PFW ’09: Opening Night

PFW: Opening Night

by Eden Dawn

For Tickets: www.portlandfashionweek.net

How has the year flown by in such a haze? It seems like just moments ago I was sliding into my front row seat at fashion week 2008 but somehow that was actually twelve months ago. After two years of showing as a designer and moving into my third year as Portland Fashion Week’s blogger I feel like an old pro slipping into my vintage Italian go-go boots, applying a coat of my best red lipstick and heading off to Swan Island. I made it through the line to enter the Vigor Shipyards and followed the guards directing with flashlight like runway controlers until I am guided into my parking space with my headlights glittering out over the river shining like little diamonds. The smell of perfume is in the air mixed with the scent of industrial machinery and above all else the excitement of what is to come.

Once the mingling, cheek kissing, business card exchanging and normal greetings have commenced I use my press pass to get sneaked ahead of the line and get settled into a seat waiting for the action to begin. Before the DJ begins I hear my name being called and realized former PFW model Whitney Egbert is behind me. She has graduated on from our little city of Roses and is now stomping her long legs down the runways in New York but made time to re-visit her modeling roots. We’re trying to catch up while a diverse collection of Portlanders strut past me in front of the curtains bathed in blue light while orange gels filter down upon all of us. At this moment two members of the crew begin pulling back the floor covering revealing a pristine bamboo runway. That seems to be the official signal for the lights dim and the beats begin.

First up is Gersemi, a Swedish company helmed by Copenhagen designer Henrik Bus. The line was an interesting mix of street wear with an equestrian touch. Knee high boots, tightly seamed fitted pants and well tailored jackets created an air of European sophistication.

Next was design team NelliDru from Bend Oregon. A female team focusing on women’s wear the line showed both separates and dresses in wild fabrics ranging from lace to metallic. Stand out piece was a pair of high waisted pants with side seam rouching in the boldest of golds. My show notes quoted “pants that Kelly LeBrock would bust out as the hot girl in an 80’s movie.” And I genuinely meant that in a good way.

Next was Dimitri, returning for another year to show at PFW. The same rocker undertones were present with some new twists. Most interesting was the intertwining of textures. Pieces blocked together both smooth and rough with emphasis on seaming. A hooded jacket with a faux fur hawk got the thumbs up from the stylish man next to me who told me “he would rock that.”

Moving on was designs from Defyance. A newer company founded just last year the line consisted of a mix of resort casual wear using performance fabrics. Thoughtful details to classic clothes like welt pockets in contrasting colors and logos emblazoned in a variety of locations were pleasing to the eye. The highlight of the line is the attention to details within the jackets. Fabrics that both stretch and drape nicely and look wind resistant left the crowd intrigued.

Finally was another PFW returner in Icebreaker. A New Zealand company known best for their pure Merino wool gathered from free ranging sheep in the Southern Alps the line combined activewear and every day clothing. Showing clothes perfect for running, yoga and the all important Sunday lounging sessions Icebreaker continues to use wool in new and innovative ways.

The theme of the evening was “movable fashion” and I by the time I carted my notebook and red lips out of the building, I did feel energized to move.

GERSEMI

Photos by Ed Kavishe & Cassie Peech/fashionwirepress.com

NELLIDRU DESIGNS

DIMITRI

Photos by Ed Kavishe & Cassie Peech/fashionwirepress.com

DEFYANCE

Photos by Ed Kavishe & Cassie Peech/fashionwirepress.com

ICEBREAKER

Photos by Ed Kavishe & Cassie Peech/fashionwirepress.com