Out of this world

“Designers, we have a new challenge for you this week. Are you ready?”

“Yes Tim.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Well, I’m sure you’ve all seen some pretty wild interpretations of what life is like on other planets, and I’m sure you’ve all seen futuristic fashions dreamed up on our own. This week we’d like you to come up with stylish and wearable looks that draw on otherworldly elements involving oceans of time and space.”

“Huh?”

“You have two New York Times Magazine covers to work with this time. The cover from June 20th will lend itself nicely to a space age concoction.”

“The cover from the June 27th New York Times Magazine is also pretty futuristic, but in a fishy kind of way….”

“As an added twist, you will be perusing the fresh fish counter at Food for additional ideas for your looks.”

This challenge was inspired by an article in The New York Times Magazine on the warm blooded and magnificent, Bluefin Tuna, who’s time on earth may be limited due in part to the BP oil spill sullying their only Atlantic breeding ground, along with our ability to fish for them too efficiently.

What the article didn’t mention is that Tuna and all the bigger fish and sea animals who feed on smaller ones, are toxic with mercury from our industrial waste. Theirs’ is an incredibly tragic story.

“Designers, are you ready?  You’ll find a lot of smaller scale fish at Food to get you in the creative mood. You’ll only have five minutes to explore, so let’s go!”

“All right Designers. As you’re assessing your haul I want you to think about transforming your material into otherworldly but fashionable pisces, umm, I mean pieces, that, like all good design, will endure. I know it’s hard to imagine what future life will be, but you want these garments to transcend their original forms and coalesce into timeless wonders.”

“Wow Tim, this material by the photographer, Kenji Aoki, is SO beautiful!”

“Yes, I’m glad you like it. I hope you appreciate the gravity of this moment and create your designs with grace and reverence. Carry on, Designers. I know you’ll give it your best and hope you’ll all do swimmingly.”

“Ok, time’s up. Everybody follow me. It’s time for the show!”

“Designer?”

“Yes?”

“We think you’ve scaled new heights with this challenge.”

“Well, thank you, Michael!”

“Model?”

“Yes Heidi?”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something. Are you one of the Naked Cowgirls in Times Square who’ve been moving in on the Naked Cowboy’s orbit?”

“Hmmmmm. I’m not saying yes… and… I’m not saying no….”

“I see. Well, we’ll see you next time. Bye bye!”