Catch up Week 6 Project Runway Day of the Dead

So Back in November 2013 I entered yet another Project Runway Challenge Game 20. This post was to be uploaded onto Resin Weekly at the end of November but due to holidays and such I neglected my blog here so this is yet another catch up until I get back on track into 2014 projects. 

CHALLENGE:
CHALL LIMA, Peru (AP) — With the magical sound of wooden flutes, the scent of incense, and the warm Andean sun making shadow patterns across the rolling hills, this event has all the hallmarks of a happy, festive occasion. Families spread out picnics; strolling musicians and vendors sell cotton candy, toys, flowers and food.

But this celebration is taking place in a cemetery, El Cemeterio de Nueva Esperanza, one of the largest cemeteries in the world. And the event is the Day of the Dead, celebrated throughout Latin America on Nov. 1, a day after American kids go trick-or-treating for Halloween.

It’s a day when families from across Peru congregate in the gigantic graveyard in Lima to connect with their ancestors, and many even spend the night here.While Day of the Dead is most famously observed in Mexico, it's also an important holiday in Peru and neighboring Bolivia, where traditions honoring the dead predate Catholicism. The Incas honored their ancestors by displaying their mummies in a prominent place and sharing a meal and liquor with them. A shaman would be called upon to communicate with them and bring blessings from the relatives back to the living.The observance at the cemetery includes a procession honoring Santa Muerte, a female folk saint, originating in Mexico,the saint of death. A grim reaper-like skeletal figure dressed in a long robe, she is associated with healing, protection and the afterlife, and represents the mummies once honored by native people.

Taking inspiration from the above description, create a costume that embodies the spirit of this celebration.

My model of chose this time was my Resinsoul Mei Ilearra here is her photo before transforming her into a lady in the Day of the Dead parade. 

I wanted to try my best at using fabrics that I had within my sewing room so I chose a few complimentary fabrics with reds and blacks.

 My interpretation of the Day of the Dead...I went more for a kinda mourning look. Outfit consists of red floral off shoulder bodice and matching overskirt with black lace, red ribbon detail and a black sash belt with a red flower. Red front ruffled underskirt, black lace gloves, matching lace umbrella and of course skull mask with red and black flowers with red rhinestones. 

Front:

Back:

Detail 1:

Detail 2:

Glamour:

Voting by the admins on the forum was held shortly after the end of the challenge on the first week of December and I was voted for 1st place. This was a really fabulous challenge and really helped me to keep my creativity moving in the right direction. I look forward to the challenges that will take place in the new year in 2014.