Forecast

It’s the fifth year that the Mercury has
produced a spring fashion show in Portland. In that time, the
popularity and prominence of making and wearing locally designed and
produced fashion have notably proliferated. It seems, in fact,
impossible to arrange a single production that represents the full
scope of the community, so varied the ambitions and business practices
within it.

With Forecast, we simply wanted to provide a forum for some
of our favorite and most independent designers to show their work to a
wide audience. All too often, a designer is forced to produce their own
show on top of designing and executing an entire collection of
clothing, and we wanted to relieve some of that burden and allow them
more time to concentrate on the work they do best.

The lineup consists primarily of people who embody the unique ideals
of Portland entrepreneurship. In almost all cases the clothing in this
showcase has been designed and produced entirely within the city
limits, and much of what you will see is one of a kind. There will be
representation from people who were instrumental in putting Portland on
the fashion map, as well as fresh lines making their debut.
Additionally, there is a separate installation to display the work of
local accessory designers in a setting where the detail and workmanship
of their pieces can be appreciated up close.

Kicking off the runway show is a showcase for emerging designers,
chosen by a jury (myself, designer Adam Arnold, writer and co-producer
Brett Glass, and Pamela Baker-Miller, co-producer and owner of the
Frances May boutique). These are pieces from designers on the rise:
Lindsey Reif’s Reif line of streetwear for men and women; innovative
menswear by Adam Andreas; sophisticated womenswear from Isaac Hers by
Barbara Seipp (also of Phlox boutique); Muntedkowhai statement jewelry
by Puiyi Tiffany Pang; and textile designs by Dana
Bruington—together, the five of them represent the diversity of
burgeoning design talent in our area.

Also showing collections are local legends like Adam Arnold,
Elizabeth Dye, Emily Katz, Holly Stalder, Julia Barbee’s Frocky Jack
Morgan, Kate Towers, Liza Rietz, and Emily Ryan. Joining them are
newer, buzzed-about lines like Julia Blackburn’s Dust, Sarah Wizemann’s
Gatsby lingerie, La Merde, John Blasioli, and Gretchen Jones’ MothLove.
Forecast also has the distinction of marking the runway debut of
Nathaniel Shapiro and Carly Mick’s Smith and Bybee collection of men’s
workwear, and Gretchen Jones’ new line with partner Jordan Domont, Hunt
& Gather.

Our accessory showcase is equally outstanding, including jewelry
from Emily Baker, Anna Korte’s AK Vintage, and Sara Dudzinsky’s Better
Late Than Never; leather goods from Jesse Champlin’s Rush Accessories
and Tanner Goods; hats from Jayme Hansen and Nichole Eatman’s Cloud
Society; and scarves from Jason Kinney’s Pauper Voile.

The photos on these pages feature designs from many of Forecast’s
participants, and we hope you’ll come to the event to see more. The
talent and diversity in Portland’s design community is exceptional, and
the Mercury is proud to support and honor it. Truly an immense
collective effort, Forecast would not have been possible without the
devotion of the individuals and businesses that pitched in to make this
a top-notch production.

Hair and make-up by Kristin Goodman.

Modeling by Rachel Williams.

Photographs by Tim Gunther.