why I’ve been getting my Model Muse pool in order. I have no idea which dolls I’ll use, but I’ll probably start with new models, of which I’ve acquired several since the previous season.

The lineups of familiar and new models are these:


Tim Gunn poses with the Birthstone Beauties. Standing left to right: Dandy, Natalie, Tajma, Patricia, Katie, Sarah, Emily, Toni. Sitting, left to right: Olivia, Gina, Ava, Lily.


From the Basics 01 collection, left to right: Marcella, Laura Lee, Alexandria, Jillian, Maia, Cassidy, Tabitha, Rachel, Justine.


From the Basics 02 denim collection, left to right: DJ, Amelia, Arlina.


From the Basics Red collection, left to right: Sharon, Rome, Juliet.


I have three of four Basics 1.5 dolls, left to right: Morgan, Louise, Gail.


Random Model Muse dolls, left to right: Grace, Barcelona, Cari, Victoria, Esperanza, Dallas, Heidi 2, Ellison, Heidi 1, Rocky, Christine, Noelle.

And of course, the Top Models, who began this madness.

Left to right: Summer, Lacy, Susannah, Rita, Tamala, Faizah, Barbie, Kikki, Maggie, Tanya, Jessica, Abby

Finally, in case they’re needed, male models are standing by. They do not have names yet, but I’m taking suggestions. If you give me a name and I choose it, there’ll be a prize. Damn if I know what the prize is, but I’ll come up with something. Here you see the unnamed Basics 2.0 models posing with Twilight’s most malicious vampire, Jane.


I’m disqualifying either “Edward” or “Jacob” as their names, and not just because I have the actual Edward and Jacob dolls. I’m refusing to choose Team Edward or Team Jacob. When New Moon director Chris Weitz is asked to choose a team, he always diplomatically says, “Team Bella.” But I’m not Team Any Vampire, because in truth, I am Team Bella’s Truck. It is the thing she has that I most envy. In the book, it’s a 1953 Chevy, like this one:

In the movie, it’s this 1963 Chevy:

Frankly, I would love either of these trucks, or any old beat-up red truck that Kathy S could keep running for me. (Hi, Kathy!) Until then, I’ll just dream of Bella’s truck. Now you know my true secret Twilight obsession. I got those pictures from the web site On Screen Cars, and you can read more about the Chevys or vehicles in other movies on that site. If you’re into that kind of thing.

Wednesday out and about

On Wednesday, Tom, Jim, and I had a wonderful lunch at Té House of Tea. Then they helped me take down my paintings so another artist could hang work there.

I once again thank Té for providing the space and the opportunity to show my paintings. I appreciate it so much.

While we were finishing the de-installation, we were joined by Hanley and Tim.

Poser!

Jim had suggested that Tim and I put the “Fluid” app on our iPhones. To the tune of new age music, the app lets you see see water on rocks (or a photo of your choice); you can touch the screen to make the water ripple or flow in different directions. Hanley kept telling Tim she wanted to see the eggs on his phone, and he wasn’t sure what she meant. Then she said the “sparkly egg,” and I was sure she was saying “Sparkly Ed” and professing her allegiance to Team Edward. Tim figured out that the larger pebbles are shaped like eggs, and Hanley finally got to enjoy her serene moments with the phone’s nature scene.

Hanley and her entourage then went to the Menil Collection, where she pointed out paintings by Newman and “Roshko” (Rothko) by name, much to the mirth of the docents. I came home and started spaghetti sauce while whipping together outfits for a few of my models. You might remember the argyle dress I did during 30 Days of Creativity. Now there are four, plus these:

Model muses posing in front of my painting “She Dreams of Tuscany.” By the way, Project Runway returns July 28 on Lifetime.

30 Days of Creativity 2011, Day 17

Last fall when I did my Canvas to Couture collection, I’d planned on completing twelve looks. Then Project Runway did a challenge toward the end of the season in which the designers were asked to create their own fabrics and design a look for Heidi Klum. I’m starting to think she conceived this entire series as a means to fill her own closet.

That meant I ended up with thirteen looks, and you know that number makes me twitch. I could have dropped one of the looks before I hang the collection in August, making it a pleasant dozen, but since I needed another creative project anyway…


First I did this. Then I began working on this.

It isn’t finished–you may see pins and a needle and thread sticking out of the bottom. It also needs to be accessorized; that yellow ribbon holding it together while I sew it is not part of the final look. Still, it will take the Canvas to Couture series to a satisfying fourteen.

30 Days of Creativity 2011, Day 14

Down the hill, the cattle are lowing and the Coke machine beckons.


Today’s 30 Days of Creativity theme is “Picnic,” so I made a couple of play-outside outfits for two Basics dolls. I also made a picnic basket and plates. The rest of the stuff–who cares. What matters is that I’ve helped you see your daily cow. You’re welcome.

(Click here to view larger version on black background.)

30 Days of Creativity 2011, Day 7

You guys who’ve been following this blog for a while know that for each season of the Bravo/Lifetime show Project Runway starting in the fall of 2008, I’ve completed the show challenges at 1:6 scale for Mattel Model Muse dolls. For my final collection in the fall of 2010, I painted unbleached muslin canvases and turned them into dresses.

Since I didn’t cut any of the canvases, once I removed them from the dolls and took out all the stitching, they became paintings again. My goal was to mount the canvases with photos of the dolls wearing them in hope of showing the finished artwork somewhere in Houston. I’m in the process of pinning down a venue now, so I’ve begun the task of framing the work. It has been challenging, but fortunately, I have my in-house Tim Gunn to assist me. In fact, after offering an excellent suggestion today, my Tim–Timothy J. Lambert–left me with the parting words, “Make it work.”

I’ve shot a couple of the framed pieces for today’s 30 Days entry–which is, coincidentally, “Fashion.” My models look a little distorted because I had to shoot down at them to avoid reflections. Two down, twelve to go!

When these pieces are done and exhibited, they will be for sale–prices yet to be determined.

30 Days of Creativity 2011, Day 6

The folks who organized 30 Days of Creativity also provide a calendar with a daily theme to prompt ideas if you’re feeling stuck creatively. Though I’m not feeling stuck, I wanted to use today’s theme: Argyle.

For obvious reasons.


Rachel in argyle. Shoes and attaché from Mattel; jewelry and new dress from me.

Parents, if you have kids who love Barbie dolls, you will never find an easier way to make doll clothes than from socks. I have used socks for dresses, pants, leotards, leggings, sweaters, shrugs, and work-out clothes.

Thanks again to Tim for one of his paintings that makes a great backdrop.

30 Days of Creativity 2011, Day 1

Last year when I kicked off 30 Days of Creativity on June 1, I made a new outfit for Barbie Basic doll Laura Lee. I might as well turn it into a tradition, so this year, as promised, Mattel’s Debbie Harry Barbie doll is wearing a new design made exclusively by me for her. However, it was Tim’s comment about my doll that inspired me. He said that she needed “a Stephen Sprouse something” to wear.

The truth is, I had no idea who Stephen Sprouse was when I read Tim’s comment. But I know now, and if you’d like to read more about the late designer and his work, check out The Stephen Sprouse Book. If you look at some of the images there, you’ll see my inspiration. (Hint: If you wish, you can turn off the music on that site in the lower right corner.)

Sprouse was known for his use of Day-Glo colors and street art, including graffiti, in his designs. He also made collections based on retro looks. Using elements from past decades to create new Barbie fashions is exactly what I most like to sew, so I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off this month’s projects.

Posed against the backdrop of an unfinished painting by Timothy J. Lambert, Debbie shows off her midi coat of many neon colors with LOVE graffiti made so popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Debbie removes her coat to reveal her yellow vinyl mini dress, With a front zipper, she’s got the fashion vibe covered from the 60s to the 80s. I call this her Cherry Pie dress–a double nod to the 80s big hair band Warrant and to the Louis Vuitton collection which made use of Sprouse’s rose motif–including a dress with a large sequined rose.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my first creative effort. If you check out 30 Days of Creativity’s Pinterest site, you can see what other folks are creating. Maybe you’d even like to join in!

Call me, call me any time (call me)

I still remember the first time I saw Debbie Harry and Blondie on TV. Regardless of what heights she achieved in the rock and roll pantheon, to me she’ll always be that adorably quirky girl who nearly tripped on her microphone cord while performing on Midnight Special in… Oh, it matters not what year. I think Lynne and I were something like two at the time (she was watching with me).

I got Mattel’s Debbie Harry Barbie for a steal on eBay because she didn’t arrive with her clothes or accessories. No biggie that she is sans pink vinyl dress. I’ll design a whole new look for her soon, I hope.

Animal print fabric gift of Marika.