‘Project Runway’ has a winner, as far as I’m concerned
By Nadine Kam
Click on the photo of Leanne Marshall’s fashion show for a Newsday report on the “Project Runway” shows, with videos.
Timing was bad for this year’s “Project Runway,” with the New York shows now over and the series not even close to wrapping up, such that a record six designers were able to show at Bryant Park.
The season has been lackluster, likely due to stunt casting rather than casting for talent. Leanne Marshall is the favorite to win and I was rooting for her from the start, even though it was a shaky one for her. I liked that she’s from Portland, Ore., an under-the-radar sort of city. Whenever I go there, people always ask, “Why? What’s there?”
A lot. Farmer’s markets, great outdoors, restaurants that keep improving, fun and quirky boutiques, great furniture shops, etc. I love the city’s sort of Wild West pioneering, throw-out-the-rules style and indie spirit. It makes for some innovative, forward designs. (Strangely enough, I was just informed by someone I just met that I seem rather schizophrenic. On the one hand, I love Portland’s scruffy, scrappy, boot-strapping indie vibe, but I also love the other extreme of New York polish and well-edited aesthetic, and Leanne’s designs seem to reconcile the two aspects.)
A Seaplane fashion show.
I’ve been buying work by Portland designers for about 12 years, mostly through the local designer Mother Ship Seaplane. Sadly, I’ve also watched their prices climb — after a move from Belmont, where I bought a house, to the luxe NW 23rd Street — from about $40 for a handmade, original designer piece, to more than $250. Well-deserved, but …well, you know. It’s the difference between coming home with five pieces and one.
If you’re not shopping young designer there, there are also spectacular vintage and second-hand shops all over town where I could always find great pieces like 1950s-60s nylon blouses for $8 to $12, and 1950s dresses and a black velvet cape-y jacket with ruffled collar for $25. I haven’t been back there for two years though, so I’m pretty sure prices have shot up since the city continues its trend of being Californiafied. I hope it stops soon, though it has brought better restaurants to the city.
Another look at designs you might find at Seaplane.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
i looooove portland
i used to go to school there and i miss so many things about the city…the food, the people, and of course the fashion!
September 15th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I was in Oregon for a year, but unfortunately in Corvallis (which I like to think is the Hilo of Oregon). I ventured to Portland a few times and I looooveddd the shopping there. Like you said, their vintage shopping is great! I’ve gotten navy blue leather boots in size 5 for $25! I know of a online boutique called Sotto from Portland, they have Mooka Kinney and Rachel Comey stuff, too bad it’s freaking expenseive! And Leanne has an Etsy store called Leanimal, she’s also my fave on Project Runway. I really like how her designs are raw and sculptural, but still very wearable.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Thanks for letting me know. I went immediately to Leanne’s Etsy store and of course it’s empty
now, but I saw the great designs she did sell. Did you happen to see how much she was charging for her dresses before the national attention?
September 15th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Don’t quote me, but I think her most recent sell was $300… not sure… but it was definitely something I couldn’t afford!! I only found out about her etsy store when the show started, so I don’t know about her prices before Project Runway.