Our challenge this week: The Art of the Matter
We were to collaborate with an art student on a work of art. This artwork would then be used as the inspiration for our design. Since we don’t all have access to an art student, we were allowed to use a piece of art from within our own homes, a favourite piece from a museum, or to work with a child we know on a painting. We were reminded that our garments should be inspired by the work of art but should not be too literal. We were also told to keep in mind that this is not a red carpet challenge but an avant garde one. We had 24 hours to complete our looks.
Since I wasn’t going to have the chance to work with my favourite little artists, I chose this piece by Mondrian. I’m not usually into this kind of artwork but for some reason this Mondrian has always grabbed my attention and made me smile.
Initially, my plan was to create a colour blocked garment – either a maxi dress or a jumpsuit. I was using red, white, and blue fabrics (I edited the yellow out, feeling that it would just be too much) with some black trim. Unfortunately, when Tim came through the workroom, he pointed out that my jumpsuit was looking a little too patriotic and Americana with those colour choices. I heard one of my fellow teammates wondering if I was making an outfit for Evel Kneivel. Ouch. Mr. Gunn also suggested that the blocks of colour in my colour blocking were looking much too literal and too close to the actual painting.
So back to the drawing board for me! I came up with this draped wrap dress – still keeping some sense of the colour blocking but without it being actual rectangles of colour as in the painting. I changed from black trim to a black belt that I felt would add a pop to the outfit and break up a bit of the red and white. I completely eliminated the blue fabric, hoping that would keep it from looking too 4th of July.
I’m not sure how avant garde this is but I am pleased with how this garment turned out and feel like I would at least be safe. I’m keeping the styling simple, pairing this dress with a pair of Guzman by Joan & David shoes from the PiperLime accessory wall.
So, what did you think of this challenge? Who was your favourite and who would you have voted out?
For more of the Project Project Runway challenge, check out http://www.justcraftyenough.com
Side note: Check out what I scored at the fabric store this week – marked down to $1 and $3!!!!!
Tawny says
Nice! This dress is nice. Great editing using Tim Gunn’s advice. I think this dress is much nicer than an Evel Kneivel outfit! 😀 I like how it fits with the painting but isn’t a completely literal version, which must have been difficult with this one. Great job!