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Little Black Dress Design Contest at Blackmail
“And nobody cried …”
Designer Malissa Long and model Shelby Carrothers
That was one measure of success for Gail Chovan, organizer of the second annual Little Black Dress Design Contest at Blackmail.
Chris Krager and filmmaker Amy Grappell
There’s a definite “Project Runway” aspect to the event: Local designers compete through a challenge — here, creating a response to Coco Chanel’s little black dress — then judges deliver public critiques in front of the designers and their models.
Judge and fashion writer Marques Harper and event organizer Gail Chovan
Several innovations helped streamline the event, such as limiting the verbal critiques to the eight finalists after a showing of the 20 competing dresses.
James and Cristana Holmes (owner of Olivia restaurant) and Evan Voyles (Neon Jungle)
Also, the showing was moved to the front of Blackmail, Chovan’s dress shop on South Congress Avenue, for better views from either side of the window.
Jana Boose Miller, Linda Wagner and Laura EliasonN
The distinguished judges — Stephen Moser, Linda Asaf, Marques Harper, Anne Elizabeth Wynn — kept their criticisms polite, learned. Mostly, however, they gushed over those lovely little dresses.
Cheline Jaidar and Stephanie Topoglus Rice
As well they should.
Deborah Carroll (Mamma Jamma Ride) and Nina Seely (Ralph Lauren)
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By Joe Starr
October 8, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this
The "Little Black Dress" is like obscenity. I can't define it, but I know it when I see it!