Making it Work
Thursday, October 19th, 2006
Every fan of Runway is by now all too familiar with the well-worn phrase, “Make it work.” Tim Gunn’s ubiquitous application of the phrase has made it a tagline of sorts for the show. When push comes to shove, the designer’s have to “make it work” each week as their design challenges progress in difficulty. They face time and resource constraints. They’re holed up in a work room with some of the most eccentric people on this earth (as the fashion industry can be counted on to foster) and their creativity and commitment is taxed.
The finale aired last night and Jeffrey won. I’m happy that Jeffrey won. He is an extremely talented designer and turns out a well-made collection that is surprisingly cohesive and innovative. Given the months he and the other designers had to prepare for OFW, he made use of his time and stayed grounded in the process. I myself would likely not wear a design of his (well, maybe that French looking blue, white, and red sashed dress that caught everyone off guard), but it doesn’t matter it isn’t about personally liking it so much as recognizing the talent. He is a professional. He “made it work.”
He made it work by staying true to himself and his asthetic. He remained focused. He fought for what he wanted.
Making it work. How many of us can say we’re “making it work” in our daily lives? Or maybe not even our daily lives, but in general? Do we make it work on the job? Do we make it work in raising our kids? Do we make it work when bills come due? Do we make it work in our relationships with those we love?
I can’t know what the collective “we” does, but I can say this. I don’t always make it work. Sometimes I want to just give up. Sometimes it just feels easier, like less of a struggle. At 26, sometimes I’m tired of having to fight for what I think and feel and want and need. How can this be? How, when there’s nothing more frustrating than having to give up or being given up on?
I too often find myself with limited time and resources and means. And although my “challenges” are not so superficially constructed as on Project Runway, it feels at times like there’s a wrench thrown into my wheel each week that can take the whole cart off course.
Making it work is a work in progress.
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