Project Red Dress

Make it work. I am a huge fan of Project Runway, so when I heard Seattle was hosting their own version of the competition I was extremely excited. In addition, one of my co-workers, Karly Orr, was a contestant!

Project Red Dress is a competition featuring 12 hopeful Seattle area designers challenged to create one red dress. Karly was selected from among hundreds of designers to represent New York Fashion Academy. After weeks of working on their designs, the competition came to conclusion last night at a fabulous event sponsored by Seattle Metropolitan Magazine and Macy’s.

My co-workers, roommate and I began celebrating a little early at the office with a couple bottles of wine before we headed across the street to Macy’s for the event, which featured a fashion show, cocktails and appetizers. All proceeds of the event benefit the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement. Go Red For Women celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together and wipe out heard disease and stroke. The color red and the red dress now stand for the ability all women have to improve their heart and health and live stronger, longer lives.

As the fashion show began we couldn’t wait to see Karly’s dress, which we had heard so much about. When her model came out it was clear that the gorgeous, jersey-knit, floor-length, backless dress would get rave reviews. The judges, including Project Runway finalist Nick Verreos, all had fantastic things to say about the design and construction of Karly’s beautiful gown, and we stood near the stage in excited, cocktail enhanced anticipation as she moved into the top three… top TWO finalists… KARLY ORR WAS THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

I don’t think I’ve been that excited in a long time. I felt like a beauty pageant mom as Karly headed down the runway with her model to celebrate her victory. As the winning designer, Karly will receive a $3,000 scholarship and a Macy’s window display – you can check it out now on Pine Street between Third and Fourth Avenue.

CONGRATULATIONS KARLY!