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A Social Responsibility
Angel explains her frustration with this week's challenge.
June 4, 2009Today was elimination day for the “Real Woman” challenge. We were asked to design a look that flattered different body shapes. The challenge seemed problematic because we were all given different body types while a few of the “real women” didn’t seem to have any flaws at all. We all really should have been given the same body types to work with to keep the challenge fair and consistent.
I was assigned Briane, a modern dancer with a dynamic personality. She said her problem is that she is short-waisted and has a wide upper body. She said she always wears gym clothes, so I suggested designing a dress that had the comfort of wearing a t-shirt. It would mimic the bodysuit/leotard cuts that she normally wears. When she arrived for the fitting, however, I realized that her problem was not her wide upper body and short torso. Her thighs were quite wide and her calves were very muscular. When I put my jersey dress on her, it made her legs look even wider! Suddenly, I had to shift focus to find a way to elongate her lower body instead. I only had five hours to figure it all out!
I did what I could in the remaining time, but I barely had time to finish the dress. It did not look horrible, and the judges did not choose me for the bottom. However, Daniella selected my design as the bottom pick. Surely, there were worse designs that mine, but she was not going to choose anyone from her suite for the final pick.
Looking back, I wished I that I had designed something more fun and risky. I would have designed a simple long shirt dress and painted a humorous life-sized print of a skinny body on top, a la the British artist Julien Opie. It would have been a commentary on how ridiculous it is to try and look like a physical ideal. Women should be proud of their bodies, and their personalities should be their greatest asset. But there is barely any time to think concepts through in these 14-hour challenges. Genius ideas cannot be born in such a small time frame.
I am starting to become bored and uninspired with these challenges. In the real world, I surround myself with amazing fabrics, prints, embroideries, artwork, cool music, chic people, bustling city life, rejuvenating sunlight … and to be cut off from all of those things that inspire me has been really difficult. I feel like a plant with no sunlight. In the real world, I take pictures of neat things I see on the street, in galleries or in museums. I meet up with my “muses” to chat about what they like and want to wear. These women are so inspiring and I am always designing with them in mind. I also travel around the world to find the most beautiful fabrics and embroideries. I work with innovative materials that glow in the dark, that heat up, or that change colors when touched. None of those are available at B+J Fabrics, where they only sell normal and conventional fabrics.
It is hard to be innovative and forward-thinking with limited resources and very little time. Surely, I could design something simple and easy, but I do not see the point in creating something that already exists in the marketplace. As designers, I think we have a social responsibility to offer customers products that are new, innovative and with their needs in mind. I really hope I can find inspiration in the next challenge.
Angel,
I quess you realized that Danielle wasn't really your friend after all. Watch your emotions in this business...it can be brutal. Stay professional and focused on what you are doing...designing clothes. Forget about Danielle, she isn't worth it!
Good luck!
hey girl, i absolutely loved that shrit/dress design you did. that is something i would wear. I want it!! lol keep up the good work. stay scandalous.
Did you re-read what you wrote? I guess not or you would realize how pathetic you sound. Social responsibility? What about your own personal responsibility to own up to your shortcomings. I'm no fan of Daniella but she selected you for the bottom because you deserved to be there. She could have thrown Merlin under the bus because she doesn't like him but she didn't. Do you thik for one second that the judge would disagree with Daniella's decision? You should be grateful that you weren't eliminated. Why don't you just go home if you're so unhappy.
Agreed with jeanie. Your dress was one of the worst. It was far worse than Keith's. You should have been sent home. Regarding all your complaints about you're "working" conditions, have you never watch a reality show competition? You sound so fond of research, I can't believe you didn't do a little before sending in your application.
If you are bored with the challenges, then you shouldn't be on the show. I'm not a Daniella fan, but from what I saw, she made the right choice. I think you have a lot of talent but terrible time management skills.
I really really really want angels plain white shirt that was interchangeable. I believe it was the week one individual challenge that the black dress one instead of her dazed up simple white shirt. I honestly will do ANYTHING to own that design of yours... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE IS THERE ANYWAY TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE... I AM THE SIZE OF A RUNWAY MODEL SO IT WOULD FIT ME :).... I KNOW THAT THE WINNERS LOOK IS WHAT IS POSTED, BUT I NEED TO HAVE THAT DESIGN IS THERE ANYWAY TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. i WILL CONTINUE TO TRY AND CONTACT BRAVO ABOUT THAT.
Angel,
Every single week before the models go on stage you are doing last minute things. You are not up to the high standards of the show. This weekes outfit should have gotten you eliminated. I can see from watching that you have idea and concept problems as well as time management.
Sorry Angel but I have to agree with Jeanie (though I wouldn't have said it so harshly!); Daniella had a really hard choice to make (btw, it TOTALLY sucked that she had to do that! some prize!) and it is what it is. Keith got robbed.
Good Designers can come up with good designs with some time, Great Designers work with what they are given and create GREAT DESIGNS. Like you said of Daniella, " Great Designers should be able to design for all body shapes." You created an unflattering design and are making excuses for it. As of this moment you are an unknown in the design world, you don't get to impress the fashion world on your own terms, these people who are far more successfull and world renowned are giving you a chance to show them your ingenuity - this last week you did mediocre - live with it - dont make excuses for it
I think Isaac hit the nail on the head about you and the other designers...you are sizest among other things. I'm one of the "normal" people that you had to design for in the challenge. I must not be the "chic" person that you like to design for nor is my wardrobe full of amazing fabrics. How nice for you that you get to surround yourself with better things or people not like me. Tsk.
Stop whining. Your dress deserved to be in the bottom 3. It really looked bad. Daniella made the right choice and the judges agreed with her.
Having worked in the world of design, flowers not fabric, I am very much like you in your need to be surrounded by inspirational things when creating. Your clothing is so tasteful but fun and i look forward to seeing what you have next up your sleeve
Sorry darling, you failed by a mile. I think you should have been sent home tonight. It seems crazy that week after week, the worst designers continue to elude elimination.
You are talented, but has not been bringing the best.
Remember that this is still a competition, and you are not on your own yet.Listen and continue to learn.
While there may be obstacles in production and finding more creative inspirations given time and fabic constraints-however everyone is in the same shoebox-you can't complain that you aren't flourishing as an excuse. Your design and outcome was one of the worse and you should find your muse in learning and creating in difficult situations-step up.
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