LaShawn Millner: Unconventional Material Challenge
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 a place where I was ready to give up at times because working with paper is not easy.
What has been the toughest part of designing a look out of newsprint?
The toughest part of this challenge, is actually manipulating the paper. I know the challenge was to have 75% paper but I wanted my whole dress to be paper. I had to figure out a way to make a gown that would hold up and was 100% visible paper.
If you had to give one piece of advice to someone participating in a similar challenge, what would you tell him/her and why?
My advice to someone else with this challenge would be to not take it so literal and think outside of the box. Play with the paper and see what it can do and then dive head first into your design.