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Posted by DeeinNJ on July 18, 2006, 10:36 am
Hey, Gang What prompted this weeks discussion was my need to create a fashion show set for my local Barbie Club meeting that I hosted last month. Our theme was 'At the Boutique' and we made a small Barbie boutique, gave away custom creations from our boutique crafted by Angie of BCCan Designs (thanks, Angie) played a mini version of the Price is Right, made sock sweaters and hosted a fashion show where we asked each member to bring a doll ready for the runway. I needed something roomy enough to show off several dolls, but portable and easy to set up and take down.
As is my custom, I scoured the house in search of things I could use to make my idea a reality. When I unearthed the box from Fashion Royalty's FDQ Vanessa gift set (I don't get rid of interesting packaging), I knew I had a great starting point.
Vin has already shown us how to turn a doll box into a designer closet for your dolls; today I'll show you how to use doll boxes/packaging to make a fashion show set. Even if you don't have the FDQ Vanessa box, you can use other doll boxes or packaging from other items in different ways. You just have to think... outside the box!
OK, first, you need the box, some long strips of cardboard packaging (which I salvaged from some other household purchase). Ideally, they should be about 25 inches long and about 4 inches wide. If you don't have any packaging laying around, buy large blocks of styrofoam and cut them yourself or cut up pieces of foamcore board and layer them to the height you want. Then, cut strips of poster board 5 inches by 25 inches (or slightly longer than your runway). Really, your runway will be as long as you have room for. They can be any color, but I chose white. These will lay over top of the runways to hide the cardboard and make them look nice. If you use foamcore, you could actually pleat fabric and pin it along the edge of your runway for a more finished look (but I definitely had no time for that with everything else I had to do to prepare for that club meeting!)
Create a floor for your set. I just used a table cloth in a neutral color. Remove the lid to the Vanessa box and open it wide. Take a digital photo of a background you like (I used the curtains from my Silkstone display case) then print it out and tack in inside the middle opening. You could also use some designer scrapbook paper in all three panels of the box, but I just decided to fill the center one.
Next, use straight pins to hang some tree ornaments that look like chandaliers. Just push the pins into the top of the box and hang the ornaments on the pins.
Make a pair of mini curtains (I already had these as a prop). If you don't sew, you can use iron on tape and create a pocket to slide onto your mini rod. These rods are usually for small windows or sidelights for doors, etc. I got my rod courtesy of Audrey, the ever resourcful Diva! (Thanks, Audrey.)
Rest the curtains on the rod on the top of the box, them tie them back with a pair of gold necklaces (more salvaged from my jewelry-making endeavors). You could also tie back your curtains with tassels or ribbons -- whatever you like.
Next, lay down your runway and start adding accessories!
I added a few urns, an easel w/a fashion show sign and a microphone for the commentator.
I also repainted and recovered some Gloria diningroom chairs for a very elegant look (I'll figure out what to do with the table someday!)
Now, the girls are ready for a fashion show.
Not only is this a nice diorama in itself, but it's an excellent backdrop when you want to take some stylish doll photos, even close ups. ANY fashions can work (because it's a fashion show!), and it's easy to set-up.
In these photos, I have just a single runway, but for the actual meeting, I set the runway up as a 'T' with the second runway intersecting the middle of the first. This allowed us have more dollies strutting their stuff at the same time. You can flank your runway with potted plants or small urns for a jazzier look. Here's a pic of the actual set-up from the meeting.
In this set up, I used the roman columns from the My Scene Party Pad for a bit more elegance.
Oh, notice the tea cart. I got this idea from the promo pics of Highland Fling. It's really the cleaning/beverage cart from Barbie's Hawaiian Hotel Resort, but I added gold trim with Galaxy markers and now it's posh enough for this high-fashion event. The tea set and dessert are from Rement.
Now, if you want a less POSH fashion show set, you can also use your doll boxes or other packages to create a modern runway.
Here, I took two of the new Fashion Royalty doll boxes and put the runway between them, then stacked the lid to the Vanessa box on top. I used black poster paper for the floor and walls. I cut an embossed panel from the side of one of the LOFT collection pieces and used that as the center of my set behind the runway. Then, I tossed in two of the Bratz lighting umbrellas.
Here, the trendy gals strut their stuff!
I whipped this up in about two seconds, so if you really spent some time, you could create elevation with steps made from those spice risers, etc. Maybe add some modern art, mirrors, glass block, etc. etc. Get creative!
OK - that wraps up this weeks discussion. Go dig through your garage and find some packaging to construct sets for your dolls.
Til next time...
DeeinNJ ;o)