Portland Fashion Week recap + Friday preview
October 8, 2010 by karenvitt
Filed under Neat EVENT, Neat STUFF
By Marianne Schnell, NEAT contributor
What did Portland’s finest fashionistas wear out to Day 2 of Portland Fashion Week at the Vigor Industrial Shipyards on Swan Island Thursday night? An inspired early fall array of patchwork ponchos, feathered minis and ombre frocks. And in addition to watching each other, what did all these stylish folks watch on the runway? A showcase of talented Northwest designers in a series of highly diverse segments.
The first runway appearance was the only odd-man-out-of-the-Northwest last night, featuring the California-based Cardi Wrap by Kymaro (top), which had the crowd tied up, down and all around with one versatile knit garment meant to be worn more than 50 different ways. The piece does seem in tune with Portland’s desire for easy, comfortable pieces that can be worn multiple ways and go multiple places, so we like.
Next up were seasoned Seattle designers: Lizzie Parker showed her eco-conscious line of organic bamboo knits in decadently draped dresses (right). Though Parker may be known for thinking green, it was her lilac, grey and powder blue color story that set the tone for her Spring 2011 Collection.
Jessica Milton (below right) stuck with her signature clean lines and cut-outs with admirable success. Milton earned some serious Neat-cred with her assymmetrical cuts and unexpected hemlines and sexy sheers. Wyatt Orr brought tough love to the runway with a collection of predominately muted grey dresses and tunics. The attention to detail was ever-present, be it with fabric texture, yoke contrasting or the signature back pocket detailing.
Next up, The Art Institute of Portland proudly showed off some distinguished alumni: J. Calderon gave a nod to Nantucket with seersucker prep styles and had the ladies swooning over shirtless male models in tailored shorts.
Sophie Bridal Couture showed stunning, chic and totally wearable dresses that will send the ladies running to the altar. If we are always going to be a bridesmaid, please let it be with one of Sophie’s red hot strapless (think: Victoria Beckham) or shocking purple assymetrical dresses.
Mihaela Munteanu showed off sassy–and-sexy swimwear and lingerie. Guess it really is time to throw out the ‘ol granny panties. Melissa Gaynor’s collection was notably cohesive and of remarkable sophistication. Gaynor knows how to pop her cowl and zip all the way up to there, so keep her as one to watch in the future. Swedish import Johanna Lindstrom amped up her Senior Collection with a few more pieces of her already impressive assortment. Lindstrom’s line may look futuristic in style, but her look is right on trend with the direction of outerwear (hello, Stella McCartney for Adidas).
The show ended with “Catapult,” the Emerging Designer Competition, but some might argue that’s when the real show began. “Portland has always been a champion of young designers,” said Sue Bonde, Academic Director of Apparel at The Art Institute of Portland, as she praised our cultivated city while addressing the stylish crowd. Then Bonde let us in on the exciting news: All attendees would be allowed to vote for the winner and “participate in the success of designers trying to make it in this world.”
Anar Couture, designed by Iranian-born expert seamstress Rana Ghezelayagh, featured its signature style of coat dresses with a twist. Her designs may be intended for a modest woman with exotic tastes, but the charm and playful detailing appeals to a broader audience.
“Thank God!” shouted a fellow patron when Devonation’s debut collection was under way. The designer, Devon Yan Berrong, repeatedly wowed the crowd with anything-but-boring black combinations that truly rocked the house. It was like The White Stripes meets Minnie Mouse meets really freakin’ cool.
Nelli Millard hit big with an oversized grey fur coat and matching hat reminiscent of traditional styles in her native Russia. Next, Millard knocked our socks off with a zebra print jacket with massive fringe. Then she shut it down with the best lace LBD of the night.
Ms. Wood scored major points and the win for looks that were styled to perfection: A classic trench with a major handbag (very Jackie O), a black fringe skirt paired with a pale camel coat (SO on-trend), and a wide blue floppy hat/bag/shoe combo that we’d kill for, fashionably speaking of course.
Stay tuned for more photos from last night’s runway, and get ready for tonight! Friday night’s runway features some of Portland’s most talented and best known designers. The local lineup includes Amai Unmei, Michelle DeCourcy and Isaac Hers, plus Seattle’s Suzabelle.
Don’t forget to show your PFW tickets at PDX boutiques this week to save up to 20 percent in local shops! Read more about Portland Fashion Week and participating shops here.
Portland Fashion Week
Wednesday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 10
Vigor Industrial Shipyard, Swan Island, 5555 N. Channel Ave.
Tickets: $20 general admission; $80 g.a. week-long pass
Get more ticket options online at Ticket Oregon (VIP, etc.)
www.portlandfashionweek.net
Images by Yi Yin. If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!
“Thank God” for Devonation!
Schnellerific!
this makes me wanna schnellebrate.
So if Ms. Wood won, why didn’t you show any pictures of her designs in this particular article? Doesn’t make any sense to me not show the winner’s best stuff!
Thanks, Jeanie! We are still processing all of our photos – please be patient, it was a busy week with shows every night and we are a small staff. We got some great shots of Ms Wood and others that we’re adding soon! Thanks for your note!