Project Runway contestant Seth Aron
Henderson enjoys support of fans at
Portland Premier party. Photo:Anne Bocci
As anyone with the slightest interest in fashion in Portland is doubtless aware, the 7th Season of Project Runway premiered at its new home on Lifetime Thursday night (1/14/10). Portland has gotten into the habit of feeding the national show with some of its best designers. Leanne Marshall (Project Runway 2008's winner), who showed up at an open audition for Portland Fashion Week ("PFW") in 2006, lean in the pocket but rich in talent, had her show comped that year because the PFW panel felt her apparel just needed to be seen. [disclosure: this Examiner is a Co-Executive Producer of Portland Fashion Week].The second after she stepped off the runway following her show (her label at the time was Leanimal), I was hammered by local press in attendance, anxious to find out where this phenom had materialized from (had graduated FIDM in SF on a scholarship for her talent), and get a closer look at her apparel. Shortly thereafter when asked by PFW about her experience, Leanne wrote; "Portland Fashion Week 2006 made my name known to the public. The shows reminded me so much of New York Fashion Week. Since my show, I was invited to be in most of the major fashion shows in town throughout last year. I am already signed up to show in this year's [2007] fashion week."
Henderson fans glued to the screen as Portland designers hit the
national TV spotlight Photo courtesy Anne Bocci
The 2007 fashion week saw an escalation both of Leanne's talent and exposure. PFW cut fees & added models to make sure Leanimal's entire collection could be viewed that year. Following that show, I stopped by Marshall's Portland apartment building & picked up samples of her apparel to take with me on a media tour in New York, putting them in front of editors at Vogue, Nylon, Elle, and Marie Claire. With three PFW designers' samples with me on the rack, I watched with a wry smile as editors at every publication gravitated somewhat hypnotically to those of Marshall's. Her talent was irresistable and would make a path to success through whoever was there to see it. The day after I returned home from NY, Nylon was calling me for her contact info. I would say "the rest is history," but I think Leanne will be busy making history for a long time to come.
Enter PFW 2009, and its Emerging Designer Competition. We saw this season's other Portland contestant on Project Runway Janeane Marie Ceccanti take the runner-up spot, getting just edged out by Coraline movie costume designer turned corset ensemble designer Paloma Soledad
Devoted friends & fans of Henderson sport their "Seth Masks" at his
Project Runway premier party. Photo: Anne Bocci
With Project Runway contestants themselves being contractually barred nearly from telling even their pets anything about the show as long as the season is airing, it's anyone's guess as to what comes next, but I had the chance to talk to Portland fashion boutique owner Anne Bocci ("AB") about the season premiere and its Portland contestants. Anne was one of the early retailers to fall in love with Seth Aron Henderson's line and carry it in her namesake boutique in Multnomah Village, which has become a fixture in Portland for local and indie lables. The day after Henderson's premier party here in Portland, I caught up with Anne.
AB: Seth was just having a good time last night ... flitting around chatting with everyone.
He didn't say much about the outcome of PR (guess they're under contract not to chat or legally it may him cost millions) but at the end of the show's airing last night, Seth stood up and thanked everyone for coming...
Mulnomah Village Boutique & Gallery
Owner Anne Bocci takes care of business
AB: Seth was one of my first designers in the boutique a couple years ago. I opened the boutique 2 1/2 years ago in May 2007. He is a friend of my best girlfriend, Martine Hammond, who also is a fashion photo stylist along side Seth at Iridio.
Examiner.com: What did you find especially appealing about the way Seth works?
AB: I think Seth loves a challenge and works best under pressure. He works fast. Once he brought his sewing machine via his car to the boutique, threads on treads, and finished a custom design literally while the customer was waiting. Plus the fact that he works his day job as a photo fashion stylist means that he really knows a how to complete a look.
Examiner.com: What do you think of his chances?
AB: Seth has the eye, talent and tenacity to win. He tried out a few times and I think the producers had waited and lined up the personalities that make an interesting mix. You know, though, on these reality based shows, it's sometimes the quiet underdog that comes through in the end. Of course time will tell. Janeane Marie is talented and in so many ways reminds me of Leanne. Just having both Seth and Janeane Marie here representing Portland is fun. The whole town seems to be taking it all in this Season.
As well we should.
For more info: Project Runway Season 7, Seth Aron Henderson, Janeane Marie website, Janeane Marie at Lifetime, Leanne Marshall, Portland Fashion Week
Comments
Mr. Chris Cone, your writing is biased, not that an objective report, since you write under the guise of one subject, while discussing another. The author of this article, also an executive producer of Portland Fashion Week, seems to be suggesting that Portland Fashion Week creates all of these wonderful designers, as if Portland Fashion Week were the only fashion show in town, but for those of us that live, work and breathe Portland, OR, we know this isn't the case at all.
True, Portland Fashion Week has 'showcased', many talented artists, which are talented in and of themselves, much the same as they were before they participated in such shows, much the same as they have always been, as individuals; however, this article seems to be written in quite a biased manner, suggesting that these people would be nothing, unknowns, without Portland Fashion Week. If writing of the art, Portland, or the culture that fosters growth, instead of PFW, this article would sound much different.
More excited then ever, my friends and I sat down and watched the season premier this week. I was astonished to see 2 people from our Portland community. I can only be ecstatic and appreciate that the northwest is finally gettins some real exposure in the fashion arena.
It is also encouraging to me, as a designer, to keep on plugging Portland. We are talented and have a lot of passion for the arts. Not only that, but I also believe the community of Portland is so appreciative and great at wrapping their arms around us to give us support. Keep up the love.
I appreciate PFW and hope to be showcasing this Fall. Watch out!
We are so fortunate to live in a city filled with such creative, talented people! Best of luck to all the contestants on Project Runway this season!!
Y'all should check out pdxneatsheet.com. We offer objective daily Portland style news coverage – from sales and shopping to fashion and entertainment. And we have weekly reviews of how our Portland Project Runway designers are doing. Come see us!
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