I just finished watching the new season of Project Runway All-Stars but am also rewatching certain old seasons. Also, what was with Christian Siriano’s hair back in the day? I adore him, but goodness.
As for the latest season, I was really bummed when Korto and Rami got eliminated. Those were hard weeks for me. I just loved Korto’s skill with fabric and her vision is wonderful. I wanted her in that finale. Rami is talented, even if his stuff is sometimes over the top and I really wish he had made it to the finale. Don’t get me wrong. I love Bishme (that depression dress as his final look won it, hands down) and Laurence, but I struggled so much with Brittany’s same, same, same looks. Or maybe I’m tired of norm-core and am ready for looks that make you go “whoa” and stop in your tracks.
I also worried about Laurence’s full-body leather looks. Soft, thinner leather is not as stiff and might stretch out more easily and not wear for long. One thing we have to think about in fashion is sustainability—wearing a garment as many times as possible before recycle, reusing, or refashioning.
Which brings me back to my own fabric purchases. I have issued a moratorium to myself on buying fabric. I have a cabinet filled to the brim with sustainable fabrics, but the question I keep asking myself is, how much more do I actually need?
I have unsubscribed from fabric supplier emails so as not to tempt myself, and this includes my beloved Mood in NYC. I’ve decided to sew what I have already purchased or at least make a dent in sewing what I have before I buy anything else. A tall order. I love fabric. I love draping it on my full-size and half-size mannequin. Mood was my favorite place because I got lost in there for hours and was loathe to leave when my time was up.
I got an opportunity to visit some fabric warehouses in 2024 and I’m going to decline and ask to go again in 2025. I just know that I will succumb and buy more and I really need to think about how much fabric I can utilize. Case in point: I work from my home office. I don’t entertain, nor do I need to dress up other than one or two times a year. And as a result of Covid, I’ve simplified my wardrobe to jeans, a tank top, Birkenstocks, or Doc Martens, and a cardigan or pullover sweater plus a coat in the winter.
Maybe I’m getting close to minimalism in my closet? I’ve never been a minimalist, but something is definitely shifting. Thus, not buying fabric for a while feels right. I have plenty if I ever need to feel like I’m in a fabric store. I can shop my fabric cabinet! And now I need to just stop going by Joann’s on my way to the post office and I think I’ve got it covered.
The art of observing after this season of Project Runway.
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