Portland Shows Up for Fashion

Where were 700 Portlanders Sunday night? Modified Style at Disjecta in North Portland!

The show was a colorful, exciting evening packed to the gills with amazing talent. From the great catwalkers, to the beautiful organizers, to the stars of the evening – Portland’s own designers – the Modified Style Fun(d)raiser Fashion Show was the place to be.

The sashaying models wore bright sun dresses, corseted tops, ruffled skirts, and colorful hats – well-draped materials certainly made this show what it was. This year, Modified Style organizers separated the designers into the professional and amateur categories, with winners in each. We’re not big gamblers, but we’d bet that we’re going to see more from all these designers – at Portland Fashion Week and beyond! Stay tuned…

Modified Style Portland 2011 Winners

Amateurs

1st Place: Nora Lopez

2nd Place: Rae Snyder

3rd Place: Megan Mesloh

Professionals

1st Place: Coral Jacobson of Awear Creations

2nd Place: Amy Sim

3rd Place: Julia GaRey

People’s Choice Award

Jennifer Lee Fields

See more of the gorgeous looks, behind the scenes, and more

Modified Style Portland Fun(d)raiser Fashion Show

Given that Modified Style Portland expects around 65 designers to showcase their works in this year’s Modified Style Fun(d)raiser Fashion Show on May 1, and several hundred guests to attend, it’s hard to believe that the first Modified Style Portland fashion show was just in 2009. Yes, this will be only the 3rd one.

Modified Style Portland (based on the Modified Style fashion shows started in Seattle) strives to inspire emerging designers, raise awareness for and donate funds to non-profits, and instill a sense of accomplishment and success in all involved – from models, to DJs, to the designers themselves. It’s a tall order, but one that the show’s organizers, Andrea Fretwell, Janessa Philemon-Kerp, and Laura Boley have successfully met in 2009 and 2010. And, 2011’s show on May 1 at Disjecta will not disappoint either.

Designers (both amateur and professional) are given donated fabric and materials – ranging from shower curtains to upholstery, and everything in between. The task: create one runway look for the show, and meet the judges’ criteria to be crowned winner. Designers will be evaluated on the initial impression, wearability, creativity, usage of fabric, and durability of their creations. And, for all the lucky guests in the audience, the looks could be yours! After the runway show, each piece will be auctioned off, with the proceeds all going to CHAP – Children’s Healing Art Project, Out to Pasture Sanctuary, and Sisters of the Road. Look good and feel good – a winning combination.

From the ice sculpture, to the dance class performances during intermission, to the flowing creativity and designer looks, guests are promised an amazing evening. VIP tickets are sold out, but get your standing room only tickets today: $15 minimum donation and $20 suggested donation (tickets at the door will be slightly more expensive).

Perhaps more than anything, guests will get a glimpse into how inspiring a fashion show like this can be for emerging designers. From opening doors to instilling confidence, it’s something that makes Andrea tear up a little as she recalls that last year’s winner mentioned that “she would have never even tried out for Portland Fashion Week had she not won Modified Style Portland.”

Modified Style Portland Fun(d)raiser Fashion Show
May 1, 2011
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.