Project Lela: Gallery Night Competition

Places like Paris, France, New York, New York, and Milan, Italy have brought us some of the most world renowned fashion designers – Chanel, Donna Karan, Armani, and Versace. Do you think it’s possible for Milwaukee to nurture the next Vera Wang or Calvin Klein? Maybe. It seems to me that MKE is home to many up-and-coming fashion designers. Who knew, right?

I have considerable respect for the fashion industry, although I’d prefer to strut around  in a T-shirt and sweatpants over wearing the latest trend. While I’ve been called a tomboy, I’ve still been known to get gussied up on occasion. I also periodically splurge on designer dresses and jeans or admire chic shoes (even though they never make them in a size 11).

One of my preferred boutiques is Ess Elle Style Studio located around the corner from my apartment. My other favorite is Lela, the fashion-forward women’s boutique in the Historic Third Ward.

Besides obsessively watching reruns of "Top Chef" 24-7, I’ve been engrossed with Bravo’s other hit series, “Project Runway,” as a panel of judges and supermodel-gone-TV host, Heidi Klum, determines whether designers are in or out.

On the perfect summer evening of July 27, city locals came to the Third Ward’s Lela Boutique to checkout the third challenge of Project Lela, Milwaukee’s version of “Project Runway.”

Droves of urbanites poured into the streets looking to experience the culture and excitement of this summer’s Gallery Night going on all around Lela’s activity.

I made my way from Franklin to the Third Ward where I spent nearly an hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic while attempting to find available parking. (I should have biked, or at least used the free Gallery Night Xpress!)

I met Eric in front of the Milwaukee Ale House and proceeded to Lela.

Project Lela is a competition for Milwaukee fashion designers to gain publicity, network in the fashion industry, and sell their products. From June 27 to July 27 contestants competed in three qualifying challenges to show their design talent by creating the most unique and well-made garment under pressure.

Two contestants were eliminated during the second challenge leaving five local designers – Amanda Ergen, Erica Fox, Kate Cullen, Kristy Schomberg, and Evan Nicoud – who prepared their clothes on the sidewalk during the third challenge.

For last week’s challenge, designers were given creative control, well, not completely. Designers not only had to share their resources with other contestants, they had to spend nearly $20 on products from the Milwaukee Outdoor Public Market to finalize their garments. Kristy Schomberg used coffee stains to add a unique circle pattern to her dress. Amanda Ergen dyed her muslin sky blue, and then incorporated Public Market vegetables into the bust to create an ornate, yet neat and colorful pattern.

This week was entirely different however. For the third challenge as part of Gallery Night, designers were to create an outfit for a New York woman. As a surprise Lela paired with neighbor Metropawlis Pet Boutique and Bakery that was participating in Red Lite Nite. This secret was revealed at 6 p.m. as the five designers arrived. Contestants were then asked to create a coordinating outfit from leftover fabric from the first part of the challenge. The matching piece was to be designed for a miniature pooch that their NY woman would theoretically take with her on walks down Park Avenue. This had Paris Hilton written allover it… sorry to say.

Contestants were given one sewing machine and assorted craft supplies, but were also told to bring any materials – needles, thread, and fabric glue – that they thought they’d need during the competition since supplies would be limited.

Aside from watching Kristy and Amanda diligently work, I did some shopping in the boutique. As I paged through racks of bold patterned skirts and vintage styled jackets, I enjoyed a cup of free Spotted Cow (my favorite) from a keg near the register.

I also had an opportunity to peek into Metropawlis. There I stepped into another world; one where pet and owner roles reversed. A Miniature Schnauzer sat on top of a “Furcedes” bed. “Just because mommy and daddy got a new house doesn’t mean you get to pick out a new bed,” scolded Scooter’s owner.

I was amazed at what this little urban pet boutique offered – themed doggie birthday parties or showers, catering, and a bakery that makes cookies and party platters – not to mention the array of toys and products for both your cat and dog. Lucy would be in heaven. (She’s spoiled.)

As many curious spectators watched over designer’s shoulders, others inquired about the creations and concepts. I overheard designer Erica Fox, 4-year fashion design student at Mount Mary College, say that she’s really into textile art and tries to incorporate it into her clothing. This was evident in her past and present designs. During the second challenge, Erica used both handmade paper and living flowers from the Milwaukee Public Market on the neckline of her bubble dress. For this challenge, a black cityscape was screen printed onto the fabric.

Viewer’s Choice designer, Kate Cullen, creator of the LadyLike Wonderwear clothing line, worked scrupulously on a classic two-piece suit with a very modern twist. Her piece was made from a variety of unique fabrics that tailored to a young business woman.

After two hours of work, the contestants put down their sewing needles and participated in an impromptu runway show with their toy dogs that scampered down the sidewalk. The little pups, with a BMI of 15, were allowed to be the runway models this time, which made the event even more entertaining.

Judging was based on how well designers accomplished the task, as well as, “design  originality, wearability and construction,” said Carrie Arrouet, co-owner of Lela.

The three judges – stylist Bjorn Nasset from M Magazine, Skinceuticals sales rep Burke Harting, and personal stylist Eric Mraz – were meticulous in checking the sewing quality of each garment. As the judges closely checked the hems and seams of each entry’s outfit, they jotted notes on a pad of lined paper.

In the end, Evan Nicoud and Amanda Ergen were both eliminated, but Kristy Schomberg, Eric Fox, and Kate Cullen all moved on to the final round. The final three contestants will receive a $500 allowance to create a final 4-look collection to show at the Lela Fashion Show on August 25.

During this large-scale event, a section of Broadway Street is barricaded and tents and platforms are erected with a bar and DJ booth for the Lela Fashion Show. The final winner is announced at this time and will be asked to sell their brand at Lela, explained Arrouet. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

After the crowd dispersed, we ventured on to explore other ongoing Gallery Night activities. Since many galleries remained open only until 9 p.m. (with the exception of a few), we had limited time. Out of the 61 participating venues throughout the downtown area, Eric and I only made it to two galleries on the way to our cars.

Gallery Night is an event I’ve longed to attend and one that has developed into a premier art event in Milwaukee for both experienced artists and beginning admirers. Thus, I couldn’t pass it up again!

Our first stop after Lela was the Katie Gingrass Gallery, a contemporary art and fine craft gallery, which featured Modern Fusion: Contemporary Abstract Art & Glass Sculpture. I enjoyed the variety of large vintage posters displayed on a wall towards the back of the gallery. Besides this, I noticed a variety of media – sculptures made from glass, metal and wood, paintings and mobiles – from national and local artists.

Next we headed to Gnoap Gallery at Broadway Bistro. This gallery was open the latest, so we had time to munch on cheese cubes and fruit as we admired the vast selection of art. Local artists displayed mixed media collages, vibrant photographs of city life, and oil paintings of subjects such as gargoyles.

Since there are still 59 participating venues at Gallery Night, I will make a full day of it on October 20 and will give you the scoop soon after. I also plan to attend the final round of Project Lela on August 25 and will certainly fill you in.

Even though I’ve heard outsiders claim that Milwaukeeans are all farmers living in a small, boring city, I bet they’d be surprised to see the creativity, class and culture we have that’s comparable to many larger cities throughout the United States. Milwaukee has a lot going on; a diverse culture, a wealth of creativity, and a ton to look forward to.

Photos one and two were taken from Lela's myspace page

Comments

[Amanda]

This sounds like a really fun event.

[Audra]

Lela is really a wonderful boutique. Wonderful finds abound in this little shop. One of my favorites. If you have an affinity for cool clothes, you don't want to miss this place!

[char]

Metropawlis is a great store for pets. I went there for Xmas gifts. My friend Barb teaches at Mt Mary in textiles. She owns Fiberwoods studio 92nd and Center, Wauwatosa area. Her place has fiber for knitting, weaving, felting. They have classes too. This event sounds interesting and maybe I will go for the final show.

[JMNR]

OMG I WISH I COULD OF BEEN THERE! THANX 4 SHEARING THIS WITH ME. WE BOTH NO HOW MUCH I LOVE NEW N UNIQUE FASHION! I GOTTA ALWAYS B DIFFERENT. LOL! N ILL ALSO BE STARTING MT. MARY IN LESS THEN A MONTH!

[KarenC]

J-
Erica, one of the contestants, also attends Mount Mary College. It sounds like you're on the right track...

You should definitely be present at the Project Lela finale on August 25. I think you'd get a lot out of it, especially if you’re an aspiring fashion designer! Will I see you there?

Good luck this fall!
-Karen