For this Project Project Runway challenge we were told to design an outfit for a friend. I chose the lovely co-author of this site, Susi.
Susi is a busy “stay-at-home” mom in San Francisco. I put stay-at-home in quotes because there is very little staying at home in her life. She and Miss A spend their days making the best of all the San Francisco has to offer from museums to shops to cafes. And now that Miss A has started preschool, Susi will be teaching there once a week too.
I didn’t chose to design for Susi because I felt like she needed to be “fixed.” Instead it was because from time to time Susi will send me looks that she says are what she thinks she dresses like instead of how she does. I think as a mom of a toddler it is often hard to find the time to take care of yourself left alone look chic. For her outfit, I took a slightly different track than the designers on the show. They all went for dressy or work outfits. I felt like Susi would prefer something that she could wear all the time and feel great, so I went for a casual day look. I love this look, to me it really mirrors Susi’s vibrant, bubbly personality.
The outfit is made of three pieces; a pair of red, skinny (but not skin-tight) jeans with a little stretch to them, a patterned, cotton tunic with gathers at the neckline and a long sleeve ecru tee, also with a little stretch. The look is all about layering which is very necessary in San Francisco. For warmer days the tunic can be worn without the tee underneath it or for those one or two summer days it could be worn as a dress. This outfit allows her tons of movement for chasing a toddler around thanks to the stretch.
For accessories, I added a pair of blue patent leather ballet flats and a grey Michael Kors tote (it never hurts to suck up to a judge).
So, how did I do this week. I think the outfit is great and I think Susi would love wearing it. I’m afraid the judges might mark me down for doing a casual outfit. Still it is well made and I didn’t insult my client while making. I don’t think it would put me in the top three, but I don’t think it would put me in the bottom.
© 2005 – 2012 Kathy Lewinski & Susan Cornish
This is perfect for a busy mom! I love the look. I think the judges would have been good with it since she is chasing after a toddler 99% of the time. The only change I’d make is to give her a cross body bag. That way it wouldn’t slide off her shoulder and bop her child in the head when she bends down to her level. I say this because it used to happen to me all the time, haha!
I LOVE this look. I will be on the hunt for it in my size! Way to go Kathy! You knocked it out of the park!
I love that you two made outfits for each other! So cute.