Project Hallway

Continuing with the sharing of inspirational ideas for quarantine activities, I bring you our version of Project Runway! I surprised my kids with this one after dinner. I called it Project Hallway. Each contestant had to choose a theme and at least one article of clothing. They could do whatever they wanted to the clothes a) to encourage creativity b) I don’t foresee them wearing outdoor clothing anytime soon, so they may as well have fun and destroy some stuff.  They had an hour and a half before presenting their ensemble. Extra points for as using as many materials as possible. Coordinating accessories were strongly encouraged. They had to choose a song to present to, and the item of clothing had to be wearable. One of my sons was surprised and impressed when I started slicing up a second t shirt to make him a sweatband. At this point it’s whatever works, right? But honestly, I want to have this fun, relaxed element with them all the time. If we can do it now why not when this is over too? I think we are all learning to release a lot of these silly rules and limitations. This pandemic is so complicated and full of tragedy and anguish, but it has its good teachings too. Their themes were nature, fashion, and COVID19. I must say they all knocked it out of the park. They poured such creativity into their designs and creations. I was so proud. The judging ultimately got so cutthroat that I had to enlist their dad, who mercifully came by at that moment.

So here we are, still on lockdown. It is hard and sad and anxiety provoking. But it is simply the present reality. In the words of Runway master, Tim Gunn, “Make it work!!”.