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BY CAROLINE LAI
In a city so known for clogs, beanies and Buffalo Exchange finds, the stilettos and tuxes that floated down the red carpet at last Sunday's second-annual Mercedes Benz Portland Fashion & Style Awards deserved double takes. Though the event at the Portland Art Museum had its fair share of basic black bodycon mini dresses, Portland's fashion scene is steadily finding its voice. Teleprompters help, because standing in stilettos while speaking can be tough.
"For reals."
Hosted by drag star Poison Waters and actress Ritah Parrish, Anne Akre's creation is one of the most glamourous events of the year, celebrating Portland's fashion creatives by awarding salons, boutiques, models, photographers, event producers and designers "best of" awards. The public nominated their favorites and a judging panel including Sharon Blair of Portland Sewing, the Portland Mercury's Marjorie Skinner, Creative Director of About Face Magazine David Bentley and fashion photographer/lawyer Jeff Wong chose the winners.
Top choices included Portland Monthly for Best Fashion Publication, Elizabeth Mollo for Best Fashion Show Producer, Katana Fatale for Best Plus Size Model and Michele Lesniak for Best Female Fashion Designer.
In between awards and frequent outfit changes, Poison spewed oneliners, both from the teleprompter ("I am available for Thanksgiving to serve up dark meat") and not ("My balls are crooked"). Almost every presenter called out the teleprompter, either by outright pointing to it or by delivering their compliments and jokes like robots.
Regardless of a few ceremony hiccups, the industry insiders were an enthusiastic audience. "We are honored to be a part of this excitement tonight," said Steve Dunn (teleprompted).
Mini runway shows staggered throughout the awards presentations showed designs from Project Runway winner Michele Lesniak, Boulevard de Magenta owner Wendy Ohlendorf, Altar owner Cassie Ridgeway and Art Institute students.
As proof that the Pacific Northwest can indeed do couture, models wore doublesided dressed, steam-punk gowns and stark white, architectural dresses made of repurposed athletic footwear materials.
Charlie and Nancy Hales had a front row VIP spots, and when Nancy took the stage, she lauded the local industry. "Portland has an amazing fashion scene," she said, "and I know that now because I've been other places" (not teleprompted).
But the winner of Best Boutique Northwest, Anne Bocce, perfectly summed up the night's theme. Sharing an anecdote of a tourist who commented on how small her space is, Bocce said, "we might not be the biggest, but we have a huge heart."
The Mercedes Benz Fashion and Style awards are all about sharing the love in what might be Portland's most under-celebrated creative industry. "Don't forget to hashtag your selfies" (teleprompted).
Here are some of the best looks from the night:
"It's nice that I won this, but I wish everyone else won it too, so here you go," said Lesniak.
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