Project CBRunway: Challenge 5

[mattbib]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/mattbib/My%20Drawings/Project%20CBRunway/projectcbrunway.jpg
CHALLENGE 5: FANTASTIC FOR ONE


Good morning, designers!

Superteams come and go. Super families often lack individual personalities. For your fifth challenge you will be designing a solo look of the matriarch of the Fantastic Four: Susan Richards, the Invisible Woman.

Submission Requirements

Artwork may be done in any medium but should be in color. In other words, if you submit a black-and-white drawing the costume must be black and white.
Artwork may be no larger than 550-pixels wide and 800-pixels long.
Entries must be inserted into your post, as opposed to attached, using such services as Photobucket.com or imageShack.com. If you are unable to use such a service you may e-mail (mattbib@comcast.net) your entry and we will host the image for you for the duration of the competition.
All submissions should include a written description of the costume, explaining, to the best of your ability, material, functionality, design inspiration, etc.
You have only five days, through Midnight PDT of Sunday, August 13, to post your design within this thread. Failure to complete this challenge will result in immediate elimination from CBR Project Runway. There will be no extensions or exceptions.

Post any questions, comments, or concerns about this challenge in this thread, however please do not comment on submissions until the voting thread is posted this coming Monday.

Designers, make it work!

[Gonzogoose]

Oh wow! And I thought the Power Girl one was hard!

I do have one question though. Does this mean it should be a completely solo costume, or that it should still tie in to her being a part of the FF?

[atoningunifex]

I think I have a pretty good idea for this one. Maybe not the most creative, but fun. It kinda makes me giggle. I may even put some lettering on the submission.

[meethraa]

Hey, remember when I won the Avatar context with this picture of Sue:







Good times.

[ScottDMSimmons]

Meethraa, you beat me to it.

[atoningunifex]

You know, I'm a little ticked off. That was SO gonna be my design!

[Gonzogoose]

Heh, you know I just got the joke. All this time I thought the picture wasn't showing up. LOL. :o

[mattbib]

I do have one question though. Does this mean it should be a completely solo costume, or that it should still tie in to her being a part of the FF?No official ruling on that one. That's between the designers and the voters. If you can convince voters that it makes sense to include some reference to the FF in her solo costume, then I'd guess it'd be fine.

[atoningunifex]

http://alyxchance.com/invisiblewomanfinal.jpg

This was a fun challenge!

I started my process by thinking about the character. Susan Storm Richards has got to be the coolest character in mainstream comics. This is a woman who has it all! She's a wife, a mother, an adventurer, a real dynamo! She's Angelina Jolie times a million. She's the ultimate MILF! Think about it: this is a woman who strapped herself into a rocket with no astronautical training, a woman who has traveled the world, a woman who has traveled through multiple universes! She can beat the Hulk! She can take out Dr. Doom! She's the most powerful member of the Fantastic Four. She's a good mother and the center of her family. She holds it all together.

What's not to love about this character?

The challenge was to design a solo outfit for Sue. In order to do that I had to ponder what kind of solo adventures she'd be having. So I'm thinking to myself that this woman explores the universe with the Fantastic Four and raises her kids and makes sure her family is taken care of. When she takes off for some solo adventure (and she would- this is a lady who digs the adventure) what kinda stuff is she gonna be doing? She's gonna be traveling the world and exploring and having glamorous adventures and causing hordes of men to fall in love with her and all the while she'll be keeping a level head and remembering what's important to her. And she's gonna have fun doing it.

I actually did four different designs. The first was a little too Lara Croft. The second was a little too spandex. The third was super-high fashion crazy. This design has elements of the other three combined with a sleeker line and a little playful fun.

Here's the costume:

The glasses are a modified version of Sage's glasses. They tap into Reed's vast communication system and databases. This way she has access to tons of information and she can call home from wherever she is to check on the family.

I wanted to have Sue incorporate a couple of little nods to the Invisible Man. I thought that would be fun and a sign of her sense of humor. The turtleneck/cowl hides a bit of her lower face and the black boots have a bandage design on them. The glasses also tie in to the Invisible Man motif. I originally had a bandage design on the leggings as well, but that ended up being too much, so I changed them to plain, white leggings.

I knew I wanted a layered look as well. I decided on the tunic rather than a jacket. I think the tunic has a nice line and is something appropriate for a mother while still being sexy and curve-hugging.I chose the two blues for the tunic to be reminiscent of the F4 colors. She may be out on her own, but part of her strength is knowing that she has the support of her family if she needs it. I had the sleeves shorter so that the cuffs of the shirt underneath could peek through. Sue's a woman of different layers and I wanted the costume to represent that.


I think this costume is playful, sexy and fun. I think the simplicity of the line makes it easy to draw while still looking dynamic. I had a ton of fun designing this and I am 100% happy with it. Hopefully some of you will be as well!

[bakla]

The fact that you had fun in this challenge shows in the drawing. It's more of a fashion look for Sue than anything else, but within the parameters of this challenge, which seem to be pretty wide. I had an easy time conceptualizing this challenge myself, and just going with a look versus trying to fit it into the book. Lord knows, you'd have to design for the entire Fantastic Four otherwise... not that that's a bad problem, just a lot more effort.

[atoningunifex]

The fact that you had fun in this challenge shows in the drawing. It's more of a fashion look for Sue than anything else, but within the parameters of this challenge, which seem to be pretty wide. I had an easy time conceptualizing this challenge myself, and just going with a look versus trying to fit it into the book. Lord knows, you'd have to design for the entire Fantastic Four otherwise... not that that's a bad problem, just a lot more effort.

Yeah, my interpretation of this challenge was that this would be a costume for Sue to wear when not adventuring with the FF. I kinda approached it as Sue Richards, Agent of M.I.L.F. (Metahuman Independance Liberation Force). Kinda a super agent James Bond kinda deal.

In the backstory in my mind I actually had her going to Kay Cera's Atelier with the Wasp to get a costume. A nod to Claremont's time on the FF. 'Cuz I'm a NERD!

[bakla]

In the backstory in my mind I actually had her going to Kay Cera's Atelier with the Wasp to get a costume. A nod to Claremont's time on the FF. 'Cuz I'm a NERD!
Ah yes, CC's FF tenure. I miss Valeria.

[Jaye]

http://alyxchance.com/invisiblewomanfinal.jpg


Nice. And yum.

[Affinity]

Ooh, atoning! I looooooove the collar!

[mattbib]

Designers, approximately fifteen hours until the deadline.

[howyadoin]

Designers, approximately fifteen hours until the deadline.Only 3 now. I hope all you kids are feverishly working on your designs.

[Vegetarian Goat]

I am... i'm totally going to bite it this week. I'm having the most stressful life of my life. My heart is so completely not in it this week, and it's going to show. :(

[.::OkieDokieArtichokie::.]

I'm having the most stressful life of my life

I'm so mean I will totally snicker at you for the typo, even in your time of crisis.




But I will also say I'm sure you wont suck and I hope this coming week goes oodles better for you.

[mattbib]

Please GET YOUR ENTRIES IN! Because, really, without a formal elimination finding out the final three who will be in CBR Fashion Week will be a total let down.

[Vegetarian Goat]

I'm so mean I will totally snicker at you for the typo, even in your time of crisis.




But I will also say I'm sure you wont suck and I hope this coming week goes oodles better for you.

it's no typo- my life sucks right now. but things will get better, i'm sure. Thanks. :)

[.::OkieDokieArtichokie::.]

Well we know Mr. Goat will be in. And I'm just finishing up the little commentary thing for mine. And um... I'm sure Gonzo will get in soon. Or it really would suck.

it's no typo

You didn't mean "most stressful time of my life"? Or "most stressful week"? Or something? Maybe I am just too headachey to get your grammatical structure and I was dumb. Oh well. The well wishes still stand and stuff.

[Vegetarian Goat]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/VegetarianGoat/runway5bcopy1.jpg

Ok- here goes!

I felt kind of lame about this, because my initial ideas were so close to Chad's, and he got his in so early.. so i wasn't sure if i should change them or not. I kept trying to think of another idea, but... like i said- not the best weekend in the world. So i went with my first idea:

I wanted to pay homage to the Invisible man, but in a Kirby sort of way. I wanted her to have a dress/outfit that's sensible as far as 60's-retro motif (since she debuted in the 60's, and i like going to the original concept when re-designing) but also something that could be worn in comics today and not look idiotic.

Like i mentioned earlier- i wanted it to look a bit Kirby-ish. Like something the Eternals might wear. I figure the white lining could have a pretty cool motion effect, and give me that Kirby flair that i wanted. I imagine that it's the only part of her costume that would remain visible (unless she really wanted it otherwise), so when she ran or whatever, there'd be this white skeleton in motion. There are also circles in use in the costume, to recall the circle of the FF uniform, but not in the same location, so as not to be a blatant influence. That's also the reason i kept blue out of the pic as much as possible- to stay away from any FF imagery.

I wanted her translucent dress to be ribbed like wrappings to recall the bandages used by the Invisible Man- there's that idea that both Chad and i had that i felt lame about...

I suppose that's it for this round.

[.::OkieDokieArtichokie::.]

Awww... I like it! Definitely "cooler" than mine. We each gave our designs the exact same hair this round though :P

And we had the same idea for the "skeletal lines" to cause an optical illusion.

I swear I did not copy you in the three minutes you've have yours up!

And you were lying Goatie, It's awesome.

EDIT: Wait, why is it so big?

EDIT #2: I guess our hairstyles are different. Same bangs and pulled to the side over the shoulder part. But my girl technically has a ponytail.

[howyadoin]

That's pretty cool, VG. Nice and sci-fi.

[Vegetarian Goat]

EDIT: Wait, why is it so big?

EDIT #2: I guess our hairstyles are different. Same bangs and pulled to the side over the shoulder part. But my girl technically has a ponytail.

:) i'm not worried about "copying". i've had similar problems ever since i saw Chad's. And even if you were, i'd take it as a compliment. I've loved every one of your entries thus far.

Also, about the all the big-- yeah! I just noticed that, and fixed it. how weird.

[bakla]

Veggie, that's my fave design of yours in the whole competition!

[.::OkieDokieArtichokie::.]

You know what? I know this is random, but that style right there would make such a good style for an animated series. Makes me think of Bruce Timm. Not the mouth... But something about the retro/clean/stylized anatomy.

It makes me happy.

[Vegetarian Goat]

You know what? I know this is random, but that style right there would make such a good style for an animated series. Makes me think of Bruce Timm. Not the mouth... But something about the retro/clean/stylized anatomy.

It makes me happy.

Wow- i feel like this is the one i put the least thought into, and the one i'm most unhappy with, and people seem to dig it. So, thanks! it makes for more smile-time.

And Okie- if you like the style of this one, you should check out the link in my sig- the one that says "New Marvel Doodles".. all the drawings in that thread are like that, but cleaner and of vector persuasion. I'd be interested to hear (read?) your thoughts!

[howyadoin]

You know what? I know this is random, but that style right there would make such a good style for an animated series. Makes me think of Bruce Timm. Not the mouth... But something about the retro/clean/stylized anatomy.

It makes me happy.Less talking! More drawing!

[mattbib]

Two in, two to go...

See you in the AM. :)

[Gonzogoose]

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1165/invisiblewomansmallym0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Okay, this challenge was actually easier for me than I expected. I started with two basic designs, chose one over the other, and developed it a bit more.

I wanted to go with a more traditional look to still make her recognizable, so I chose to keep the same colors and keep it a superhero costume.

I think of Sue Storm as a sweet and loving woman, but also a strong, independent, intelligent and determined woman. She should stay modest, but still look attractive.

I admittedly took elements from past costumes and meshed them together with my own feel for it. I chose to use white at top because I felt it was more empowering. I went with the three tone blue to break up the costume a bit and give it a more modern look.

I lengthened the sleeves and belled them out a bit to make her look younger, and I added the dark blue side sections to give the costume more personality and to make it more unique.

I gave her a modern. hip haircut as Sue has probably had more hairstyles than any other woman in comics, so she keeps up with the times.

The baby blue is my favorite element of the whole piece. To me it lends to that gentle side while being encased in the darker blues showing she's tough when she has to be.

Yes, this could easily be an FF costume as well, but I think I took it one step further and personalized it a bit. And that's about it. I hope you all like it!

[Gonzogoose]

Sorry to hear about your weekend, VG, I hope it gets better.

Okie, I made it. It just takes me a LONG time to color is all. :) I hope you get yours in. Only 50 minutes left!

[.::OkieDokieArtichokie::.]

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1457/invisiblewomanxz7.jpg


Can you tell I've been having so much fun experiementing with different styles in this contest? I drew this one with my mouse and I used colored lines and high saturation to make the otherwise reserved pose and expression seem more fun.

I wanted a simple outfit that was fit for adventuring. Something flattering but not over the top, since she's a mom 'n stuff. But still attractive because that's a big part of her character too.

When it came down to it, I decided to use modest, elegant lines paired with brighter colors. The design/pattern on the suit is to mimic the natural lines of her body while being slightly "off-kilter/asymmetrical". This, combined with the semi-holographic purple fits her power of invisibility well as a mini-supporting optical illusion.

No fancy boots. No flowing capes. This woman does not need it. She's already iconic, she's already powerful and pretty. If she went off on her own, it would only be for a practical reason (like adventures!) and not due to some need to dress up and stroke her own ego.

[howyadoin]

I'm really diggin' the functional nature of these last two. This is gonna be a hard decision when it comes to voting.

[Affinity]

YOU DREW WITH YOUR MOUSE?

Oh just die already. <3 Loving it.

DAN. In the bucket, Dan. In the damned bucket.

[Kaos]

YOU DREW WITH YOUR MOUSE?

Oh just die already. <3 Loving it.

DAN. In the bucket, Dan. In the damned bucket.

exactly what you said

[Ontir]

This is the toughest one yet. I'm really torn between two, and that hasn't happened before! Gonna have to sleep on it!