Portland's Next Fashion Trends at Fade to Light

The future looks like boob tops, Wes Anderson and Palm Beach circa 1970.

For a lump-sum preview of Portland's next fashion trends, there's Fade To Light, a bi-annual show that turns the Crystal Ballroom into a catwalk for designers and their tailored devotees.

This year, leather craftress Ms. Wood came back after a three-year hiatus. Seven other designers debuted spring lines, including Laurs Kemp, Wendy Ohlendorf, Stephanie D., Rogue:Minx, Altar and Tiffany Bean. It was an odd cocktail of designs—evening-wear spliced with rompers; pink balloons and leather chokers.

If Light's right, brace yourself for pom poms, Palm Beach prints, whiffs of Kanye and the dying breath of health goth.

West Daily

Begging for comparison.

Photo by Jeff Wong (Jeff Wong)
Jeff Wong West Daily 3 (Jeff Wong)

Stephanie D Couture

Staying mostly on-brand, SDC's bridal collection threw a few necessary punches with an embellished black halter and blue mini.

Stephanie D. Couture Stephanie D. Couture – (Caroline Lai)
Stephanie D. Couture Stephanie D. Couture – (Caroline Lai)

Tiffany Bean

Wes Anderson sensibilities rolled like Tilda Swinton credits in this twee, '60s-style line from the owner of adorable Portland boutique Mabel and Zora.

photo by Caroline Lai (Caroline Lai)
photo by Caroline Lai (Caroline Lai)
photo by Caroline Lai (Caroline Lai)

Rogue:Minx

The biggest disappointment was Rogue:Minx's 1970s motel room mixed with heroin chic line, which looked a lot more like Forever 21 than the edgy and well-finished rogue looks that we're used to from Anna-Marie Cooper.

photo by Caroline Lai (Caroline Lai)
photo by Caroline Lai (Caroline Lai)
photo by Caroline Lai (Caroline Lai)

Laurs Kemp

Call it Celine 2014 or Coachella if you will, but Kemp at least had some goddamn fun. She delivered the most interesting show of the night, including a commissioned dance by Portland's 11 Dance Co.

Laurs Kemp - photo by Caroline Lai Laurs Kemp – (Caroline Lai)
Laurs Kemp - photo by Caroline Lai Laurs Kemp – (Caroline Lai)
Laurs Kemp - photo by Caroline Lai Laurs Kemp – photo by Caroline Lai
11 Dance Co. - photo by Caroline Lai 11 Dance Co. – photo by Caroline Lai

Ohlendorf

After the designer left her gig as a glorified chauffeur for Grimm stars, Wendy Ohlendorf's Boulevard de Magenta became a mainstay of Portland women's fashion. This, her first line at a Fade to Light show, fell on the light side of impressive, showing mostly business casual looks that channelled the early 2000s. Her best were her simplest ones: the sleek dresses in a eye-crossing geometric print.

Ohlendorf - photo by Caroline Lai Ohlendorf – (Caroline Lai)
Ohlendorf - photo by Caroline Lai Ohlendorf – (Caroline Lai)
Ohlendorf - photo by Caroline Lai Ohlendorf – (Caroline Lai)

Altar

The "Painted Hills" collection—where models' nose-hills were painted—was a full-length lineup of sleek and sheer looks made in collaboration with Fade to Light creator Elizabeth Mollo. They traded avant-garde for refreshingly wearable, with a collection that looks like a Northwest bohème's suitcase for Palm Beach.

Altar - (Caroline Lai Altar – (Caroline Lai)
Altar - photo by Caroline Lai Altar – (Caroline Lai)
Altar - photo by Caroline Lai Altar – (Caroline Lai)
Altar - photo by Caroline Lai Altar – photo by Caroline Lai

Ms. Wood

The last show was Ms. Wood's first in three years. And thank God the leather accessorizer is back—our cowhide totes and garters were showing wear.

Ms. Wood - photo by Caroline Lai Ms. Wood – (Caroline Lai)
Ms. Wood - photo by Caroline Lai Ms. Wood – (Caroline Lai)

The most interesting looks are usually in the audience:

photos by Caroline Lai photos by Caroline Lai

Willamette Week

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.