Showcased my recent Out of the Toy Box Clothing Collection at the Selvedge Fashion Show hosted at the Nest in Providence, RI!
Decided to break out my Teletubbies look from Bushwig to wear during the show. Morning of the fashion show, I thrifted a bright blue matching coat & stitched the green trim to match the whole look!
✨Outfit Details:
Pants: thrifted, made into capris, took fabric remnants purchased at Joann’s (previously wall decoration in the studio) & stitched a trim detail on the pants
Top: thrifted & took the pants scraps & made shoulder/side trim details. Ordered a lot of vintage Burger King toys & used the Teletubbies plush’s faces as a .. pop
Shoes: thrifted & painted green & glazed. Hand stitched Teletubbies on each shoe.
Purse: old Kate spade bag from high school. Painted green & stitched torso of the Teletubby Plush
Earrings: NROR Disco Balls
In the first pic, Gwenitalia is wearing an original look by me from the collection - made through stitching vintage Happy Meal beanie baby toy bags together to make a dress & matching purse + boa of beanie babies
... Read moreEver since I was little, I've adored the playful world of Teletubbies – the vibrant colors, the unique shapes, and those adorable faces! When I decided to showcase a new collection at the Selvedge Fashion Show, I knew I wanted to bring that joyful, nostalgic energy to the runway. It’s not just about wearing a costume; it’s about transforming a childhood icon into a high-fashion statement for women, embracing the whimsy while still being chic.
Translating the Teletubbies into a wearable human outfit was such an exciting challenge. How do you capture the essence of those beloved characters without literally wearing a giant suit? For my 'Teletubbies Look,' I focused on the core elements: bold, contrasting colors and, of course, those iconic faces. I found a bright blue coat and thrifted pants, then meticulously added green trim and fabric details to echo the playful color blocking. Each element was chosen to evoke the fun of a Teletubbies scene, creating a truly colorful costume that stood out.
The real heart of my outfit, though, was incorporating actual Teletubbies plush faces onto my top and shoes! It added such a fun, literal pop to the ensemble. While my design featured a more general Teletubbies vibe, I often think about how cool it would be to create looks inspired by specific characters – imagine a vibrant yellow outfit paying homage to Laa-Laa, or a fiery red one for Po, perhaps even featuring a close-up of Po's smiling face! It just goes to show how much personality these characters have, even when reimagined for adult fashion.
This entire project was also a huge nod to upcycled fashion. Almost every piece of my Teletubbies look started as a thrift store find, proving that you don't need expensive materials to create something incredible. It’s about vision and a little bit of sewing magic! Speaking of unique upcycling, you might have noticed the other original look in the show – a strapless dress made entirely from vintage Happy Meal beanie baby toy bags, complete with a matching purse and boa! It's another example of how childhood toys can be given a second life on the runway, blending nostalgia with sustainability.
People often wonder about the original Teletubbies costumes – how tall they were, how they moved. For us, it’s not about replicating that exact massive scale, but rather drawing inspiration from their distinct silhouettes and playful nature. It’s about taking that larger-than-life character and reinterpreting it for the human form, making it fashion-forward and utterly unique.
So, if you’re looking to infuse some playful spirit into your wardrobe or want to tackle your own upcycling project, think about the characters and shows that sparked your imagination as a child. What 'shows like Teletubbies' or other nostalgic icons could inspire your next creative fashion adventure? Dive into thrift stores, get creative with fabrics, and don't be afraid to put your own spin on things. Every piece tells a story, and yours could be the next showstopper!
No words….