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Portland Fashion Week 2023 in Review

By Andrew Ferlitsch, Seattle
Contributor: Tod Hunter Foulk, PFW Organizer

Disclaimer: Copyediting and polishing assisted with ChatGPT4.

Portland Fashion Week 2023 marked the 23rd year of this highly anticipated annual fashion event. The show took place at the prestigious Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville, located at 25035 SW Parkway Ave, Wilsonville, Oregon. The week-long extravaganza unfolded from August 14th to August 20th, showcasing the latest trends and designs from talented designers.

PORTLAND FASHION WEEK™ “THE WORLD’S MOST SUSTAINABLE FASHION WEEK” – BOOK MODA MARCH 2007
PORTLAND FASHION WEEK™ “THE BEST INDIE FASHION WEEK IN THE USA” – TIME® MAGAZINE OCTOBER 15, 2012
PORTLAND FASHION WEEK™ “THE WORLD’S ONLY CARBON NEGATIVE FASHION WEEK” -THE HUFFINGTON POST SEPT. 22, 2016

Day 1, Monday, August 14. Gala. The hauttest (HOTEST!) of Portland Fashion Week ever at 111 degrees. Portland Fashion Week started with a powerful event focused on raising awareness about human trafficking. Victim impact statements were given by Diane Guttman, a model who had been kidnapped, raped, and trafficked by Tony Icke, a disgraced fashion designer from House of Thor. It must have been difficult for you to type that, and I understand why.

Day 2, Tuesday, August 15. Press and Buyer’s. The temperature reaches 105 degrees. The event was emceed by Liz Starke, the Director of RoseHaven, which is Portland’s only day shelter for women and children. During “Press and Buyer’s Night,” all the designers showcased their looks.

Day 3, Wednesday, August 16. Opening. The official opening night of Portland Fashion Week, where each designer presented three looks.

Day 4, Thursday, August 17. Sustainability. Dedicated to showcasing 100% sustainable fashions. It’s great to see a focus on sustainability in the fashion industry.

Day 5, Friday, August 18. Pret a Porter Ready-to-Wear, which showcased a wide range of clothing, from swimwear to hoodies and everything in between. Michelle Jewsbury, a speaker from Unsilenced Voices, spoke about her efforts in fighting human trafficking in Sierra Leone. The runway collection for this night was created by emancipated women within the organization.

Day 6, Saturday, August 19. Haute Couture. An exciting day, as couture fashions were shown alongside $1 million worth of Mercedes-Benz vehicles on the runway. Noel Preston, the GM of Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville, was a special guest speaker. Notable figures from the WNBA, as well as representatives from NIKE, Chanel, Hugo Boss, and Macy’s, were all in attendance.

Day 7, Sunday, August 20: Accessories. On the final day of Portland Fashion Week, there was an exciting showcase of accessories and a unique photoshoot runway presence. The combination of a runway walk and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle shoot created a captivating amalgamation. Despite the hot weather and low visibility caused by forest fires, the sunset provided a Dante-esque appearance, adding vibrant colors to the images.

By Andrew Ferlitsch

Contributor: Tod Hunter Foulk, PFW Organizer

Days
Day 1	The hauttest (HOTEST!) PFW ever at 111 degrees begins with a night bringing awareness to human trafficking with victim impact statements from Diane Guttman a Portland Fashion Week model who was kidnapped, raped and trafficked by Tony Icke of House of Thor a disgraced Portland “fashion designer”. I fukn hated to type that. Dinner provided by Fogo De Chao.
Day 2	105 degrees and the fun was just starting. Emceed by Liz Starke Director of RoseHaven, Portland’s only day shelter for women and children. All looks were shown by every designer during “Press and Buyer’s Night. Dinner provided by Fogo De Chao.
Day 3	Official opening night showcased 3 looks from every designer. Dinner provided by Fogo De Chao.
Day 4	Thursday night was dedicated to 100% sustainable fashions. Dinner provided by Fogo De Chao.
Day 5	Pret a Porter RTW Night featuring swimwear to hoodies and everything in between. Speker Michelle Jewsbury of Unsilinced Voiced spok eon her efforts fighting human trafficking in Sierra Leon with a runway cllection created by emancipated women within the organization. Dinner provided by Fogo De Chao and Cousin’s Maine Lobster.
Day 6	Couture fashions were shown alongside $1M in Mercedes-Benz vehicles on the runway! Special gust speaker Noel Preston GM of Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville. Stars from the WNBA, as awell as reps from NIKE, Chanel, Hugo Boss and Macy’s all in attendance. Dinner provided by Fogo De Chao and Favela’s Brazilian Food Cart.
Day 7	Accessories night and a special photoshoot runway presence as an amalgam of a runway walk and Mercedes-Benz vehicle shoot. Another hot hot hot night combined with low visiiblity due to forest fires gave the sunset and Dante-esque appearance adding some great color to images. I have attached the ladies Ondy so they may weigh in if they wish as well. Dinner provided by Fogo De Chao.