Kari Seydewitz, aka The Mad Hatter, on the final catwalk run for the ASID Designer Runway Extravaganza 2010

We prepped. We planned. We found out what TO do and what NOT to do. Kari worked on her makeup for hours. We built the maddest top hat outside of Disney. And we frantically worked for 90 full minutes at the Fremarc showroom on Wednesday night turning designer Kari Seydewitz into the Mad Hatter.

With seconds to spare we got Kari to the “green room” behind the stage’s curtain. LRMID was number 10 in a total of 15 teams, and it was more than a little nervewracking to hear the judges fawn over the other designs while we waited. The judges were definitely qualified to speak about these runway designs: Cheryl Tiegs was there, although as a rep for Cambria Stone, and she knows a thing or two about runways; Kelly Persellin, who Lisa met with a few weeks ago, is the publisher of the west coast version of LUXE Magazine; Michael Berman, an interior designer of such a high caliber who needs no introduction; Alexis Bellino, one of the Real Housewives of Orange County who makes a living out of being glamorous; and finally, fashion designer Oday Shakar, whose most recent stunning black-sequinned dress was not only seen on Sandra Bullock at the MTV 2010 Movie Awards, but also on Cheryl Tiegs during the ASID event!

The time came–we held our collective breath. The music started; Kari made an awesome entrance onto the catwalk. By the time she came out onto the stage, we knew we had the audience hooked. A man we didn’t even know stood up in the front row for a standing ovation! By the time Kari, aka the Mad Hatter, had finished her awesome strut down and back on the catwalk, all that could be heard was Oday Shakar saying “O-M-G!!!!”" over and over. Check out the video: Kari Seydewitz rocks the catwalk as the Mad Hatter during ASID OC\’s Designer Runway Extravaganza

With the judges comments, we knew we’d done well, but there was stiff competition from the other contestants, who had come up with some astounding outfits too. Team 15 made trousers. TROUSERS. Without a sewing machine!

They announced third place: we didn’t get it. We tried not to be disappointed or too hopeful. Second place: didn’t get that either. Now we’re really worried! First place: could it be? YES! WE WON!

It was such a great feeling, and such an honor. I’m so happy about how our team really worked together well to create this amazing outfit in 90 minutes. Another ASID win– even though it’s not for interior design, it’s for design, and it feels wonderful! Thank you to my team: Jan Smith, Kristen Rusert and of course, our lovely model, Kari Seydewitz!

Ready to hit the catwalk!

Kristen Rusert shows off her work on the Mad Hatter's hat

Lisa McDennon works on the jacket for the outfit, using an iron and many, many safety pins.

Kari applies her dramatic makeup and feathered false eyelashes

Kari, as the Mad Hatter, faces the judges