Last night, I attended Birmingham local designer Ken Laurence, who is a current contestant on this season of Project Runway premiere party.
I've known Ken for a while and I can't tell you how excited for and proud of him I am. I love being able to witness and share in someone's dream making! So it goes without saying who I will be rooting for this season!
And this is what I wore!
This is my self-drafted leather bodice color blocked maxi.
The leather is deliciously soft lambskin from my local Tandy Leather. The bodice is lined with Bemberg rayon from Jo-Ann's. And the skirt is a poly crepe that is the perfect weight to be left flowy and unlined that I found at Hancock Fabrics. And I decided to use a metal zipper.
The bodice has a bateau neckline and front and back vertical darts. And the skirt which is basically two 60" wide pieces of fabric, has a shirred waist.
I was inspired by these:
I'm sure to some, summer leather sounds crazy. But au contraire, this dress is just as cool and comfortable as anything else I could've worn for the occasion. People have to remember that even though this is the "Deep South", every venue is air conditioned and it's probably around 68-72 degrees indoors -- everywhere! And in actuality, I probably could've used a jacket too!
Are you watching Project Runway? If so, what do you think? Who's YOUR favorite so far?
Great dress!
ReplyDeleteThanks Vicki!
DeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Scheryka!
DeleteErica! LOVE! I am planning a similar dress inspired by one I saw on Style Pantry a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteI saw hers and Blair's (Atlantic-Pacific). Both looked gorge! Thanks M. Inez!
DeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherita!
DeleteAWESOMENESS :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Monica!
DeleteErica, I love leather year round. Where I grew up (Michigan) we wore leather and suede year round, still do. I live in Houston, and still will sport a leather pencil skirt sometimes. You look fabulous!!!!I love the white leather bodice. Simply beautiful you are.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patricia!
DeleteGORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise!
DeleteFabulousness!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks My Kurves!
DeleteThis is really lovely! I saw it on Instagram and loved it - was just waiting to see it on you. You did a fabulous job marrying the two fabrics together!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn!
DeleteIt's gorgeous! You represented well and yes I'm watching and I too love Ken. Lets hope he makes PR history!
ReplyDeleteThanks Noriecreates!
DeleteBeen waiting to see this on you - love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks SheriNJ!
DeleteGorgeous dress. SO bummed after PR last night. "You wanted more drama..." Well, no I didn't. I wanted more pretty clothes. Less drama. After last night, I'm seriously questioning my PR addiction and thinking about skipping through until the season is nearly over to start watching again. Or maybe I'll TIVO the lot of them and just watch the judging. -sad-
ReplyDeleteBut you always have great style!
Thanks Hearth!
Deletebeautiful. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelroc!
DeleteYou look gorgeous Lady! Love the idea of leather in Summer! You made yet another beautiful outfit!
ReplyDeleteThanks Victoria!
DeleteI think I love your self drafted version better than the orignal Vogue pattern you showed. Great combo!
ReplyDeleteDivamazon, the Vogue pattern was completely over designed. Thanks!
DeleteAwesome job on this Erica. You look fabu.
ReplyDeleteThanks Natasha!
DeleteBeautiful dress, and I'm rooting for Ken since I'm from Sylacauga, which is near Birmingham. I thought the judges got it terribly wrong, though, so we'll see how this season shapes up....
ReplyDeleteThanks Dr. FUN!
DeleteHi Erica! I've been a bit self absorbed and negligent in transferring my blog feeds over from Google Reader and so I'm playing a serious game of catch-up! Girl I didn't even know that team-only season of Project Runway had wrapped up! It lost steam for me around the 2nd-3rd episode and I didn't even miss it. If you're endorsing a contestant, I think its worth another go round. Now about the leathah hunny! I love that you used a lighter color leather, it complements the breeze crepe beautifully I think. Also, I love contrasts and this is a bold one! You were spot on with your version!
ReplyDeleteLots of Luv,
Su
Yes CallMeSu, Ken is great and I'm wishing him much success and hoping that he goes far! Thanks!
DeleteP.S. you're now in my Feedly!!!
ReplyDeleteNever thought of leather as a great material for dresses and/or tops. Maybe i should revise that. Your dress looks gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why SenaSews! It's buttery soft! Thanks!
DeleteThis is so seriously beautiful! Will we be seeing you on Project Runway one day? :)
ReplyDeleteNot hardly! Not my cup of tea. Thanks!
DeleteYou know, I thought of you when I heard he was going to be on! Still hanging out to see more of his work/style by ep 4 - hope he gets more airtime soon!
ReplyDelete