slides: Party Report: Portland Art Museum’s “Italian Style” Fashionable Opening Parties

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Features Editor

Portland Art Museum

Amy Pellegrin and Portland Art Museum's Brian Ferriso at the Patrons Gala of "Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945." Photo by Portland Art Museum.

Portland Art Museum’s just-opened, incredible new exhibit, “Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945” examines Italy’s transition from postwar devastation to a burgeoning industry facilitated by the landmark “Sala Bianca” catwalk shows held in Florence in the 1950s.

See Slides Below: Portland Art Museum's "Italian Style" Fashionable Opening Parties

It is a stunning showcase that documents, through dramatic displays and ultra fashionable designs, just how Italy’s major design houses were propelled to the forefront of the fashion industry.

Organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Portland Art Museum has the distinct pleasure of being the only West Coast venue for this utterly amazing exhibit.

According to PAM the thread of the story behind these world-class threads is “explored through the key individuals and organizations that have contributed to Italy’s reputation for quality and style.” The exhibition includes both women’s fashion and menswear, highlighting the exceptional techniques, materials, and expertise for which Italy has become renowned.

Think designers like Prada, Valentino, Pucci, Versace, Tom Ford and the lovely ladies and gents they designed for like Lee Radziwill, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor (yes, the famed Bulgari diamond brooch Dick gave to Liz is in this show). For high-minded haute couture fashion in Portland it doesn't get better than this. And the exhibit even includes a section on Portland designers too.

Over the weekend two gala parties were held at PAM with 350 attendees at Friday night's Patron Gala and 800 guests at Saturday night's Members Party where a fashion show of local designers was presented on an elevated runway.

Related Slideshow: Party Report: Portland Art Museum’s “Italian Style” Fashionable Opening Parties

Portland Art Museum's latest exhibit, “Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945" opened this last weekend. To honor this awe-inspiring display of fashion a Patron Opening Night Gala and Members Opening Night Party was held at PAM over the weekend with 350 attendees at Friday night's Patron Gala and 800 guests at Saturday night's Members Party.

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Sonnet Stanfill

Sonnet Stanfill, Curator of 20th Century and Contemporary Fashion at Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and curator of "Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945" at the Patrons Gala at the Portland Art Museum.