http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Kallastyos&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Kallastyos en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:51:00 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/27869397/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/27869397/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:26:23 PDT
Just wanted to update considering how long it's been (and that general community participation seemed to have dwindled a bit).

Rutgers is going well, I'm currently pursuing studies in Linguistics and Mathematics (and topics that bridge the two, including ones in Computer Science). I've found that they, like fashion, possess aesthetic qualities and yield beautiful results, however less tangible and more abstract.

I still draw a bit in my free time, but I'm seriously too busy to ever complete anything that's more than a quick half sketch in the margins of a returned quiz or homework. And I don't have a scanner (and I'm lethargic).

In any case, I just wanted to say hey to those that are still listening.

Best regards with everything.

]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/24299800/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/24299800/ Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:00:11 PDT
I have received anonymous complaint about LBM's sudden freeze. As you know, I don't exactly have time to cover seasons anymore, but I encourage anyone to pick up the ball and try their hand at running it!

I can judge every now and then (and may require reminders). I would recommend that there at least be a judge or two that have either experience in much style.com surfing and/or fashion illustrating. Moreover, I recommend someone who will committedly finish the season to its end and will deliver an exciting result (with some exciting critique(!)).

Good luck!

]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/22058653/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/22058653/ Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:49:44 PST
LBM continues. ~GinchyCouture decided to pick up where I had left off as administrator of LBM Season 4.

Calling all designers! Join this competition!!! It is an exciting, thoroughly didactic experience!

Go to his site and DO IT!!!

And enjoy winter break!

]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/21973650/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/21973650/ Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:18:38 PST
Hope you're enjoying the start of break. I'll be able to once finals are over on the 17th. I have been slaving over since six weeks ago (lol).

This journal is to address some unanswered questions and changes that have happened over the past few months.

Fashion reading (as I call it... style.com surfing) and fashion illustrating is my hobby and it's fun keeping at it and seeing how my thought processes about fashion change. Style.com and NYTimes.com continue to be hot sites for me.

But the context has changed a little. Rutgers and my academics here have become much more rigorous and intense. I draw ever closer to the deadline of admission into Rutgers Business School--a two year program starting junior year that I've been trying to get into, in which I have to complete very challenging eligibility courses.

I am, of near certainty, currently unsuited to revive the flames of LBM for the next season. Maybe there will be a day that I turn back to my neat competition--which I love dearly--but it does not seem in near sight.

For this I am sorry.

My suggestions to you? If anyone's motivated or interested in running LBM (or, even more generally, a fashion illustration competition), pick up the slack and run the competition on your own. It's real fun. My input would be that the one running it should emphasize the competitors' development in fashion illustration. With everything else, well, you can do anything and make it fun and fair (enough).

If no one does, maybe we'll wait for a day when I want to go back to running it. I sure as hell had a great time doing it.

Well. Anyway.

How have you guys been? What have I missed while I was gone? I wanna hear from you.

]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/19898802/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/19898802/ Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:08:07 PDT Hei guys. We figured out that DA doesn't work for me due to my current browser. I'll download a new one ASAP so I can get back to DA participation.

Hei guys.

I can't seem to access my messages or see my recent journal entries. The one that was up was the "Today" journal instead of the results of the competition. So I don't really know what's up but if you have any questions just note me. Thanks.

]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/19777953/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/19777953/ Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:27:01 PDT
Tonight, the winner of the third season of Le Beau Monde fashion competition will be revealed.

Before we begin, I want to say congratulations to the finalists. Your work thus far has been great and you MORE than deserve to be here. I am glad that you have made names for yourselves as fashion illustrators of the DeviantArt community. As for those of you who were eliminated, understand that your work in addition to the finalists' is fantastic. I congratulate all of you just for stepping up to the plate. Keep drawing and one day you will absolutely get there.

The judging was taken into consideration through two mantras: how much of a push an individual designer made and how strong a submission is in comparison to those of its competitors. Le Beau Monde focuses on illustration and concept; the winner of this competition will have met these criteria.

I do not aim to make the finalists feel bad, so I'm only going to announce who the winner is. How each designer fared beyond that is to be interpreted through the critique.

And with that, let the judging begin.

CRITIQUE

Bluecranberries ([link]): Bluecranberries's Fife and Drum aimed at projecting her ability to conceive a beautifully tailored look that maybe veered towards boyish and military. Using her strong illustrative skills, she was able to produce accurate looks that shed light on who she was as a designer.

As a matter of fact, the illustration was the strongest aspect of this submission. The models are proportioned perfectly as the little wrinkles that demonstrate the gentle tug of the jackets were wonderful. The concepts really stood too; looks one, three, and nine stood out for their subtle ingenuity and pure look-good factor. That she used different poses to show off her capabilities was fabulous. What held the concept back, however, was the palette and styling. The color choices were arguably restrictive (as they were --for the most part-- strictly beige and cadet) in that they took attention away from the striking silhouettes. Moreover, dressing each look around the same model also seemed to blend everything together a little too much. So in that department, there could have been more surprising factors thrown in.

Overcohesion aside, however, the judges realize that Bluecranberries has a consistent and convincing point of view as a designer and, especially, as an illustrator.

Ginchycouture ([link]): Ginchycouture named his collection World Town based on his trip to Seattle. Inspired by the mix of different cultures within the city, he produced a feminine and wide-ranged collection that sought to highlight him as a designer.

Some of the concepts were really good. More detailed looks such as the fifth and sixth kept us interested. The fifth look, the nicely detailed pink flounced polo dress, actually best encompassed what he aimed at achieving in his collection: a unique but pragmatic vision of a modern American woman. Where Ginchycouture fell short was in illustration. Most of his fabrics were soft or light and required more illustrative detail (such as shading and transparency) in order to better depict what he conceived. In that sense, some looks (such as the last) were left curiously undetailed and could have been mined over with a more critical eye.

Though these criticisms must be taken into consideration, he still proved to possess a strong conceptual point of view.

Theyskens ([link]): Theyskens's Rock n' Rose clearly portrayed what she would contribute as a fashion designer. Quirky, unique and stylish, the collection embedded Theyskens into her own niche as a prominent design illustrator.

The concepts were surprising and stunning. Interestingly enough, most of the surprises came in the smallest of packages: a beautiful detail on the right lapel of a biker jacket, the gentle drape of a minidress, the slightly raised shoulder of a cropped tuxedo coat. It was all beautiful and well thought out and, at the same time, strangely effortless. The illustration was strong as well; the figures were proportioned correctly and aspects such as drape and gather were expressed quite adequately. If there was one aspect that eluded the judges, it was the way she depicted the bandage dressing, which probably should have been tackled a little differently. But in the end, this collection really stood. It had a visceral quality that made the judges crave for more of her work.

The first look was the real stand out: a shimmering black cropped tuxedo jacket placed over a tight red bustier with blooming pink harem pants.... ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/19619571/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/19619571/ Sun, 27 Jul 2008 08:18:52 PDT Alright, already!!! I'll do it when I get home today.

*Tomorrow the results. I'm really sorry... it was a long day and I'm just REALLY tired and after writing up the draft it got deleted and I just don't feel like rewriting tonight. I know I'm really lame with making you guys wait and you deserve to be mad at me (lol). But you will know who won tomorrow. Again, my apologies.

A notice that the results will be up later today.

Finalists, take this moment to reflect on your past experiences with this competition. The best way to confront this final stage in competition is to walk into it with humility and a sense that... well... you may not win. Know that your work for LBM has been fantastic and that -no matter what- you should be proud of yourselves. In a sense, you are all winners.

Prepare for the worst but hope for the best is what I say.

Congratulations to all of you.

]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/19479704/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/19479704/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:29:52 PDT
To the designers who are still in, I wish you the best of luck. I have seen all of your collections and realized that this will be an astoundingly difficult decision lol.

Evaluations will begin Monday. The final results will be up sometime in the upcoming week.

]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18928811/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18928811/ Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:40:19 PDT
We've reached the judgements preceding the final challenge. Evaluation is based on how you stand against your competition coupled with how much of a push this challenge was for you.

I wish the four of you the best of luck.

LBMV CRITIQUE/RESULTS

3.6: Winner 4 points, second 3 points

Y-genya-y ([link]): It's certainly showy, but well thought out when it comes to shape and concept. The flat made good sense of how the coat actually is built and the styling is additive (though the leg-wear may be what makes the look showy). There's a lot of attention to constructive detail.

Faunax ([link]): Yours, in comparison to Genya's, is pleasantly quieter, despite the coat's grandiose shape. The styling was great here as it went well with the dramatic coat. The technical drawings clearly mirror the coat's construction. It seems a little mod; where you inspired by the '60s? Really great work.

As I thought Faunax had a little bit of a cleaner thought, the win goes to her.

3.8: Winner 7 points, second 4 points

Y-genya-y ([link]): I thought the maquillage and styling could be interpreted as excessive (especially the red dots), but a second at the clothing confirms your success as a strong conceptualizer. Unlike most peers, you aimed at making separates like coats and blouses confectionary. Props on the really intriguing and well thought out ruffled coat.

Faunax ([link]): The figures, especially that of the right-hand model, do seem a little wonky. Nonetheless, the ideas are really pretty, especially the wispy bolero over the fresh green dress. The styling also mirrors a sense of driftiness and spontaneity, which brings your submission to a higher level.

I think the three of us realize that Genya had it in the bag for this challenge, so Genya wins.

The standings are:

Faunax: 20 points
Y-genya-y: 15 points

For the final challenge, 3:8, you must mine through your past submissions and decide for yourself what a significant flaw of yours was. Make a mini-collection of five looks that are bound by a theme AND by the flaw, improving on the flaw, and making strides with your illustrative and conceptual abilities.

Since your points are rather close to each other, let's just say that whoever succeeds in this challenge takes the cake. It probably will be a month subscription lol.

Due Monday, June 30th. Good luck guys!

LBM CRITIQUE

Bluecranberries ([link]): This was a great submission. Pardoning the oversized arms, the dress is beautiful and well illustrated. Strategically impressive was how you generalized the deluginous skirt with streams of orange and red. The bust is gorgeously illustrated (literally on a technically stunning level) and the styling was great. The flaw has been realized and thoroughly improved upon.

Ginchycouture ([link]): The concept, with every aspect, was beautiful. The color palette was great, and as I have said before, reminds me somewhat of Sabyasachi or Atil Kutoglu. Most impressive was the technical interpretation of the skirt, which was super-accurate and brilliantly conceived. However, you still need work with drawing the face correctly (rather messy, no?) and coloring correctly. Despite the skirt's technical reflections, it was colored rather blotchily. But as usual, your concepts impress.

Theyskens ([link]): The figure improved for sure. Nothing really looks stiff anymore (though do the arms look a little funny or am I hallucinating?), however the neck should be thinner as it adds to an unneeded masculinity of the figure. As for the concept, I wasn't in love, as it's not exactly a push. It's minimal, yes, but considering the nature of this competition (which will be discussed at the next challenge), it may have not been your smartest decision. The ruffling is really beautifully illustrated though (despite the fact that it is REALLY seen and done... I mean, of course, a vertical ruffle), and the styling is spontaneous and fabulous.

Jai-bee ([link]): This was a little difficult to judge as the illustration isn't exactly straightforward. Thank god you indicated that the scanner was the villain behind this (as th... ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18787219/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18787219/ Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:38:39 PDT
Good evening designers.

We've reached the final seven. After tonight, five will remain.

Competition has never been more cutthroat in the history of LBM. All of you have improved greatly both in terms of illustration and concept. It's no longer about picking the worst; it's about distinguishing the best. Those not distinguished, by default, must be eliminated.

Most regarded for this challenge, seemingly as it is the antepenultimate challenge, were those who pushed themselves to produce strong work. If I feel you did not push yourself enough, then you probably will be harsher scrutinized.

Before we begin, I have to say it: You guys are excellent design illustrators. You have made me immensely proud. Seriously.

Now for the judging.

CRITIQUE

Jamesflook ([link]): There was a little sturm und drang in the critique, and because of some vagueness I've decided to look the other way with the right look. Both concepts are gorgeous, especially the left look. I really loved the snooty jacket over the ruffled blouse and pouffed tiered skirt. The see-through trench over the chiffon top and jeans looked great too. So onto the B+ news: Illustration. Proportions are still off and some appendages look a little stiff. The left look was better executed than the right. Notice how the jeans have no wrinkles and the bordering lines are a little choppy, while the waist of the trench looks completely unaffected by the cinch. The shading and light distribution could've been clearer as well.

Elysianskies ([link]): The illustration was really great. Your marker skills served particularly well for this challenge, as it generalize what needed to be generalized and focused in on what was detailed (such as the torso of the pouf dress). You didn't exactly push it though, did you? You did well to prove your point about illustration, but after all of the flowy dress illustrations and generalizations you have conveyed in past challenges, this submission isn't most special. Am I wrong to assert that it could've been conceived in an particularly brief amount of time?

Bluecranberries ([link]): Your rendering of the sweet floorsweeper to the left was beautiful. The sleeves... oh my god it's like couture illustration. And in terms of the illustration of everything else, it was clearly on point. You did push this challenge. My issue stems from the concept, however. We have seen ideas like these from you before: Beautiful couture quality, but with an air of a Camelot-like promminess. Styling and hair helped a little.

Ginchycouture ([link]): I was really surprised. The clunkier proportions and rapid lines from the last few challenges were immediately tossed wayside for balance and cleanliness. The concepts, especially the beautiful gown (with gathers that were illustrated satisfactorily), were very strong. I would watch out for repetition though: We see that you focus on purples and gridelins and nearby colors. We've also seen the loose flowy chiffon concept and burgeoning, harder skirt. Despite that, you blew me away with your improvement with proportions and coloring (do focus on shading/light). Also, best to add more seaming/detailing (the shirt). You absolutely pushed it.

Theyskens ([link]): Your work is always A level, as was this. On the other hand, I feel that it wasn't your best work ever. Like it was a clear solution to the challenge: Gathering at the bib in the right look and a flourishing skirt on the left. The skirt was illustrated excellently; a clear essay on that type of flourish, like a tutorial. I was not in love with the styling, but the only real problem therein was the hair of the left look. Despite all that, the concepts still come off effortlessly, something Vogue would absolutely approve of. The appendages (such as legs) look a little stiff though.

Jai-bee ([link]): You had a lot of ideas here. So we'll start with what I was really impressed with: Illustration. That tired skirt is FABULOUS. The gathers have a quirky quality that don't distort it from a realistic approach to it's execution. The lines drawn for the tiny volumes and wrinkles on the other dress were really thrilling as well. The concept was something to be desired; things were a little cluttered (random ribbons and a series of large buttons on one of the sleeves?). This clutter was seen from you before in this competit... ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18647969/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18647969/ Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:48:04 PDT
~~~

So we're at the first elimination of the final stage of competition.

These critiques will be more specialized and hence more critical (both with concept and illustration). Moreover, the way in which I eliminate will differ from the last seasons and the first two stages of this season. Once I reduce the group to the bottom two designers, I will raise a dialogue comparing the two bottom scoring designs. At the conclusion of the comparison, I will provide reasons to why one is more achieved than the other and announce who is spared.

In a sense, LBM is going to work like "The Apprentice" whereby a continuous dialogue will lead to the elimination. Notice that this process departs from that of "Project Runway" and past LBM seasons where elimination occurred after a dispassionate and ceremonious series of announcements.

This is where I start to make enemies . Know that you all are excellent designers, and sometimes it just takes a slip to knock you out. You are all consistently strong fashion illustrators, so the results, in whatever way they play out, do not measure how strong of a designer you are.

Additionally, a new opportunity has opened up for designers who made it this far. If a designer is eliminated, they may choose to participate in the challenge thereafter. If their design wins over all other eligibles, they will be reinstated into the competition and two previously eligible designers will be eliminated. This puts extra stress on those still eligible.

As this was the first challenge in this series of challenges, I will eliminate only one (but don't expect this come the next challenge). The decision of who goes was the hardest I have had to make thus far and my heart bleeds for the one who will be leaving tonight.

So let's begin.

CRITIQUE

Jamesflook ([link]): The illustration was, despite some flaws, your strongest yet. The figure has an understandable proportion and the coloring and shading are satisfactorily rendered. However, the skirt wrinkles only approach accurate distribution and the right leg was botched. The concept of the jacket was impressive along its the attendant color scheme. Though I can picture it on the runway, the technical thought behind the blooming caped arms I do not feel was thoroughly realized (as I feel more apparent gather or extra seams would be needed). The styling eluded me... was the monocle really necessary (seemingly the clothing was already reservedly effeminate)? Nonetheless, this was better work on your part.

Theyskens ([link]): The concept is really beautiful; however, due to both conceptual and illustrative factors, the look does not appear entirely credible. Well start with the flat: it appears to be an uncolored iteration of the complete look, maybe with a little more attention to detail and a hint of seams. That's OK. But how you illustrated the 'jacket' makes it seem flurry and, in a sense, transparent. As a wool coat, I don't know how you'd get that curved closure (unless it's a large scale gather?) down the middle. It's just that... there's something to say about LBM designs that would require *utmost* couture level technicians to complete it. Nevertheless, how you illustrated the layering and gathering at the bottom of the coat is really beautiful and brings the submission to a higher level.

Ginchycouture ([link]): We'll address the illustration first. It kinda did you in for this challenge, no? Understandably, this was a busy week for you. There are still lots of scribbles (the scarf, the sides of the legs, etc) and the figures aren't proportioned correctly (just use a croquis if you must!). You have shading down a little and the sleeves were actually illustrated rather well and look quite luxurious. The technical flat is OK; it doesn't really look professionally drawn and the collar is much lower in the colored look than in the flat. You indicated seams which is good; I'm sure though that the sleeves would need more seaming at the top where they coalesce into the torso portion. Overall the look is, despite obvious flaws, well conceived. I know what you want to say.

Elysianskies ([link]): Your technical drawings were really impressive. They captured what I had originall... ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18499029/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18499029/ Sun, 25 May 2008 20:48:29 PDT
This was a terribly difficult decision. It took me about three hours to decide who was going to continue (and then started all the writing lol)!

You're all great designers. Good luck.

CRITIQUE

Jamesflook ([link]): The illustration had issues, especially within the harem-like pants. The top is not the most astounding creation of yours either; however, the other look is excellent (conceptually). The cherry on this cake were those quirky yellow pumps.

Looking at the past two challenges, we can conclude that your greatest struggle is with illustration. To succeed in this final round of competition, it is crucial that you overcome these struggles as illustration will go without being said. Despite that, you still have an acute sense of fashion, considering your history in the competition.

Bluecranberries ([link]): Beautiful results. The way you illustrated drape is exquisite. Despite the shorts (which I argue were drawn less effortfully than the rest), everything looks presentable and professional. The dress is beautiful.

At this important point in the competition, you have proven your illustrative prowess. Your fashion concepts are incredibly strong as well; currently, you are viewed as a strong contender.

Ginchycouture ([link]): You still had issues with your figure proportions and drape illustration. Both looks are conceptually credible (especially the one on the right, which is really pretty work), and the colors are sweet.

Your concepts aren't the issue (seemingly they're incredibly strong, especially in the minimalist and American iconic challenges). The illustration is something that, if you are to continue, needs to be addressed immediately. In the final stage, concepts -no matter how strong- will not be considered if the illustration isn't entirely comprehensible.

Sweet-guy ([link]): Your illustration for this one was, like usual, clearly resolved. The dress on the right is the showoff in the submission, as the day look is a little over the top like we discussed. Though these ideas weren't exactly innovative essays on drapery, no?

In regarding these past two challenges, you did better with the drape than the detail. The detail challenge actually highlighted the issues that need to be resolved. What made it "too much" was the fact that there was no technical theory behind the unconventional shapes: no seams, folds, or sense how the garment should look on the body. The concepts are nice; you like creating premeditated, fabulously glamorous fashion -which is great- but it may be best to refine it a little more and make things "effortless," as Vogueuses and Elle-folk say.

L-luzi-l ([link]): There wasn't a sense of in depth technicality to some of the drape illustration, which is not unlike other designers' works for the challenge. What you did wrong dealt with the upper whorl on the right-most dress. Despite the twirl at the top, the hem of the first tier still looks as though vertical folds are going through it, which wouldn't be true considering the twirl. The dresses are both pretty though... good concepts.

Looking at the two past challenges, some things fell short as you know. Illustration, however, isn't an overall massive struggle for you. You do have the models down. There were a couple ideas in the past that have transcended your normal work, but considering the overall, you could've pushed shape a little more.

Dacendaren ([link]): This was one of your stronger submissions. You achieved what you set out to do with illustration: It wasn't technical; it was pragmatic. The minidress looked really soothingly draped over the body (from far away... close up I'm just a little more incredulous) while the gown is prettily conceived.

Your portfolio is definitely decent throughout the competition. You seem to be playing the Jay card: You haven't won anything yet, but you steer clear of the bottom. It's gonna get cutthroat, and I know what you can do with suits (hint hint for the upcoming), so blow us away.

F0xr0x (http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18336253/ Mon, 19 May 2008 14:21:51 PDT
An apology for the lateness. I just moved out of Rutgers for the summer. I know how you feel and I'm sympathetic... waiting is nervewracking. (I'm waiting for grades, currently.)

LBMV CRITIQUE

Adolin-of-light ([link]): Once again, we're immediately blown away by Adolin's comprehensive abilities in pencil illustration. The standout was the floor-sweeper (with the interesting idea to add that hat!). If the other look felt a little costumily styled, both looks clearly conveyed her intentions for the challenge.

Faunax ([link]): Her poses were (again) fabulous. My favorite detail was the back of the skirt on the left; it's sensual, romantic and chic. So far Faunax has, despite the challenge, conveyed a sort of quietness throughout her looks. It's a strength that few others have honed and shows today.

Chudamerr ([link]): Thank you for the great poses. Chudamerr's submission was particularly technical; with the back of the airy cocktail dress folding into a beautiful bow from a swathe of fabric, she elucidates her interpretation of detail operation. Claiming the gown was "dyed and hand-painted" might be a little too easy a solution (seemingly it's not like you actually dyed/hand-painted it). Nevertheless, both dresses together look united and beautiful.

Y-genya-y ([link]): She didn't illustrate with the pinpoint accuracy of Adolin; however, she still created excellent fashion in the submission. The gorgeous trench -mixed with the intriguing print- makes a great look. There's a sense of refinement in this too, making this one of Genya's strongest submissions to date.

Phil2908 ([link]): You can always rely on Phil to blend fabulous fashion ideas with incredibly iconic and memorable artistic style. This time, maybe the ideas were a little stretched (would the looks really look like that IRL?), but he clearly knows what fab is.

LBMV RESULTS

Points to be awarded:

First place: 7 points
Second place: 5 points
Third place: 3 points

Third place...































Chudamerr. Congrats.






























Second...








































Y-genya-y. Congrats!!!!

The winner of the challenge...
























is...







































































FAUNAX!

*Applause!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

Points distribute as follows:

Faunax: 12 points
Cheshire-ale: 10 points
(tie) Kashirohato: 9 points
(tie) Adolin-of-light: 9 points
Shimmerstar: 6 points
Y-genya-y: 5 points
(tie) Cjrogers1993: 3 points
(tie) Chudamerr: 3 points
(tie) Phil2908: 3 points
Lightbulbsinmypocket: 2 points

Best of luck in the next challenge.

CRITIQUE

Jamesflook ([link]): Well, I think we know what I'm going to say for this. The lines aren't clean and it only approaches accurate representation of drape (in both pieces). I'll give you more ideas for drawing reference in the upcoming challenge prompt. But anyway, I look again and see that at least you know what strong fashion concept is. You DO keep proving that, which really helps (like seriously).

Bluecranberries (http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18187750/ Fri, 09 May 2008 17:36:46 PDT LBM results posted the 13th.

NOTE: The second elimination will follow the results of the fifth challenge. Most likely, eight or less designers will move on beyond that point into the final stage.

~~~

LBMV CRITIQUE (sorry for the delay... had finals)

Cjrogers1993 ([link]): Refined, token fashion pieces. He probably thought about commercial value for this challenge. He did his collection in all white (or didn't have time to color it lol), which looks really dazzling on his models.

Adolin-of-light ([link]): She put so much effort into these pieces... everything is stunningly illustrated and the backgrounds add to the drama of her fashion. The fashion concepts are really beautiful and believable, and most importantly, American iconic.

Y-genya-y ([link]): Genya expressed an intriguing color palette for this challenge. The jackets seem almost sculpted which probably adds to her dialogue of American chic. Her marker skills for this submission were, like her previous challenges, impressive. One criticism? Maybe make the heads larger to fit the proportion of the body.

Faunax ([link]): This was a beautiful, thoughtful, refined submission. There's a rigorous minimalism running through all of her work. Her application of American iconic to her minimalist aesthetic brought forth a great essay on subtle, iconic chic. Fabulous illustration with killer poses.

Chudamerr ([link]): Chudamerr has also find her stride as a designer; She seems to be more interested in a drifty, floaty femininity (a latent Valentino?). Her works were beautiful (and locationless), especially when the driftiness was combined with a harder archetype such as the coat.

Cheshire-ale ([link]): He chose the darker side of Americana to express his subtle point of view for the challenge: an urbane, funereal chic. The illustrations coincide with his (for this challenge) dark senses creating a heightened drama. Beautiful work.

RESULTS

Points:

First place: 8 points
Second place: 5 points
Third place: 3 points

Third place...



















































Cheshire-ale. Congratulations.

Second place...























































Faunax. AWESOME work.

... The winner of this challenge...
























is...




































































ADOLIN-OF-LIGHT!

*APPLAUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

Your artistry astounds me.

The points distribute thus far:

Cheshire-ale: 10 points
(tie) Kashirohato: 9 points
(tie) Adolin-of-light: 9 points
Shimmerstar: 6 points
Faunax: 5 points
(tie) Cjrogers1993: 3 points
(tie) Phil2908: 3 points
Lightbulbsinmypocket: 2 points

CRITIQUE/STAGE ONE ACCUMULATIVE REPORT

Jamesflook: You know what fashion looks like; I’ll start with that. The bowed shirt cum vest and those skinny, athleticky pants is really fabulous. The jacket is nice too. The dress with the one button is pretty ,though those are two really, really deep pleat/gather when it comes to the skirt... think it would look like that when it’s on a body? Good work, and for the future: In terms of ill... ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18157047/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18157047/ Sat, 03 May 2008 23:27:53 PDT
LBMV Competitors:

shimmerstar
catzilla
cjrogers1993
adolin-of-light
lightbulbsinmypocket
faunax
kashirohato
red-spot
cheshire-ale
mistersnapple
chudamerr
sergefashion
y-genya-y
phil2908
italygermanboy
lasmith
kairi-g
valeriuccia

LBM Competitors: (REMEMBER TO DEVWATCH ME)

meizhen
jamesflook
luai-lashire
bluecranberries
semihmetin
fashioneyes
ginchycouture
sweet-guy
l-luzi-l
dacendaren
senakiss
blobsy
bleedingbird
f0xr0x
evilchild715
awabubbles
theyskens
halas
april-lily
rpblaborte
elysianskies
recluse57
enigmamoshi16
translationclothing
weekweek
thomas23skidoo
stirringofbirds
jai-bee
apz1
alliecouturex3
daiseddevil
noodlemantras
pkdesigner
claero-berry
buffyboi5
moonlitessence

~~~

A few designers have asked for an extension and I don't feel like eliminating them because they couldn't get their third submission in on time. I'm sorry lol.

Those of you who still haven't submitted (all three challenge solutions): You have until 9PM Monday night. At that point, the grading process will begin and the results will be posted soon thereafter.

Elimination results and midway reports will be posted Monday night. Good luck guys.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde Season 1, here: [link]

View the work of ~Kar-tastic, winner of Le Beau Monde Season 2, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18079644/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18079644/ Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:45:21 PDT
LBMV Competitors:

shimmerstar
catzilla
cjrogers1993
adolin-of-light
lightbulbsinmypocket
faunax
kashirohato
red-spot
cheshire-ale
mistersnapple
chudamerr
sergefashion
y-genya-y
phil2908
italygermanboy
lasmith
kairi-g
valeriuccia

LBM Competitors: (REMEMBER TO DEVWATCH ME)

meizhen
jamesflook
luai-lashire
bluecranberries
semihmetin
fashioneyes
ginchycouture
sweet-guy
l-luzi-l
dacendaren
senakiss
blobsy
bleedingbird
f0xr0x
evilchild715
awabubbles
theyskens
halas
april-lily
rpblaborte
elysianskies
recluse57
enigmamoshi16
translationclothing
weekweek
thomas23skidoo
stirringofbirds
jai-bee
apz1
alliecouturex3
daiseddevil
noodlemantras
pkdesigner
claero-berry
buffyboi5
moonlitessence

~~~

This is a reminder that the submission to challenge three must be in by this Saturday (applies to all LBMers).

You must submit all of your work for challenges one, two, and three in order to be considered for the next stage of the competition. If you have not submitted work for the past two challenges, you may (although tardiness is taken into consideration come eliminations), but it must be before the deadline of the third challenge.

Furthermore, I have decided that thirteen designers will move onto the next stage of competition.

Good luck everyone.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde Season 1, here: [link]

View the work of ~Kar-tastic, winner of Le Beau Monde Season 2, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18005527/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/18005527/ Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:25:02 PDT
LBMV 3.2 results posted.

For LBMers who haven't submitted the second challenge, do so ASAP. You won't get critique, but in order for you to get past the first cut after the third challenge, you need to submit everything.

LBMV Competitors:

shimmerstar
catzilla
cjrogers1993
adolin-of-light
lightbulbsinmypocket
faunax
kashirohato
red-spot
cheshire-ale
mistersnapple
chudamerr
sergefashion
y-genya-y
phil2908
italygermanboy
lasmith
kairi-g
valeriuccia

LBM Competitors: (REMEMBER TO DEVWATCH ME)

meizhen
jamesflook
luai-lashire
bluecranberries
semihmetin
fashioneyes
ginchycouture
sweet-guy
l-luzi-l
dacendaren
senakiss
blobsy
bleedingbird
f0xr0x
evilchild715
awabubbles
theyskens
halas
april-lily
rpblaborte
elysianskies
recluse57
enigmamoshi16
translationclothing
weekweek
thomas23skidoo
stirringofbirds
jai-bee
apz1
alliecouturex3
daiseddevil
noodlemantras
pkdesigner
claero-berry
buffyboi5
moonlitessence

~~~

LBMV CRITIQUE

Kashirohato ([link]): This was fabulous. It's an excellent minimalist portrayal of a (if thoroughly mined) theme: the safari. Notice the accuracy of clothing illustration; you can see the seaming and added fullness throughout all pieces. It won't hurt to draw seams. I believe it heightens the accuracy of the clothing.

Y-genya-y ([link]): Genya went to the Inuit tribe for her source of inspiration. Notice that she did not take her source too seriously in conceiving her collection; It could've easily gone costumey. There was plenty of practical fashion, including the prettily illustrated crystal-studded dress and a slim jacket. Though it wasn't really an obviously minimalist collection, it was a good essay on the Inuit in the world of fashion.

Cheshire-ale ([link]): His illustrations are heaven. The poses are magnificent, quirky and (appropriately enough) iconic! Illustrating different poses will improve your chances of success. He like Kashirohato drew explicit seaming, especially because a lot of the details were placed thereon. The color story is fantastic yet logical.

Shimmerstar ([link]): Excellent solution to the challenge. The dark pink ruffled dress is fabulous and brilliantly illustrated. A particular strength you have is that you found Steph-like ways to illustrate any fashion motif accurately. The color story is really beautiful yet what's most appealing is its commercial potential and its "effortlessness". The concept of commercialness and effortlessness should always be taken into consideration when crafting your looks.

Faunax ([link]): Your slender models have a stunning quality to them. The various poses heighten the sophistication and high-fashion appeal within this pleasantly commercial collection. The prints and colors work together in uniting a theme, an important consideration in portraying a theme accurately.

Lasmith ([link]): Her airy use of color helps portray a common motif in the collection: diaphaneity. She lightly illustrated gathering and folding (and unfolding) which also brings a sense of airiness to the submission. She threw in a few commercial pieces (such as the cropped pants) to broaden the horizon. The proportions looked good on the models, even if they weren't the tallest sylphs of the land.

Cjrogers1993 ([link]): His sense of style comes out in all of his work. Furthermore, it functions greatly with his quirky anti-proportionate models (i.e. his illustration technique). He adorned his models (and his surfaces) but it never crossed the line over nonminimalist. He also developed what no other DeviantArt designer has, a signature print. The collection was sassy and delicious.

Valeriuccia ([link]): Her usage of a setting brought great drama to her collection. Her thin models (which look like marble Greek goddesses) bear a wide variety of poses (inspiration for croquis!). Notice how she also brought light into the con... ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17976344/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17976344/ Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:30:45 PDT Deadline is tomorrow.

Have your final drafts ready. Good luck.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde Season 1, here: [link]

View the work of ~Kar-tastic, winner of Le Beau Monde Season 2, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17739003/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17739003/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:23:09 PDT *LBM Designers, it's important to read up on LBMV results. Their pieces could serve as inspirations for your own.

LBMV Competitors:

shimmerstar
catzilla
cjrogers1993
adolin-of-light
lightbulbsinmypocket
faunax
kashirohato
red-spot
cheshire-ale
mistersnapple
chudamerr
sergefashion
y-genya-y
phil2908
italygermanboy
lasmith
kairi-g
valeriuccia

LBM Competitors: (REMEMBER TO DEVWATCH ME)

meizhen
jamesflook
luai-lashire
bluecranberries
semihmetin
fashioneyes
ginchycouture
sweet-guy
l-luzi-l
dacendaren
senakiss
blobsy
bleedingbird
f0xr0x
evilchild715
awabubbles
theyskens
halas
april-lily
rpblaborte
elysianskies
recluse57
enigmamoshi16
translationclothing
weekweek
thomas23skidoo
stirringofbirds
jai-bee
apz1
alliecouturex3
daiseddevil
noodlemantras
pkdesigner
claero-berry
buffyboi5
moonlitessence

~~~

LBMV CRITIQUE:

Shimmerstar ([link]): I personally loved the colors she used for the challenge. My favorite part of her submission is that stunning vest with gold seaming. Steph is a good example of a minimalist designer. She proves to us that you can succeed in DeviantArt not only by creating couture gowns and detailed pieces. She would be a great source of inspiration for this particular challenge. ~sparklefly =ShimmerStar

Cjrogers1993([link]): It wasn't colored, but he still made it look fabulous and very Chris (for example, the exaggerated collar). He has a lot of design experience on DeviantArt and throughout time has developed a clear style: funky, fresh and joyous. He is an example of a designer who has already found himself.

Adolin-of-light([link]): What's particularly notable about her submission are the poses. Adolin is a excellent illustrator, and works with her colored pencils (right?) on a highly professional level. She aimed for a particularly fantastical theme, and the highlights were a pretty seamed skirt over blue tights/leggings.

Lightbulbsinmypocket([link]): She kept her designs easy and beautiful. Though both looks are precious, notice how she drew drape on the night piece; it isn't exact like a sculpture of a Grecian goddess, but it's generalized/stylized in a way similar to professional fashion illustrators. Note how she (and others) draw drape. A hint for the near future.

Faunax([link]): Faunax is another example of a strong minimalist designer on DeviantArt. Also notable were the poses: Both of them were 3/4 view (which is VERY hard to draw). Unlike a singularly frontal view, the illustration has acquired a 3-D characteristic that would surely help any LBM designer rise in the ranks.

Kashirohato([link]): Excellent poses, excellent illustrations. Kashirohato has also throughout time developed a strangely unique style; a sort of fervent, energetic elan. Both looks conform to his style without being whatsoever repetitive. His models are also not so stick-thin, which is surely a route LBMers are welcome to take.

Cheshire-ale([link]): In my opinion, Cheshire-ale is one of the best fashion illustrators on the internet. Notice how he captures many things in illustration alone: incredible pose, realistic representation of fashion, and fabulously gorgeous yet quirky models. He would serve as an advisable inspiration for fellow illustrators.

Y-genya-y([link]): She is particularly adept at marker illustration, which is a (difficult but) prominent medium in fashion illustration. She put a lot of detail and work into the looks and fashion; her pieces are approaching couture level. Though her looks never reached "cluttered", the shapes and prints coexist together in an admirably complex manner.

Phil2908([link] [link]): Phil is, through no time, greatly renowned for fabulous fa... ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17607494/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17607494/ Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:03:09 PDT Blobsy submitted.

*Submission deadline is tonight by utter latest 9PM. Judging tonight. Judges, if you're on around 10 then we can chat about it.

**Also, my computer broke. X_X. That means that my participation in critique for next challenge probably will be somewhat reduced, so everyone judges/competitors do your best to critique your peers. Hopefully it'll be fixed within a week.



IF YOU WANT TO/WANTED TO/HAVE SIGNED UP FOR LBM OR LBMV BUT DO NOT APPEAR ON THE COMPETITOR LIST BELOW, CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY.

LBMV Competitors:

shimmerstar
catzilla
cjrogers1993
adolin-of-light
lightbulbsinmypocket
faunax
kashirohato
red-spot
cheshire-ale
mistersnapple
chudamerr
sergefashion
y-genya-y
phil2908
italygermanboy
thejarc
kairi-g
valeriuccia

LBM Competitors: (REMEMBER TO DEVWATCH ME)

meizhen
jamesflook
luai-lashire
bluecranberries
semihmetin
fashioneyes
ginchycouture
sweet-guy
l-luzi-l
dacendaren
senakiss
blobsy
bleedingbird
f0xr0x
evilchild715
awabubbles
theyskens
halas
april-lily
rpblaborte
elysianskies
recluse57
enigmamoshi16
translationclothing
weekweek
thomas23skidoo
stirringofbirds
jai-bee
apz1
alliecouturex3
daiseddevil
noodlemantras
pkdesigner
claero-berry
buffyboi5
moonlitessence

~~~

Good evening, designers. Welcome to another season of Le Beau Monde fashion competition.

LBMV will run simultaneously with LBM. LBMV competitors will, like LBM competitors, complete the given challenges. The results will be viewed as prime examples for LBM competitors to learn from and will be scored. Highest score wins LBMV.

LBMV Point Scale: 3.1
Winner: 6 points
Second place: 3 points
Third place: 2 points

LBM will continue to be an eliminatory competition. The first elimination will come after the results of the third challenge.

Complete each challenge focusing specifically on improving illustration. Make sure your concept follows the guidelines of the challenge.

Good luck.




Your first challenge is to create two looks, a day and night. It must be inspired by a famous building/building-like structure or an aspect therein (such as a lintel, buttress, etc).

Guidelines:

- We're on the subject of architecture. Hence, both looks must be sculptural. Galliano for Christian Dior presented a (disappointingly commercial) collection featuring sculptural suits this season: [link] Look to other designers like Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga for more inspiration. If you're unsure about what sculptural means, browse the internet and/or style.com. HINT: Think hard lines and textures. This guideline will be strongly regarded in judging.
- The day look must comprise at least two pieces. I don't want a day dress and a night dress for your submission. Show me you know how to do more than make a pretty dress.
- Illustrate to the best of your ability. If you're unable to draw the female figure well, [link]
~TheBocaj has a gallery of examples of croquis that you could possibly trace. Another croquis is posted on the LBM Admissions statement. If you cannot illustrate certain textures/motifs, it may be best to practice until you feel confident, or just stick to other textures/motifs. A fashion illustration is supposed to accurately convey each part of a garment. If your illustration doesn't look like what you're trying to convey, then I suggest redrawing/practicing. Let's be frank: Illustration is highly regarded within this competition.
- In your description of the looks:
- Include a link/explanation of what inspired you.
- Fabrics. There are plenty of internet sources for this.
- A BRIEF explanation of your thought process.
- *Comment on this journal with a link to your design solutions. If you don't, there may be problems.

Deadline: Monday, April 7th, at 6PM Eastern time.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde Season 1, here: [link]

View the work of ~Kar-tastic, winner of Le Beau Monde Season 2, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17493992/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17493992/ Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:28:58 PDT
Le Beau Monde begins tonight at 6PM Eastern time.

Are you a designer who wants to participate in LBM but has already passed through PD and/or already achieved renown for your concept/illustration talent?

If so, I’m introducing LBM Veteran’s Competition. The competition will run alongside LBM and will feature designers who have already participated in Project Designer or have been/would be discouraged from participation in LBM (due to evening the playing field).

The game we’re gonna play:

Those who compete will be given the same challenge as the competitors of LBM (with the same deadline). Your designs will be posted with the others at LBM and will be featured for two purposes: To articulate to LBMers the high points of your design illustrations so they get a feel of “what we want”, and to measure who wins the actual competition of LBMV. There will not be (much) negative critique of your designs on the actual game site (though I’m willing to give personal opinions, obviously which you may choose to use or discard).

The winner of each challenge will receive one point. If there’s enough competition, then the top three will receive one point while the winner receives three. (This system may vary depending on the challenge.) The designer with the most points at the end of the road wins a prize.

The primary raison d’etre for LBMV is to showcase illustratively/conceptually strong looks to the LBM designers and to solve the “Where can a PD Vet jump in?” question that currently sweeps DeviantArt.

Moreover, this is just a fun game. Don’t kill yourself emotionally or physically if you are competing. I'll be happy to just see some participation.





Le Beau Monde will commence on Sunday, March 30th.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde Season 1, here: [link]

View the work of ~Kar-tastic, winner of Le Beau Monde Season 2, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17292080/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17292080/ Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:06:54 PDT
Good evening, everyone.

Welcome to the third season of Le Beau Monde, Project Designer’s sister fashion competition. If you are walking into this wanting to improve your outlook on fashion and illustrative technique, then I implore you to read this application through.

LBM is a fashion competition for those devoted to fashion and illustration. Many designers who, for whatever reason, did not make the cut for PD join LBM in order to broaden and sharpen their portfolio. To assume that LBM is less difficult a competition than PD, however, is fallacious. Reality check: The competition usually commences with, as opposed to the more selective PD, 25-40 designers. Out of those, let’s say, 33 designers, one wins. When the group is reduced down to six or seven, the competition becomes considerably more difficult, as most or all designers by then develop accurate and idiosyncratic illustrative skills and progressive, believable “fashion” concept. PD designers such as Madstar, Kar-tastic, Thejarc, Chudamerr and Italygermanboy (and myself) honed their skills by working diligently at LBM. We, like many of you, were originally denied admission into PD.

Walk in expectations: submit your work by the deadline. If a prompt calls for one to two looks, the deadline will probably be a week after the date it was assigned. However, if a prompt calls for a collection of looks, the deadline will be assigned accordingly (based on collection size). Though illustrating your look may take some time, it’s always best to post rough drafts for peer review.

LBM is undergoing a metamorphosis in framework. The team and I are conceiving a different way of issuing fashion challenges; something more didactic. LBM, though an eliminatory competition, will focus less on elimination and more on in depth communication, with specific emphasis on improving fashion illustration skills and refining and exploring fashion design theory. This may mean designing large collections at early challenges. We plan on eliminating designers every few challenges (until it gets late into the competition) so each designer can have more than one chance to interact with us and create an impressive look, both in terms of fashion and illustration.

The Thing About Illustration

Designers, let’s face it: Strong illustrative skills are invaluable for any fashion illustration competition. Proper fashion illustration leads to a more accurate, detailed reflection of the look you envision for a given challenge.

Consider the following situation: Designer A decides, for a cocktail dress challenge, to draw a somewhat simple (if not boring) black tube dress. She adds a couple pearls and feathers at the shoulder and lightly sketches the seam and dart placement. The illustration is strong. Designer B decides to, for the same challenge, draw a stunning Grecian draped asymmetrical toga dress he envisioned earlier that day. He has a harder time illustrating and doesn’t know what to do in order to accurately depict drape and gather. Because of that, the dress turns out lumpy and stylized (and possibly even basic) on paper. Designer A triumphs, despite her boring concept.

This demystifies LBM in a sense. Now you know why the judging in this competition cannot possibly, nor logically, detach illustration from concept, for they go hand in hand. So for all you designers out there who can admit that their illustration needs work (though I’m sure your actual mentally-created fashion concepts are brilliant, especially some of you veterans), this anecdote should ring a bell. Before the competition commences, I beg of you to go out and get a pad of tracing paper, trace a couple croquis (example: [link]), and practice drawing clothes on the model (ON the model. She’s wearing it and it envelops her, but it’s not part of her skin. She should look like she’s wearing a jacket, not a super-tight-diva-anorexic skincoat), with specific focus on difficult details (for example, ruffles, or gather and drape). Best to search for and draw some of the intriguing details seen on the runways of style.com. And if you feel that doesn’t seem to work, then you need to refine your concept as so each aspect can be easily illustrated. Additionally, in terms of projecting your look, showing multiple views/providing technical illustrations and flats can never hurt. We like to know why your garment would work in real life.

Hearkening to the aforementioned, style.com is the best way to help broaden your lexicon of fashion ideas and shapes. Remember that progressive fashion doesn’t mean that each challenge should be addressed with a big costumey gown. Sometimes the best submissions turn out to be minimalist looks (Kar-tastic) with a... ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17116897/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/17116897/ Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:31:05 PST
Recently, I have received many questions on when the next season is.

And currently, work and college has prevented me from being seriously persistent with my DeviantArt.

So LBM, at least at [link], won't start up really soon, unless I feel that in the next few weeks I would be able to juggle running another.

I'm also thinking of maybe having another designer run it (for this season), but I'm really not sure. I do really enjoy running it .

Tell me your thoughts if you'd like.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16825782/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16825782/ Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:34:37 PST
Damn school homework. Best just talk about honorable mentions.



I loved Vera Wang's collection. Every shape and detail looked precisely determined. The theme, textures and color made for a seriously cohesive collection that was soaked in the ingenious perspectives of Wang.

Phillip Lim was okay. Anyone miss what he did a year back?

*I'm getting bored by Donna Karan...*

Marc Jacobs' show was strangely sedate. I responded very well to a lot of looks. His interview suggests that the collection was transitional, which I'm certainly willing to overlook. His show attests to the blooming popularity of cocoon coats that probably will hit mass market rather soon.



Calvin Klein rocked. He made the *perfect* collection for the brand right at the perfect time.

Ralph Lauren was beautiful again. It also suggests that Sweet P is on her game (though I'm not making any predictions). Peter Som can't do Bill Blass yet.

I responded as poorly to Zac Posen's collection (he hasn't been doing too well lately, has he...) as I did positively to Marchesa's (which was absolutely gorgeous, holy shit!!!).

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16747466/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16747466/ Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:40:05 PST
Day Three goes to:



Preen got it. Their plaids and coats looked great, such as Lily's opening cocoon. Besides those colorful pants, the collection was sexy yet forgiving.

Adam was boring/done. Reference to Michael Kors knit and Alexander McQueen Spring '07 print.

Charles Nolan was really good. Whatever Han Jin and Milagros Schmoll had on their waists was shit.

Diane and Donna disappoint. DVF wasn't that bad, but just unremarkable. I do like Coco with that hair. But DKNY had an obnoxious runway, both in background and clothing.

Though actually a possible influence on what people will be wearing (which is arbitrary, I know, but I feel it), I wasn't dying over Herve Leger. I'm not impressed that much by Max Azria.

Saunders's collection, like usual, involved illusory elements. Although they were appreciated, I think he has designed other runways both more convincing and creative.

Jovovich-Hawk, Tuleh, Lela Rose and Tracy Reese (whose was boring).

Hello to Obedient Daughters, whose short shorts undermined the decent collection. (Reyes.)

I like Ohne Titel and their idea. (Note the singularity of 'idea'.)

And Y-3 was great (despite my cringing at one or two of Yohji's ideas). I clearly need to get a better handle of him (and his daughter!). The emperor of Japanese fashion, he's rising higher and higher in both New York and Paris.

Day Four goes to:



Proenza Schouler once again presented plenty of utterly covetable (yet surprisingly grand... that big yellow coat!) yet surprisingly commercial clothes. Less convincing a collection? Whatever. They're always reliable in producing beautiful runway collections.

And a close second to Chris Benz. He has an incredibly lucid vision of his woman. I will be disappointed if he doesn't have a future; especially if certain other designers remain (*cough Chaiken cough!!*).

Peter Som was ok. I'm getting sick of the Balenciagan skirt-layering. Done. He has had better visions.

Jill had something. Malandrino had nothing (again?!? Commonly, I don't respond well to her designs). Max Azria and Doo.ri. (Too harsh?)

Ok. Doo.ri. (Ok? Twice.)

Oscar de la Renta always has beautiful runways. Though it certainly was not Fall '07, Fall '08 provided another slough of seriously Oscar de la Renta pieces.

Hals-... what? I forgot. But Malo was memorable in how much it disappointed people this season.

Thakoon was good. A couple really good suits and dresses.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16712701/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16712701/ Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:42:57 PST
DAY ONE goes to:



This is Rag & Bone's sixth show in womenswear. The tailoring in the Spring '08 show, especially compared with that of the previous Fall, forecasted the designers' sartorial abilities that were best expressed this season. The collection was commercial but subtly innovative. I bought everything, including a bereted Coco Rocha cum bermudas.

Yigal Azrouel had something in his wide-lapelled urbane collection, though Borrelli-Persson has a point about how the simplest pieces were best. That tends to happen. Rachel Comey did something freaky and new. On the other hand, Douglas Hannant's beautiful shapes (such as a bourgeois cocoon coat) felt more classic. Nicole Miller is always consistent and (most of) her show looked good last night. But do you really get the 'dark runway' vibe from Nicole Miller?

Sue Stemp! Jason steals. Katy's fell short. I never really loved BCBG MaxAzria. This season's runway, however, barely managed to rise above boring territory. Maybe it was those small bubbling skirts that were obviously not original conceptions.

You should have witnessed my tears of ennui upon cycling through Erin Fetherston's collection. Her show was, at best, transitional.

DAY TWO goes to:



Ruffian's collection had rather magnificent highs. Everything plaid felt young and exciting, while a pragmatic nod to Victoriana prompted beautifully slim, tailored prep-school pants and jackets. And the show was all about Agyness Deyn. Love it.

Threeasfour was new and interesting, and I loved that turquoise ruffled gown. However, I really loved Alexander Herchcovitch's multicolored and multiprinted gown that stood out most in his collection.

Alexander Wang shebang. Did the fashion live up to the milieu and afterparty? Well, it was good. Less boring than Costello Tagliapetra's show, which was unforgettably forgettable. I use that term sometimes.

Especially when referring to Laura Poretzky. Is anyone else sick of Abaete? Don't you want her to change the label's name to something that starts with S or U so you don't have to see it at the top of every glossary of labels?

Lacoste was cool! Sari Gueron's wasn't. It was probably the ugliest, weakest show so far.

I liked some of Jeremy Laing's pieces (the ones that weren't apparently overdesigned). But I really liked all of Juan Carlos Obando's pieces.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16453073/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16453073/ Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:19:50 PST


Christian*/Chris: Bitch proved himself. He CAN walk the walk while talking the talk (given the right circumstance). Funny, he screwed up with the skirt though... huh. The commercial top was excellent, on the other hand. His win confirms that he (and in a lot of respects, Chris) deserves to show in Fashion Week; and if he doesn't, I doubt only few will be disappointed. (BTW I don't think Project Rungay is correct in their analysis about Chris being ignored. BOTH looks look primarily Christianic, and considering the construction of the avant-garde outfit, Christian, of McQueen, must have had a firm hand therein.)

Victorya*/Jillian: This looked a lot more Jillian than Victorya; but then again, Jillian DID show that very same thing in the preseason runway. The coat was extremely well tailored. I actually did find it a little too Exuberant-DSquared. I kinda didn't get a great look at the jodhpurs and blouse. Tim didn't like it. The judges did. Who knows. The back detail looked nice, though.

Rami*/Sweet P: Sweet P is very good at creating pretty commercial dresses. Can she provide any more range? Anyway the silver and grey asymmetric empire dress was certainly passable. The pant wasn't as; however, why was that part of the avant-garde look, anyway? Not necessary. And unfortunately Rami's look seemed like an excuse for Rami to further prove his drape/pleat/tuck/etc. prowess. Ironically, his creation spelled out the exact of avant-garde, especially when it concerns Rami. (Yet, I do not believe he deserved to be in the bottom two. Read further.)

Kit*/Ricky: I thought either of them, or both, should have been out. Yes Kit's wasn't the exact image of a modern, respectable avant-garde piece. But it was actually constructed fairly well; just the satin was puckery. And if you actually looked closely at what the dress was, there was a concept. Just it wasn't exactly anything more impressive than a look coming from a FIT senior course. (And it's not like she created anything particularly breathtaking throughout the competition anyway.) Ricky's, on the other hand, had nearly no merit. It was executed flawlessly, yes, and there's a thin cleanliness to it. But if he thinks that creating such immemorable dresses challenge after challenge should propel him to Bryant Park, well... I'll be damned. I'm pretty ready for his departure.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16356072/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16356072/ Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:54:58 PST
FAVORITE:



Chris: It was inherently prom, and it fit and fell wonderfully. I didn't find it spectacular, just above the run-of-the-mill prom dress.

Kit: It was pretty great, just I didn't think this fit prom anymore than it fit cocktail party. It could've done both, but I think the judges were going to zoom in on what's elegant AND prommy.

Sweet P: Very pretty, well designed, well fitted. Beautiful fabric. Certainly a prom dress, it's slightly overshadowed by Chris' creation.

Christian: I really liked it! O_O

Victorya: I agree with Tim's analysis of it: Strange color, strange dress.

Jillian: It's draped well on the bottom, but it's really hard to pull a bust off like that and have it not look choppy.

Rami: At first I was like "It's beautiful!" but then I got what the judges were saying.

Ricky: *8-O! This means Jesse agrees with their decision to eliminate Kevin!* Not really. I just think Kevin's was the weakest. Ricky's wasn't atrocious in my opinion, but everyone else's was simply better, and this girl looked bigger given his dress decisions. But his placement as (for me) bottom-two-while-not-really-having-anything-wrong-with-it actually speaks to bad news on his part: He has never been able to design something that wowed me. I also wanted to see him go, but I do technically agree that Kevin's was worse.

Kevin: I agree with the judges' critiques, but I didn't think it was really that terrible. Not inspiring in the least, though.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16239502/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16239502/ Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:22:18 PST


Chris: I loved it. I actually had said even before Nina that the dress is very iconic and 'Ellable'. As for whether it should have won, I really can't say. Rami's was a technical masterpiece and looked excellent, so maybe he deserved it. Chris would do well to keep on the path that he's on; he's at his best when he restrains himself (let's face it... the best part of his ep. 1 purple gown was indeed the gloriously columnar purple part of it).

Rami: I also loved this. He is an *incredible* force to be reckoned with already; his ep. 5 garment (in my opinion) should've placed second under Christian's, and this creation happened to echo his mastery of construction. I'll be damned if he doesn't make it to the final five, if not the final three.

Jillian: It's really cool, though I prefer the worked bodice over the food fringe. Maybe it's just me. But it certainly deserved a loud shoutout.

~in~

(tie between Kevin, Ricky, and Christian)

Kevin: It looked chic and well constructed; just it's so not candy. I don't see much inspiration beyond the actual silhouette.

Ricky: Good job... I'm so sick of bubble skirts like this though... Anyone notice how he's yet to make a particularly intriguing look for the runway?

Christian: It's good, *maybe* it could've looked leaner somehow? I LOVE Christian's personality but let's hope that his outrecuidance doesn't lead him onto thin ice for next episode... because that's what I'm seeing in the preview.

Victoria: Yes, I liked hers over Kit's (more on that later). It was CERTAINLY ugly, but I think the judges were strangely harsh to say that *nothing* interesting was happening. It fit kinda ok, just all of the ideas were too washed over and the totality of the look didn't flow.

~bottom~

Kit: Ew! It just looks SO studenty from silhouette to stylization. I actually found Sweet P's look to be more complexly shaped than Kits, but she used and aligned candy prints so her look was more relevant. But the goth belt and boots ACCOMPANYING the simple silhouette, busy candy print, and pixie hair? Total studentiness.

Sweet P: It was pretty basic (the top had that interesting horizontal seam, despite that *EXACT* same seam being in Armstrong's new Patternmaking 4th ed. book) and utterly irrelevant to the topic. There was nothing savory about her design, especially because of its oversimplicity.

Elisa: If it was constructed better and the boob details and swimmies were removed, maybe this could've had some chance (because the back was kinda cool). But such wasn't the reality, and this was a serious trainwreck. Did anyone catch what she was saying to Sweet P and Heidi once she found out she was auf'd? "Ashe! Ashe! Grace!" Wtf?

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16181831/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/16181831/ Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:09:43 PST
But their strong decisionmaking seemed to stop there.

Yes, indeed, I do believe that Lucian Matis should have won the competition.

Lets see.

BIDDELL: I would have either placed him second or even maybe third. Great that he figured out a new fabric technique that resounded well on his gown and jacket top (which I didn't feel was THAT memorable... sorry Shawn). But I didn't see much cohesion in the collection, and honestly, I thought most of the looks possessed a soupcon of costuminess. A backless green dress and low-cut pink bustier minidress were the highlights, though gothy-irrelevant stylization nearly destroyed them. The gown fit well, but it wasn't an Oscar winner. And as Rita put it, "Without the storyline of the cartoon he was 'telling,' I couldn't get a hold on how the collection was cohesive." (sic)

LUCIAN: I think Project Rungay was way too critical of the collection. They claimed that it was too derivative of other collections, a claim that closely compares to Iman's insistence that the collection was too Dior. Derivative? Whatever; everything is derivative. Biddell and MG too had plenty of shapes and motifs that derived from other designers, and just because Lucian added the butterfly hats and sharp shoulders doesn't mean he's copying out of McQueen's book. I thought almost every piece was gorgeous, while all of the fabrics were certainly workable and positive. Let's not forget; he wanted chic with a little whimsy. He should've won.

MG: Really not terrible. I liked all of the lines and I thought the collection was more cohesive than the judges, especially Rita, made it out to be. Stylization and color scheme gave for an especially individualistic scheme in this collection: intriguing nerd glasses and hair accessories accompanying a black/gray/pink color scheme that spoke to MG's darker side. It worked, and I basically liked it. Clearly some of the looks wenta a little too out on a lark, such as her second. A most scrutinous of critics could claim that some of her looks, such as the halterlike dress with two pink straps above and below the bust, were conceptual but still only approaching luxurious. In any case, it was a strong collection which I could easily see earning second.

So my final thoughts...

Rita made a mistake crying. Her small burst made the judges look BAD picking Biddell over Lucian. However, her mistake exacerbated a microcosm of a bigger, badder picture:

The judges, throughout the entire season, disagreed way too much. Shawn blindly thought one way, Iman another, and Rita even another. I'm sure PR America has plenty of intrajudicial disagreements, but at least not many of them are televised. Thier sharp discrepancies of opinion, in my opinion, cheapens them as judges and makes their convictions and decisions all the less believable.

The microcosm I'm talking about is what happened at the end: Shawn claimed to be "addicted to Biddell"; Rita voted for Lucian; and Iman, finally, simply chose Biddell.

I don't really know what's going to happen... but I do think they could afford new judges. There is no Michael Kors, who on PR America proves to (usually) be the-bottom-line-boy; there is no Nina, who is bitchy AND RIGHT. Rita is right, but not really bitchy, and that crying mistake was just really pretty bad :\. And Shawn, well, maybe we've seen better.

I continue to strongly dislike Iman. I think she's loud and unintelligent :'(. (atleast on the show)

So we'll see what happens with Biddell and his new cashflow. Lucian already showed again, and it wasn't terrible.

We'll see what happens.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15897819/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15897819/ Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:49:51 PST MadStar, winner of Project Designer.

~~~

FAVORITE:



Sweet P: Very good. Modern and chic... too bad the rest of the team brought this down. I think her look contributed to the image that Chris *wanted* to convey.

(Jillian's and Rami's I liked equally)

Jillian: Her collection was the most cohesive and each look was well conceived and executed. Her blouse provided a pretty twist to her ultimately not-so-bad overalls.

Rami: Pretty!

Steve: Actually rather pretty, and perfectly executed. The styling and model aren't great for the outfit, but I really liked the look. It didn't fit with the rest, though.

Kevin: Really good shorts, though I think the top isn't fully there. The exact proportion/bubble-shape of the collar could've served the collection better if it was more elegantly expressed.

Christian: His particular look isn't bad (although the blouse under the coat was only approaching elegant), though I thought the collection itself seemed a tad studenty. Read on.

Kit: This is the second time when I'm not fully convinced of her marriage of fabrics (the first being her first dress). I know it's intendedly gothic, but the tailoring looks like that seen in Hot Topic. The neck ribbon detail was nice, though

Victorya: I love the bodice, but only after Ricky tampered with it. Don't like how the fabrics marry... the two don't look good sewn together.

Jack: Not great. Tenty looking... sleeves need to be differently shaped while the neckline needs to be less wide... creating closer vertical lines provides an overall thinner looking trapeze.

Elisa: Dress isn't incredibly flattering (so it can be tailored better) and the fabric lent to a less-than-convincing execution.

Chris: The antique fabric and not-hugging cut contributed to the jacket's oldness, but I didn't think it was heinous. The dress was really well executed and kind of pretty. Indeed the entire look was pretty old. But not deserving of the auf. (Although Nina isn't deserving of the shit she's getting about how ridiculous she is for not having Ricky leave! Yes, Ricky should have left, but this look DID fail to some extent!) As for his other issues, I wouldn't blame the collection's discohesion on his lack of leadership. Just his ability to conceive a cohesive collection of shapes and pick out the right fabrics at Mood.

Ricky: He should have given leadership to Victorya, or chosen another partner or something. He should have expected and prepared for Victorya's distaste for his choices. He should have executed his garment better, though the concept of the dress had potential. Finally, he should have been out... I guess.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15714111/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15714111/ Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:20:26 PST MadStar, winner of Project Designer.

~~~

FAVORITE:



Kit: I don't agree with Michael that the jacket would've looked grandpa-ey if it weren't fleece. Navy isn't *always* old looking, especially paired with the smart pants and shirt that Kit created. Very casual modern.

Jack: It's well constructed and the shirt is really cool (I would wear it), but why did you win? The pants were great too.

Kevin: Good stuff, another modern-man vision (although rather common, and maybe the shirt was a drop too magenta). Even though I don't adore Kevin himself, I liked his design.

~in~ (top to bottom)

rami (pants well constructed)
steven
jillian
victorya
chris
christian
elisa (not good)

Sweet P: Strangely, in the photo on bravotv.com, I kinda like it. Interesting. Obviously poorly constructed, but I see where she's going.

Ricky: I agree that it was of embarrassing construction, but calling it "a boring suit" is kinda unfair... like it's common but it's no more boring than the choices, let's say, Rami made. So it's black and white.

Carmen: Disaster from head to toe. Again. Yet another, another, correct decision.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15670200/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15670200/ Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:08:12 PST MadStar, winner of Project Designer.

~~~

FAVORITE:



Jillian: However, I do agree that VictorYA (I hate it too) deserved the win because her garment fit Bitten's profile. But Elisa's dress was *absolutely* gorgeous... those sleeves were "kinda stunning" (like SJP stated) and the proportions of everything really worked, despite the fact that the dress overshadowed the cape.

Victorya: Beautiful (and strangely Jenjofer-meets-Kar-tastic). The dress (I didn't love the fabric) was great, especially the oversized bow. The razorback vest only added to the look as well.

Kit: Super-chic was the jet-colored top while distracting and mediocre were the leggings. Indeed it had an air of the forties and looked strangely expensive.

Ricky: An extremely pretty dress. He obviously fell short with the "second garment" but the dress itself was a knockout.

Rami: I really didn't like the proportions; I think they were both tall-girl garments and couldn't really work on a shorter woman. The belt helps.

Christian: Too severe, eighties, and unBitten. I'm simply annoyed that he was in the bottom two by the second episode, because I would've loved to see more of his (curiously justified) bombast.

Marion: Catastrophe from top to bottom. Yet another deserved auf wiedersehen.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15514242/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15514242/ Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:32:20 PST MadStar, winner of Project Designer.

~~~

Doing best to worst!

FAVORITE:



Jillian: Cheeky. I think it's the sort of dress that Vogue would search for... great color, execution, proportion. It was simply a great look and I see Jillian's Ralph Lauren background.

Rami: It was a gorgeous gown... exactly what he is. Just like... it's a gown . Everyone can do it. But his is *particularly* gorgeous.

Christian: It was wonderful, yes, and of course it doesn't 100% work (maybe it's just me) but... there's something to be said that there's a 21 year old out there that can sew that freaky jacket, ruffled blouse, and skirt in one day. That's absolutely incredible.

~middle~ (top to bottom)

chris (SHOUT OUT!)
victorya
steven (wow but shit on the back didn't work)
sweet p
kit
carmen
jack (look on the TV it doesn't fit amazing)
ricky (well executed though)
kevin

Marion: Poorly executed... it fell flat. The risk was certainly there, however the construction wasn't.

Elisa: If it were up to me, both of them would go... but if I had to save someone it would be her. One reason: That blue thing was constructed using only one seam. That must not be very easy and everything above the knee looked beautiful. Below... pre-FIT.

Simone: It was poorly executed... the jacket could've worked but made the dress look more bed ridden... and it didn't show off Simone as a designer. On nearly all levels (the jacket paired with something else maybe would work) the look fell flat. Simone's out :\.

Tell me whatcha think!

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15405094/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15405094/ Wed, 07 Nov 2007 11:39:37 PST MadStar, winner of Project Designer.

~~~

[link]

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15332084/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/15332084/ Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:56:17 PDT MadStar, winner of Project Designer.

For information concerning Beau Monde, please visit past blogs (results for final challenge posted soon).

~~~

Hei guys.

I'm just checking in, so I'll just give you the heads up on what's on my mind.

Project Runway Canada



NOT impressive! Some of the designs are really good (MG's first challenge winning design, Carlie's McQueen-esque umbrella rendering), but the excitement of innovative fashion is outweighed by:

1) IMAN. She's beautiful, but she isn't able to improvise a situation with nearly enough suavity (unlike Heidi). She looks like she's acting, and her overly militant judgments (she loudly insisted that Megan's third design was "brilliant") are overall on a lower level than her colleagues, though one of them (the black sportswear designer) isn't all there either.

2) The moments we find out who's "out." I don't know if Project Runway America fucked them over, but each and every announcement of who's out is drawn out and anticlimactic. "You're out" and "you're in", or even comparable correspondents, are not part of Iman's vocabulary in the final moments of the runway. It greatly takes away from the show.

Future Designs

I'm still in the process of applying to Parsons, even though I currently attend Rutgers University. I'm quitting with the computer illustrations because I've essentially mastered how to render a sketch on Adobe. I need to focus more on how clothing REALLY looks (correct drapery illustration, accurate shading, seams, details, etc) and hone these skills using pencils, colored pencils, possibly Prismacolor markers (that I never use which is shameful) or possibly watercolors.

So for now, my mantra is illustration over design. For now. I think I can say that I'm amongst an already large population of DA designers that know how to design. So I think improving illustrative skills will actually help me develop my designing better.

Outside of Illustration

I'm purchasing a couple Fashion Marketing textbooks that I plan to master before next summer. I will schedule the time I need for that. I'm also buying a patternmaking book *catzilla recommended to me, the one Armstrong authors. But my studies with that will have to go hand in hand with my construction studies which will only be able to occur when I'm actually at home home. If there's a way to study patternmaking/draping simply through reading the book, then I'll do that at Rutgers as well.

Participation on DeviantArt

I'm not sure if I'm going to participate in Project Designer Allstars. I'll certainly judge, but I cannot say I'm in the mood for more competing again.... I'm also starting to doubt whether consecutive single-look challenges is the best way to choose the best designer amongst a group of people.
But this is not the point. Given my workload, construction load, and need to up the ante in terms of illustration *while* applying to Parsons, I'm starting to believe that my participation on DA should wane a little bit. I doubt I'll delete Kallastyos any time soon, but it's a consideration for the future.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14976531/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14976531/ Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:24:06 PDT
~~~

what I predict Vogue will think are the top ten collections of the season:

Balenciaga
Comme des Garcons
Dolce & Gabbana
Dries Van Noten
Lanvin
Louis Vuitton
Marc Jacobs
Nina Ricci
Proenza Schouler
Versace

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14842986/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14842986/ Sat, 29 Sep 2007 14:58:53 PDT
~~~

It's near the end of the month, for those of you still in LBM.

The deadline for the collection is October 3rd. Please have them in by then and note me if something's wrong.

More Spring reports coming to you soon. Some stuff happened in Milan .

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14721867/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14721867/ Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:58:11 PDT
~~~

The week has turned interesting...

Most reports have been upbeat at London due to the elevated sense of innovative shape... I've been impressed.

IMPRESSIVE



Giles: I always loved Giles... the shapes are always awesome and the collection wondrous (haha). This was just another one of his freaky, dreamlike shows (have you ever seen his drawings on style.com?). And there were even a few stunningly tailored coats to throw me a bone.



Richard Nicoll: It's a futuristic look... and those jackets were really freakily tailored and shaped. Very interesting.

RATHER IMPRESSIVE



Fashion East: It's kitschy as crap, yes, and if you ignore that, ... it actually is kinda interesting. Gross at times and hard to look at, yes, but it could set off some trends.

DISAPPOINTING



Rodnik: Ugly and undeveloped.



Allegra Hicks: She produces silhouettes that are retardedly seen, only in a nice print. Nothing worthy of showing.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14689039/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14689039/ Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:55:19 PDT
~~~

So London Spring '08 has begun and I've noticed that the designers have reached for the more conceptual. Louise Goldin's knit-swim blast-from-the-past debut, Kane's wispy yet not-really-but-kinda punky collection, Luella's movie marathon, and even Marios Schwab's take on anatomical fashion. Unlike New York, there has been a lot of statement.

IMPRESSIVE



Christopher Kane: Like Jacobs' collection, this will take time to get used to for me. But shapes were pretty, everything was cohesive and innovative, and at this rate he'll make "top ten".



Luella: It ain't my cup of tea, but the gimmicks worked. Ugliness and 'immaturity' aside, it turns out that this designer knows how to make a statement sellable. Especially a gimmicky statement.

RATHER IMPRESSIVE



Louise Goldin: Extremely colorful and overt (meaning I kinda think it's ugly), she was able to innovate with knits and turn them into swim garments.

DISAPPOINTING



Danielle Scutt: Rather out there... she needs a good backdrop to pull something like this. And the collection lacked cohesiveness.



Gareth Pugh: Ugh, stop showing! Good that you can make costumes but Vogue has no reason following you!

TRENDS

Flourishing layers: Kane and Luella nailed it.
Nerd glasses: The specs go transatlantic.
Goth reinterpretation: A softer side, but nonetheless punk is still in these days.
Tie-dye: Topshop, Marios Schwab, and way too many more.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14660061/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14660061/ Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:12:47 PDT
~~~

So the highlights for a New York week of fashion, Spring '08.



Ralph Lauren's 40th Anniversary show followed by a grandiose, Hollywood style party. Four hundred seats for the social elite.



Marc Jacobs' "what lies beneath" collection that 'redefined' sex.



Proenza Schouler's blend of artificial with natural.. and a reference to today.



Rodarte's flurry, girly collection that apparently gave everyone what they wanted.

Personal shouts out to:

Michael Kors
Vera wang
Ohne Titel

Now for my opinion...

well people, I must confess that I have been let down by NYC Spring '08. My issue is that *way* too many designers consider spring to be the interlude of fall, hence the collections come out formulaic and unsubstantial *cough Calvin Klein/Donna Karan cough*.

Hopefully it'll be London, Milan, or Paris that will enthrall us with awesome collections.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14595815/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14595815/ Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:08:39 PDT
~~~

It's a (mostly) good week for fashion. Let's get into it.

TRENDS

Transparency: From MaxAzria to Marc Jacobs, this theme seems like a ubiquity this week. It's an easy solution to sensual and sexy.
Midriffs: It's coming back... malheureusement...
Minimalism: Vogue's giving minimalist designers the spotlight. More and more I see them applauding the practical, easy, simple concepts. Easiest chic is best these days.

IMPRESSIVE

Marc Jacobs: Okay... it's something to get used to, especially given the theatrics. Given this show had gimmicks with reason, it was certainly a step forward in conceptually progressive fashion. Pardon me if it takes time to get used to though... I loved both his Spring '07 and Fall '07. In time.



Anna Sui: I loved it! I felt that, at least this week, she was able to define a very convincing, modern solution to "punk" fashion. The hair gimmick was cute enough to forgive and the silhouettes (mostly) worked towards the overall collection. She was on point this season.



PRETTY IMPRESSIVE

Phillip Lim: Not his best. But nonetheless it had Lim written all over it, especially in a sublime gown shown below. Apparently the framework of his show fell flat.



Michael Kors: Although not the wheel reinvented, I cannot doubt that he knows how to produce line after line of practical yet powerful luxury. His seventies reference shed light on a very positive, colorful line.



Diane von Furstenberg: Eh, I'm just mentioning her 'cause she's important. Her line was very nice... although seriously nothing new... I think she's focusing more on business than pleasing the ever-so-Voguish.



DISAPPOINTING

McQ: Ugly... it's certainly McQueen though... I'm being subjective, yes.



VPL: Um, what the fuck is with those shoulder pads? Theatrics is something but representing such like they did caused the collection to come off as an egregious gimmick.



~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14564740/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14564740/ Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:52:12 PDT
~~~

Hei guys. In case you want the update on my life, college is going well in terms of classes and friends. If the transition may seem a little daunting and the lifestyle complicated, its an experience I'm glad to still have ahead of me.

But enough about me.

Fashion week SPRING '08 has begun and I'm really excited! In my next few journals I'm going to discuss impressing and disappointing collections and the season's upcoming trends.

IMPRESSIVE

Proenza Schouler: Like usual the duo kicks off fashion week (and on the third day... it took a while for Spring '08 to not be boring) with their slim and sexy collection. All of the silhouettes had a cohesiveness while the themes gently melted from military to tribal... a clear (yet subtle) message about the war's end. Lazaro and Jack possibly have yet another "top ten Vogue" collection on their hands.



Ohne Titel: I loved them for their suits... so fluid and well... right. The two have a long career ahead of them.



Vera wang: She really does have this individual style to her designs... a real vision of modern day dressing. This collection was nothing short of brilliantly beautiful while gently whimsical yet wearable.



DISAPPOINTING

Behnaz Sarafpour: Although her ideas and intentions seem sound, her collection fell flat on its ass. This didn't look good for someone trying hard to make it.



Malandrino: Symbolic and whimsical is one thing... but she went too far and plenty of her looks felt fat and literal.



TRENDS

Pajama party: Plenty of looks possessed a lose, easy air like that of pajama wear.
Tribal: Since this season's Resort it's been appearing everywhere.
Military: It's of the time and on our minds.
Seventies "free": Is the war ending? Are we at another age of peace and freedom?

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14417867/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14417867/ Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:02:33 PDT insanegames, whom I hope overcomes all of her struggles.

~~~RESULTS... READ BEFORE READING UPCOMING CHALLENGE~~~

[link]

~~~

~~~

So guys... I'm off to college. I leave Saturday morning but have packing and planning to do tomorrow. Everybody wish me luck at Rutgers...

Max is no longer a 7 minute walk from my house,

and this is the first time mommy's hand won't be guiding me through.

But that's what life is I guess... you live, you learn, you design.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14262834/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14262834/ Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:12:04 PDT insanegames, whom I hope overcomes all of her struggles.

~~~RESULTS... READ BEFORE READING UPCOMING CHALLENGE~~~

[link]

~~~

So...

LBM has declared the final three designers.

Congratulations in making it here... your work up until now has been flawless and awe inspiring.












You must create a collection. Nine pieces. A palpable theme, cohesiveness, awesome silhouettes, awesome accessories, awesome styling. The judges want to be blown away.










There's a stipulation. (JUDGES, LISTEN UP)

CRITIQUING: Each contestant will get one critique per judge. That one critique will be the official critique. Judges, make sure to come to me before commenting the critique for their pieces. And as for the contestants... I suggest you create everything from shape to color of all looks before submitting it to us to be critiqued. It will help you... it's more things we can critique.

This will be due sometime around fashion week... think last few days of September. So I'd suggest having most of everything drawn out before then. In a few weeks I will send notes to you declaring the actual due date.

Good luck everybody...




... and may the designing begin.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Judge to the best of your ability. Think about fashionability and cohesion. Think about shapes, colors (or lack thereof), accessorization, stylization and overall feeling.

1-100.


*!*!*!*!* Do you want a say in this? *!*!*!*!*

Send a note to me with your scores and opinions after the due date and there will be a separate chat where the judges will discuss the scores and opinions and incorporate them into the final judgement. Some opinions may be abided by while others may be discarded.

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14146632/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/14146632/ Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:54:40 PDT insanegames, whom I hope overcomes all of her struggles.

~~~RESULTS~~~

[link]

~~~

Congratulations designers in making it to the final five.

In this phase, S2 Semifinals, there will be no critiquing. Just submission. This may be the last week before we declare the finalists...

Lately, all the whosit designers have been producing resort collections. I reckon, since we're down to the final five, that you have thought about what your DA Fashion Week collections are going to look like. So this is your first chance to convince us that your collection should be under the LBM tents.

Design a three-piece resort collection that's a wearable spin-off of whatever your collection will be. Remember this is a RESORT collection... wearability in a summery resort is crucial.

---Update: Resort can also mean inter-seasonal clothing. So that's fine.

It can compose of all separates, evening dresses, or a mix. As long as it's resort.

You need to learn how to work in a bit of a time crunch, seemingly the final three will have to design a nine-piece collection in 3-4 weeks. This is due on Monday, August 20th at 6PM Eastern US time.

INSPIRATION

[link]
[link]

Good luck,



and may the designing begin.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Fashionability: 50
Resort-ready: 50

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13978066/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13978066/ Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:03:27 PDT
The sketches that each designer made is being re-routed to another designer now. First is the designer who created the design, while after the dash is the designer that needs to reinterpret that design.

*SORRY GUYS, I SCREWED UP SO THERE HAVE BEEN NEW ASSIGNMENTS. LOOK HERE.*

ANIRON-MORNIE redesigns FOXROX's look.

FOXROX redesigns ANIRON-MORNIE's look.

ENIGAMOSHI16 redesigns OIPANDA's look.

OIPANDA redisgns ENIGAMOSHI16's look.

KAR-TASTIC redesigns CHUDAMERR

BLUECRANBERRIES redesigns KAR-TASTIC

CHUDAMERR redesigns BLUECRANBERRIES

~~~RESULTS~~~

[link]

~~~

-- Thanks to ~protectedbygod and ~cjrogers1993 for inspiration to do this challenge.

Congratulations to the final seven designers.

Your challenge, for now, is to sketch a design that you would wear as a representation of you as a designer. Your sketch doesn't have to be finished, just either through actual coloring or description do the colors need to be expressed.

If you're a guy, pretend you're a girl for a week.

You must submit the sketch by midnight after Sunday, the 6th. Your sketch will be assigned to someone else... and you will be given another person's design to reinterpret (while not erasing or totally changing) it as so it represents who YOU are as a designer.

And that final submission will be due Thursday at 6PM Eastern time.

This may be the last week of phase two, S1 Semifinals.

Good luck,



and may the designing begin.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Fashionability: 50
Reminiscent of sketch: 25
Individuality: 25

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13890748/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13890748/ Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:03:22 PDT
[link]






























~~~

Congratulations in making it to the final nine.

Your challenge is to design a look that embodies the hat that we assign to you. The hat doesn't need to be present in your look, however you may use it therein if you'd like. If you are UTTERLY unsatisfied with what we have assigned you, we can switch it for you.

Aniron-mornie- Fedora.
Oipanda- Shower cap.
Chudamerr- Cloche.
Bluecranberries- Pillbox.
Blueeyescrynomore- Turban.
Enigmamoshi16- Russian fur hat.
Kar-tastic- Fez.
Deep-and-meaningless- Bowler.
F0xr0x- Beret.

EXAMPLE from ~insaneashrak1 [link]
INSPIRATION from *forneverever

[link] cloche
[link] fez
[link] turban
[link] fedora
[link] the fur hat one
[link] pillbox
[link] bowler
[link] showercap
[link] beret

Due next Wednesday at 6PM Eastern US time.

Good luck,



and may the designing begin.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Fashionability: 50
Representative of hat: 50

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13772651/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13772651/ Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:51:07 PDT




[link] (press the play button on the jukebox before reading results)

~~~

Congrats on making it to the sixth challenge.

You must incorporate two fashion polls, sportive and sophisticated, into one cohesive look. So whether it's pairing a coat with a sporty top and shorts or a bolero over a jumpsuit or whatever, there needs to be an apparent "chic sportif."

INSPIRATION

[link]
[link]
[link] < Looks 23, 25-27

Due Sunday at 6PM.

Good luck,

and may the designing begin.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Fashionability: 40
Sportif: 30
Sophistication: 30

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13675547/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13675547/ Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:11:51 PDT
~~~RESULTS~~~





[link] (press the play button on the jukebox before reading results)

~~~

Congratulations semifinalists. Out of over forty participants that began this competition, you comprise the final seventeen.

You are now in S1 (Stage 1) Semifinals. You may only receive critique from judges once, and then your second draft must be final.

S2 Semifinals will commence once we are down to approximately ten designers.

Throughout the competition, you haven't just been putting out designs. You have been showing us your personal style and elan since challenge one.

This time, we want you to show us your personal style through an interesting all-in-one suit or jumpsuit.

An all-in-one suit is a jacket melded with a pant... for two good examples, go to Alexander McQueen's Fall '06 runway... looks 28 and 34.

And a jumpsuit... [link]

A jumpsuit is supposed to be a head-to-toe workout garment... but designers put out chic permutations thereof... so it doesn't *necessarily* have to be seriously equipped for a gymnasium.

* Remember to indicate if you're doing an all-in-one or a jumpsuit.
** You must also include in your description why you think your creation is representative of you as a designer.

Due Sunday at 6PM Eastern US.

Good luck,



and may the designing begin.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Fashionability: 70
Personal Style: 30
If not an all-in-one/jumpsuit: -100

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13585337/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13585337/ Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:13:02 PDT
- Due date is OBVIOUSLY again Sunday at 6PM eastern time.
- Maddie posted an example shown below.

~~~RESULTS~~~





[link] (press the play button on the jukebox before reading results)

~~~

Congratulations on making it this far.

Your next challenge is to define a fashion trend that has been occurring on the designer runway for the past few seasons. You must find a veritable, unique trend (one that Vogue would actually focus on... nothing like "Oh! Babydoll dresses!") after researching numerous runways and then create a beautiful look that embodies or contains such trend.

For example:

Feathers is recurrent trend of the fall 2007 shows. Designers such as Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci, Consuelo Castiglione for Marni, John Galliano, and John Galliano for Christian Dior have used feathers to accentuate their collection. Hence, I make a massive coat made out of long fox fur and feathers and pair it with an above-the-knee silk cocktail dress cinched by a thin pailletted cummerbund.

Go to [link] "fashion shows" and look at notable designers' runways and catch onto a trend. You must cite at least TWO examples of your trend recurring in at least TWO different runways.

Again, this challenge is NOT about defining that "Ugg boots are in!" Everyone knows Ugg boots are in. This is about defining the latest trends that the best designers of our time trendset.

~MadStar's beautiful example: [link]

And finally...

A hint: The reason for this challenge is to have you really dive into the runways and style.com. *Somewhere* on style.com is a glossary of all the notable trends that were spotted from seasons past. Good luck finding it.

Or you could just try hard to discover a trend for yourself after looking at tons of runways :-D.

Good luck,



and let the designing begin.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Fashionability: 50
Trend veritability: 40
Trend usage: 10

~~~





View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13501136/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13501136/ Tue, 26 Jun 2007 16:42:42 PDT
PROJECT DESIGNER PARTICIPANTS:

My screen name is rebatum on AIM, so IM me with ideas for the challenge! All of us should create a chatroom.

~~~RESULTS~~~

[link] (press the play button on the jukebox before reading results)

Saturday, 6PM: LBM Message: I'll be back tonight at midnight to answer messages.

~~~

Your challenge is to create a garment, whether of separates or a dress, that is ENTIRELY red. It has to be closest to PURE red... not a light or dark shade thereof. It cannot be multiple shades of red either... just red.

You may stylize and accessorize to your satisfaction (and it can be of any color).

This challenge is about seeing who can create the coolest silhouette. [link] has plenty of inspirations, so go for it...

This is due on Sunday, July 1st at 6PM Eastern US time.

Good luck,

and may the designing begin.

~MadStar: Just to clarify guys, this challenge all about us seeing how innovative you can be with your silhouette. We are looking for modern, elegant, sexy, and new. If we see studenty, cliche, costumey, bland, boring, or uninspired, you will see it in the results.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Silhouette innovation: 80
Stylization: 20
*If it isn't all PURE RED: -100

~~~

View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13398878/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13398878/ Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:04:13 PDT
[link] (press the play button on the jukebox before reading results)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congratulations for making it to the second challenge.

Your task is to venture into gothic, punk-rock taste. A lot of designers have passed through the grips of DeviantArt posting punk fashion that is quite... untasteful to the society of high fashion.

Your job is to perfect the gothic look. You must create an outfit or dress that has a punk rock base but is a believable, chic, dynamic garment that could easily travel down the runways of the world's best designers.

*By the way, around where I like goth and punk are almost the same. Basically it's just the feel and fashion that go along with that heavy metal music that fits into the same genre.

EXAMPLES:

Forneverever (awesome ): [link]

INSPIRATION:

[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]

This is due on Sunday, June 24th, at 6PM US Eastern Time (and if you live in a different time zone, make sure to factor in the difference).

And may the designing begin. Good luck.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Gothic: 50
Sophistication/Believability: 50

~~~

View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13381319/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13381319/ Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:20:21 PDT
To the following designers:

kayley5756
jamesflook
sakiicouture
buffyboi5
purplefeltangel

Unless you don't submit sometime tonight I'm going to have to eliminate you due to non-submittal. Tomorrow, Monday, will be the judge's discussion on who moves onto the next challenge.

Around 7-12 will be eliminated.

Good luck guys.

~~~

View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13279951/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13279951/ Sat, 09 Jun 2007 15:50:45 PDT
~~~

Good evening, designers. Welcome to the second season of Le Beau Monde. Last season, ~MadStar emerged as top designer, and this season, we have 37 designers competing.

But only one will win. Welcome,

italygermanboy
kayley5756
leahhaunnshee
radical-manzanas
siawo
is-ness
senakiss
semihmetin
f0xr0x
roxyguitarz
chouzax
chudamerr
blueeyescrynomore
luai-lashire
bluecranberries
crater-arachnei
kar-tastic
purplefeltangel
deep-and-meaningless
aniron-mornie
dragon-hacker
oipanda
jamesflook
bleedingbird
sakiicouture
xpresslifetifa
protectedbygod
thomas23skidoo
enigmamoshi16
daiseddevil
katrinzzz
buffyboi5
ladyliver
louise1691
alexseth
spaceyj
dacendaren
celestial-designs
jadexx
loukr
l-luzi-l
recluse57
hollidae (what a cool name 8-O!?!?).

Your first challenge relates to a made-up academy for the older teen (between the ages of 17-21). This private college demands each student to wear a uniform, however the deans of the school are having trouble picking which uniform to use.

Your challenge is to design that uniform for the school. The uniform must at least have a jacket and something worn under it, whether it being a dress or a top and pants/skirt. The outfit may not look vulgar and must look chic *yet youthful.* You are designing for an average eighteen year old, nonetheless. Innovate with the silhouette of the outfit... us judges do not want to see boring.

Example: ~MadStar's [link]

As you know, we are in phase one. Each challenge until the end of phase one will have multiple eliminations, with possibly nine eliminations per challenge dependent on how many people forget to submit.

The due date is Sunday, June 17th at 6PM Eastern US time. If you are not in the Eastern US timezone, you must calculate whatever time the deadline is for you. Unless you send me a note with a GREAT excuse why you cannot submit until late, no late submissions will be accepted.

Good luck designers...




And may Le Beau Monde begin.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Fashionability: 50
Youthfulness: 20
Chicness: 20
Comfortability: 10

~~~

View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13211288/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13211288/ Mon, 04 Jun 2007 06:03:21 PDT MadStar emerging as the winner. If you are interested in joining, you MUST to read the following entry before signing up (even if you have participated before).

Before we begin, remember that this competition is only for those who might not have the drawing/visionary skills to proceed far into ~cjrogers1993’s competition, Project Designer. Beau Monde is primarily for those who applied and unfortunately didn’t make the cut. However, those who forgot to or couldn’t apply thereto can try out for my competition.

*Hence, all who want to enter Le Beau Monde must submit three drawings demonstrating their latest work to be evaluated. If you have not applied for Project Designer and we feel you are too strong a competitor, then you may be turned away from the competition.* This does include those who have applied to Project Designer.

Now.

The following points are guidelines you should follow throughout your journey to winning this season. Make sure to read them carefully and keep them with you during your participation.

- This is merely a game and a learning experience. Do not get too caught up in this competition to the point where, upon elimination, you break down and cry. It’s just for fun and in good natured spirit. However, if you sign up, we do expect you to submit at least one fashion sketch a week. Be prepared to work at that pace. ALSO: Beau Monde will, in mid-competition, be moving from digitally written format to video format, making things more dramatic especially when it comes to eliminating. I will remind you of my first point: Do not take this too seriously. It’s not that big a deal.

- This is, to a small extent, an admissions process. If I feel that your artistry/design talent would get you far into the Project Designer competition, then I may turn you away from Beau Monde. Especially for those who know they are good artists, prepare for this.

- Trust me when I tell you that a comprehensive knowledge of garments that went down the catwalk of Project Runway (or Project Catwalk) will not get you far into this competition. I suggest you frequently look at designers on [link] for inspiration. It’s a true source for improvement.

- The judging panel has been reformatted since the previous season. Currently, the designers that will consistently critique and judge your garments are (in no particular order) ~cjrogers1993, ~insaneashrak1, ~MadStar, ~forneverever, ~thejarc and myself. More designers can sign up, however those wanting to participate should only guest judge every now and then if they’re eliminated. Judges/guest judges are allowed to critique rough drafts until we reach SII (Stage II) Semifinals.

- The format for this competition has changed as well. Rounds/challenges will be grouped into stages:

Quarterfinals: First few rounds are devoted to weed out non-submitters and those who we are not looking for, comprised of large eliminations. Results on my xanga site.

SI Semifinals: Reached once eighteen (or less) designers remain. Usually one or two eliminations per challenge, but more than two eliminations can occur at any given challenge. The competition is moved to video format at this time.

SII Semifinals (concept still debated): Reached once approximately eight designers remain. Judges/mentors may no longer critique rough drafts of submissions.

Finals: Reached once a finite number (usually two to four) designers remain. Designers will create a collection showcasing their style and design talent. By the end of this stage, a winner will be declared.

- Drafting definitely helps (until SII). If you have questions or complaints about a design or designer, send it to me VIA NOTE. Do not leave it in commentary because I don’t want drama in my competition.

- The winner will receive a ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to DeviantArt.

And with that, we are finished. If you want to apply, do so by leaving a comment under this journal entry by submitting three pieces that are (at least near) your latest works. ***You also must indicate that you have fully read this journal entry. I will note you if the judges have questions about your participation. The deadline for submitting your application is June 12th, however it may extende... ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13203222/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13203222/ Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:29:57 PDT
Besides last week when I had the National Spelling Bee clog up my PD design time, I basically have nothing to do in school and I sit with a laptop sprawled in front of me.

Everybody,




The next installment of Le Beau Monde is about to begin. The sign ups will begin tomorrow or within the next few days.

This also means I will be running both this and completing my Project Designer submissions at the same time. ... That is how much time I have on my hands. Zero school.

So Project Runway contests will take hiatus until the conclusion of the next Beau Monde.

~~~

View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13182207/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13182207/ Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:16:22 PDT
The winner: ~forneverever
[link]
Duh. Ridiculous.

2nd place: ~thejarc
[link]
This was really beautiful! Madonna would totally wear this (especially on stage). The bodice detailing was really wonderful and aimed at high fashion... I could see it on a runway. I liked the intentional immaculacy of the white dress and the provocation (for once! ). Had Kaitlyn not stepped in the last minute to roar everyone down, you would've been a clear winner.

3rd place: *Pkdesigner
[link]
Gorgeously Monroesque. It was smart of you to do the provocative slinky gown combined with the alluring hair because it shouts the forties, a decade practically defined by your chosen icon. The top hem of the bust could've been redesigned as to remain consistent with the rest of the gown, but having said that your piece was a knock out .

Thank you, (random order)

~semihmetin
~leahhaunnshee
~jamesflook
~siawo
~f0xr0x
~Kar-tastic

Holistic critique: If you're wondering why you didn't make it to the top three, remember it may have been because your look didn't quite represent your icon. There were plenty of GORGEOUS garments that didn't make it to the top three because of that factor.

The next challenge shall be posted tomorrow. Thanks guys!

~~~

View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13124888/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13124888/ Mon, 28 May 2007 11:59:06 PDT
WINNER: =alexseth
[link]
Basically the design had to win. It immediately filled out all of the requirements: It's sellable under the Banana Republic brand and is fitting of a chic yet sexy cocktail dress. There were "better" silhouettes within your competition, but you were the only to correctly adhere to the challenge's guidelines. So although the dress might be doubtful, you came up with a smart, logical solution that denied anyone else from the win. Congratulations.

2nd Place: ~Kar-tastic
[link]
This was a close second. Like Alex's, this fulfilled the requirements. My only qualm is that Banana Republic, possessive of a wardrobe aesthetic that's labeled "chic and sleek," would be dubious as to sell a dress that is as free-fitting and loose as yours. They have had some semi-voluminous tops/dresses, but it's not likely that they would sell a dress without any horizontal seams. But don't get me wrong... the dress and accessorization is great. It's minimalist at heart, and although the dress threatens to make larger women look like sacks (possibly), it really was a beautiful look.

3rd Place: ~cjrogers1993
[link]
This was the "best" look of all of the submissions. So immediately it earned you the top three, and obviously both you and I know that what held back the win was the aesthetics constraint. Banana Republic probably won't be selling bright yellow fur any time soon (which frankly is their loss). Great colors, cool silhouette, and a stunning job.

Thank you,

~leahhaunnshee
~thejarc
~crater-arachnei
*Pkdesigner
~jadexx
~semihmetin
~MadStar
~jamesflook
~chouzax

for your participation as well. All of your looks were beautiful .

~~~~~~~~

NEXT CHALLENGE: Project Runway Season 3, Episode 5.



Your task is to modernize the looks of famous past celebrity icons. Your choice is between:

Pam Grier
Cher
Madonna
Farrah Fawcett
Audrey Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Marilyn Monroe
Jackie Onassis
Diana Ross
Twiggy

Ask yourself, "So what would they wear today? How would I mold their aesthetic into a modern look? And what would this look actually look like?"

Make whatever you want, a dress or separates, but this must be "today" and it must be reminiscent of your icon.

You can choose whomever you want. This is due the midnight after Friday (US Eastern time... figure out what time that is for you) and will be graded the day after.

Good luck !

~~~

View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13047887/ http://Kallastyos.deviantart.com/journal/13047887/ Tue, 22 May 2007 07:35:56 PDT
Are you waiting for Le Beau Monde to begin?

The answer: Welcome to the Project Runway Fashion Contest.

About 6 months ago, I asked people to create their own solutions for the Project Runway challenges. There were no prizes, and a few people participated. Some have missed the good will created by the activity, but I was always disappointed in the lack of participation.

So, because I have free time, and a lot more than enough to take care of my weekly PD submissions, I'm going to revive the Project Runway competition.

But with a special change.

AHEM.

*The winner of each challenge will receive a one month subscription to DeviantArt!*

The top three will be featured. If you win a challenge, you will not be able to win a second challenge. I don't want a monopolous competition.

Random challenges from the past seasons will be chosen for you to complete. Use [link] for inspiration, especially under "Rate the Runway" and "Tim's Take" for critiques.

~~~~~

And now for the first challenge. I have picked challenge three of the first season.

Your challenge is to create a cocktail/party dress for Banana Republic. The dress needs to exude a professionalism, as it's for a sophisticated working woman. You may choose one of two themes that must present itself within your dress:

ART DECO or GRANDMA'S CLOSET.

Art Deco: Shades, such as black, white, and grey, sometimes (but usually not) paired with another bright color. Shapes and geometry often follow and the overall look is sleek and modern.

Grandma's closet: The color scheme is yellow and pink and often surrounds floral fabric (but doesn't need to). The theme is about the feminine, but if it's retro-inspired it must also be capable of being worn today.

Refer to a Banana Republic website for inspiration on what their "look" is like. PR challenges are usually easier than a PD challenge, so the deadlines will be tighter.

Oh, and [link] < this site has the actual dresses from this episode. Use for inspiration.

***The due date for all submissions is Sunday, May 27th at 9PM U.S. EASTERN TIME. This means that if you do not live in the U.S. eastern time region, you must calculate what time 6PM on May 27th is for you. Unless you send a note considerably beforehand expounding a legitimate reason why you must submit a day late, no late submissions will be accepted.

GOOD LUCK!!! !

~~~

View the work of ~MadStar, winner of Le Beau Monde, here: [link] ]]> *Kallastyos