Challenge 9: Race to the Finish
Challenge: Create a high fashion look for a L’Oreal Paris Advertorial AND a companion ready-to-wear look. Use a Studios Secrets finish, metallic, crystal, bright, matte or velvet, as your inspiration.
Feel free to show what accessories you would use from Piperlime.com
Time: You have 30 hours to create your design
I chose metallic as my finish inspiration (didn’t it seem like that whole part of the challenge was sort of brushed aside on the show?)
I had a hard time coming up with a good idea for my high-end couture look at first. I kept thinking I had to do something really wild & over the top. I liked my idea but thought perhaps I needed to add more beading, nah too pageant. Perhaps some added fabric poofs to the back, nah no one likes their butt to look bigger, not even a doll. Then I realized that really isn’t what I create, I prefer looks that are sleek & chic, so, um, no bathrobes with feathers on them or space-age warrior outfits from me. Instead I thought of a dress that could be worn to an event like the Black & White Ball in SF or the Met Ball in NYC. The dress itself is a very simple, body-conscious sheath with bust shaping that goes all they way around to the back. What takes it over the top is the hand beaded collar made of silver, onyx and hematite beads that shimmer when hit by the light. The collar is not attached at the back of the dress leaving the top of the back open. The back of the dress also has a high slit to aid with walking & add a little sexiness.
I felt the ready-to-wear look should harken back to the couture look quite a bit. (I was actually surprised at how many of the ready-to-wear looks on the show seemed to have nothing to do with the other.) 
So, I made a black cocktail dress with a halter neck. I felt the neckline & open back harkened back to the original design. Simple beading with black onyx beads at the neckline relate to the collar on the other dress.
Make sure to check out Susi’s beautiful teal raw silk entry, there is some wonderful draping going on there!
It’s funny, even though we are doing these challenges at home on dolls both Susi & I were talking about how exhausted we were the process after the last challenge. We were sounding like the designers on the show despite the fact we don’t have the pressure they do. Still coming up with a new design, or two, every week is really hard. And then trying to translate that idea into something someone who’s measurements are 4 1/4″, 3 1/2″, 5″ & has a head that is bigger than her hips is not easy. It’s incredibly hard to get the nice seams & sharp details you see in your head. I can’t imagine adding in Susi’s extra challenge of only getting to work during toddler naptime! So, let me just say how much we appreciate all your great comments through this project, it really gives us the burst to move on to the next challenge.
© 2005 – 2011 Kathy Lewinski & Susan Cornish
Very nice!
Beautiful! Timeless and classic looks. I have to agree–a lot of the day looks didn't mesh at all with the couture looks. Love this!
Wow!!!!!
You knocked it out of the park!!!!!
I love your project! It makes me want to go buy a doll (but not a barbie) and join in next year. And I don't even like dolls!! LOl
Absolutely gorgeous! I hope you guys do this again next season, because I think it'd be fun to join in, too! I especially loved the high-end look, that collar is just lovely.
Kat, I read on Susi' site that you got some press about this? Do you have links? I would love to read about all the excitement. You both have done such an awesome job!
Manisha – We were mentioned on GoFugYourself http://gofugyourself.celebuzz.com/go_fug_yourself/2010/09/fugs_and_pieces_september_24th.html
Then Tom & Lorenzo who write Project Rungay wrote about us on their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-and-LorenzoProject-Rungay/131035174615
Sunday there will be an article about the project in the Hindustan Times http://www.hindustantimes.com which I'll have a link for then.
Very chic!