The world of fashion is fast-paced, but some students had to “make it work” in 10 hours during Iowa State’s version of “Project Runway.” Students took a cue from the hit TV show by designing, executing and modeling their outfits Tuesday after receiving their challenge Monday night.

Student Union Board Fine Arts Director Jonathan Castro, senior in art and design, said he developed the idea to host this reality TV-based competition after serving as a photographer for last year’s spring fashion show. He wanted to incorporate it into SUB events for this year.

“I wanted something really fresh and popular with the crowd while still being artsy,” Castro said. “And I don’t think apparel and textile people get a lot of exposure.”

Castro said he thinks the Bravo show “Project Runway” holds such a mass appeal – even among non-fashion enthusiasts – because it’s spontaneous. He said it’s fun to see people put on the spot with limited time to sketch and create their outfits.

Just as in the show, the competition featured stipulations. The challenge was to create a design for a new up-and-coming visual artist.

Teams could only have six people – including the model – and were only allowed to spend $15 on their own fabric and accessories. Half the fabric used could be purchased, and the other half had to come from fabric provided at the competition.

All 12 teams were to be judged preliminarily at 6 p.m. and modeled at 9 p.m. in the Maintenance Shop of the Memorial Union. Of the three judges, there was a senior in fibers, a senior in apparel merchandising, production and design and the graduate designer.

“I was really glad we could make these connections,” Castro said. “They bring a mix of real-world values and knowledge from the major, and this way we have a few different tastes, values and personalities.”

Castro said each team also had to develop these traits for the artist that inspired their designs.

“They can create their own type of person and personality, but they have to keep open to see what they come up with,” he said.

Although a prize of a fashion spread in the new Trend magazine was at stake for the winner, most students were most eager for the experience the contest could afford them.

Brooks Nelson, junior in public service and administration in agriculture, said although he’d only taken introductory and intermediate patternmaking classes, he thought this was good experience for his upper-level classes and the real world. He said his team, the Scissor Sisters, was especially important in helping him get that experience.

“We got together and made rough sketches and discussed what to do. We’ve really learned team collaboration,” Nelson said. “Win or lose, we’ve had a good time doing it.”

Team Gunn members Francesca Skwark, junior in apparel merchandising, design and production, and Chelsea Stumo and Anya Caboth, sophomores in apparel merchandising, design and production, said the same. They said they felt disadvantaged at the beginning of the day because they were not seniors, but grew more confident throughout the competition.

“We went in totally for the fun and great experience,” Stumo said.

They agreed teamwork was the most important part, since they’d met Monday night to sketch, search the Internet for ideas and plan their accessories.

Despite having 10 hours to complete their designs, both teams said they were feeling the crunch in the late afternoon.

“We were feeling good in the morning, but now we’re kind of stressing – kind of panicking,” Nelson said, whose team was making a punk rocker vest dress with leggings. “We have a fitting, judging at 6 p.m., makeup, hair and the show at 9 p.m.”

Team Gunn members said they also felt rushed. Their team made a “very creative artsy couture” painted tutu skirt, cropped vinyl vest with a tube top and tights, then paired them with a team member’s pumps, which were the inspiration for the entire outfit.

“There’s not very much time at all for the outfit,” Caboth said. “Most things are last-minute.”

Despite the hard work, however, they said they thought it would all pay off in the end product.

“The best part is being creative and participating in something with the major,” Skwark said.

“It’s good experience that we haven’t had, and it’s exciting this is the very first time we’ll see our designs come to life.”

Besides seeing their own creations, teams also got to see the competition’s progress throughout the day.

“I’m excited to see everyone else’s designs, especially the top five,” Stumo said.

Castro hopes the success of this event will encourage other people to participate in it.

This year, “Project Runway” was mostly publicized through departmental e-mails, fliers and word-of-mouth. Castro said he hopes it can get more exposure and become a large enough event to move to a bigger setting. He also wants it to become an event that happens every semester.

“I hope it becomes as popular as Cyclone Idol,” Castro said. “And then all we need to do is come up with the next theme.”

If the event grows, Castro said he wants to make changes to the event by making it more elaborate, competitive and on-the-spot creative, encouraging it to be more like the TV program with its surprises in the middle of challenges.

Although both the Scissor Sisters and Team Gunn lost to winner Team Orchid’s glittery dress and jacket, they – and Castro – weren’t afraid to weigh in on who they thought should win the TV competition.

“Michael Knight,” Castro said.