2018 Designers – Goodwill Rock The Runway

LaShawn Millner: Unconventional Material Challenge

LaShawn Millner: Unconventional Material Challenge LaShawn Millner What inspired your look for the Unconventional Material Challenge? My unconventional challenge look was inspired by 1950’s designer Zelda Wynn Valdes. She was responsible for changing the style in the 50s as she was the creator of the Playboy Bunny outfit. What is the best part of participating in a challenge like this? The best part of participating in a challenge like this is that you find out just how strong you are as a designer and as a person. This challenge pushed me out of my comfort zone and into [...]

By Christine Gillies| 2018-02-28T09:39:35-05:00 February 28th, 2018|

Jasmine Rhodes: Unconventional Material Challenge

Jasmine Rhodes: Unconventional Material Challenge Jasmine Rhodes What inspired your look for the Unconventional Material Challenge? When I was researching trends from the 2000s era, I stumbled upon a familiar trend, which reminded me of my high school days- the paper fortune teller. I used to make these all the time in class with my friends, using random topics and colors, and I immediately thought, “How cool would it be to create a life-size paper fortune teller?” I was going to incorporate some wording onto the fortune teller structure, but instead, I wanted the garment to have more [...]

By Christine Gillies| 2018-02-26T14:16:32-05:00 February 23rd, 2018|

Desiree Hedrick: Unconventional Material Challenge

Desiree Hedrick: Unconventional Material Challenge Desiree Hedrick What inspired your look for the Unconventional Materials Challenge? My paper garment was inspired by the 90s, and the Fresh Prince TV character, “Aunt Viv.” This look embodies power, elegance, and grace which is exactly what comes to mind when I think of “Aunt Viv.” I used duct tape to create the striped print, and for structure, I created the boxy cape that’s connected with a hand painted gold chain. The flare at the bottom of the cape was box pleated and faced with duct tape for strength. Paired with this [...]

By Christine Gillies| 2018-02-26T14:16:39-05:00 February 23rd, 2018|

Georgann Schultz: Unconventional Material Challenge

Georgann Schultz: Unconventional Materials Challenge Georgann Schultz What inspired your look for the Unconventional Material Challenge? I have many inspirations for my paper runway look. My model is a huge Cher fan and has always wanted to do a Cher inspired look for the runway, so I am helping Macaria Rage (a.k.a. Sean Roach) fulfill that dream. I researched a classic 70 look from Chef, and of course took inspiration from Bob Mackie. I gravitated to a stylized Native American look worn by Cher. I had to design this to be my own work, but wanted people to [...]

By Christine Gillies| 2018-02-26T14:32:14-05:00 February 23rd, 2018|

Amber Kapas: Unconventional Material Challenge

Amber Kapas: Unconventional Materials Challenge Amber Kapas What inspired your look for the Unconventional Material Challenge (UMC)? Inspiration for the UMC garment came from the geometric shapes on hairclips from the 80's. Inspiration also came from one of my all-time favorite binge-worthy shows- Stranger Things and my go-to inspiration music artist, Joan Jett. What is the best part of participating in a challenge like this? Complete creative freedom with endless opportunity to adapt and open your mind to a new design style. What has been the toughest part of designing a look out of newsprint? Learning how to achieve/ execute a desired, proper [...]

By Christine Gillies| 2018-02-23T09:21:54-05:00 February 14th, 2018|