My calendar says its spring, but I have yet to see warmer, verdant days at mid-April in Portland. So, when I received an invitation to a garden themed fashion show, I thought “fake it till you make it!” The Garden Party was in honor of the first anniversary of Portland Sewing while doubling as a benefit for Coburn Place – a domestic violence shelter. The dame of Portland Sewing, Sharon Blair, played hostess to eight emerging designers for an intimate salon show set against a garden backdrop indoors; plants, AstroTurf, and white chairs. The A/W11 playlist included designers Bryce Black, Tiffany Bean of Mabel & Zora, Alyson Clair of Clair Vintage Inspired, Stephanie Dong of Stephanie D Couture, Robin Forsythe of Estate, Nyla Jano of Torrain, Vien To, and Alicia Wood of Ms. Wood.

At arrival and after a hasty hello to Tito Chowdry of Portland Fashion Week, I was escorted inside the leafy garden. This was okay by me as I was simply frigid in my sleeveless beetle print ensemble. A glass of red wine quickly thawed me as I chatted with Jo Carter of Physical Element – wearing a standout Amy Downs hat – and Marjorie Skinner of the Portland Mercury. The fashion show started with eight, conservative looks by Ms. Wood. Her A/W11 collection transitioned from kimono sleeves and obis to weightier pieces as seen with the Symphony coat. One of my local favorites, Alyson Clair, creates vintage inspired pieces of polka dots to Lurex, and the only person I know who offers a full size run. Not to mention, I love her signature logo! Estate by Robin Forsythe was a casual, relaxed line that reminded me of DKNY. Her black crinkle cottons and Fuji silk dress were sensible and chic. Stephanie D Couture seemed out-of-place among the other fall collections with her youthful cocktail dress. Dong draws “inspiration from Vionnet,” but I struggled to see that connection in her line. Tiffany Bean, owner of Mabel & Zora, debuted her eponymous line. Inspired by 1960’s Americana, Bean’s forte was in her consistent use of blue-hued prints for dresses. Vien To partnered with accessory line Torrain to round out her collection ready to wear collection. I was particularly fond of the Dress coat in grey with semi-circle black buttons. Lastly, but certainly not least, was the only male designer among the group, Bryce Black for Studio SKB. Black – who cites Alexander McQueen for inspiration – created a collection titled Grey Gardens comprised of traditional fall hues such as plum, black, and grey. The piece de la resistance was the transformational quality of his garments. Once a look was shown, dressers arrived on stage to flip, fold, inverse, reverse whatever the model was wearing to create another look, and then another, with the 3-in-1 garments.  

It can be tough to find continuity in a group fashion show, but at the Portland Sewing Garden Party the common thread was the focus on promising talent. Each participating designer is currently on the verge; whether opening their own boutique, launching a new line, reaching out to women of all sizes or graduating from design school. Portland Sewing proprietress Sharon Blair fittingly stated “we have so much talent here, so why not?” Indeed, and somewhere along the way, I forgot about the cold, spring night.  Full fashion show pictures here.

Photos generously provided by Jaycob DesRosiers.

 

Tagged: Alexander McQueen, DKNY, Grey Gardens, Portland Fashion Week

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