NYLON - September 2008 - (Page 96) ABIGAIL LORICK TRANSFORMS HER PILLOWCASE INTO A PRETTY DRESS. PHOTOGRAPHED BY TOM WINCHESTER “I was cutting up my clothes the moment I was allowed to hold scissors,” says Abigail Lorick, who is best known as the ghost designer behind Eleanor Waldorf’s line on Gossip Girl and launched her own label in New York this spring. For fall, she says, “I envisioned the Lorick Lady in the Scottish Highlands.” Indeed, the ’40s-inspired cowl-neck denim frocks, silk crepe-fringed rompers, and crunchy crinoline skirts in metallic hues and wild prints are better suited for a sophisticated girl with wanderlust than a prep-schooler—the former, a character that Lorick, who once modeled in Paris and Milan, is familiar with. “It taught me to never take fashion too seriously.” With that in mind, we give you this month’s DIY: a pillowcase that with a snip here and a snip there becomes a chic, structured dress. After all, this is the city that never sleeps. SAMANTHA GILEWICZ GOSSIP GUY WE ASKED GOSSIP GIRL COSTUME DESIGNER ERIC DAMAN’S FOR THE SCOOP ON SERENA AND BLAIR’S ON-SET STYLE. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THIS BUSINESS? WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN SCOUTING OUT NEW DESIGNERS TO FEATURE ON THE SHOW? I like to support young designers as much as possible. I have a great team of enthusiastic fashionistas that keep their ears to the ground. WHAT FORMULA DO YOU FOLLOW TO OUTFIT SERENA AND BLAIR? Serena: Nonchalant chic, effortless but perfect, à la Kate Moss Blair: Meticulous and thought-out; Audrey Hepburn meets Anna Wintour WHO WOULD SERENA’S AND BLAIR’S TOP FIVE DESIGNERS EACH BE? This dress is as easy as 1-2-3. First, find a pillowcase that is long enough to work as a dress. Serena: Alexander Wang, Vena Cava, Wayne, Mike & Chris, Rag & Bone Blair: Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Julie Haus, Ralph Lauren, Black Fleece DO YOU SECRETLY HAVE A FAVORITE CHARACTER TO DESIGN FOR? They are all fun to create for, but I do have a soft spot for Chuck Bass… she’s crafty Then cut out the two armholes, about 10” each, and sew up all the seams—or let them fray for fun. With a pair of shears, cut out a hole for your head to slip through. A variety of necklines can be used, but for a sophisticated look, I recommend a bateau (boatneck) shaped neckline. This dress can be worn as is, but we found a very Lorick vintage apron and ribbon, out of which we fashioned a cinched-waist belt to create a more elegant frock. 96 hair: marcel dagenais. makeup: clare read at the katy barker agency using dior beauty. model: lucia. leighton meester courtesy of the everett collection. I was encouraged to get into styling when I was modeling with Steven Meisel, Mario Testino, and Peter Lindbergh. I worked as Patricia Field’s assistant on Sex and the City. After that, I designed for many independent films, and finally landed in the amazing design world of Gossip Girl.
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