RTW Designer Knockoff Contest

This is my entry for the RTW Designer Knockoff Contest.

Let me tell you, it is no fun having your photo next to a gorgeous model! How can one compare?
Maybe a wig would help.

I did a bit of research on the net and magazines to see what trends are current now and starting pinning a few ideas to a board on Pinterest.

What kept jumping out at me was Lace and Neon.

I know these contests are designed to help you use fabric from your stash but I had seen a neon lace at Darn Cheap Fabrics a few weeks ago and new it would be ideal (and cheap) for this project. It is acrylic and cheap and probably not quite the right choice but I didn't want to spend too much. 

A little brighter than the gorgeous outfit I'm trying to knock off but neon is in right now so why not?

I couldn't decide on pink or yellow but I fell in love with this yellow crochet peplum number from Printing, a Brazilian brand which has obviously been made with a much nicer quality lace than mine.

I decided to use Vogue V8815 for the Peplum Top. I reshaped the neck and armhole area to make it look more like the models although looking at it now I think I could have shaved off a few more centimeters. I also added pleats to the peplum just like the models. I had to cut the bodice on the cross grain to get the scalloped edge on the peplum which I didn't really give a great result. The bodice is too stretchy lengthwise and doesn't fit as snug as I had intended.

I used a skirt pattern from Burdastyle Mag 7/2012. 120 skirt. 

I have to say, I love this pattern. The skirt is high waisted which was perfect to attach to the high waist line of the peplum top. The skirt has two curved darts on the waistline starting from the side seam which gives a really nice shape. I will definitely make this skirt again.

For the back, I decided to funk it up a bit with an exposed zip. I hadn't seen a back picture of the dress until after I had sewn in the zip. I was really happy to see that the models dress has an exposed zipper too. Great minds think alike!! Ha Ha.

There is a great tutorial for exposed zippers on the Simplicity Website.

I also, lined it with a nice medium weight satin.

I had to have the photos taken quickly because I was getting ready to go out on a girls night so didn't notice the creases in my dress at the time. I had tried to iron out all of the creases but this fabric doesn't seem to like the iron.

I'm pretty happy with it. I think it will look great styled up with some grungy boots and a leather jacket thrown over.