make it work for michelle: project runway's inaugural gown challenge

 
the daily beast recently challenged eight former project runway designers to conjure up an inaugural gown for our lovely new first lady, michelle obama.

but, there's a twist.  in the spirit of eco-design, the recession, and PR's "make it work" premise, the designers were only allowed to use the following materials to create their couture:

1). the fabric from laura bush’s 2005 oscar de la renta inaugural ball gown.
2). burlap sacks.
3). an american flag.
4). $10.00 worth of trims of their choosing.

also, the designers were given this challenge before they knew who would be the first lady.  therefore, their designs needed to work for both michelle or cindy.

behold, the results, kittens.  get your pencils ready, sharpen the claws, and let's start the show:

 

{above left: chris march.  description: a glamorous barrel covered with the stars and stripes and swarovski crystals from laura's dress, burlap trim;  above right: leanne marshall.  description:  full, pocketed sweeping skirt composed of 50 horizontally paneled potato sacks}

 

{above left: mychael knight.  description: flag gown with burlap bow, trimmed with laura's dress for extra sparkle;  above right: alison kelly.  materials:  coco chanel-inspired potato sack dropped waist dress, sash and appliqués from the lining of laura's dress.}

{above left: kara janx.  description: american flag gown paired with a cropped jacket harvested from laura's dress;  above right: malan breton.  description: burlap gown, cut out star appliqués from the flag piped in burlap, smoke-colored swarovski crystals.}

{above left: austin scarlett.  description:  textured washed burlap with frayed edges, burlap sash;  above right: rami kashou.  description:  grecian draped flag gown with burlap belt and trim.}

so...who is in and who is out?  my verdict:  chris march wins fan favorite and the key to my heart, kara janx is out, and austin scarlett drives off in the saturn hybrid.

auf wiedersehen!

Comments

[karly / design crisis]

Chris March for fan favorite, fo sho. But I kinda prefer Rami and Mychael's designs over Austin's. Austin's is a little too southern belle.

[Jesse]

I think Kara and Mychael are out. Icky! I love Chris March's. He wins in my book :)

[jeni]

I'd wear anything Austin or Leanne made. Don't much like Alison's for the challenge, though.

[Morning Glory]

I think Michelle would kick ass in Rami's dress!

Rami: In
Kara: Out

[Mr. Blandings]

Michelle in Leanne's gown for sure. Michelle is elegant and strong.

I want Cindy in Chris's barrel and Kara's frock has Sarah Palin's name written all over it (only I'd add shoulder pads ala Joan Crawford).

[paola]

Chris should win of course, but where did he get the barrel from? Is it part of the $10 of trimmings? I say shenanigans...

Otherwise I rather liked Malan's.