Portland's FashioNxt Wrap-up

Not only have I managed to make it to this years week of fashion fabulous-ness, FashioNxt, but I've also had a sneak peak at backstage fashions. Thursday night the line up included Amanda Grisham, Lizz Basinger, Moontess, Raylene Designs, Nelii Millard, and Becky Ross. Here are a few shots I grabbed of the super-secret (except the 50+ people) goings-on back stage. 

Perfecting every last detail to the looks.

Cosmetic artists creating the initial look while a photographer takes photos. 

Hurry up and wait and wait and wait. Poor model.

Having a few laughs: the show staff, models, and designers do a little dancing.

Tonight's line up of Stephanie D. Couture, Silvania, Gordana Gelhausen and Michael Costello will close the festivities. If you can't miss it the exhibits start at 6 and runway seating starts at 8 with a post-show market at 5555 N. Channel Ave. Portland OR 97217. Stay stylish.

Eager for Fashion(xt)

While it may be a month away, I am counting down the days to 2012 Portland Fashion Week. Having missed it for the last three (yes, three) years I am determined to be there this time. Now as it is weeks away I have been searching around for the details and found some basics you'll need to know. PFW is going by the name FASHIONxt - a fashion forward lifestyle experience. Expanding from the concept of the latest and greatest in fashion it is now about the entire lifestyle, including consumer-technology. 

In true Portland style it is conscious of sustainability, modern technology and of course, the ever-important aesthetics that catch our eye. This little vehicle the Boxx is only 1 meter and an example of the many mini technology designs which will be on display. 

October 10 to 13 at the Vigor Industrial Shipyard you can catch an array of designers from Amanda Grisham, a Portland Fashion Week Emerging Designer in 2011 to Lanzanita, who helped bring sustainability to the forefront at the Miss America Pageant. It is also riddled with Project Runway contestants from locals like Seth Aaron and Becky Ross to favorites like Joshua Christensen and Viktor Luna. Pick up tickets in advance for a reduced price here. Stay stylish. 

Viktor Luna SS13

Portland's Young Fashion Designers

Earlier this month a fabulous fashion extravaganza was occurring while many were enjoying a parade of the Rose Festival. Pure Space in the Pearl district of my beloved Portland was filled with 900 of Portland's upcoming dazzling designers, established (and adored) designers and fashion lovers (plus yours truly).

Photo by Rachel Decker
Portland Monthly

Portland Monthly's Fashion Editor (and previous apparel and textile designer), Eden Dawn and Kami Gray, Personal and Film Stylist co-chaired The Art Institute of Portland's annual fashion show with program coordinator Sue Bonde. Fit2Print was a fashion show of epic proportions and OSI Photography caught it all from pre-show set-up, to backstage, to the after party. The first half was all Art Institute student collaborations conveying a message (hence fit to print). The second half was composed of senior collections from talented recent grads. Check out OSI Photography for all the best images. (Legally I can't post them.)

Enjoy the fashions!

May kicks off with Modified Style

New possibilities are arriving with May. You might have heard of some of the new events happening in Portland's fashion scene. You don't want to miss out. The month starts off with Modified Style, a fashion show incorporating sustainability and raising awareness of local charities.

Sisters Of The Road, Out to Pasture Farm Sanctuary, and Children's Healing Arts Project (CHAP) are this years charities that will benefit from the May 1st show. Disjecta Gallery will host 50 designers for the third annual event. Doors open at 6pm for the silent auction and raffle while the show starts at 7pm. General admission tickets are $15 in advance and are available with additional information here.

Last year's winner,Ms. Wood went on to win PFW's Emerging Designer Competition, Catapult. This year she can be found at Portland Mercury's annual fashion show, Open Season.