Leanne Marshall Shoot

So, last Sunday I had the pleasure of working again with Leanne Marshall, the most recent winner of Bravo's Project Runway.  It was a quick shoot of her new ready to wear line that will go into production soon.  Leanne is only in Portland until the new year when she will relocate to New York City in order to build her line.  In New York she will be spending some time with designing legend Diane Von Furstenburg who has agreed to be her mentor.  So amazing!!  It is so exciting to hear Leanne's stories from her experiences over the past year as well as her plans for the future.  

The clothes were beautiful, as to be expected.  Wonderfully tailored with structural details in gorgeous fabrics.  Cora looked gorgeous in every design, and each one fit her perfectly.  I did a clean face with soft colors and emphasized a fuschia lip that matched Leanne's fabrics and accent colors.  The shoot went surprising quick for having seven looks.  The photographer, Nate, was very efficient.  I'm excited to see the finished product.  Here is just a glimpse of some of the outfits and Leanne adjusting them on Cora.  I can't wait to see what Leanne comes up with in New York!!

Yes We Can!!!  I am so excited to be able to say that Barack Obama is going to be our 44th President!!  It has been such an intense campaign filled with strong passion on both sides.  Last night was the first time in longer than I can recall that I was proud of our country.  Regardless of who you were voting for, the country was actually united in wanting to create something great for our future and future generations.  And I do believe that even those who voted the other way will be able to join behind this man who defied all the odds to ascend to the highest position in our nation.  

I watched the election coverage with Megan at Ron Tom's last night and I have never seen it so crowded.  People were standing on chairs and booths in order to view the huge projection screen.  As the numbers started rolling in, the cheers were far outweighing the boos and the butterflies in my stomach grew as it became a real possibility that Obama would take the election.  Shortly after 8 pm, the graphic popped up on the screen that Barack Obama was elected the 44th President and the entire place shook with cheers, clapping, crying overwhelmed tears.  It was an intense feeling that I had never felt before, and I just knew that I was present for something so historic and amazing.  Everyone fell to a hush to watch McCain's humble and gracious concession speech before erupting once again when he finished with his support for our new President.  When President-elect Obama walked out to the podium in Grant Park, the entire place shook again and flashbulbs went off capturing the first images of our President.  I don't think there was a dry eye as he gave his acceptance speech that examplified gratitude, humility, strength, emotion, hope and a realistic view of the challenges ahead of him.  

I am grateful to be here to see this moment in history and I look forward to what is to come.  Congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama and to all of us!!!!

Nice post work Shaun!!!

Gorgeous work by Shaun turning miss Jenn into the always-recognizable Frida Kahlo.  Love those brows!!!  So much fun to do!  Jenn, maybe you should reconsider your Halloween costume.

Lulu Stole The Show!

I picked Jenn up yesterday for our shoot with Shaun and we decided Lulu, her adorable maltese, needed to come with us, along with 3 bottles of bubbly.  Shaun selected her first outfit of a short navy dress with Jenn's awesome criss-cross shoe booties.  I did a dark taupe eye with a nude lip and fluffed her curly hair a bit.  Once Shaun started shooting, he had little Lulu step in for a few shots and she was such a model!  I swear she was posing and smiling for the camera!

Jenn switched into shiny black leggings, grey t-shirt, and Carrie shoes for more of a rocker look complete with her oversized aviators.  Hair was made much bigger!  I love those shots!  Lulu came back for another cameo.  In the meantime, Shaun discovered that drinking champagne through red vines enhances the bouquet quite nicely.

The last look we shot yesterday was my personal favorite.  I enhanced her naturally full, dark brows, popped on a bright red lip, and threw her hair up into a high bun.  Slipped her into a vintage dress, and, voila! Frida Kahlo reincarnated!  It was perfect and I can't wait to the final edits complete with some enhancements of flowers and Frida artwork.  So fun!  Shaun is supposed to be trying to beat Ben's record of getting the first edit out within 24 hours, so we shall see.  Definitely a fun shoot with good peeps though.  Happy hour at Silk afterward was awesome too!

First Edit from Yesterday

Ben got an edit out in less than 24 hours!!  A new record.  So, here is the first look at headshots of Erin.  Fierce!!  ;)

Naked Erin

I did yet another shoot with Ben yesterday.  Kent and Ben are collaborating on a concept of shooting the model naked (well, with nude underwear on) and illustrating the dresses on her in post.  We shot with uber tall Erin who is such a sweetheart!!  

We started with some very natural makeup on Erin to play up her gorgeous red hair for some head shots.

We bumped up her makeup with some soft, dark eyes and a nude lip for the action shots.  Poor Erin had to jump and swing her hair up a hundred times in a row before moving to a reclining position trying to balance between a stool, a balance ball, and a crate.

At least she has the abs to support herself!!!  All from a 15 minute video workout!  So jealous.  I can't wait to see the illustrations that Kent comes up with!

Busy Weekend

I had a crazy busy weekend balancing work and social events once again.  Friday night was supposed to be a mellow girls' night.  Jen was an excellent host and had appetizers and drinks for us.  Rather than going to bed early, I ended up having too much fun chatting with the girls.  I woke up at 6:30 on Saturday to get to the hotel where my bridal party was getting ready.  I had Heather act as my assistant since I had 8 girls to finish in 3 1/2 hours.  Everything went smoothly for the most part.  I actually went to junior high with the bride and all of the girls were really nice and fun. 

After catching my brother's soccer game, I went to a fundraiser for a wonderful program called SEI which services at risk youth in North and Northeast Portland.  I was so impressed with the facility and the program, which I had never heard of before.  We had a nice time getting dressed up, learning about the organization, watching the students perform, and attending the auction.  

I was a little sleepy on Sunday morning knowing I had to be on location at my dad's house for a shoot at 2:30.  I met Ben, the photographer; Kent and Shelby, his right and left hand guys; and Rocky, Cupid and Rachelle, the models, at the house.  Still trying to nail down a story line, we got them into makeup and and wardrobe.  Since the boys were quick, I did their makeup first and Ben shot some individual stuff with them.  The boys looked quite dapper.  Rocky was wearing the Christopher Bevans tuxedo that he wore on the runway at PFW.  Cupid had a black suit on, and Rachelle put on her "Sex and the City" heels with a black strapless dress.

Ben shot some nice stuff of them in front of a large graphic black and white painting in the dining room, then we shot out on the front porch before moving down to the driveway to shoot them in Gemo's car.  In between shots, the guys checked football scores with my dad in the living room.  Lastly, we switched things up a bit and took off some clothes to shoot in the kitchen.  I'm hoping we got some pics that are a little more editorial.  I think we did.  My favorite shot of the day catches Shelby looking through the window at Rocky.  Can you say creepy stalker?!!!!!

She Did It!!!!

Yay!!!  Leanne Marshall of Leanimal won this season of Project Runway last night!!!  So exciting for our local designer!  She is such a wonderful talent with a keen eye, unique vision and strong construction skills.  More importantly, she has been such a generous, down to earth, and fun designer to work with.  I am so honored to have been able to work with Leanne.  She will be moving back to New York, so I hope I can get another chance to collaborate with her when I get over there. Many congratulations for a well-deserved win!!!

Portland Fashion Week Saturday Night

I must say, after Friday night's festivities, we were all a little haggard by the time we had to start getting ready for Saturday's show.  But push through we did.  Unfortunately, as I was looking for a parking spot, I drove over the old train tracks wrong and destroyed my front tire.  The show must go on, though, so I left my car on the side of the road to be dealt with the next day.  Once I got a little Rockstar pumping through my veins, all was forgotten other than the ensuing fashion.

Mayor Tom Potter introduced the evening which kicked off with Safrona Classics.  A very retro line complete with white bobbed wigs and patent platform boots.  The thing I noticed was that the dresses didn't appear to have been steamed.  Not sure if it was the fabric, or lack of time.  Collier's line improved as it went with some polished men's looks.  Unfortunately, I had to delete most of the pictures from his line because my card was full and I needed to delete some looks in order to save room for Chris' line.  Seattle's Lizzie Parker showcased loose, flowing jersey silhouettes in white, raspberry.  Think 'I Dream of Jeannie' pants paired with off-the-shoulder blouses.  Lucia flaunted endless dresses in large floral prints.  Nothing I was super excited about, but simple lines and could be a Spring staple for some.  

The main event was Chris' line, Christopher Bevans.  His adorable, 'mini me' daughter, Corina sat quietly next to us through the entire show decked out in her finest leopard print.  She watched enthralled as her dad's luxe designs paraded in front of her.  His leather jackets were phenomenal and I want the white one!  Beautifully tailored suits, bright lounge wear, and bold graphic hoodies and sweaters led to the Bond, James Bond tuxedo.  A tasteful mix of casual, formal, classic and modern.  I would say, it was a huge success and the best line that showed.  I still think Errol should have jumped on the runway with his kilt straight from Tokyo!!!

Everyone headed to the new Foxy at Fox Tower.  Megan met up with us after an engagement party and revealed that we were both wearing the same skirt we had bought together in New York.  Oops!!  We had to wait for Rob to let us upstairs since we had neglected to bring our VIP tickets with us.  Once upstairs, there was blaring music once again.  So, to the cash bar I went to try to muster up some energy.  We wanted to dance, but the music was not enticing us.  We stayed for a while mingling and taking pictures before finally heading home around 2.  

It was a successful fashion week, from my point of view.  It was nice to not be working and be able to watch all the shows from the front row!  I must say, I'm a little exhausted, but well worth it.  Until next season!

 

Portland Fashion Week Friday Night

So, I didn't make it to Thursday night.  Friday night was a good mix of designs spanning Nike considered, May Tee, Dimitri, Alula from Seattle, and Sameunderneath.  Dimitri opened the show with an urban men's line featuring graphic tees and accessories constructed of giant bullets which looked like they were a little heavy.  The models' pants were hanging so low from the weight of their belts.  Nike was 80's inspired, brightly colored sportswear.  Alula switched things up with some flirty and feminine dresses in micro-floral prints and rich hues like raspberry, mustard, and turquoise.  Next, May Tee focused on neutral tones splashed across modern, clean lines.  The show closer, Sameunderneath began their show with a little drama introducing their vacation/destination inspired line.  They finished the night with a giant, flowing tie-dyed dress with a fuschia belt which looked elegant on Erin.  Overall, a good variety of designers and great music by "DJ Gemo".

After the shows we headed to East for a drink before venturing to Aura for the after-party.  I don't think I've been in Aura since I was in college!!  I was a little nervous for the stench of cologne and brightly colored miniskirts.  We ended up having a really good time, however, with the help of massive quantities of champagne and watching a certain someone making out against the wall!!  

    

Portland Fashion Week kicked off last night at its latest location at NW 14th and Pettygrove.  The vendor tent is open to the public with booths, a live band, a bar and an upstairs VIP lounge.  I can't say I was that impressed with the booths.  Nothing extremely interesting was being presented.  From there, we were ushered into the show tent about an hour behind schedule. The show was scheduled to start at 7:50 and we didn't get to our seats until 9.  Mayor-elect Sam Adams provided an intro to this week's events and introduced key players.  After an interesting dance performance, the fashion kicked off with a sportswear-inspired line by Icebreaker.  I think my favorite part was the wiener dog that came out with an underwear-clad male model as the final look of the line.  

Following Icebreaker was a series of collections from students at the Art Institute of Portland.  The first collection was of dresses that were creatively constructed entirely out of paper.  Very fantasy-inspired and, according to the models, the easiest to get in and out of!  The next group of dresses had to be graduation gowns reinvented as the "little black dress".  It was dubbed Project Re-Fab and a winning design was to be chosen by guest judges Adam Arnold, Marjorie Skinner, and Lisa Radon.  Some designs were more mainstream and could be found in any department store while others were much more inventive and added other elements and colors and interesting lines.  

Leona Lewis' 'Bleeding Love' brought some young hip hop dancers onto the runway to perform a routine that seemed somewhat out of place.  I didn't really understand what the point was or how they fit in with the fashions being presented.  If not for the impressive dancing of the one blonde girl in the bunch, it would have been a dull, and long, interruption.  After the dancing, I had to run out for a bathroom break after which we couldn't make our way back to our seats that were front row.  So, we crowded Gemo in his DJ booth and watched the final collections from there.  I will say I was a bit more distracted by this point and didn't get any more pictures since my camera was still sitting on my chair next to the runway.  

Following the show, we headed to Bay 13 for the after party.  Nothing too exciting.  It was so freakin loud, I couldn't hear myself think.  And that's saying a lot because due to my lovely cold, my ears have been plugged for 3 days and I can't hear a thing.  So, until next time, check out the rest of my pictures from the evening.

Hello!

Welcome to my first blog entry!  I am so excited to be able to communicate with my clients, colleagues and friends directly about what I am up to and my latest projects.  Please let me know if there is anything you would like to hear about, any questions, and, of course, comments are always welcome.  I look forward to having some posts about upcoming Portland Fashion Week.  Thank you for checking me out!!