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Our eleven designers arrived at Parsons to find a serpentine configuration of cotton t-shirt tubing* engulfing the design room. This would their canvas, the primary material to be used for a design inspired by the word, "envy."

I took them shopping for notions that helped them customize their designs, including fabric dyes, beads, buttons, and trims. The fabric dying process was filled with anxiety...and hilarity. I insisted they keep the dye vats out of the design room, which was prudent considering the spilling, splashing, and inadvertent accidents. I can still hear Vanessa's scream reverberating through the hallway — her vat of blue/black dye had slipped from her arms, bounced off the floor, and splashed all over her.

With this second challenge, we began to get a sense of individual sensibilities and work habits. In the end, these factors would prove most critical.

KARA
Kara Saun continued to be a smooth and steady designer. During our interaction, I learned to hold back and give her time to experiment and explore, because her creative process is like a dialogue that she has with herself. Later, it was appropriate for us to critically analyze her work, together, and probe into some aspects of her decisions.

Lesson 4: Step Back and Be Objective
One of Kara Saun's greatest strengths is her ability to objectify her work; that is, examine it as though someone else created it. This temporary disengagement gives her the ability to diagnose issues and prescribe solutions to her designs; solutions that work. Too frequently, our intentions and our efforts serve to impede our judgment.

MARIO
Mario's solution was simpler (and easier) than anyone else's; like Alexandra, he didn't alter the tube — but he didn't even dye it. The focus of his energy and attention went into the beading embellishments on the dress, embellishments that look like blood emitting from bullet holes. "Envy?" I asked. Mario declared that his muse is the object of envy and the fashion industry is cut-throat, so his muse was shot.

Lesson 5: Challenge Yourself
Don't opt for the quick and easy solution. While I consider Mario's interpretation of envy to be passable, his investment — time and materials — was minimal when compared to his peers. This caused many of us to reevaluate his solution to the last challenge — the simple, albeit elegant, shower curtain dress. At that time, we thought he was showing restraint. But was he? And this design was lackluster, too. In fact, Mario seemed lackluster, and that characteristic became all too palpable to the judges. Mario was unable to "sell" his solution on the runway or adequately defend it during the Q&A. Bye-bye, Mario.

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