Lineup Revealed Celebrating Diversity
WORDS Bonnie Knight PHOTOGRAPHY Yi Yin | Hal Harrsion
October 2-5, 2019 marks the 8th year of FashioNXT, the official fashion week of Portland, as recognized by the mayor. Throughout the years the production has been known for celebrating the diversity of design providing a stage for streetwear, couture, accessories, innovations in FashionTech, and emerging designers. The world class production has also made a name for showing diverse international designers which included, Latin America, China, Dubai, Philippines, Canada, and designers throughout the United States. FashioNXT Week diverse models included plus size models walking for Colty and Tammi Ann Barker, as well as Blair St Clair of Ru Paul’s Drag Race walking for Project Runway All Stars winner Mondo Guerra.
Attendees of the show can expect to see the continued tradition celebrating the designer’s creativity and diversity while experiencing fashion at its best. Gustavo Apiti Couture 2018 show featured NBA Stars CJ McCollum and Evan Turner walking the runway in bespoke suits alongside couture dresses highlighted with FashioNXT Accessories Competition winner Lunaversoul. Camisha Jackson of Lunaversoul designs accessories and wearable art designed with medals and Fiberglass. With both designers coming back with individual runway shows. We are so looking forward to Washington based couture designer Chany Venturini’s meticulously detailed feminine collection. Each show will create a beautiful collection of diverse designs. Salem, Oregon based Bridal Designer Vien To of Vouture will return to FashioNXT for the 4th year in a row, fresh off the designer’s award by Oregon Bride Magazine as Best Bridal designer. Seattle based bridal designer Mimi Wolfe will bring drama to the runway with her whimsical avant-garde designs. Gender neutral leather goods designer COLTY will return to FashioNXT with a collection that will bring theatrics and flare that the designer is known for.
UpNXT co-winners O’Field and Ale O will return for runway show. Ale O a Portland based Latina designer whose designs are perfect for the modern woman who cares for sustainability, and modern edge with the use of geometric shapes. O’Field a Portland based designer who’s designs celebrate the designer’s heritage coming from a legacy of sheep farmers, with use of Pendleton wool in many of her designs. UpNXT alum Tammi Anne Barker the Vancouver BC based designer will return to the runway. Tammi has been focusing on building her brand, focusing on quality construction and tailoring, body diversity, artist collaboration. Are you UpNXT? FashioNXT will host auditions for UpNXT Emerging designers on July 28th. The winner decided by judges of UpNXT will be rewarded with a show at 2020 FashioNXT Week, alongside other prizes helping their business.
Narakorn Semachim of Thailand, 2018 FashionTech competition winner for his concept design I Bloom I Bloom Just for you” is a bio-fashion collection that speculates on the future of Thailand in year 2100. This fashion collection is designed based on the characteristics and properties of microbial cellulose – Kombucha, using patterns and colors mimicking and imitating the living organism allowing humans to be in the symbiotic state with nature. Former animation designer Shamanic Chic is bringing FashionTech to the runway with sustainable designs, that integrate tech in garments as well as medicinal priorities of fabrics. Lunaversoul 2018 Accessories Competition winner will be showcasing on the runway, as well as an exhibit in the FashioNXT plaza where attendees can view or purchase her designs all four nights of the show. FashionTech and Accessories designers can still apply until September 21st. The winners of the 2019 FashionTech Competition and Accessories Competition have the opportunity to have their designs highlighted in exhibits the 2020 FashioNXT show, alongside prizes.
While the runway is the main attraction at FashioNXT Week the pre-show plaza and after party provides the opportunity for guests to socialize, meet the designers, and shop exhibitors. FashioNXT is still accepting exhibitors for the 2019 show. A wide variety of businesses chose to showcase their brands in the FashioNXT Plaza; including participants in the fashion incubator, show designers, and accessories stores/ brands VentPdx and Delicia Winds. The SE Division store VentPdx features unique jewelry designers not found elsewhere in the northwest. Hannah Widmer of Delica Winds Designs Accessories that bring style and function together to make eyewear fashionable for all.
FashioNXT launched an Influencer Ambassador program to create access for fashion, style, and social influencers. The program is meant to engage with the influencers to inspire current and aspiring professionals in the in the fields take their businesses to the next level through events engagements, like Influencers Brunch. It creates excitement and awareness for designers at FashioNXT Week.
FashioNXT Incubators program will progress throughout the summer/fall with mentorship for designers, models, stylists, and event production throughout the summer. Model auditions will be in mid-August in Portland and Seattle.
Designers Showing in 2019 FashioNXT Week: from Portland Shamanic Chic, Holly Ren Designs, Ale O, O’Field, Colty, Yamil, Vouture, Ventpdx; from Seattle Lunaversoul by Camisha Jackson, Gustavo Apiti Couture, Mimi Wolfe, Venturini, The BRIN Project by Reshma. Also, Nokota Style (Kansas), Designs by LCW (Austin), Tammi Anne Barker (Vancouver BC, Canada) … and so much more.
If you are interested in FashioNXT programs from the Runway and Beyond email: contact@fashionxt.net or visit www.fashionxt.com for more information on showing or be a sponsor.