Something borrowed

OK, so I have figured out what it is that I want to do.

One year,
30 looks, one designer,
based off of the list "10 things every woman must own,"
and ... I have to wear all of these looks (outside of my home, somewhere).

I won't be making all of the accessories, hats, hairpieces, etc, and I will also be taking a few liberties with sizing (based on my 5'2" frame, and what I can actually wear outside), colors, and fabrics as I can find them (or something close.

I want this project to challenge me and my skills, and allow me the opportunity to develop new skills. Because I am doing this with the goal of learning how to really sew--stitch on a machine, stitch by hand, tailor, pattern-make and drape--and I am not doing this to "be a designer," I am going to look at one individual who had true and unparalleled creativity to guide my hands and act as my mentor, even though he is no longer with us. I will use my current knitting abilities, and this will also give me an opportunity to learn to crochet.

Now, for the designer that I am choosing to work from: I have been inspired by Alexander McQueen's work for years. Coming from a creative/artistic background, I see more vision in AMQ's work than in any other high-end, well known fashion designer. AMQ was an artist, first and foremost. His visions found themselves in the world as garments, but they were much more than that. Inspiration coming from within, he made things unlike anyone else, and it is out of my great respect for him and hits life's work that I shall work from his creations to learn how to sew. As the days pass I will write much more of my love and respect for AMQ. While he may no longer physically be with us, I want him to live on forever. If there was ever a master ... I want learn more about him and his work. This should be a great exploration.

For additional guidance and focus, I am going to base the collection of garments I am going to create on "the 10 things every woman must own" by the famous and fabulous Tim Gunn. Of course with a few twists, and additions from my pattern-making and draping textbooks that I bough earlier this year.

1. Basic Black Dress
2. Trench Coat
3. Dress Pants
4. Classic Shirt
5. Jeans
6. Any Occasion Top
7. Skirt
8. Day Dress
9. Jacket
10. Sweatsuit Alternative (I am *really* going to be taking some liberties with this one.)

For the looks that I have selected, some of these are a far stretch to fit into the categories that I have put them, and some others are loosely grouped. I just figured, that if I am going to spend a year of my life looking at these things, then they should all be things that I absolutely love, or at least like.

I have labeled each image with a file name that reflects the number in T.G.'s list, so that the others might be able to see and try (probably hard) to see the category groupings I have selected to put each look in.

*I am trying to figure out which blogging site I like the most ... Blogger doesn't seem to be easy to set up a gallery in, and I have to do some more exploration. So, please visit my wordpress page to see the images:

http://projecthallway.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/something-borrowed/