We asked Portland, OR-based Kjersten to check out her city’s fashion week and give us a bit of scoop.
Icebreaker, Courtesy of Ed Kavishe/fashionwirepress.com
Paris, Milan, New York…Portland? Yes, Portland has a fashion week — and no, it’s not on par with or as influential as the three biggies, but the City of Roses’ Fashion Week, is actually worth knowing about.
My first reaction to the idea of a fashion week devoted to sustainable, eco-friendly designs was not necessarily a positive one. I mean, I’ve been lusting after some of the fur vests I’ve seen for the fall, and am thrilled with my recent purchase of leather Jimmy Choos. I was not at all sure that anything sustainable and eco-friendly would also be fashionable, but I was not about to pass up the opportunity to fashion week right here in my backyard of Portland, Oregon. (For those of you who aren’t familiar with the fashion scene in the Pacific Northwest, it’s dominated by REI, North Face fleeces, backpacks and Nike.)
Lizzie Parker, Courtesy of Ed Kavishe/fashionwirepress.com
And guess what? I was impressed. I have to start with the venue – it’s out on Swan Island, which is generally home to a large truck manufacturer and other things that require huge cranes and big chunks of metal. To get to the parking area, you pass through Vigor Industrial Shipyards, home to large ships being built. And you park right next to the water. It was pretty impressive, like something out of The Departed.
Once inside, it was all about the clothes. Opening night included a New Zealand line, Icebreaker – the Kiwis didn’t disappoint. It was mostly active wear, but very cute active wear. I can’t say the designs were that ground breaking, but were cute and wearable, especially for being sustainable. The Swedish company Gersemi was also part of the opening night show, and started the week off with a bang. But lest I give the impression that only foreign companies were present, the local designers of the first night – Tony Dimitri and Defyance, both from Portland – were bold, strong, and edgy. Other treats throughout the week included designs from the students at the Portland Art Institute, Emerging Designers Competition Finale, Lizzie Walker, Portland brands Idom and Amai Unmei, as well as known Portland swimwear manufacturer, Jantzen. The only criticism I had was that it seemed to me that several of the designers found a signature look and then just showed different versions of that same look – I’d like to see a little more variety, frankly – because if I didn’t like one thing, chances are, I wasn’t thrilled with the whole thing. And the clothes weren’t geared toward a season – I thought spring clothes were shown in fall? Okay, that’s two criticisms, whatever.
Jantzen, Courtesy of Ed Kavishe/fashionwirepress.com
Stylish designers committed to eco-friendly and sustainable design. Hey, if I can look good while doing good for the planet, count me in! If you have more sustainable brands to recommend, please do!
Tags: Eco Fashion, Fashion, Fashion Week
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I’m impressed! I must admit to not even KNOWING that Portland had a fashion week! Is this a relatively recent development? In what year did Fashion Week in Portland start? I’m constantly amazed these days with all of the amazing things coming out of Portland – some incredible top Chefs, to name one. And, now I can add cool sustainable clothing & fashion shows to the list as well! Who knew?! Thanks for the fabulous report, Kjersten!