pdxneatsheet.com
By Karen Vitt,
Portland style, shopping, trends.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams was just one of the stylish local faces gracing the opening night of Portland Fashion Week at the Vigor Industrial Shipyards last night. What’s that, did we just say the Mayor is stylish? We did! He was looking’ good, even if he claims lookin’ good isn’t his top priority. “I’m not a fashion guy,” he said, “but I think it’s important because what they (PFW) are doing is putting Portland on the map. Not just for design, but also for sustainability.” True that, Mr. Mayor.
Last night’s scene, an exhibition style showing of art and local design, was a relaxed and easy way to ease into the week’s hectic events. Guests casually wandered between two large hangar spaces viewing art and fashion from a roster of both high profile and lesser-known indie designers, including Adam Andreas, Idom, Sword+Fern, R. A. W. by Rio Wrenn, Dawn Sharp, Laura Allcorn, Pinkham Millnery and Filly.
We were especially delighted by a “still life” display of live models posed in inventive recycled fashion from Junk to Funk (top); a sophisticated showing of couture hats from Pinkham Millinery (right); a collection of cool, organic cotton pieces from Filly (accessorized by one very sweet ol’ brown puppy dog, below right); a R.A.W. model in vintage-look lingerie commanding an ironing board in her skivvies; and more whimsical stuff we hope you didn’t miss — including some inventive jewelry from Sword+Fern’s Emily Baker, which Mayor Adams pointed out as a favorite of his.
Tonight we get back to the runway shows Portland Fashion Week is best known for. The talented lineup on the Thursday catwalk includes Seattle designers Lizzie Parker, Jessica Milton and Wyatt Orr; the Art Institute of Portland showcase; and Catapult: The Emerging Designer Competition.
“People are really looking forward to the ‘competition’ aspect of Thursday night’s Emerging Designer show,” said Portland Fashion Week co-founder and producer Chris Cone. He said pre-sale tickets for tonight’s show have been selling fast, so it will likely be a fashion-crazy departure from last night’s mellow scene.
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.)
Images by Yi Yin.
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