Ina Murphey & Mike Austin
Challenge One
Evangeline Ghastly is putting her best foot forward in her own designer boots that we embellished with “blood” droplets of genuine Swarovski red crystals dangling from silver chains and dripping onto the bows of her toes. Our research of Gothic style fashion revealed that throughout history, almost every major time period since the Renaissance has exhibited some degree of Gothic influenced fashion design. Since the creator of Evangeline Ghastly, Joe Petrollese, has given her a persona as a mysterious character with a wardrobe “right out of a Victorian novel,” we decided to give her an outfit designed in the Victorian-Gothic style with a touch of fantasy.
We used the design feature of repeated buttoned straps and bows, inspired by her boots, and added a theme of blood droplets from the “love bite” on her chocker, raining downward on silver chains. We carried out the theme on her corset with a series of black ribbon straps with black “buttons” at each end. Additional black ribbons accent each sleeve. The bow feature on her boots is repeated in her bow shaped feather headpiece and emphasized with a black satin ribbon bow at its center. Red crystal blood droplets fall from the “love bite” on her chocker and are repeated on her corset, earrings, boots, hair piece and atop and below the crystal handle of her walking stick. The dragon wings on her back sparkle with Swarovski AB crystal rhinestones and red crystal blood droplets. As she puts “her best foot forward,” the high-low skirt reveals a blood red crushed velvet lining.
The materials we used for the outfit include black and red crushed velvet, ivory and black silk georgette, ivory and black Chantilly style and Venice laces, Swarovski crystals and rhinestones, silver chains, black ribbon, and black gimp. Dragon wings were made with wire, cellophane, gallery glass, dimensional paint, glitter and rhinestones. Walking stick was made from a wooden dowel, black paint, black glitter, clear faceted round crystal, and red crystal rhinestones. The backdrop in the artistic photos was hand painted. Other props were purchased at a local craft store.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Challenge Two
Belle from Beauty and the BeastWe chose the beautiful character Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, for this challenge. In the Disney animated movie, Belle wore about a half dozen outfits, but the most recognizable costume is the beautiful yellow dress she wore the night the beast turned into a handsome prince and they embraced and danced together.
Outside of the palace, Belle’s clothing was very simple. However, inside the castle everything, including her wardrobe, was enchanted. A lovable enchanted teapot, her child Chip, and comical candelabra conspire to make Belle fall in love with the beast (prince). In the process, Belle’s plain blue dress and apron, become a soft and feminine yellow gown, adorned with satin ribbons and pearls. She was also given an enchanted necklace. The 1946 black and white movie and some of the numerous other written versions of the story put more emphasis on the necklace than the Disney movie. Nevertheless, the necklace is still a very important part of Bell’s enchanted fashion look.
We have transformed Belle’s gown into a more modern two-piece fashion that has the same soft feminine look, and is also embellished with ribbons and pearls. Her new enchanted necklace forms the focal point of her ensemble.
Our research into what a modern princess would wear took us on an internet search to the place populated with more princesses than any other location on the planet—Europe. There we found a plethora of photographs of numerous young princesses, the most prominent being Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie of Great Britain. Both fashionable young ladies were often seen in pants and comfortable, high waisted dresses. One photograph of Princess Beatrice particularly caught our eye. She was dressed in a bright yellow, high waisted sundress with a softly gathered skirt and ribbon ruffle design detail.
With the basic modern princess fashion look in hand; we proceeded on to Paris to see what was on the runways of the couturiers of the Chambre Syndicale De La Haute Couture. There we found the House of Chanel and designer Karl Lagerfeld’s embellished necklines to die for! Ah—what beautiful inspiration for Belle’s enchanted necklace!
Belle, herself, had the last word on her new fashion. Nothing would do but to be dressed in the pants that were named after her—belle bottoms, of course! . . .and she insisted on being photographed with her Prince for the creative portion of her photo shoot.
|
 |
 |
Challenge Three
Challenge #3 was definitely outside the comfort zone! This dress was the result of studying the deconstructed fashions of numerous designers, and filtering the techniques that worked. It is a combination of deconstructed and reconstructed fabrics, wrapped and twisted fabrics and loosely flowing silk ribbons. 100% silk fabrics and ribbons were used to achieve the desired look. The inside of the garment is completely lined and seams and stitches not meant to be seen are hidden.
Challenge Four
The stipulation that this challenge had to be daytime fashion made it a very difficult but stimulating challenge! The first step of the research quest was to spot Fashionistas in daytime couture. This was accomplished via the people and party sections of current fashion magazine and internet sites. Fortunately, it was Fashion Week in Paris and fashion photo blogger Tommy Ton provided some very attention-grabbing eye candy. The next step was to compare what was seen on the streets of Paris, London, Milan and New York.
We took elements from these sources and added our own inspiration to develop a design that would be both sophisticated and feminine. We combined soft sheer silk chiffon with silk shantung; added hand made silk ribbon flowers and Swarovski crystals; then accessorized it with copper and gold jewelry.
Challenge Five
This was a first time experience with Steampunk design. The websites and videos suggested by the guest judge for this challenge were very helpful. If nothing else, this challenge has been fun! The statement that meant the most and had the greatest on the impact on this design was, “Steampunk is the way the world might have been if the information revolution had happened 100 years earlier, during the Victorian Era.”
The dress and hat were made from silk organza and silk Carmeuse with silver military braid. In order to get the compass printed fabric in proportion to size of doll, specially treated fabric was used and printed in an ink jet printer. The hat, jewelry, and bridal bouquet were hand made. Background used in extra photos was a purchased poster.
Challenge Six