And then there were five…
It’s still anyone’s guess as to who will ultimately rule the catwalk on Caribbean reality series Mission Catwalk – Season 2. What we can confirm however, is that Trinidad and Tobago designer Ryan Chan has secured his first challenge win and is ‘safe’ –albeit for another episode. This season’s prizes include: $500,000 funding to start a clothing line courtesy of NCB; a six-page editorial spread in Ocean Style magazine; equipment valued at $200,000 courtesy of Singer; a contract to sell their designs at Soho Boutique; an opportunity to show a collection at London Fashion Week 2012; and a scholarship to pursue a fashion programme at London College of Fashion. AW shares the winning design from episode 10. (Photos: Tiffany Lue-Yen and Alty Benjamin Jr)
THE CHALLENGE: Design a prom/ball dress for a high school girl.
THE WINNER: Ryan Chan, Trinidad & Tobago
Ryan’s take on his winning design:
“It was relatively easy to design this dress,” explained Trinidadian designer Ryan Chan. Finally having his day in the sun, Chan told AW, “Not only did my model know exactly what she wanted, but our styles were so similar, making it a lot more fun and easier to work with the concept of a ‘punk/rock Barbie’.” This challenge could not have come at a better time for the up-and-coming designer, who concluded, “This challenge was definitely what I have been waiting to meet up with since the start of the show.”
COLOUR PALETTE
This challenge wasn’t only about the design, but also about working with a client. I made sure to ask my model what her favourite colour combination was, and without hesitation she answered “pink and black”, which are also my two favourite colours!
FABRIC
Choosing my fabric was harder than I imagined. I found the right colours but in the wrong material. I eventually found something that I could work with — peau de soie. I wasn’t 100% satisfied with the fabric choice I made, but I had to make it work.
STYLING
I really played with the hard and soft elements. Keeping in consideration her age and the event, I gave it a little twist by modernising the corsage. Instead of using flowers I used a black rhinestone-encrusted appliqué, which I thought gave her some attitude but yet kept it funky and fun.
Please box off
NCB via Mission Learning — a partnership between NCB Foundation and Mission Catwalk — donated $250,000 worth of literacy items between five schools. Each of the five remaining designers distributed to one the following schools: Bradford Basic, Victory Basic, St Albans Primary, His Majesty Basic, and Boys Town All Age.
