WIN A DRESS!
If Bravo can do it, why can't we? The cultlike following of the TV show Project Runway inspired us to come up with our own challenge: Project Prom. We invited local college fashion design students to sketch out their vision of the perfect prom gown, and then our panel of judges picked the top four. Now those winning designers will turn their ideas into reality. Each designer will have a $500 budget from Fabric Place and one month to sew her design for a selected high school junior or senior (see facing page to enter). The four high schoolers, wearing their new gowns, will appear in a Macy's fashion show and in the May 13 issue of the Globe Magazine. We'll then ask readers to vote for their favorite dress. For contest updates and information on how you can attend the fashion show, stay tuned to boston.com/projectprom.
MIRIAM PERLOV
22, Boston, senior at Massachusetts College of Art
PROM DRESS CONCEPT Bias-cut soft dupioni silk floor-length gown in gold with sheer silk pleated skirt. Beaded with freshwater pearls at the dropped waist and front band. Emphasizes glamour, luxury, sass, and comfort. "I wanted to design a dress that accentuates a woman's curves and brings out her body's natural beauty and allure," says Perlov.
JUDGES' COMMENTS "Classic Old Hollywood," "sophisticated," "flattering with or without a chest," "beautiful," "for a girl older than her years."
BOPHA NINA TOUN 23, Quincy, final year of associate's degree at Bay State College
PROM DRESS CONCEPT Floor-length gown made of satin and chiffon with lace trim. Aims to add sophistication to the prom dress while still being young and fresh. Toun envisions the work in tangerine (shown), rose petal, or port.
JUDGES' COMMENTS "Sweet, youthful, girly," "romantic," "the belt makes this dress," "for the popular girl."
LAUREN GAUTHIER 21, Newton, senior at Lasell College
PROM DRESS CONCEPT Sequin-dotted satin and tulle dress with pearl-bead straps, flattering for any size. "The front and back bodice of the gown is meant to take on the shape of a cupcake, with the vertical lines around the middle portraying the paper liner of a dessert," says Gauthier. "The rich combination of mint green and chocolate brown give the dress a delicate, delicious, and yummy appearance." JUDGES' COMMENTS "Love the idea of pastry inspiration," "flirty," "fun," "definitely a dress you can dance in," "has a retro feel," "love the pleating detail."
SUJUNG CHO
23, East Boston, senior at Massachusetts College of Art
PROM DRESS CONCEPT Silk charmeuse floor-length gown with beaded straps joined with a buckle under the breasts. Combines a "soft and neutral ivory color with the rich gold beading detail that symbolizes strength," says Cho. Pleating in the two front panels at the chest "adds a little extra touch of elegance."
JUDGES' COMMENTS "Definitely an Oscar dress," "very simple and elegant," "fitted but not tight," "nice back," "glamorous," "feels aristocratic and money."
THE JUDGES
LAUREN WHITLEY is an assistant curator in the textile and fashion arts department at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She worked on the exhibit "Fashion Show: Paris Collections 2006," which runs until March 18.
PEBBLES is cohost of the wildly popular morning show at the hip-hop and R&B radio station JAM'N 94.5. She also reports on entertainment news, including fashion dos and don'ts.
CIBELINE SARIANO is a fashion designer and the owner of the clothing shop Cibeline in Somerville's Davis Square and the online store cibelinesariano.com. She has worked with designers from Calvin Klein to Richard Tyler.
HOW TO ENTER PROJECT PROM
Massachusetts high school juniors and seniors are eligible to enter to win one of the four prom gowns custom-made for them. To enter, select the dress that you'd most like to wear to the prom and that best suits your fashion style, and tell us, in 150 words or less, why you should win that dress. E-mail your answer to projectprom@globe.com. Include your name, age, school, home address, and phone number, and attach one full-length photo of yourself wearing any outfit that exemplifies your fashion style. Entries are due at midnight, March 11, and will be judged on originality and creativity of the essay. Winning high schoolers must meet with their assigned fashion designer for fittings, model their dress at a fashion show, and attend a photo shoot. They will be required to sign a declaration of eligibility and release, and entrants under 18 will need the signature of a parent or guardian. If a potential winner fails to comply with this requirement, an alternate winner may be selected, at the Globe's sole and exclusive discretion. This contest is sponsored by Macy's and Fabric Place.
