FashionNXT Recap: The Final Day

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Walter Mendez Collection Photo Credit: Aj Caldeira (image cropped)

Walter Mendez and Michael Costello ended the week of fashion shows in the Pearl, with two large collections that featured "Black Swan" -esque and sexy embroidered gown on Saturday, October 11.

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Walter Mendez

Up and coming Los Angeles designer, Walter Mendez, was inspired by the journey of a woman revolving through time. “At the end of the day I am inspired by love and sexiness within,” Mendez said.

A flattering strapless, empire waist, white gown with a sweetheart neckline and thigh high slit smoothy, went down the runway and started the show. Seth Aaron, Project Runway designer, sat in the first row bobbing his head and stomping his feet to the catchy music playing, as a model wearing a turtleneck, long sleeved, silver sequined dress with a keyhole cutout near the bust, strutted down the runway.

“I love this, I absolutely love this,” said a FashionNXT staff member as a micro black dress with flirty ruffles and an illusion neckline, led a series of black dresses down the runway.

The crowd's favorite gown was a kind f ‘Black Swan’ ensembe. The floor length gown had a sexy thigh high slit with a halter neckline and long black feathers shaping the silhouette. Needless to say it made a dramatic entrance on the runway.

The turquoise dresses got props for color, but a turquoise beaded dress with turquoise and black tip feathers, surrounding semiexposed breast, may be a tad too turqoise for some.

The collection as a whole, was visually stunning and incorporated plenty of texture and sophistication.

Michael Costello

Photo Credit: Aj Caldeira (image cropped)

‘Project Runway’ Season 8 contestant, designer Michael Costello told an elaborate story about the inspiration of the collection that came straight from Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week. “A girl who lived in the forest ran into a super hot guy and fell in love. The guy broke her heart and she decided to burn the forest with him in it,” said Costello. The story continues with the woman deciding to stay in the forest where she ends up meeting another guy.