Portland Fashion Week in its second year of “sustainable production”, wrap up this Sunday the 12th, Fashionably Natural, an exclusive runway event presented by  Gen Art and SOYJOY, also took place on Thursday the 9th at the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA.  Preceding LA Fashion Week, running October 12th through the 16th at Smashbox Studios, the event was hosted by the beautiful Maggie Gylenhaal, and featured four of LA’s top, emerging sustainable designers, Brigid Catiis, Popomomo, The Battalion (recently featured on the new 90210), and Velvet Leaf, four designers working exclusively in all – natural and environmentally responsible textiles.

There is something inspiring about seeing just how creative designers can be in their materials selection. What really does it for me though are end-use products made possible by dipping into the waste stream…quite literally in some cases. Let’s talk trash…as it applies to fashion.

While they may not be totally practical for a day at the office, or even a night on the town, I’ve seen some amazing artistry come forth in dress form from some very unlikely materials. Take, for example, this little strapless number made entirely from recycled food bar wrappers collected an airplane flight. I love the banded top and the detail at the hemline from the overlapping wrappers. Do you think she’s afraid of giving the cab driver a little more tip than he bargained for should a few of those wrappers take flight?

Makes you think twice about where your Cliff bar wrapper might end up.

Your calendar is chock full of cocktail parties, work parties and general holiday festivities. As you stare into the depths (or shallows, for some us) of your closet staring at your fall back black dress, you soon realize that the one you have long depended on, like an old friend, is just not going to cut it anymore. Perhaps the hemline is just a tad high at this stage in the game, despite your fabulous gams, or maybe it is showing the good times you have had in it just a little too much. It’s time to retire your stand by and slip into a little black dress that’s green to boot. Here are a few of my faves:
1. Edun Fleur Spaghetti Strap Dress – This flattering, empire cut slip style dress features a subtle constellation print on the lightweight, shimmering silk. Elegant, simple, but far from boring, this little number will take you through the new year and beyond, and the cut even leaves room for a little over indulgence.
2. Habitude Double V Tie Back Dress – For those of you out there that dare to bare a little more, yet tastefully so, this elegant drawstring dress is a hemp/silk blend with substance, featuring a deep v front and back and empire waist for a little forgiveness through the midsection. If you are not quite ready to take the plunge, pair it with a complimentary camisole underneath, and even jeans to take it from soiree to shopping.
3. SameUnderneath Bamboo Cowl Neck – A perfect little black dress in a sumptuous bamboo and cotton blend this, this three-quarter length sleeve, cowled V-neck dress hugs in all the right places with a panel waist band and graceful A skirt, you can wear this anywhere, anytime, dressed up or down. Bamboo wicks moisture away from the skin too, so if things get a little steamy under the mistletoe, you’re all set (no sweat).
4. Edun Luna Shift Dress – What can I say….Edun gets double kudos here on the little black dress. A gorgeous shift dress that screams chic, with silver pin striping and velvet detail straps, and fully lined, this shift dress is the pinnacle of style for this holiday season. Easy to wear on just about any body style, and once again, forgiving when you choose to sample all 10 of those holiday desserts so temptingly arrayed before you. I think I would even take it casual and wear over a snug long sleeve with boots and leggings too.

So part with that security blanket of a frock you’ve got stowed, pass it on to another or recycle it if its just not got another life left to live, and jump into one of this season’s newest, best, little black dresses.

If you missed it last year, be sure to take it in this year as the creative energy behind this show is intense! Greenloop will have a few “street wear” ensembles, from our current collections up there on the runway as well. Here are the details you need to know:

What: Junk to Funk Recycled Fashion Show Contest

When: Saturday November 17th

Where: Wonder Ballroom 128 NE Russell

What else: Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8:30

Tickets: $16 in advance/$20 at the door/$65 VIP

Age: 21 Plus

Hosted by Commissioner Sam Adams and the DEQ’s David Allaway

Entertainment by Marin8Traks, Do Jump’s Entusiasmo, the Golden Greats, and DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid.

“Junk Jury” includes members from The Art Institute of Portland, Orlo, Metro, the Office of Sustainable Development, and the Museum of Contemporary Craft.

Audience Costumes Encouraged

DIY accessory table provided by Scrap

Produced by Elysium Events in collaboration with and benefiting Orlo.

To purchase tickets or for more information visit www.junktofunk.org

The Sameunderneath crowd came out on Saturday night showing support for the brand by wearing their favorite bamboo hoodies and colorful graphic prints. The tone was a little more hip and urban than the previous night, with slightly mellower numbers. Before the show Ryan Christenson, head honcho at Sameunderneath, was seen chilling out and socializing with friends and strangers alike, betraying no notion of the chaos that was going on backstage. The shows got under way about 45 minutes late (pretty good actually), and the night opened with Seattle’s Lizzie Parker. Continuing with the bamboo jersey trend, she showcased a very north-west sensibility, but in fun punchy colors. Layers over layers of leggings, tanks, and hoodies in coral, butter yellow, and white were punctuated with darling cropped jackets in a big butterfly print. The showstopper at the end was a coral tee layered under a white tube dress decked out in frothy feathers.
Up next was Duchess, a custom suit company for the gentlemen in our lives. A parade of handsome male models dressed in perfectly constructed suits ranging in inspiration from 40′s gangsters to 70′s James Bond films left us all wishing for something a little more dapper in our day to day lives.
Nike Considered opened their show with bike-friendly looks in various shades of taupe, black, blue and surprisingly enough deep purple. Simple clean lines were the focus, and details were kept low key and functional. Harlequin-style stitching was seen on several jackets, but the most interesting detail was a detachable drawstring hood that opens in the back for ventilation.
Next up was Seattle-based brand Alula, showing paper bag waist trousers and lots of pleats. The color palate was similar to Lizzie Parker with shades of coral, yellow, and white along with blush pink and a light sky blue.
After the intermission the real show began. Now everyone loves a good gimmick, and Sameunderneath had the best. Lining up five models sitting in school desks, Ryan Christenson was the professor of Sameunderneath 101. When asked the question “What is Sameunderneath?” the models each shot up their hand and were called on one at a time to proceed down the runway. The usual elements were all there, with bamboo tees and hoodies in great colors and graphics. But something was different this season; a greater knowledge of fit and function that only comes with experience. The collection was generally more polished but still retained that certain urban vibe that makes it a favorite of so many. The show was finished off by celebrity guest Stana Katic (from the new film, Feast of Love) sashaying down the runway in a custom blue, ‘red-carpet’ dress winking for the cameras as if to say, “Are there any more questions?”

Photography Credit: Nina Sage – Click here to see the whole show