Challenge: Off the Track
Challenge: Create a look to go with Heidi’s New Balance Sneakers. Think fashion, don’t think just gym. It could be a dress or a suit. Think classic with a twist. You have to use a fabric used in Heidi’s shoe which are denim and suede. The denim or suede does not have to be the dominate fabric, but it does have to be evident.
Time Limit: You have 15.5 hours to complete this challenge
The question I had this week was to design based on what the designers where told the challenge was OR to design based on how they were judged? If you read the challenge above which was taken pretty much word for word from the show you would think you are not supposed to do workout wear, yet the judges kept asking how someone could work out in the different outfits. In the end they did pick two dresses, so who know what they were thinking.
I decided to go with a maxi dress. I used the stripes in my fabric to create a more interesting design. The top of the dress is a gathered halter top with vertical stripes ending in a vee shape. The top joins to the skirt with a strip of suede. Originally, I wanted the stripes on the skirt to make a vee that met in the middle, but I couldn’t get the stripes to match up correctly. Instead, I just left the stripes horizontal, but I seamed the skirt in the middle and top stitched it. I think that this gives vertical line that lengthens the skirt despite the horizontal stripes. It’s a cool, breezy look that is perfect with tennis shoes.
When asked to talk about my look on the runway, I explained that I thought she was a fashionable girl hanging out on a summer Saturday with girlfriends, brunch, followed by shopping at a flea market and then cocktails on an outdoor patio. She wants to look cute, but also needs to feel comfortable walking around.
I think this dress brought me back to the attention of the judges after last weeks middle-of-the-road design. Heidi says it would be something she would wear while out and about with her kids on the weekend. Nina thinks that the details in the top and skirt would make it interesting in a magazine editorial. Michael Kors says its beautifully made and thinks it’s perfect for the urban girl on the go. At that point I don’t even care what the messy model who is the guest judge says.
The accessories are from the Piperline accessory wall of course, except for the shoes which are from Heidi’s line.
© 2005 – 2011 Kathy Lewinski & Susan Cornish
I agree with Heidi, I’d wear this dress while out and about. Very cute. =)
Right on the money! I had a tough time following the judges, too. As per usual!. Love this look, and also, your description of who would wear it. I also think I’m going to go check out that bracelet more closely!
A Winner! Best part of the design: the maxi dress hides those godawful shoes!
A brilliant interpretation of the challenge, which I agree was confusing. The judges said it all, except the messy one who I don’t even remember who she was.