Portland Fashion Week

PFW: Local Loves

Night 3 of PFW is for the locals.

Posted by: Eden Dawn on Oct 08, 2011 at 10:00AM Speech Bubble 2 Comments

Photo: Yi Yin

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In today’s fashion mood check, I’m happy to deliver thumbs up from last night’s performance from the neighborhood kids. And thank goodness for that because this ol’ editor needed a little shot in the arm. The crowds turned out, the mood was vibrant and the audience was just plain enjoying the show. You know, all the things you want and love about a fashion show.

Kicking off the night was Amai Unmei and her line of dresses. There were some solid pieces for sure, but two in particular raised my blood pressure a notch. The duo tone shades of gray draped jersey and a swinging flawless red halter were super fabulous. Think I might need to pay a visit to the shop come springtime.

Stephanie D. Couture transitioned from her primarily bridal and eveningwear line into mainly jersey ready-to-wear pieces. I’m sure she’ll sell plenty of the easy dresses, but I have to admit, I missed her fancy eveningwear pieces. She always had a way with flowing silky satin’s and I loved that.

Ms. Wood made a dramatic turn from her black and gray heavy fall collection after an inspirational trip to Hawaii and sent out a resort appealing spring collection. With bright turquoise and red hues the easy to wear/care pieces were great backdrops for the amazing accessories (also created by the designer and her husband). The carved wooden shoes came out one after another with a particular fringed one catching my heart and as always my love of the Ms. Wood bag continued.

Collier showed some cute east coast college prep inspired suits and pieces resulting in a series of male models looking completely adorable. My favorite look was a particularly “Geek-Chic” moment with glasses, gray plaid blazer, sweater vest and a tie.

Now you can see why I feel conflicted with the fabric.

Finally, Seth Aaron showed his collection with a series of screaming pop-art faces emblazoned on fabrics while models wore matching wigs and creepy masks. It was the kind of thing where either you got it or you didn’t. And I was in the latter category. Seth Aaron’s other fabric consisting of his new S.A. logo looks so much like my high school’s (Salem Academy) logo, I cannot get into it. I realize that’s my own deal, but it’s still true. However, Aaron still is an amazing tailor. The purple and black color blocked shift dress was beautiful and tasteful and the shape and fit of a princess seamed coatdress was amazing. Maybe one day the collection will come out in solid color options for those of us who feel uncomfortable wearing so much school pride.

(Tonight is the end of the haul with Project Runway designers Bryce Black, Jay Nicholas Sario and Michael Costello.)

Amai Unmai
Stephanie D. Couture
Ms. Wood
Collier
Seth Aaron*

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Tags: Ms. Wood, Stephanie D. Couture, Seth Aaron, Portland Fashion Week 2011, Collier Clothier, PFW: 2011

Runway Happiness

Open Season: Review

What do you get when you put 3 Project Runway winners and Portland’s finest designers on stage? Awesomeness.

Posted by: Eden Dawn on May 11, 2011 at 07:00PM Speech Bubble 3 Comments

Photo: Michael Zaugg

Leanne Marshall – My newest love….

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Open Season was a trip. Overall I had a fantastic time, despite my cold-pill-drug-induced haze and Seth Aaron getting my hair tangled in the buttons and faux pearls he was wearing resulting in an awkward hair pulling detangling session. The crowd of hundreds was rowdy, the talent was evident and short-shorts were in full effect. I even wrote a note to myself in the program that simply said, “Buy some Nair.” On to the review!

The opening act consisted of the vitaminwater challenge. Several designers were charged with the task of creating a garment that was inspired by an assigned flavor of vitaminwater. This act began with a fantastical light up glow-in-the-dark creation made by Junk to Funk’s Jen LaMastra from the drinks’ bottles. It was bookended with a frock concocted purely from vitaminwater labels and packing tape by Seth Aaron. Those two ensembles weren’t part of the competition, but the garments in between were something to be proud of as well. As a judge for the contest I can tell you that choosing the winner was not an easy task. After my fellow adjudicators (Seth Aaron and Leanne Marshall from Project Runway, Tacee Webb from the Portland Design Collective, Stylist Kevin Lennox and Mercury editor Marjorie Skinner) and I saw the pieces it was a lot of back and forth before we finally landed on a winner. Newbie designer Rachel Kranick was named victorious with her tailored paper bag waist pants and color blocked blouse and handed a $1,000 check to go to her next collection. Then it was on to the main event.

Alicia Wood: Wood was a crowd pleaser in the vitaminwater competition for sure and already had some fans by the time her collection hit the runway. I’ve already reviewed it from the Portland Sewing fashion show last month, but the short version is I still love it.

Midge: A lingerie and swimwear line that had a vintage vibe and wasn’t afraid to show some skin. I thought most of the pieces straddled the line between sexy and conservative quite well. It’s always good to see designers not take themselves too seriously, which was evident with the models bouncing beach balls and batting each other with pillows on the runway.

Tod Naught: Tod Naught is the work of designer Joshua Buck who was never done a boring thing in his life. He created a kind of out there day-glow amped of version of menswear, which is a hard sell for most, but I appreciated the fact that it was truly something I hadn’t seen before. And as a fashion editor, I like that.

Photo: Michael Zaugg

Reif/Coco Cardenas – This LBD swung with every step the model took in a way that screamed “look at me.”

Reif/Coco Cardenas: The pairing of apparel designer Lindsay Reif and accessory designer Coco Cardenas was like red wine and chocolate. They just go well together. I was completely enamored with this collection from the chunky jewelry to the patterned pants and the way Reif’s dresses swung on the stage. My one tiny note involved a camel toe moment I could do without, but other than that I use my giant “Approve” stamp.

Sara Bergman: I wasn’t familiar with Bergman prior to the show and my notes on her pieces primarily focus on the surface treatments she uses. And though I saw many a romper that night, she won my coveted Romper Love Award.

Boet: The French named line was devoted to accessories that were playing the role of lead singer and never back up vocals. Each piece of metal, rope or chain was designed as a focal piece that is sure to warrant either complete lust or confusion, but nothing in the middle.

Ruki by Melanie Parr: Parr put together one of my favorite collections of the evening. It may have been one of the more understated aesthetics in the dramatic bunch and that was what I loved about it. The Calvin Klein-ish minimalistic pieces relied upon their clean lines, great fit and classic qualities to win some fans.

Photo: Michael Zaugg

Ruki by Melanie Parr

Heather Treadway: In a complete juxtaposition of the Ruki pieces, Treadway sent out item that were a little bit quirky and ready for a party. I always think of Treadway anytime I see a good use of a hood and she delivered that as well. Her final outfit of mini-shorts and a batwing silk blouse got a rousing cheer from intoxicated folks. Who doesn’t love a good batwing?

Bridge & Burn: If a filmmaker was making a movie about Portland the assigned wardrobe stylist could probably pick up nearly everything from Bridge and Burn. Right down the line it is tried and true to the fitted plaid shirts, cool jackets and layers. The one thing missing was a PBR.

Isaac Hers: Designer Barbara Siepp makes pieces that can swing a little bit country or a little bit rock n roll. From the front her designs are a bit more classic and then the model swishes around to reveal mesh panels, exposed zippers and other interesting details. Although, I will delicately state that the hair was not my favorite, and stole some of my attention from the clothes.

Dawn Sharp: Sharp’s pieces always seem kind of effortlessly pretty, which also sums up what I see in Sharp as a person. Lovely garments steeped in femininity.

Seth Aaron: In between accidentally pulling my hair and flipping off the crowd from the stage Aaron showed the line he debuted in LA Fashion week I reviewed awhile back. And for the record, I thought it looked even better on our Portland models.

Gretchen Jones: Jones traveled from her now New York home to show her first collection since becoming the most recent Project Runway champ. The line reminds me very much of a Portland-er with good taste. High moment was a fantastic green above the knee cocktail dress that looked s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g on the red headed model working it.

Photo: Michael Zaugg

Gretchen Jones

Leanne Marshall: We lost Marshall after her PR win a couple years ago and after seeing her segment I missed her even more. Combining outfits from the past collections to give a smorgasbord sample of looks, each showed the high skills she possesses as a designer. While her finale dress of floating teal silk was a total magic moment on stage, my favorite look of the whole night was Marshall’s red cocktail mini. In my garbled note to self about it I wrote, “sex in dress form, but like classy style.” I still think that sums it up pretty well.

On the whole, it was a hugely successful event with loads of talent. I am impressed each year as The Mercury grows the production and caliber of the event and am already looking forward to next year.

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Tags: fashion show, Gretchen Jones, Dawn Sharp, Isaac Hers, Bridge & Burn, Heather Treadway, Boet, Sara Bergman, Coco Cardenas, Reif, Ruki, Midge, Seth Aaron, Ms. Wood, Leanne Marshall

sensory overload

Fashion Related Fun

There are a lot of must adds for your calendar. Get cracking.

Posted by: Eden Dawn on Apr 27, 2011 at 02:00PM Speech Bubble 0 Comments

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There are so many awesome things going on around town these days, I need to figure out this cloning device I bought online so I can make it to all of them. Here is a round up of things you need to be seen at.

Physical Element/Amy Downs Trunk Show:

Hat designer, Amy Downs, returns to Physical Element with iconic spring confections drawing inspiration from the upcoming Kentucky Derby. She’ll bring her full arsenal of hats, both wild and wearable for your viewing and buying pleasure. You can meet the artist, a popular New York City hat-maker who maintained a shop on the Lower East side for over fourteen years, in person. Amy and her hats have been featured in The New Yorker, Paper Magazine, and the New York Times. Also on tap for the evening: Mint Juleps and other libations, southern-inspired appetizers, plus event-only special offers and discounts on all new Spring Merchandise

Amy Downs Trunk Show
Thursday, April 28th 6pm
1124 NW Lovejoy St.
Pdx, or
PhysicalElement.com

Modified Style

Modified Style Portland is approaching its third year and it’s not your typical fashion show, says organizers Janessa Philemon-Kerp, Andrea Fretwell and Laura Boley. In addition to incorporating sustainability into every aspect of the event, the creators are using the fashion as a platform to raise awareness among their peers about local charities. Ms. Philemon-Kerp says their main goal is “to show people in our age group—mid twenties to mid thirties—how easy it is to donate to charities. And we want people to enjoy themselves while doing it.”

Last year’s winning look!

In addition to raising money and awareness for Sisters Of The Road, Out to Pasture Farm Sanctuary, and Children’s Healing Arts Project (CHAP) the organizers aim to inspire confidence in men and women who have never designed before. “Learning how to sew three years ago really inspired me,” Ms. Fretwell says. She’s passionate about “designers unlocking their potential. So many people don’t know how much they’re capable of until they accomplish something new.”

The designers are handed their bag of fabric in advance and forced to work within their given means. The results can range from jaw dropping to chic and wearable. The organizers have turned the whole night into a swinging party with doors open at 6pm then7pm Fun(d)raiser Fashion Show begins, at 8:30 the winner is announced – Silent Auction begins, Entertainment by DJ Prashant and then a Bollywood Dance After Party. Jai Ho!

Modified Style
Sunday, May 1
Disjecta
8371 N Interstate
Portland, OR
Click for $15 tickets

Adidas Do Over

The Do Over is an event I missed last year and all I heard is about how much fun I wasn’t there for. Well, I’m not going to let it pass me by this time. The Adidas sponsored event is a “free daytime Sunday jammy complete with booze & bbq all day long.” If you want to see people rocking their activewear and be on the lookout for the special mystery guests you must RSVP to get in the door.

Adidas Do Over
Sunday, May 1st 2-10pm
Produce Row Cafe
204 Southeast Oak Street
Portland, OR
RSVP for The Do Over

Open Season

I cannot talk about Open Season enough. The Portland Mercury’s fashion show has called in the big guns this time and tickets are selling fast. As if the line up of local awesomeness wasn’t enough (Reif, Coco Cárdenas, Isaac Hers, Bridge & Burn, Dawn Sharp, Ms. Wood, RUKI, Joshua Buck, Midge, Sara Bergman, Boet, Heather Treadway), they have a trifecta of Project Runway winners with Leanne Marshall, Seth Aaron and Gretchen Jones in town to show collections.

Photo: Michael Zaugg

A lil preview of some Gretchen Jones action

And! The opening act of the show is a vitaminwater sponsored competition with a handful of local designers creating garments inspired by vitaminwater. The outfits will be critiqued and a winner appointed victoriously by a style council. And who is on the style council you might ask? Well, it is Seth Aaron and Leanne Marshall from PR fame, Marjorie Skinner (managing/fashion editor of the Mercury), Kevin Lennox (former fashion editor of Glamour magazine) and me (aka Eden Dawn of this here blog and magazine). Tickets for this show will sell out, so act fast.

OPEN SEASON the Mercury’s 7th annual spring fashion show
Bossanova Ballroom, 722 E Burnside
Friday, May 6
Doors at 7:30pm, Show at 8:30pm.
Tickets $15 advance, $18 at door
Click for tickets

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Tags: Fashion, Dawn Sharp, Gretchen Jones, Leanne Marshall, Physical Element, Modified Style Portland, adidas, Open Season, Portland Mercury, Isaac Hers, Bridge & Burn, Ms. Wood, Seth Aaron, Midge, Ruki, Reif, Sara Bergman, Boet, Heather Treadway, Coco Cárdenas

SHOP TALK

PFW: Local Loves

Open Season: Review

Fashion Related Fun

Physical Element/Amy Downs Trunk Show:

Modified Style

Adidas Do Over

Open Season

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