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| Ixchel Amor's |
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| Ixchel's 1st Place look |
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| Nancy Diep's |
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| Nancy K's 2nd place look |
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| Nancy K's |
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| Nancy K's |
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| Larry Wu's winning look |
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| Larry Wu |
1st place - It looked well made and fit like a glove - a black, latex glove. Very Pam Anderson!
2nd place - I came in 2nd. YAY! I was not crazy about the Snookiesque hair bump but my biggest gripe was that the model didn't take off the detachable cape during the runway show. I had specifically rigged it with snaps so that it could be torn away and had given them instruction to do so, but despite all of these efforts, it didn't happen.
3rd - I felt genuinely threatened when this look appear on the runway. It isn't something I would necessarily wear but I thought the fit, proportion and the styling was very impactful. Of all the sportswear garments on the runway, this one I predicted to be a serious contender.
Honorable Mention - YAY! Larry Wu! He's like a little brother to me. I'm very proud!
Things I've learned:
Styling is key! Students were given the opportunity to provide accessories or make suggestions. Larry provided the model with a motorcycle helmet and goggles. The 3rd place look had also come down the runway with a motorcycle helmet. Hair and accessories help tell the "story" of your girl and where she's going. We gravitate towards stories and they make things more memorable and emotional. Ixchel's winning look was accessorized with a giant floppy, sun hat and a matching handbag. The girl looked ready to go from the runway to a swanky beach resort! Larry's model and the 3rd place winner looked ready to mount their hogs and take off! Nancy D. had provide the production team with a photo of exactly how she wanted the model to be styled and I think she pretty much got exactly what she wanted. I provided a genuine panama hat to be paired with my white linen garment hoping that it would give it a cool, Cuban flair but without a photo of exactly how I wanted it to be worn, the model instead, looked like she was on her way to a hoe-down. Her hair was big and it didn't fit. She had to hold down the hat with her hand to keep it from falling of. My mistake...
Think like a Showman! You might believe that the garment will speak for itself but on the runway, it's about showmanship. You may have done a ton of intricate and couture handy work, but if the viewer can't see it from where she/he is sitting, it doesn't exist. Think theatrics! The garment needs to perform! Think Color! Movement! Convertibility! Innovation! Out of a 100 looks, why is your's memorable?
Make it idiot-proof! As I had mentioned, I rigged the cape with snaps and gave them very specific instructions to take it off but it still didn't happen. I made buttonholes non-functional where-ever I could substitute with snaps or ties because watching a model attempting to undo a million buttons is agony. There was one model who struggled with a single button jacket for what seemed like minutes. Not only was it awkward and distracting, it made the garment seem fussy and annoying to put on and take off. Make the dressing process as simple as possible and it will be more likely that you'll get the model to do what you want. Also, if something is to be taken off in the middle of the runway, the transitional will look much smoother and more natural.
Next year PCC will rule the show!
