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By SARAH DONOFRIO
Hair M|W in the Pearl kept its doors open late and popped bottles of wine on Thursday, Oct. 15. Instead of blow-outs and bang trims, the venue offered avant-garde hair art and booze at its second annual Hair is Art fashion show.
Edgy and inspiring, the event showcased creative styling in a double-sided attempt to raise money for the American Cancer Society and awareness that hairstylists aren't just base-level industry folk.
Salon friends and family, employees and an enthusiastic blend of Portland's fashion denizens came out for what was essentially a one-man show. Artistic coiffeur Patrick Compehos, lead stylist for Hair M|W, is creative lead (read: mastermind) for the event.
He hasn't gotten much sleep in the past few months.
The premise of the show was Compehos's brainchild, inspired by his work doing hair for brides…and bridezillas. Blowing up three bridal stereotypes for the show's avant-garde take, he took the Earthy "Portland bride," traditional Barbie girl and diva prototypes and amped them up to the extreme. Matched with dramatic makeup, layers of beaded lace and gowns by Portland designers Sonia Kasparian, Stephanie D'Couture and Wendy Ohlendorf of Magenta—the elaborate looks seemed like a troupe of woodland nymphs trailed by Stepford wives and then a Lady Gaga/Marie Antoinette mashup.
As for next year's show, Compehos already has a theme in mind. He kept that idea under wraps, but he says his mission will be to make the art last.
Willamette Week