As much as I love Christian Siriano, his most recent Ready-to-Wear collection for fall 2011 had so many black, ho-hum wearable items in it, that I almost didn't make it through the slideshow... but then, drama!
And of course he designed the crazy high platform shoes (one pair actually took a model down) so he's still the couture designer we remember from Project Runway Season 4... but everybody's gotta sell some clothes, right?
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What a night it was! Everyone on and off the runway was decked out - especially the shoes! Jennifer and I sat in the 3rd row towards the front, so we got a good glimpse of all the garments last night. Our model from last year graced the cover of the program and our garment was on display at the entrance.
The only disappointing part of the evening was the venue. They switched it from the South Lake Union Naval Reserve Building to the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall (where Urban Craft Uprising is held each year) and ran the runway alongside the 3' wide pillars. Sight lines were an issue, and the MC's (Jack and Kevin from Project Runway Season 4), played to the other side of the house all night since that was where the judges and VIP's were sitting, so we kind of felt like we were backstage. Nonetheless, there were some impressive outfits strutting the catwalk. Here is a shot of TGBA/Atlas Carpet's entry (GGLO partnered with Atlas last year - we love Diane and Bob!). I thought it was an impressive effort for a team with no sewing skills!
Jack Mackenroth and Kevin Christiana were probably delightful as MC's (I really heard very little of their presentation with the noise and that whole "playing to the other side of the runway" issue mentioned earlier). They brought a short video segment of their new reality show to premiere while the judges deliberated. It's a brilliant idea - they will refashion a new wardrobe from existing pieces in someone's closet. I think it just might catch on. They're currently shopping for producers.
There were about 5 VIP seats in front of us that no one ever showed up to sit in, so Jennifer and I made off with their swag bags! I didn't look inside until this morning... a few design magazines, a cooking apron, a calculator, organic lime ade, a mint tin, lotion/perfume, an instant coffee sample and a letter opener. No Creme de la Mer or gift cards to Harry Winston.
I
donated a cashmere sweater dress for the raffle, and it was included as
part of the "indulgence package" along with a hair appointment, jewelry
set, cosmetics gift set and a box of chocolates, for a total value of
$830.
The big deal raffle item of the night was a dress by Jason Wu (Michelle Obama's designer). Your choice of a $2,000 gown... and my friend Ruth won!
Maybe it was the bitter-sweet memory of our win last year, or my new Steve Madden heels cutting into my toes, or the fact that my date had to leave early to run to the airport, but at 10:30 when they still hadn't announced the winners but had run out of wine, I decided to head home. I learned on the web this morning that the winner was SKB/Pental/Luwa. I remember it was a very nicely made conservative looking sheath dress and jacket, and I was impressed with the workmanship. But you'll have to wait for the professional photos, since my little Canon was not cooperating during the runway show.
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I have mixed feelings about this year's Product Runway event. My co-creator and I are going to the show next Friday, but my firm did not enter this year. Our winning garment from last year, made from Atlas Carpet will be on display while we sit in the audience with everyone else. That garment has been on tour for a couple weeks promoting the event and I'm a little jealous. At least I'll get to see Jack Mackenroth again!
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Seattle Homes & Lifestyle magazine has a mention of our Product Runway win and a photo of the moment of truth in the July/August print issue! It is listed online under the Spring Happenings section as well.
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I think one of the highlights of the evening last Friday was meeting my new BFF, Jack Mackenroth. He was genuine and funny and candid about our carpet garment and Project Runway and everything. It was truly a thrill. Thanks, Jack! although I'm told we owe the win to Angela Adams and Matt Lorenz...
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what a fantastic night! we crossed our fingers just to get in the top 6 and we did! Lindsey and I walked out on the runway with Monica and defended our garment to the judges, then they started to eliminate teams... somehow we just kept standing on the runway while the other teams were asked to leave... It was such a victory! here are some photos from the event.
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I'm really pleased with how the jacket turned out. 
the machinery gear pieces really added to the collar. I hope we don't get marked down for the amount of glue I used on the jacket, but it was essential for solidifying the construction.
if I had the chance to make the skirt over again, with what I know, I'd
do a better job, but for what it is, I'm willing to send it down the runway
and take my chances. after seeing the corset that jennifer worked on, I had the idea to add the stitch motif into the skirt to tie them together, but with the time constraints I decided against it. 
on the other hand, I took the time to create a custom clothing label for the jacket, which arguably was not essential to the competition.
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two days left to sew or glue or tweak the outfit... 6 days till the runway show! 
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the sleeves are really making the whole jacket come together. I only have one done, but I was smart enough to write down the pattern as I went, so I can whip up another one pretty easily. I think the decision to knit the sleeves from the rug yarn was a good departure from the secondary backing which was the original idea. 
it looks so much more like a real jacket!
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our product partners in this crime of fashion are Bob & Diane of Atlas Carpet... our gracious hosts invited Team Steam out to their home for some R&R 
...and rug yarn winding. part of our materials are these HUGE skeins of hot pink and copper yarn that I will use to crochet details on the skirt and knit sleeves for the jacket among other things, maybe boot laces... but they have to be wound into manageable portions.
there was some healthy competition between the pinks and the copper winders, but the outcome was usable yarn for the good of the project.
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