FashionNXT Day 3: Project Runway Showcase Preview

Friday, October 10, 2014

Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Photo Credit: FashionNXT Facebook

Stars of the fashion reality television show, ‘Project Runway’ will be showing their designs on the FashionNXT runway, tonight at 8 pm. FashionNXT has shown Project Runway alums in the past, like bright haired designer Becky Ross, and the exuberant and opinionated Joshua Mckinley. Tonight it’s the turn of Seth Aaron, Gordana Gehlhausen, Irina Shabayeva, and Michelle Lesniak to showcase their designs in company with South Dakota based designer Anita Kealey of Lenzanita.

Seth Aaron

Winner of both the third and seventh season of Project Runway, Seth Aaron is a force to be reckoned with. His accomplishments since winning include being voted Best Male Reality Star by MY TV, ongoing commentary for Lifetime, and partnerships with Maroo. Aaron has joined the sustainable movement, creating fabrics made of recycled plastic bottles and organic materials. His Fall/Winter 2013 collection involved a partnership with Pendleton Woolen Mills and featured cozy winter coats with plaid Pendleton Wool.

Michelle Lesniak

Project Runway Season 11 winner and Portland native Michelle Lesniak will bring layered, strong garments to FashionNXT. Lesniak’s training in printmaking at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, showed in her amazing Project Runway red and black sleeveless dress made out of duct tape. Expect daring prints, lots of texture and black leather this season.

Project Runway winner, Michelle Lesniak

Goga by Gordana Gehlhausen

Project Runway contestant Gordana Gehlhausen created her first garment, a knitted sweater, when she was seven years old. Gehlhausen has come a long way since then, and is now creating flowy layered dresses and gowns. One to watch.

Irina Shabayeva

Irina Shabayeva season 6 winner of Project Runway creates garments for every occasion, whether it be swimwear for your next spring break vacay, or a beaded French lace wedding gown for your special day. Since winning, Shabayeva has designed gowns for stars and musicians like Selena Gomez and Carrie Underwood. Expect to see ruffled white and cream gowns float down the runway, alongside strapless above-the-knee dresses.

Lenzanita

Designer Anita Kealey of Lenzanita has shown at FashionNXT before, with this year being her 5th at the show. Kealey uses sustainable materials and textiles like scraps from a South Dakota balloon manufacturer, or South Dakota grown sheep wool to create versatile separates for men and women, influenced by mid-century architecture.

The party is not over after the runway show; buy tickets to the after party, starting at 10 p.m. at 1139 NW Couch St. (formerly PF Chang's).

Buy tickets to FashionNXT here.

Homepage Photo Credit: Art Comments via Compfight cc