Welcome to Gaia! ::

Challenge 4: Orange is the New Black
Challenger: actualdeerooze
Model: Cheska



About the Look:
I have to gently tease the judges, as while orange can be a harsh or intrusive color - orange is one of my favorites! When I was paired with Cheska (coinflips work in mysterious ways), we talked about what kinds of orange we wanted to use. Whenever you work with a model, you want to not only use colors that stand out and work within the confines of a challenge, you want to compliment the model itself. Jewel tones were the best bet within that, so we wanted something with a lot of presence but not overwhelming.

As I was looking through the types of outfits I wanted to build a story started to unfold. I wanted to play in the realm of a fairytale to match the color scheme; a fairy in her garden, with a companion to keep her company. The biggest issue I had with a limited palette, I couldn't find a top that wasn't cumbersome or boring, but I managed to find the perfect cutter to enhance the look. With bloomers to shape the waist and long sleeves at the elbows to create a flow that draws the eye, the whole look was made.

What is Cheska Wearing?

Challenge 5: OMG What is that?!
Challenger: actualdeerooze
Model: Eryn



About The Look:
When I was deciding on which inner tube to pick I didn't think I'd get the monochrome; it is a little hard for me to work without color so I when I was toying ideas I really had to think - its evident by how long it took me to execute the idea I had. But it immediately began to unfold when Eryn first put it on and I was brought back to the vintage films - the silver screen giving timeless beauty and making history with every act.

Of course, we just came off the heels of Ages - we don't want to replicate a look or something that may have been done in the round before, and I wanted to give this a bit of a fantastical twist. Eryn's looks are very vamp and I wanted to play it up - taking the beauty she has and the style of the era in play but twisting it more modern, to turn her into a beautiful vampire on her day off on the beach. So we picked some playful items, dressed her to the nines and put her on set.

Honestly...? I struggled. Not just with the theme, but the lack of color. I want there to be gorgeous layers, and I fear that without it, some parts may wash out. It made me more in tune with the balance of the two, and to ensure that nothing was washed out or boring. I think the addition of her holding the picnic basket and the veil that's draped over her hat solidifies and creates a balance of an at-play fun day but ties the theme together.

What Eryn is Wearing:

Challenge 7: Night of 1000 Icons
Challenger: actualdeerooze
Model: Jaylyn



About the Look:
I will admit I was having some deep thoughts on which starlet that I could feature until I found that Amy Winehouse was on the list.

A well known UK R&B, Soul and Jazz artist, Amy was beloved for her depth of lyrics and her soulful voice. She lost her battle with addiction during the heart of her career and many were destroyed (myself included) to learn of her passing. I had been a fan of hers for a very long time, and being able to replicate an outfit of hers on the runway would always be a dream.

While I looked for outfits and the inspiration to draw her, I also had to think of where I wanted to put Jayln - a scene to showcase her and show off the details of the outfit. Of course, many could have put her behind the bar, close in the arms of a handsome man, but Amy was more than her heartache and her love of drink. She truly loved making music, and putting her passion into song and her performances.

There were moments I did take pause - finding the right leather jacket was a pain and I'm still a little iffy on the structure of it. But I didn't want to overwhelm the outfit and push it too far; with Amy's fashion she liked small details with opulence rather than big or loud flashy things. It was fitting to use the back2k bodysuit as a base and the loose Mystic Goth crop top to create great dynamic lines and show just enough skin to be cheeky.

Some of my favorite songs Amy has done are Tears Dry On Their Own and her cover of Valerie.

Reference picture in the spoiler below.


What is Jayln Wearing?