Bean's Judge Pick

My pick this week is Winter by LJcatfeather.

The suit is very well constructed, and things like the black panels seem, err, seamless. I love the little details (the boutonniere killed me). Mostly, though, I love how original the idea was. Her tuxedo really stands out among the (I admit, gorgeous!) ball gowns.

I do admit, though, that part of the reason that I'm picking this outfit is that I am highly biased and I think that in general, more people and more dolls should embrace the fact that suit coats are awesum.

Angry Jess' Guest Judge Pick, Round 3

The other AGPT mods told me I couldn't make fun of anything as a Guest Judge. Oh ye mods of little faith, you ever fail to understand my sensibilities. Because, really, think about it: why would I mock creative improvements on AG fashions? After all, I hate most everything AG makes.

Frankly, it's hard to choose a winner for this round because I think everyone who has striven to eclipse the concepts cooked up by AG's fashion designers is made of awesome and win. But a winner must be chosen, so I spent several Frangelico-fueled evenings perusing the entries.

Now, we all know how partial I am to the skillful use of language and evocative imagery. Given that, I could have gone with the Safari Sundress because it made me think of storms on the savanna. Yay, thinking. I'd like to see that one on a real runway model, to determine whether lightning really does strike the crotch area when she moves. It would get ten gazillion extra points if it does. Likewise, since the narrative for the Rustic Ranch one used the words 'crotch gusset" a lot, it should get four hundred millionty extra points for that alone. The Flutter Flower re-do used the phrase 'pucker power' in its narrative, and that amused me endlessly...plus the devil is in the details on this one. I mean, tons of details, what with dying fabrics and such.

Truth is, I am partial to the outfits that demonstrate that the devil is in the details, seeing as how the devil is rumored to be a close personal friend of mine. (I won't comment on the veracity of that rumor). So given that, my pick is: Neohealy's Sweet Melody Outfit. Let's face it, anything anyone did to improve the AG original would be a boon to society, but this one took the concept up several notches. I am impressed with the creative elements that were added. Granted, there is room for skill improvement, but that is just one aspect of this competition. This outfit, it hollers hip and trendy tween -- which is a good thing since you're designing for hip 10 year olds. It wouldn't go on my hips, because I only use suspenders for bondage purposes. (Yeah, go ahead, pause to imagine the visual. Are you done? Okay, back to the outfit). The sheet music bag is a fun add-on, and I approve of the leggings (although the resemblance to Hefty Extra Wide Drawstring Doll Ass Bags was unfortunate in that one photo, but we'll ignore that since it's not a photography contest). The tulle skirt, while bulky in construction, is all over stores like Justice and the like. Or so I'm told; I don't even know. Lastly, while I am not one to own anything with hearts on it, I give 400 million points to the creativity element of the musical notation on that shirt. Although yeah, next time lose that tape and go with iron-on. We all know I'd rock that topless look with suspenders and tie in the one photo, but you didn't stick with that look, so too bad for me. I award 1500 extra points for a fun presentation photo. This one, it is my pick. So, yeah.

Bean's Judge Pick

My judge pick is Childthursday's paper dress.

I'm probably biased because I've always loved the 1960s paper dress, but there was also plenty of work that went into it. Childthursday didn't just say "PAPER!", she used coordinating materials, accessories, and several techniques such as pleating to get the job done. I'm also impressed that she sewed the paper without the machine eating her dress.

Also, shoes!

Supernonamegirl's Pick!

Generally, both this year, and last, a couple of outfits stand out to me from the beginning of a round, and I do tend to go to them for the judges' pick, but that didn't happen this time. There were some really great entries, but I didn't fall in love with anything right off the bat. As I was working on the critiques though, that changed and I really did fall in love with one of the looks. The details were what really made this outfit stand out, in terms of skill, inspiration, and originality. My choice: prncssme!

The jacket is easily my favorite part of this outfit, the Silouhette is very regency, while the color is simiply beautiful and a bit modern. The wire detail is also thoughtful, it doesn't seem tacked on. But, even the other outfit pieces, the pants, the shirt, and the headband, all are more than "just" a tank and pants and headband. The assymetrical hemline was a great choice, while the embroidery on the pants was a nice reference to lace or the decorative bottoms that would be found on pantalettes. And, the headband is something that I would wear, made out of electrical wire or not.

Mars's Judge Pick, round 2

OMG, this round was hard, you guys. Really hard. But overall I liked thelight139's outfit best - it looks like if you took a regency dress, pulled it into the modern era, and made it really cute. I think the jean jacket was an especially nice choice and it looks good at that length. The dress is also beautiful - I love the fabric choice and it goes well with the jacket. I also think the belt with pop tabs was a great use of materials - not too obvious (meaning it's both creative, and it's not glaringly apparent that you've used something unusual in your work) and it's also used to add just a touch of interest to your work. Nicely done!

Guest Judge Pick Round 2: Joan!

Well, I have to say it's much easier having 6 votes to spread around, rather than having to pick just one favorite! There are several outfits and a lot of assorted pieces that I would really love to have in my collection. It was a tough decision, narrowing it down to just one and after much debate, I chose C. I. Fairfield's 60's inspired paper dress.

I never would have believed this dress was made from paper, it looks like crisp cotton. The style is very wearable for a modern girl, she would look dressed up but still be casual enough to run and play. The colors are lovely and the contrasting green trim really makes the the whole outfit pop. The charming little flowers add just enough interest without being distracting and the cute little sandals are the perfect finishing touch. Just looking at this outfit makes me smile and think of Orange Creamsicles and happy, little girl summers!

Bean's Judge Pick

I am late, I am sorry, and I deserve to be beaten around a little for it.

I'm also voting for Firinel's entry. Please enjoy this bulleted list as to why:

• Those colors are straight out of Lanie's collection, and I appreciate the thought that took. The outfit also relates directly to one of Lanie's interests, while adding to what she already has.
  
• She made her own tye dye design, which took some thought and stood out.
• It looks like something a real kid would wear!
• I enjoy the thought that went into adding the foam kneeler as an accessory.
• Most importantly, everything's sewn incredibly well and fits the doll.
  

Mars's Judge Pick, Round 1

Like Curiouser, I thought this round was absolutely incredibly difficult to judge. There were a lot of really amazing and creative outfits, so give yourself a pat on the back. But sadly, I can't pick them all. For my pick, I'm choosing numberonekitty's Nicki's tiered dress. This dress is well-made and well-designed. It looks like it fits into Nicki's collection - I think I would have ID'ed it as hers without being told or seeing it on a Nicki doll, which is awesome - without being too much of a rehash of the items in her collection. All three pieces are great, work well together, and have an appropriate amount of detail. I'd totally buy this outfit from AG if they made it. Well done!

Judge's Pick, Round One: Christine/Supernonamegirl

I'm choosing Allicapri's Chrissa's School Outfit for this round. I'm not sure that hers was the best made, or the best designed or the best addition to a collection, but I do think she found the best balance between all three.

As a school outfit, it fits nicely in Chrissa's collection, somewhere between her snowsuit and her sundress, especially when you consider the jacket for crisp Minnesota spring days. There was also a lot of thought put into Chrissa's character when designing the outfit, from the faux layers, to the choice of blue, to the headband. (And I really love that headband.)

The coat, in particular, shows a fairly high skill level. It seems to fit Chrissa very well, and the lining complements the gray really well. I love that the buttons are real, working buttons (though I had to double-check a few times to make sure.).

In terms of design, the seam in the top part of the coat adds visual interest too it, while the color, and fabric choices all around, coordinate well without looking like they won't match anything else. There's a few textures going on here that make it seem very realistic and wearable, from the woolliness of the coat, to the crinkle in the shirt and plain cotton undersleeves.

Judge's Pick, round 1: Curiouser (guest judge)

As one of our three winners last year, we've asked Curiouser to guest judge this first round of outfits. Her comments are below.

Thanks a lot. And I mean that in a very sarcastic way. There are so many great outfits to choose from and I only get to pick one. Thanks. Couldn’t most of you have just blown the challenge so the winner would be totally obvious? So, how do you choose a winner in this type of contest? Do you go with the best concept? The best execution? A bit of both? What about marketability? Do I want to own the outfit? Is there an outfit that looks well made, fits the challenge, and I’d like to own? Yes, several of them do. In fact, if AG were to produce all of these outfits I’d be very broke for a while.

Okay, here goes, I’m awarding my guest judge points to Firinel’s gardening outfit for Lanie. Why this outfit? First, I LOVE the colors. Blues and greens are my favorites so she caught my attention quickly. (I’m all about color.) I just love the tie dye blue, the shade of green, the way the green matches the crocs… I just love the color combination and the fabrics chosen. Secondly, everything fits great. (Are we REALLY supposed to believe that Fin is a sewing newbie?) Thirdly, Lanie really needs some denim in her life. Some may say Lanie’s collection already has a gardening outfit. I think they have been deceived, I don’t know anyone who gardens in white capris. This is the outfit AG SHOULD have made. Finally, the color scheme fits Lanie’s collection. This outfit actually screams Lanie to me. As a bonus the pieces make a great outfit together, they also have tons of mix and match potential. In fact the only criticism I can
give this outfit is that I wish it had a hat to protect the fair Lanie from the sun… although I suspect her white bucket hat would match nicely.