PROJECT RUNWAY!!!!!

Following dinner last night, the group re-convened for our biggest group competition yet, Project Runway. The group split into their six cooking groups. Each group was to elect a model, a DJ, and a speaker, and everyone had to contribute to the design of the model's outfit. In order to construct a unique design, each group was given a plastic bag of the same materials with which they were to construct an outfit. The bags contained the following everyday materials:

1) 1 roll tape
2) a stack of newspaper
3) a stack of re-used, but clean red plastic cups
4) Colorful cotton balls
5) A roll of tin foil
6) A roll of black garbage bags

The groups were also told that they could incorporate one extra material that they found in their apartment. The staff judges explained that they would be judged on cohesion, creativity, presentation and explanation of the outfit. The students were told that they had 45 minutes to complete the task, and then they would have a runway show, in which each model would strut his or her stuff to the music that her team's DJ had chosen, and then the speaker would explain their inspiration and point out their extra found material.

To make things more official, we invited the manager of Florence's flagship American Apparel Store, Stefano Fileti (or as we called him last night, Stefano 2), to be our guest judge. Stefano is the founder of the Pine City clothing brand, whose hipster shirts will hit stores in September. Thanks to Stefano, we were able to offer a grand prize to the winning group: 15% discount at the American Apparel store and a free t-shirt to each winning team member! Grazie!!!

The students ran off to separate apartments to construct their outfits, and the staff set to work on Stefano 1, as he would be the staff's model. Antonio constructed pants out of newspaper and tape, which William decorated with fringe made of garbage bag. Stefano 2 made a two-tiered vest made of garbage bags and newspaper, and tied it in the front with our one found material, a shoe lace. Linday and I made octopus hair and a bonnet out of trash bags, which we embellished with tin foil, and Giovanna made Stefano's bling, a wrap-around arm snake. Stefano 1 is obviously a great sport! Thanks!!!

When the students returned, our fashion show began, and let me say, it was AWESOME! I will describe the explanations and outfits in the following photos.

ENJOY!
Janet