Top Designer: clowniing — Rhiannon • You topped this challenge by a landslide! The Judges were super impressed with the theme you chose, and by how well you carried it out. You balanced the red/orange/yellow scheme with the B&W hues to perfection. • Though very effectively written, the description ran a bit long. As well, the Judges felt the colours were a bit jarring in some spots, and it could've benefited from some gradients.
mythological irony — Sumati • The research you put into this look is evident in every corner of the picture, and your critics applaud the devotion you gave to your craft. It is earthy in just about every way, and is reminiscent of a painting in an exhibit. • You could have narrowed your view just a bit. The references are so much, that it's overwhelming; On the line between coherent and messy. And while your description was better, it still lacked a personal touch.
Eliminated: Detrimentum — Helena • You turned out a look that was stylistically favoured by the Judges, who applauded your use of colours and equipables alike. Helena is gorgeous, as always. • Your description read more like an essay than a conversation, which was less exciting to read. And the Judges had hoped to see more creativity beyond just pretty.
HELLPRIEST — Seren • You aimed to avoid receiving last challenge's critiques again ... and you nailed it. The creative way you formatted your description was fun and highly informative. • You dropped this challenge by a landslide, babe ... The Judges weren't digging your alternative approach at all, and would've preferred a more direct interpretation. And we'll just leave it at that.
Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2024 7:22 am
The Fashion Line ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Each finalist will create a theme within their brand, and build five (5) outfits that represent that motif throughout.
The theme can truly be anything. However, it must represent the Designer in a significant way, and the outfits themselves must tie into each other somehow. In this final test, the Judges are looking for signature style and cohesion — the Designer's own personal, preferred design aesthetic being properly featured. In other words, this final entry shouldn't showcase anything new or adventurous, but instead, embrace whatever brand the Designer has established for themselves throughout the cycle. So long as there is brand recognition, and commonality between their works of art, they can consider their fashion education complete.
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The Designers' Model line-up will consist of four eliminated PC4 Models, plus their own Model, and each delegated Model must be present in the fashion line, with outfits catered to their base traits.
The collection will be judged both individually and collectively. How well each look is styled, how creatively they're tailored to the Model, how well the outfits fit into the fashion line, how much overall brand recognition there is, and how well the description captures the collection, and the cycle as a whole.
All five design photos must be submitted within the same masterfully crafted post, and include: fashion line title, Designer name, Model name, alt Models' names, description, and entry status.
With the description, it is highly recommended that each finalist take the liberty to introduce themselves and their brand, explain their chosen theme and any muses, touch on motif evidence with a few sentences per outfit, and finally, end with a couple of words to commemorate their Project Catwalk experience. It's the Designer's last chance to plead their case as to why they should be King or Queen of the Catwalk!
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Project Catwalk Cycle 4 Finalists
clowniing
HELLPRIEST
mythological irony
• Rhiannon •
• Seren •
• Sumati •
· Helena ·
· Talia ·
· Ava ·
· Lulu ·
· Amren ·
· Aubrie ·
· Maritza ·
· Esther ·
· Bryce ·
· Summer/Maria ·
· Laurel ·
· Charmaine/Elise ·
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bad wolf bae Captain
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HELLPRIEST
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Demonic Prophet
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2024 4:36 pm
THE STAGES OF GRIEF FASHION LINE by HELLPRIEST ENTRY COMPLETE
Good evening, fellow contestants and judges. I am incredibly honored to have reached this stage of the competition, which has truly tested my creative abilities. Making it into the top three is both astonishing and deeply gratifying for me. This experience has been cherished, and I eagerly anticipate any future challenges.
My name is Eros, and I reside in Australia, which presents some logistical challenges due to the time zone differences. Despite these hurdles, I have managed them effectively. I consider myself a reclusive individual, though I do enjoy occasional conversations with others. Initially, I almost hesitated to join this challenge due to my shyness.
The fashion line I have developed is not merely a collection but a reflection of who I am as a person. Its significance is heightened during this final phase of the competition. What many may not know is that earlier in the judging process, I faced a significant personal loss when my paternal grandmother passed away. This event nearly caused me to withdraw from the competition altogether.
Navigating this challenge amidst grief has been exceptionally tough, yet profoundly rewarding. Today, I am choosing to showcase the emotional journey I've experienced, particularly the stages of grief, through my work. It is a testament to my resilience and determination to move forward and excel at the things I put work into.
I want this fashion line to encapsulate my fascination with the macabre and the abstract, infused with elements of avant-garde and conceptual artistry. As you explore the collection below, you'll notice a recurring motif: the first four models wear masks that obscure their faces. These masks symbolize their inability to confront the harsh reality of loss, shielding their inner selves from both themselves and others.
Additionally, there is a distinct leaning towards fantastical designs throughout the collection. This deliberate choice stems from my personal tendency to seek solace in fantasy realms when confronted with fear or adversity in the real world. I aimed to mirror this aspect of my personality through my designs, creating pieces that evoke escapism and imagination.
The First Stage : Denial ( Talia )
How : I approached this project with a clear vision of using a muted and dull color palette to convey a sense of not seeing things at their full potential. The choice of muted purples and subdued gold, along with the vignette effect, felt instinctively right for the direction I wanted to pursue. To achieve this aesthetic, I began by searching for the perfect colorway that embodied the muted tones and desaturation I envisioned—what I ultimately found in the 'Mute' colorpath selection.
From this foundation, I proceeded with a process of trial and error typical of my creative method. This involved experimenting with various elements, trying them on and evaluating how they complemented the existing ensemble and aligned with the vision I aimed to convey.
Why : I aimed to evoke the essence of someone who was once vibrant but has become entangled in their own denial, unwilling to see beyond it. The absence of vibrant and enjoyable colors in her life is evident, symbolizing a retreat from reality. The blindfold over her eyes serves to keep the truth at bay, a deliberate choice to maintain her preferred illusion.
The hands hovering above her are a visual metaphor, representing her own actions that keep her restrained or puppeteered in denial. Additionally, I envisioned her with a touch of fantasy—a noble figure captured by a supernatural force, adding a mystical element to her portrayal.
The Second Stage : Anger ( Laurel )
How : The creation of this look followed a similar process to the first, but with a distinct color theme: Bloodshed & Blackout. When I discovered the skull mask, I immediately knew it would be a centerpiece, paired effectively with a black blindfold to create the illusion of empty eye sockets and to continue the motif of masks.
In curating the ensemble, I sought items that would enhance the theme. The looming dragon cloud or smoke caught my eye as a perfect addition, embodying an avatar of rage hovering ominously above her. The choice of a battlefield setting further accentuated the intense narrative I aimed to convey.
Why : When considering anger, I envisioned depicting a maiden wielding a spear or sword amidst a bloodied battlefield. This imagery, to me, encapsulates the essence of anger—a relentless force tearing through the landscape with disregard for both herself and others.
Anger, for me, is a deeply passionate emotion, and I reflected this intensity in her attire, opting for a slightly more revealing outfit. The choice of Laurel as the character felt fitting, particularly with her red hair complementing the fiery theme of anger.
The Third Stage : Bargaining ( Esther )
How : Following a similar approach as with the previous designs, I began by selecting my color palette. For this look, I gravitated towards Latitude and Reserved, drawn by their relaxing hues that perfectly conveyed the mystical, oracle-like vibe I aimed to achieve.
Continuing with the motif of masks, which has been a consistent theme throughout my designs, I found a mask that resonated deeply with the aesthetic of this particular ensemble. Its incorporation added a layer of intrigue and allure that I found captivating.
Why : I envisioned Bargaining to exude an ethereal, almost angelic aura, juxtaposed with subtle hints of looming demonic elements in the background. The concept of bargaining resonates with me as pleading to an entity, often to a higher power without fully understanding who or what they are beseeching. These entities thrive on such desperation, offering false comfort with a silken hand and silver tongue, promising relief but leading only to inevitable doom.
In this portrayal, she carries keys symbolizing the potential to save loved ones, yet the doors they unlock ultimately lead to untimely demise—a haunting reminder of the deceptive allure of bargaining.
The Fourth Stage : Depression ( Amren )
How : This look came together effortlessly for me. I predominantly used blackout items, meticulously selecting pieces that would evoke the essence of a menacing demon—something that clings to you like a shadow, weighing you down with every step.
I opted against incorporating a detailed background in this instance. The hat itself occupies considerable space and any background I experimented with seemed to overwhelm the overall composition, detracting from the intended impact of the look. I hope you'll understand and forgive this decision.
Why : For this look, I directly modeled the aesthetic after myself. I chose items that I would personally wear, aiming to create a reflection of myself in the model. This design is akin to looking into a mirror—I am intertwined with my depression, and it with me. Coexisting with it is essential for survival, yet it often feels like looking at a distorted reflection. The mask in this look symbolizes the disconnect I sometimes feel towards my depression, concealing aspects of myself that I appreciate behind a formless mask.
The Fifth, and Final Stage : Acceptance ( Seren )
How : For this final look, I aimed to distinguish it from the others by embracing vibrant hues and bright colors, opting for an open face to contrast with the masked motifs of previous designs. I chose Dupioni and Sinful as my colorways for their calming and aesthetically pleasing tones.
My process began with sourcing winged items that harmonized well together from both color categories, then proceeded to select additional elements for the body and face. A subtle detail worth noting is the free-flowing tears delicately tracing down her cheeks, adding a poignant touch to the overall composition.
The decision to set this against a very dark background was deliberate; it symbolizes that while the world around us may seem bleak and shadowed, each of us possesses the potential to be a beacon of light to navigate through it.
Why : This entry was incredibly emotional for me to create—honestly, this entire journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions. There were moments when I found myself crying, but in the end, I'm genuinely pleased with the finished product.
For this look, I aimed to capture a sense of ethereal majesty, envisioning it as though a star had taken on human form. My intention was to inspire hope and to reflect on the success of my personal journey.
I wanted to portray Acceptance as something beautiful, despite the struggle—through fighting, screaming, and crying—to reach that point. Ironically, accepting Acceptance itself is not an easy journey. This final challenge marked a significant milestone in my personal journey towards embracing my own pain.
Thank you, judges, and a heartfelt thank you to all my fellow contestants. This journey has been both challenging and deeply rewarding in so many ways. I hope that my collection resonates with you as deeply as it has resonated with me.
( also as an aside please excuse the lack of colors in the text, I simply do not have the energy to colorize everything, and I think it'd take away from the raw effect of it all anyway - also the how/why/descriptions for the models are under the spoilers! )
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2024 5:37 am
Status - Finished Entry Finals - Fashion Line Models - Rhiannon, Helena, Summer, Maritza, Lulu
”The Journey of Self Discovery: Wonderland Edition” by clowniing
☆゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜★
Hello everyone! I can’t believe we’re in the finals! : D You all know me as clowniing and I adore frilly, pretty dresses and outfits that focus on mostly one main color. Throughout the competition I always tried crafting a little scene or story surrounding my looks, that would inspire the viewer’s imagination. I never wanted to create something that felt ‘static’ or like the model was posing for a photo. Instead, I wanted my submissions to be dynamic, snapshots straight out of the story I had created for each outfit.
My original idea for a fashion line was to make everyone into a different kind of circus performer. As my name suggests, I really like clowns and everything related to the circus, so it felt like a very natural choice. But as I was working, I quickly realized I was slowly heading in a different direction. I can’t explain why I changed my mind, but I opted to theme my fashion line around the book “Alice in Wonderland” instead.
Of course the story is well known, but the context and circumstances behind it are genuinely very dark. Without going into detail, the themes of Alice in Wonderland resonate very deeply with me. Childlike whimsy and wonder, the horrors of your own body in a world you don’t understand, fun and colorful characters, lingering dread and oppressive trauma. Dark reimaginings of the story are commonplace, and back when I was a teenager I would consume any and all media I could find with that theme. In general I was drawn to dark topics, it helped me cope with my own traumas.
But as an adult I’ve learned to reclaim my pain and paint over darkness with things that make me happy. So this isn’t a ‘dark reimagining’ of Alice in Wonderland, it’s a story about a girl who gets lost in the woods, and about the people she meets that help and support her during her journey of self discovery. A ‘happy, personal reimagining’, if you will.
☆゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜★
”Rhiannon in Wonderland”
“Who am I? How did I find myself in these woods? I fear I’ve lost myself forever!”
Rhiannon is of course our new Alice. She’s a lost girl, strong but vulnerable, brave but scared.
Her main color is light blue, while white and gold are the accent colors. I looooove dressing Rhiannon up in adorable dresses and bows, so that was of course a must. Only having the bow on her head felt a bit empty though, so I added cute flower clips as well. I layered multiple dresses on top of each other to achieve the look I wanted, and I also carefully chose the poses for her arms and legs, as I wanted to really show off Rhiannon’s most defining attributes - innocence, melancholy, and elegance.
“Don’t cry, Miss. Take my hand, I’ll show you the way.”
Helena is the first person Rhiannon stumbles upon. She comforts the crying girl, promising to help her.
I think the color pink suits Helena so much, so she became the Pink Rabbit instead of the White Rabbit! To balance her skin tone with the pink, I also made sure to include white and green. Once again I layered two dresses on top of each other to create something new, and I gave her a little pocket watch she wears around her neck, as a little nod to the original character. She gives me a very bubbly and youthful vibe, as well as seeming kind and gentle, so I wanted her outfit to reflect that.
”Oh you poor thing! Let’s cheer you up with a little tea party!”
Helena takes Rhiannon to one of Summer's famous tea parties, where everybody cheers her up.
The main colors are green and orange, while the accents are white and yellow. Summer is so cheery, she embodies those colors really well. As the host of tea parties she’s of course sitting in a giant teacup and wearing a big hat that’s been decorated with plants, flowers and fruits. She seemed like she enjoys gardening, so I also themed her outfit a little bit around that. The background is slightly cluttered to reflect the chaotic nature of the ‘Mad Hatter’ character. But Summer’s chaos is by no means malignant, but rather unapologetically fun and empathetic.
”Hm? Why, of course I know someone who could help you.”
During the party, one of the guests, Maritza, reveals that she knows who might be able to help Rhiannon.
She was a natural choice for the Cheshire Cat, because of how sly and nonchalant she looks, just like a cat! Obviously her main color is purple, while white and black act as the accent colors in her look. I wanted her outfit in general to be a bit more ‘alternative’, so I leaned on the ‘pastel goth’ aesthetic for her. I chose a big bow to represent her cat ears and had a lot of fun choosing her accessories. And you guessed it, I layered different dresses again. The whole look is meant to show off Maritza’s confidence in being herself and to celebrate her individuality.
“My girl, along the way you’ve already discovered more about yourself than I could ever tell you.”
Lulu is supposed to have all the answers, but when Rhiannon finally reaches her thanks to Maritza's guidance, she realizes that the answers have been inside of herself all along.
Lulu looks motherly, strong and very introspective. Her main color is red like her hair, and I lightened up the look with white, green and gold as the accents. I didn’t want to give her a ‘Queen of Hearts’ vibe, as it’d be too close to the book and also looked kind of tacky. So I focused on the roses. But instead of painting imperfect roses red, Lulu accepts and cherishes every single rose in her garden. I wanted to look royal, but still be able to show off her legs, so I’m very glad I found the dress I gave her! Her crown and royal collar really solidify the ‘queen’ vibe, and I still incorporated a heart in the shape of a cute little heart on her cheek.
And so, Rhiannon’s story comes to an end. She learns that the different people she’s met are all aspects of herself: She’s kind and gentle, but needs to be more open towards people, like Helena. She enjoys fun things, but needs to embrace change and the unpredictability of life, like Summer. She’s different from others, but she needs to learn to be proud and confident about that, like Maritza. And finally, she’s resourceful and offers good advice, but she needs to be more introspective and gain more experience in order to become wise, like Lulu.
Of course as Rhiannon is now no longer on a journey of self discovery, my own journey in this competition is ending too. She’s been my main model from start to finish, the one I practiced all of my skills on. I learned so much, it’s genuinely difficult to put into words. I’ve definitely gotten a better grasp on composition and layering, and learned how to not clutter my outfits with too much accessories. Another big thing I learned is to step out of my comfort zone. While I know what I enjoy doing, I’ve found that sometimes I can really play out my strengths by forcing myself to approach things differently or consider something I’ve never thought about before. (I also learned that Gaia really needs to add a lot more makeup options for dark skin, because most of them only work for light skin.)
Thank you so much to the judges for making this competition possible, and thank you to all the other contestants for inspiring me. I always looked forward to everybody’s entries and I did not envy the judges in having to, well, JUDGE! :’3
I also thank you for reading my (way too long) texts and accompanying me during this little artistic journey! It was genuinely super fun!!! <3
Hello, everyone! I'm Myth and I am absolutely honored to be here in the finals. This has definitely been a journey for me, where I had to often break out of my comfort zone.
My avatar style is generally highly detailed and leaning towards fantasy if not outright fantasy. I love being able to be super creative with outfits and make them unique with layering. For my fashion line I went with a saint theme, which gave me the creative outlet for my model's clothing that I was looking for. And while I'm not religious I've always loved religious iconography, especially things like stained glass windows.
In addition I love creating stories behind my avatars, so I wanted to do something that would be more than just fashion.
I am also very big on backgrounds and think they can elevate an avatar to even greater heights. I wanted to include some consistent elements for each model, so every one of them has a veil, a halo, and a Charmed Rose background as the base with added floral elements. I also wanted to make sure each of theme carried some sort of symbolism of their specific sainthood.
These last two weeks were a struggle for me as I am the new mother of a baby kitten and she is a huge handful and every time I sat down to work on these avatars, she was on my keyboard, pouncing on my mouse, attacking my hands or legs, and just wanted to play all the time lol. She also gave me hives! But I persevered and managed to finish everything in time!
Sumati, Saint of Martyrs
Here Sumati is depicted as a saint to martyrs, having been a martyr herself. Her veil burns at the edges, an immortal remnant of the fire that took her life. She also holds a book with the names of those who have been martyred.
I had some trouble with Sumati's initial look. While I thought it was a good avatar, it didn't scream saint to me so I ended up redoing her, keeping only the veil and sash. I loved the hint of what happened to her so I was pretty determined to use the veil and eventually it worked out. For the rest of her outfit, I choose to keep it fairly simple to highlight the veil more. I used the background from Fiendish Charmed Rose to give the aura of a burning fire
Ava, Saint of Secrets
Ava is depicted as a saint to those with a hidden secret. She wears a veil over her mouth indicating her ability to hold people's secrets and keep silent.
Ava was another one that I had to redo because the first one just wasn't looking saintly enough. I kept the blue and black color scheme but opted for changing everything else. I wanted her look to be primarily black with the blue being symbolic of the secrets she protects. The face veil, however, was the most critical piece as covering her mouth was an important element of her secret-keeping. I used Divine Charmed Rose for the background to keep in line with the blue theme.
Bryce, Saint of Devotion
Bryce is depicted as the saint of those with strong devotion. She has her eyes covered to symbolize the dangerous extent of devotion--blind devotion--and has a symbol on her forehead, a marking made from her devotion.
For Bryce, I chose her armmod to suggest being shrouded in the conviction born of one's devotions. I wanted most of her outfit to be neutral colors, so that the red could stand out more. Her outfit includes the little bits of red and pink to help balance out her hair. The face veil was the final touch for this one, something that was drastically needed as it was not reading saint otherwise. I also wanted to use it as if she is warning people not to become blindly committed.
Aubrie, Saint of Good Fortune
Aubrie is depicted as the saint of those looking for good fortune. She is represented with vibrant red and accessories of gold.
Aubrie's look was the first one that really came together for me. I kept the base of her outfit simple to exaggerate the opulence of the red and gold accessories. I knew I wanted to include red in her look because of her lips. They're such a bold color that they really needed red to help them from sticking out too much. Her veil is simple and yet opulent and really helped the detailing in this avatar. I made sure her halo was gold as it seemed the best fit for the look and helped her head stand out.
Charmaine, Saint of the Innocent
Charmaine is depicted as a saint to the innocent. She wears all white, highlighting her own innocence and purity. She has a golden halo behind her to suggest the importance of maintaining one's innocence.
Charmaine was the perfect candidate for this all-white outfit. She exudes sweetness and innocence and the white looks so good with her skin tone and hair. I gave her a face veil to indicate her keeping her innocence separated from the world, but it's a very thin veil to show that she can still see the world for what it is; she's not naive. Besides her halo, all colors are subdued, which really brings out the white of her outfit.
Thank you so much judges for devoting your time to this competition and making it such a challenge and joy to compete. I've had a lot of fun doing this, even through the times of stress. This contest has definitely inspired me and pushed me to my limits and I'm excited to see the upcoming season unfold.
And good luck to my fellow contestants!
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2024 12:23 pm
Aerial Goddess' Final Feedback
Hell, I am so proud of how you've managed to stick around through contest challenges, and personal tragedies. I'm also very happy that you've managed to persevere through timidness, to deliver such exquisite entries throughout these past few months. At long last, I can finally admit to you, that you have had me sold on your aesthetic since day one ... and you just so happen to have one of my favourite Models, too! Watching you evolve throughout the competition has been a personal joy for me, as I had pegged you as a front-runner from the beginning.
The way you incorporate minimalism into your designs, with that avant-garge flourish is simply *chef's kiss*. And do I even need to mention your ability to build backgrounds without using actual backgrounds? Like, it's only what I LIVE for! You have an eye for what is stylish and eye- catching, that's for sure. I'm still gagging over your entry from Ch.8, which I believe was the highest score I gave all cycle. What can I say except: You deserved your spot in the finale.
Your Fashion Line was right on brand from what I know about you and your aesthetic, and it didn't fail to impress me. Everything from the concept, to your signature touches were on point. You played with shapes, angles, and silhouettes, using only the cleanest of backgrounds for two of the designs (my ASD/ADHD thank you for placing them in a sandwich pattern). The theme is clear, and well thought out for every individual Model. Plus, the descriptions tell us what we want to hear. I'm not even mad that the Models' faces are obscured, because your vision and brand are just that strong.
The only part of your line that I don't love is your final look, representing 'acceptance'. Here, I think you got caught up in the narrative, and forgot about cohesion just a bit. As a story, it works, because it represents the happily ever after, where all is good once again. But as a look, it's a far departure from the other themes that were excellently established throughout the previous four outfits. I wish you'd have gone a little lighter on the colours and perhaps used a mask that revealed more of Seren's face.
Clown, you're a special one, and I hope you know that! To be quite frank, the tediousness of inviting Gaians into the guild has never been my favourite part of the auditions process. It takes countless hours of going through past Runways/Arena entries, sifting through relevant threads/subforums, and sacrificing myself to the horrors of advertising, just to compile a list of people who might be interested in what we have to offer. During this process, I probably send out 1,000 invites over a week-long period ... so it's rare that I remember a name. But I remembered your name, and I remembered your many Halloween-style Runway entries that had me salivating in delight. I wanted you with us so badly!
I knew you had something unique to offer, so I wasn't surprised at all when you started off strong. But even more than that, you remained strong throughout these past several months, which is evident by the sheer amount of top designs you turned out this cycle. I can honestly say that you have an unparalleled gift with colours. The colours you choose, the way you balance them, the attention you grab with each item's hue ... it's simply phenomenal, and I'm just so grateful that you wanted to be with us, too.
A juxtaposed fashion line-up of dark, obscure stories meeting light, positive vibes? I'd say that that's completely on brand from you. Of course, we can't forget to mention the beautiful plethora of colours, either. I'm pleased to see that incorporated into the overall theme. Not to mention (and to my surprise), I found myself content in reading your last descriptive tale. While the stories and anecdotes sometimes frustrated me during challenges, I couldn't help but revel in them this time. In fact, I think it would have been a shame if there hadn't been a story to follow, as it's become cemented into your brand.
I will say that I feel like the colours in your line-up feel a bit disjointed. The first three Models look in sync, with the lighter, less vibrant hues connecting their likeness, whereas the final two outfits, which are steeped in vibrancy, feel as though they belong to a separate theme. Individually speaking, none of the looks is bad, but as a unit, I feel like there are two competing motifs. Personally, I find myself favouring the purple and red designs over the pastels.
Myth, your fantastical take on Gaian fashion is intoxicating, and the way you interpret this digital world around us is admirable, to say the least. You, more than anyone else in this competition, learned to expand and adapt; You evolved, my friend — and you did so naturally, and without hesitation. It might have taken a few rounds for you to break the seal, but man! — Did you ever collect your due flowers in the second half of the cycle, right? ... And not to brag, but I was totally waiting for the moment you'd break through. I knew it was an inevitability.
It's only too apparent, in my eyes, that you committed yourself to this contest, and served us an unapologetic taste of your design aesthetic and brand mastery. Then again, you also weren't scared to take risks, or deviate from what others around you were doing, either. And if there's one thing I want to say to you before the end, it's this: You bow to no one, you change only for yourself, you don't play by the rule book, and you go big, or you go home. And for all of that, I salute you!
Your meticulous nature and crude attention to detail have served you quite well in this final test of skill, being that your fashion line is the only one (in my opinion) that delivers on universal commonality with every single image. This Saintly Line of yours looks like a true Designer collection. Nothing stands out, everything's in perfect unison, yet the individual outfits are still very different from each other. Moreover, this is very on brand for you, as it's elegant, feminine, muted/neutral, whimsical and perhaps just a bit unusual, too. It's 100% what I'd expect to see from your brand.
My main critique of your Fashion Line probably won't come as a surprise, as it's the same thing you've heard all cycle ... It's just a bit too busy for my puny brain to fully appreciate! However, I also recognize that it's those complex, little details that form a big part of your brand. And for someone who knows their aesthetic (as you do), and thrives within it (as you should), I also know you'll take whatever I have to say with a grain of salt. Like I said earlier, you have your own set of rules that guide your standards, and that's all you need to be your authentic self.
♥ Thank you to all of PC4, for giving me a cycle to remember ♥
Aerial Goddess
Vice Captain
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bad wolf bae Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2024 1:07 pm
Finale Thoughts!
HELLPRIEST — Seren: From the moment you posted this collection I was floored. This was such a smart theme to choose for a five look collection. It's something that everyone is familiar with, but something that I do not think many people would consider for even a moment. Not only was this a very smart move as far as creativity goes, but you nailed it. I knew what you were doing before reading the title just by glancing at the looks, and that is the goal of any collection. You have such a strong sense of cohesion as well on top of everything else. I also truly admire you for taking this challenge on considering the loss you experienced earlier in this competition, and I am so grateful you stuck with the competition.
I especially love that you chose to cover up every face aside from Seren's. Putting your main model last already draws attention and focus to her in a great way, but adding in that hers is the only face we see? I'm obsessed. Every little detail I see in this collection only makes it stronger. The way you played with shapes in each look, the balance of colors, the way you drew from all kinds of different elements to give depth to the theme of each look is just fantastic. Some small details might feel off, the white hood on Esther is a tad stark and Seren borders on bottom heavy, but none of them are problematic enough to detract from the strength of the collection.
You set the bar high for yourself over the course of this competition, with creativity and just the general talent of your composition, you impressed us time and time again. When I think over the cycle you have some of the looks that are going to live with me for awhile. And this finale absolutely lived up to everything I expected from you.
clowniing — Rhiannon: While Wonderland might not be the most creative of inspirations, I can't be mad at seeing it because I have always had a love for the adventures that took place through the looking glass, and I was excited to go on the journey with you from that starting point. I love and appreciate that you showed us such a personal side of yourself and took that view. I am sure that seeing the circus collection you were working on would have been a delight for all of us judges, but I am glad you ended up changing your mind. Thank you.
Rhiannon being the titular Alice for this tale was of course a great way to start this collection. The roles you cast each model in were wonderful, taking advantage of not only the physical traits of each model and the character they are supposed to embody, but thinking about what colors compliment each model the most. Maritza as the Cheshire Cat might be my favorite, but I do also really love Rhiannon's look. Summer looks incredible but is probably the least immediately identifiable. Each look is amazingly balanced, well framed, and truly feel like complete looks. I also really like the over all format of this finale post from you, haha.
It is hard to see this cycle coming to an end, and it is hard to know I won't get to see new looks from you so often. Your style has really spoken to me across this cycle, and I'm so proud of how far you've come. From the top to the bottom, every entry has had it's strengths, and I've enjoyed reading your descriptions. I'm so glad you've had fun, and I hope this is just the beginning of your long participation and enjoyment of Project Catwalk!
mythological irony — Sumati: Before I say anything else, I think it is rude to tell us you are mother to a new baby kitten and not include a picture of the kitten. Just thought you should know.
But I am a big fan of this collection. My father is a pastor so I've grown up in churches and with religion being a core part of my life - and while it may not have taken hold over me the way my parents would have liked - I do have an intense fondness for creative works inspired by spiritual things, especially if there are...twists. Your saintly line might not be as twisty as some other ideas inspired by this topic, but it is classic and packs a punch. I love the cohesion with every look having the same dark frame, even if it comes across a little too dark on some of the looks. Every look is balanced though and has such satisfying depth I can't help but smile when I see it.
Charmaine might be your strongest look of all the finale looks, and this entire collection is some of the best work you've done this entire competition. You are a unique talent and I am so glad you took the time to share that talent with all of us. Working past the adorable new kitten attacks is also a great thing. For having almost less time than the others to finish this collection after getting the kitten, it doesn't show. You worked hard and it looks like you spent two weeks working on this collection.
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2024 1:52 pm
My Finale Thoughts (Flames' Version)
HELLPRIEST — Seren: HELL, I am so proud that you persevered to keep going in the competition despite the obstacles you faced the past few months. Despite having only one challenge win throughout the cycle, every single challenge we give you, you always come through and deliver some insane looks that always leave the judges at pure awe and bliss. Single win aside, you proved throughout the competition that you are a strong and consistent designer that everyone should look out for. You always take the critiques we give you to heart and show vast improvement in a heartbeat. Your ability to quickly adapt to the comments says a statement about your abilities, and we admire that, despite the adjustment you've made, you still kept your brand upfront and center.
Channeling your emotions into your fashion line helped me get to know you through your fashion, and helped yourself, in a sense, show that vulnerability within you. The stages of grief that you went through, you turned into something beautiful. Every single concept that you went for in each of your looks, I got immediately. Your styling choices on every look that you presented made sense with your take and understanding on the stages of grief. And I appreciate you presenting Seren, the model that got you through the end, as the final and centerpiece of your line. I can tell that you poured your heart out in the making of Seren's outfit, and it shows. Same goes to the other looks within your fashion line.
Beautiful as the color scheme that you went for Seren's outfit, it would've been more cohesive, as a whole collection, to have Seren's colors to still be bright colors, but still mesh well with the colors of the other Model's outfits. The colors you chose for Seren doesn't really blend well with the other outfits. I'm 50/50 on the background choices for Seren's look as well. While the black background does help show off the radiant colors of the outfit, given her role in the stage of grief, it doesn't go with the outfit. That aside, I don't find those choices I mentioned to be ugly or bad, but rather, lacks cohesion. With all that being said, HELL, you went out with a bang.
clowniing — Rhiannon: Sweet, sweet clown, I adore your fashion style. You always unleash my inner child with your cute looks, and always leave me wanting more of what you have in store throughout the competition. I respect you keeping it 100% you on every look that you show us. You bagged 3 challenge wins under your belt, which is not an easy feat, knowing your competition. You have my utmost adoration, clown.
Your fashion line screams "clowniing" through and through, despite not going the clown route. I am in love with what you're going for here. Admittedly, "Alice in Wonderland" isn't the most unique of ideas, but the way you executed every single looks, and told the whole story so cohesively is superb. I live for the fact that you took me on a journey throughout the looks for each Model.
I would've loved to see you kept the pastel color scheme consistent with Maritza and Lulu's looks. I get why you went the route of having them have darker colors, but, as a collection, along with the first three looks being all pastel, it doesn't blend well together. It would've amped your collection had you used pastel purple/violet for Maritza, and pastel red for Lulu. Colors aside, you did every Model assigned to you justice. Each of the looks you made them highlights each Models' distinct features. It would've been nice to see Rhiannon being the final piece of your collection, but, knowing the concept you went with, Lulu made sense being the final Model. Overall, this collection is a beautiful way to end your journey to this cycle, clown.
mythological irony — Sumati: My dear myth, I must admit, throughout the cycle, you've swayed and surprised me. The first few challenges, compared to your fellow finalist, you didn't have a strong start. But in the climax of the competition, where you secured your 1st challenge win, you went and dominated the rest of the competition from there, leaving me at awe. I applaud you for turning the tides mid-cycle, and went ahead and left no crumbs going forward the rest of the competition. Also, congratulations is in order, as you're now a mother of a baby kitten. Motherhood is a challenge, but despite your baby's series of distractions, you managed to pull off a fashion line that just resonates well with me.
I fell in love with your collection the first time I looked at it. Your fashion line evokes that ethereality that I always branded myself with. It's just breathtaking. Every single looks you gave to us gives off "finale look" 100%. You played well with the strengths of all the Models assigned to you with the Saints that you assigned for every one of them. Every styling choices you made for your Models highlighted their features super well. Without a shadow of a doubt, this fashion line showcases your gift in background styling. Every single background you gave your Models, you managed to make cohesive together, but at the same time, distinguishable from one another. While the outfits are beautiful, your ability in creating sickening backgrounds definitely helped take your looks to a whole other level.
Similar notes I've given clown, I will give to you. Each looks you've presented gives off that quality of a final look of a collection, but it would've been nice to see your main Model's outfit to have that touch of extra to set her apart from the other Models, to let us know that, while every single outfits are majestic and fantastic, Sumati's the main character of your fashion line. That aside, this collection is absolutely stunning. And I thank you, myth, for this wonderful fashion line.
