Product Runway churns gossip mill

If you've ever wanted to be smack dab in the middle of a Project Runway assignment, Product Runway was the event to be at Friday night at Seattle's South Lake Union Naval Reserve. In front of a sold-out crowd of 850 guests, 19 models strutted the creations of teams from regional architecture and interior design firms—yep, carpet as clothes—the teams had to compose outfits by using the materials they would normally use to outfit a room, from lighting to chair fixtures.

See Jack judge.

The garments were critiqued both prior to the runway show and during by celebrity judges Jack Mackenroth (Bravo's Project Runway), Matt Lorenz (Bravo's Top Design), Angela Adams (designer) and June Rau (Nordstrom fashion director). Glamazonia, Seattle's own 7'2" drag queen, emceed the event and was a vision in pink for the evening.

I got to peek at the clothes and chill with the judges during the pre-show judging. So here's the skinny you really care about (and yes, it is really Jack-centric):
* Jack, who grew up in Bellevue, is no longer dating Dale from Bravo's Top Chef. He said they're still friends, and the whole thing was totally blown out of proportion by the blogosphere. And he's looking for a "goofy, dorky" guy, so slap on those pocket protectors, fellahs.
* Jack will be in the Sex and the City movie, coming out May 30. He originally met Sarah Jessica Parker while appearing on Project Runway and met up with her again in the makeup trailer for SATC while getting his tattoos covered. He said she and Kristin Davis were so nice (Cynthia Nixon was on her Blackberry, so they didn't get to chat); and he didn't get to talk to Kim Cattrall on set, but he said the girls seem to have made amends and are no longer feuding as reported by tabloids.
* Even though Jack went home early from Project Runway (he got a staph infection and voluntarily left to get treatment), he said he "got what [he] needed from the show." He's currently talking to production companies about some possible television shows.

See Jack and June judge.

OK, now back to the competition. June was looking for a "true couture" look among the designs, something that could marry the interior design world and the fashion universe. Matt wanted to see a complete use of materials, Angela was particularly interested in the use of textiles and Jack was paying close attention to detail (like hems left unfinished).

My favorite design won! Who knew I had such an eye for carpet as clothes?!

Oh, and one of the most super-fun parts of the evening was when Jack said he had just talked to Christian on his cell before coming to judging! See this fabu video of Amy Poehler as Christian on Saturday Night Live.

Topics: Fashion Show

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Slideshow: Trash Fashion Bash at SAM

Click here for a slideshow from the International Sustainability Institute's Annual Trash Fashion Bash at the Seattle Art Museum. All photos by Marcella D. Volpintesta.

Topics: Fashion Show

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I'm Too Sexy For Global Warming

I went to the first Seattle Green Fashion Week's culminating runway show Saturday night; the event's tagline was "Expect the Unexpected." I've been to other fashion shows, both good and not-so, in Seattle, and frankly, my hopes weren't super-high. But I was totally blown away.

The eco-friendly designer showcase held at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center ran $50 a ticket, which wasn't that much compared to the $425 price tag on participating in the full week of events, including a trunk show and private shopping event. Show organizer, the Zella Company, did its "An Inconvenient Truth" part by showing a video at the beginning of the show about how if we don't take care of the planet, we won't ever get the opportunity to wear fall fashions again (my words) and giving us statistics about how important it is to recycle cell phones (their words).

Then came the good stuff: the open bar. I kid! The fashion, of course, was the main attraction (though the bar was pretty nice). Lines by Lizzie Parker and Anna Cohen got a lot of "That is so cute" murmurs in my part of the audience. I was stoked to see one of my fave fashion lines with a conscience, Prairie Underground, on the catwalk.

Speaking of the catwalk, I've either been watching too much "America's Next Top Model" (entirely possible) or some of these gals could have definitely used some of Miss Jay's guidance on how to sashay.

Regardless, I hope this green event becomes annual ... though perhaps next year it could cost slightly less green.

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Saturday at Fashion Week: Maybe All-Ages

Since my last post about Seattle Fashion Week, I have been been told by different people different stories about the event on Saturday night at EMP. Is it all ages, or isn't it?

• Executive Director, Gabe, says that it is all ages.
• Marketing Director, Rico, says that it isn't all ages (because that's what EMP is telling him)
• Mary, who is connected to the two people above, said that it is all ages because it is at a public place.
• Two weeks ago, Brown Paper Tickets, where the Seattle Fashion Week website directs you to purchase tickets, said that it was 21+. The site now lists the event as all ages.

Confused? So am I. Feel free to attend, but do so at your own risk. Tickets for the Saturday event are $50. Pictured above is a piece by Penélope & Mónica Cruz for MNG, which can be seen at the event.

P.S. The Seattle's Green Fashion Week IS all ages. 

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Thread the Needle

I think yoga pants and a Cupcake Royale T-shirt can take you anywhere in the 98xxx zip codes you’d want to go, but apparently Seattle is shedding its aloof style image as it welcomes more boutiques, fashion blogs, and shows, like Thread.

“Seattle is way more fashion-forward than San Diego,” Thread organizer Alex Matthews says (Thread’s first show was in San Diego). “People in Seattle are way more tuned in to what fashion is about. They’re trying to wear clothes no one has ever seen before.” Take that, SoCal hipsters!

More than 65 independent fashion and accessories designers, including local favorites Prairie Underground and Suzabelle, will be featured at the show. The denim bar, offering brands like AG and Diesel for up to 50% off retail, was immediately mobbed at last year’s event. And the jeans are worth it if you’re willing to dig and throw some elbows when necessary.

Word of advice: Wear leggings and throw modesty out the window to avoid waiting for a dressing room.

Thread
Sunday, Sept. 16
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fremont Studios, 155 N. 35th St.
$7 admission at the door ($5 if you added your name to the RSVP list online by noon Saturday)
 

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Vintage Looks Rock the Runway

The Henry's A New Look Fashion Show on Saturday dazzled a crowd of about 100 with hot vintage looks from Pretty Parlor, along with House of Pretty Parlor designs and pieces from Suzabelle and Ruffeo Hearts 'Lil Snotty.

The Suzabelle dress above was my absolute favorite, but I definitely was not feeling the deconstructed/reconstructed sweatshirts from Ruffeo Hearts. Different strokes, different strokes ...

Slide show to follow!

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Art Imitates Fashion at the Henry on Saturday

A New Look Fashion Show
2 p.m. Aug. 4
Henry Art Gallery, Sculpture Court
15th Ave. NE and NE 41st St.
(206) 543-2280
Free admission

Seattle style may always be trimmed in fleece, but artistry is ubiquitous here; and the Henry Art Gallery's fashion show, based on artist Josiah McElheny's exhibition "An Historical Anecdote About Fashion" (pictured above), will be art imitating fashion imitating art imitating fashion at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Inspired by his "fascination with the complex ways ideas in one field of culture influence those in others," McElheny invented a narrative about a Venice glass design company, whose glassblowers based the shapes of their vases on the 1940s haute couture fashions worn by the factory owner's wife. McElheny then created his glass exhibit based on the story. The voluptuous glassworks on display in the Henry's Viewfinder exhibit are definitely worth checking out before heading to the show in the Sculpture Court.

"The female figure is such a beautiful piece of artwork itself, let alone the skirts and corsets that make it even better," said Pretty Parlor owner and designer Anna "Banana" Lange, who will be showing vintage and vintage-inspired pieces from her shop at the event; she picked designs inspired by McElheny's exhibit but said that the pieces will still have her own creative stamp on them. The show will also feature Suzabelle and street-wear designer Ruffeo Hearts 'Lil Snotty.

I'm so there. Check out Thread Count this weekend after the show for the skinny on what went down.

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Fashion First on Thursday

In the words of that famous, fictional male model Derek Zoolander, "Have you ever wondered if there was more to life other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?"

Well, the fourth annual Fashion First boutique runway show at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2 is going to do more than just show off hot fall looks (and good looking models): The 21-and-up show at the Jonas Jensen Studios in Fremont, 155 N. 35th St., is also a benefit for the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation. Sway & Cake, Riveted and LaRee are among the local boutiques whose designs will be sashaying down the catwalk.

Check out the Fashion First website for ticket information. 

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Friday: Crazy Fashion and Mixin Dixin at the Vera Project

Thanks, Lil' Snotty 

This Just In From The Short List:
What: Crazy Fashion Show! Presented by Ver(A)rt Gallery and Empire Empire with Mixin Dixin, Nameless, I Am the Internet, Snake Rain
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Where: The Vera Project, Seattle Center, Warren Ave. N. and Republican

By Rachel Shimp 

One of the greatest things about the new Vera space is the expanded art gallery, where the larger area is also a traffic-heavy spot, so the work gets viewed constantly. The Ver(art) gallery heads up tonight’s marriage of fashion and music, featuring designs from Empire Empire and Ruffeo Hearts Lil’ Snotty and music from Mixin Dixin, Snake Rain, and more. An installation by Angela Dawn and Lorraine Dauw and a “Choose Your Own Adventure Rap Puppet Fashion Show”—whoa—by performer Nameless promise giddy chaos, as does a dance party orchestrated by I Am the Internet. Didn’t I see those guys DJ’ing an art opening with their iPods once, rocking Dr. Dre in Buddy Holly glasses? The duo is the epitome of good performance art: original, unexpected, and totally crazy.

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Pretty Parlor Summer Fashion Show

Anna Banana's Pretty Parlor has made quite a name for itself as the place to score unique one of a kind creations, sweet vintage duds and delectable indie fashions. This Saturday, June 9th, get your fashion fix for the weekend as the Pretty Parlor opens her doors for an evening of fashion, music, and a dance party-Hooray! It's The Pretty Parlor Summer Fashion Show!

It only gets better! This event has a live band performing! Let me just express that I am madly excited to see Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground perform. I've yet to see the Seattle locals play live, but I have been playing their record on repeat for about two weeks straight and I am just loving it. Kay Kay plays at 9, the fashion show hits the catwalk at 10.

DJ Sweet Baby Jaysus and DJ Kris K to bring forth a dance party afterwards. 

What: Pretty Parlor Summer Fashion Show

Where: 119 Summit ave E. (Summit and Olive, Capitol Hill)

When: Doors 8, Band 9, Fashion Show 10, Dance Party all night, baby!

Why: Because sometimes everyone wants to feel a little pretty. 

Topics: Fashion Show

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