Janeane Marie: Black leather jacket w/asymmetric lapel (left)
Wool crepe coat with stylized quilting & ribbed cowl (right)
Photo: Liang Liang for Roll 35
This past weekend kicked off with "Open Season," the Portland Mercury's 6th annual fashion show, at the Bossanova Ballroom on Friday night. The fashion was as eclectic as the appreciative crowd, and featured the runway homecoming of Janeane Marie following her participation in Project Runway, and some highlights from designers like Liza Rietz, Barbara Seipp's Isaac Hers, Ruki, Dawn Sharp, menswear by Erhart, and some very conceptual and extremely "comfortable" wear by Adam Arnold that appears to take young people off the couch and onto the streets without them having to change out of their blankets, or leave their chips & Big Gulps at home.
Janeane Marie, if you recall from the preview feature, was inspired by contemporary cave homes for her collection. One of my favorites was a black leather jacket with an asymmetric draped lapel over a wool/rayon blend jersey dress. I thought it especially communicated her inspiration. I loved her use of batting & stitching that created a curved and geometric paneled look in her sand-colored "Cave Dress" (see slideshow). "The shapes on the front," Janeane reports, "are created by layers of shaped cotton padding, then stitched out. I wanted the effect of a soft armor, and ultimate comfort... soft and warm!!" Her set also featured a coat with diagonal hems that I adored, that can really double as a toasty warm mini-skirt for the Fall. Janeane says, "It's a wool crepe, again padded and stitched with cotton batting to create the stylized quilting, lined in silk." I say it's yummy, and I just love the combination of impressions it creates... comfort that comes across in the material, high-style in the hemlines and cut, and a regal sense created by the ribbed cowl neck, a design feature I'm in love with lately.
Isaac Hers: Nova Coat (left). Vega Coat (right).
Photo: Liang Liang for Roll35Liang
I was enamored with Barbara Seipp's looks for Isaac Hers. Okay Portland, you wanna wear plaid flannel and fleece? Fine. Try it this way. Her plaid "Nova Coat", made from 100% cotton flanel, is a sophisticated look with solid hems, cuffs and collars that tie it all together, style lines that slim any woman, and according to Seipp,"has a cashmere type hand to it." I leave it to you whether to wear it with thigh-high stockings, but it will make a great impression in any case. And fleece? The brown "Vega Coat" marries Portland to fashion. Seipp reports, "It is made from Polartec sweater fleece. It looks like a sweater on the outside, but is soft and fleecy on the inside. This is made from high-tec remnant fabric," so it's eco-friendly too.
Dawn Sharp, who I was not familiar with prior to the show, surprised me with some garments that I appreciated for looking as good going as coming, having sometimes as many thoughtful design elements behind as in front. I particularly like the front and back draping of her off-the-shoulder black mini-dress.
Liza Rietz's set included this little number (pictured left). I was enchanted by this dress. How can you wear this dress out and not be talked about (and in a good way)? The way the underlining of the sloping panel strips peeks out just enough to give them contrast and definition. I just love a designer whose mind works like this, and the piece looked and flowed even better in person.
Whether you saw the show on Friday, or you missed it, don't miss Greg Day's video vignette below. It's an experience all on its own.
.jpg){kind=small}
Comments