Sonia Kasparian

Urchin Redesign

Kasparian’s designs are heavily based on high end reconstruction taking influences from traditional couture approaches. All of the dresses are hand washed, dyed, and wrinkled to create beautiful tailored creations with a raw and distressed finish. Kasparian is definitely an extraordinary designer and one to watch. 

Photo Credit: Lavenda Memory 

Wendy Ohlendorf

Boulevard De Magenta 

Ohlendorf’s “Metropolis” collection is inspired by the classic 1927 movie of the same name and 1982 thriller Blade Runner. The vintage repurposed designs are wonderfully crafted and take on a sci-fi -esque quality. The musical performance and video component during this year's runway show is one you will not want to miss this season. 

Photo Credit: Lavenda Memory (image cropped) 

Allison Johansen

ISA: The Nature of ISA

Ready to showcase her nature inspired designs, is Allison Johansen. The “ISA” collection is a mixture of bohemian romance, emphasizing delicate lace from the 1920’s as well as hand-cut flower petals.

Photo Credit: Lavenda Memory

Sunjin Lee

Sunjin Lee Designs 

Make sure you don’t miss designer Sunjin Lee’s polished bridal wear this season. Lee  designed her first bridal gowns for her own wedding back in 2010. Since then she has won the 2013 Best Couture Gown Designer award from Oregon Bride, and debut her collection at the 2013 Portland Fashion Week. Lee believes frills and laces are not always needed to make a gown feminine, instead many of her gowns are made of silk and European beaded tulle. She makes modern and feminine bridal gowns that celebrate the natural beauty of the body. 

Photo Credit: Lavenda Memory (image cropped) 

Oscar Lopez

OSCAR DOMINICK

FIDM graduate and Emerging Designer winner Oscar Lopez, designed his first dress for a friend’s pageant competition with only $13. Now Lopez creates elegant dresses perfect for any special occasion. Lopez’s capsule collection for Portland Fashion Week is inspired by the 2006 Mel Gibson film Apocalypto, and will feature sleek garments with Mayan inspired jewelry.

See our interview with Oscar Lopez here

Photo Credit: Lavenda Memory

Kate Miles

Kate's Couture 

“If you want a princess dress come to me,” said 15 year old Emerging Designer winner Kate Miles. Miles pairs vintage garments with modern designs to create spunky bright dresses for any girl going to prom or a child wanting to be a beauty queen. 

See our interview with Kate Miles here. 

Photo Credit: Lavenda Memory 

Devon Yan- Berrong

DEVONATION

With his first Portland Fashion Week Show in 2010, watercolor painter and fashion designer, Devon Yan- Berrong will be charming audiences with his “Wild Garden” collection. The collection is all about color and having fun in nature. His designs will be walking down the catwalk with jewelry by designer Namiko Layden-Nakamura.  

Photo Credit: Travis Geny 

Kim McCormick

Kimmi Designs

Seattle based designer Kim McCormick uses reclaimed fabrics to comment on the importance of eco consciousness and our society’s consumption. The nature inspired lace gowns are graceful creations, each telling a story.

Photo Credit: Lavenda Memory 

Kerry Yu

O'Pearl Brands

2012 RAW accessory designer of the year, Kerry Yu, got her start in fashion as a model and owner of a modeling agency. After traveling and learning from over 800 different artists, Yu moved to Portland and started her own jewelry line O’Pearl Brands. “We empower women through the unique design of jewelry, sending a message that we are beautiful and we are confident,” said Yu. 

Photo Credit: Lavenda Memory