Oct 10, 2011 | DIY, Fashion
I ended up having too much to do this evening and took a day off from attending the shows. Most years I haven’t felt that I’ve seen anything innovative or worth blogging about on the activewear days (sorry, Portland!!), but this year apparently it was a day worth going to. (Mostly because they bundled the eco-friendly collections on the same day as the activewear…not the best move IMHO.)
I’m super-sorry to have missed Anna Cohen‘s collection especially, since it was a collection designed for the customer to actually DIY their own knits utilizing her Imperial Yarn!! Did someone say DIY??! Right up my alley;-) As for the rest of the collections, you guys can be the judge of whether this night was worth attending, after viewing local uber-talented photogs OSI Photography‘s beautiful shots* below: (more…)
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Oct 8, 2011 | Fashion
It’s early October again, which means Portland Fashion Week (truncated to only 4 days this year) once again begins nightly runway shows down at Vigor Shipyard. PFW is the only fashion week in the world that is entirely carbon neutral, and this year the runway is made entirely of PET textile provided by EarthTec. Many designers are showcasing collections made not only of organic fibers, but also recycled plastic bottles, videotape, and locally-sourced and woven wool. (more…)
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Oct 2, 2011 | DIY, Fashion
Above: cut the collar of a bright shirt and wear with a low scoop-neckline neutral cami.
The Spring 2012 Carven RTW runway show was chock-full of DIY inspiration from the latest trends. Removable collars? Cut-outs? Bright color-blocking? Oh yes, give me more! 
Thrift a bright knit camisole and cut the neckline into a low scoop; finish the top with hand-stitching or machine-stitching to prevent unraveling. Wear over a white button-down.
Cut an oval shape out of the center of a simple black dress.
Cut a wavy shape out of the front of a leatherette mini=dress (check the thrift store for possibilities). Wear over a denim blouse that’s had the sleeves cut off.
Cut a zig-zag shape into the front of a bright dress. Glue black lace into the hole from the inside.
Cut a heart-shape out of the front of a white blouse. (One that buttons down the back if you can find it.) Wear with a bright decorated collar necklace that sits right in the cut-out.
Cut a wavy shape out of a leatherette mini-dress. Pull apart some metallic flowers (from the floral or the scrapbooking section of the craft store); glue onto the dress with leather glue.
Cut out a round shape at the bust of a bright dress. Splatter with gobs of contrasting fabric paint.
Change the cut-out regimen by cutting out a rectangle just above the waist of a striped dress. Add some large beads or paillettes in a similar color across the neckline.
Cut out a polygon shape from above the waistline of a lace dress. Glue black lace into the hole from the inside.
xoxox
Carly
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Photos by Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com, from Style.com
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Nov 11, 2010 | Fashion
Backtracking a little bit to last month’s Portland Fashion Week…since I wasn’t able to post coverage immediately afterwards since I was in France sans internet access.
But on the day of – October 7 – I was not able to get any runway shots.
I only was in the lobby and did not receive clearance to shoot the show. Over-capacity, apparently. Whatever! I saw Seth Aaron stumble and jam himself in the crotch with one of those poles holding up the red velvet ropes, which was all worth it. (Okay, I’ve probably done the same thing too a thousand times. I hate those ropes!)
So all the photos below are alllllll courtesy of my wonderful friends from OSI Photography (who, by the way, shot all my photos for the America’s Most Stylish Blogger competition last year – if you ever need an awesome, professional photographer – they’re the ones to go to!)
The shows Thursday night were separated into segments; the first, Cardi Wrap by Kymaro.
If you notice – the tops are all the same garment! The soft, figure-flattering Cardi Wrap can be worn over 50 ways with its coordinating accessories.
Segment 2 housed the Seattle designer shows, with Lizzie Parker, Jesica Milton, and WyattOrr.
Lizzie Parker
Jesica Milton
Wyatt Orr
The Art Institute of Portland Fashion Show was third in the line-up, with designs by J. Calderon, Sophie Chang, Mihaela Munteanu, Melissa Gaynor, and Johanna Lindstrom.
J. Calderon (menswear)
Sophie Chang Bridal
Mihaela Munteanu
Melissa Gaynor
Johanna Lindstrom
I really want that first silvery-grey jumpsuit. I have no idea where I’d wear it exactly, but I still really want it.;-)
The fourth and final segment, entitled Catapult, showcased the Emerging Designer Competition Runway Show.
Devonation Originally hailing from China, Devon Yam Berrong began his career as an artist . His watercolor pieces have appeared in numerous publications and boutiques – and his debut collection for men and women for Spring/Summer 2011 contained more than 50 pieces.
Anar Couture The name Anar is the designer’s first name spelled right-to-left as it would be in her native language; Rana Ghezelayagh (“ge-zell-ah-yahk”) was born in Iran and used all Iranian fabric in her first collection. Many pieces can be worn in multiple ways to expose more or less skin depending on the wearer’s mood – and the lining fabrics were all exquisite and beautifully-colored contrast in contrast to the sleek outers.
Nelli Millard, who showed last year as part of NelliDru designs (and got flak for her “Michaels wedding dress,” “truly awful” website, and serious lack of design taste from the Portland Mercury), showed a collection with Russian-inspired coats, lame-coated dresses and jackets, and a beautifully-detailed crochet top and fringe skirts, showing growth and maturity compared to her last collection.
Catapult Winner Ms Wood, a Portland-based husband-and-wife team, showed a series of chic kimono wrap tops and dresses, accented with walnut, maple, and paduke wood platform shoes and accessories – all reclaimed from cabinet-makers. The leather was all recycled from old leather jackets.
As the winner of Catapult, Ms. Wood will receive be featured in a full collection show at Portland Fashion Week 2011, a lookbook shoot with models provided by Ryan Artists, photography by Fashion Wire Press NY, and lookbook graphic design and marketing by 24Notion.
Bracelets, earrings, a hand-mirror, and the wood-platform shoes with recycled leather ties.
A cabinet piece after it’s been routed and used for Ms. Wood pieces.
The beautiful wrap-tie shoes.
Designers Alicia and Ben Wood. (last 4 photos taken by me)
What do you think? Any of the designs catch your eye?
xoxox
Carly
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The 4th annual 
