Hustle and Bustle Charity Fashion Show

The Hustle and Bustle charity fashion show held on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012,  proved to be exactly what one would expect in Portland, OR; an eclectic mix of extremely talented and artistic designers, good music, and a cool vibe. It was held at the Bossanova Ballroom, which has a vintage feel to it. I love old buildings like that. This particular one was built in 1902 and you can just feel the history and the old-world glamour enveloped in the walls. It was a perfect choice of venue for an event like a fashion show.

The show, put on by the Portland Saturday Market, featured 14 local designers: Mugwump, Bella Sisters, Orox Leathers, Yed Omi jewelry, Amy Dotts, Rythmatix, Cygnet Silks, Red Wizard Arts, Amy Wing, Maru Silks, Shabby Knapsack, Perfekt Tension, Hat People, and Flood Clothing. Now while all 14 designers did showcase their raw talent and creative eye, I had a few favorites that stood out to me.

Yed Omi Jewelry presented exquisite pieces using natural stones and metalwork.

Amy Dotts showed fun and interesting fit-and-flare, 50’s-inspired party dresses and beautiful, unique overcoats.

 

Flood Clothing featured fun patchwork items perfect for comfortable, everyday-wear.

And Cygnet Silks revealed stunning hand-painted silk scarves and wraps. Each piece showed such passionate artwork, the kind that entices you to touch…

This event marked the first annual charity fashion show put on by the Portland Saturday Market, but it also marked my first time venturing into the fashion world here in the Portland area as I finally begin to pursue my goals and dreams, even if it is just as a hobby. Everything about it was wonderful. I remembered why I fell in love with the scene in the first place. To see so many people gathered to admire the works of art of others and to see those brave enough to share their creativity and the passion they have for what they do, that is truly an amazing thing.

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. Coco Chanel

I have heard this quote many times before, but I had never really listened to what it says. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I always felt I was in the wrong place. I always had an artistic eye, though not necessarily the hand for it. I exceptionally loved the art of fashion and all things that go along with it, so, naturally, I moved to Los Angeles to follow my dream. I obtained a degree in fashion merchandising and began working for a color and trend forecasting company in the California Market Center in downtown L.A. I felt like my dream was actually coming true!

Sometimes life is funny, though. I wasn’t thrilled about moving back home at the end of 2009, but there were other things that proved to be more important to me than pursuing my career, such as my family and my new husband, who all lived in the Vancouver, WA area. I needed to be with the people that I loved. On the other hand, though, I felt like my career was over before it had begun. I couldn’t even get a job in retail, much less a styling or merchandising job. I got my old job back, the same job I had before I went to college, and I was bitter.

I had pretty much given up on ever using my creative fashion sense for any purpose whatsoever, until I stumbled across this quote again one day. I had printed it on the back of an old business card years ago. If I believed in it so much back then, how had I completely forgotten what I was so passionate about to begin with? Fashion is everywhere. The beauty and art of it is that each individual can create anything they wish with what they wear. What you feel, what you love, what moves and inspires you; these things can all be portrayed in clothing and your sense of style. And you don’t have to live in a huge, fashion-forward city to do it.

So here it is: my first entry in what I hope will become something that you all look forward to reading. I’ll share my thoughts about what is going on in the fashion industry. I’ll share my outfits, bits of my own closet, tips on shopping and D.I.Y. ideas, and all the reasons why I’m so enthralled by this industry. Please feel free to comment, ask questions, and above all else, enjoy!