The Who’s Who at Portland Fashion Week
AMAI UNMEI
Amai Unmei is a contemporary interpretation of classic apparel for the savvy style maven. Known for simplicity, clean lines, and rich eclectic colors, Amai Unmei updates traditional silhouettes with modern fit and impeccable style.
Designer Allison Covington took steps to launch the high-end women’s apparel line under the name Amai Unmei (ah-mah’-ee oon’-may) – Japanese for ‘sweet destiny’. She was inspired by the Japanese high art of tsutsumi, or wrapping – and, in this case, the wrapping of the body. Amai Unmei launched its first collection in the Fall of 2006 with a modern twist on the classic fitted coat and bias cut dress.
Amai Unmei has been featured in national and international publications and websites.
ETHOS PARIS
In 2002, Ann Leroux and her daughter Leslie Leroux, came up with the idea of using fashion to change the way business was being done on the global marketplace. Inspired by the “Trade Not Aid” slogan adopted by developing countries, the pair decided to build a fashion house that embodied Fair Trade practices from the ground up. They would pay a fair price for raw materials and for the processing and manufacture of clothing that met international standards of fashion and quality. They would transmit skills and business know-how to their working partners in developing countries and contribute to local communities. And their garments would be created from organic materials cultivated without harm to the environment or the health of its inhabitants.
LIZA RIETZ
Liza Rietz began designing and sewing custom and retail pieces in 2001. She has been a part of Portland’s artistic clothing community from the beginning of her career, participating in multiple group and independent fashion shows in the area. Her designs have been available nationally in high-end boutiques in Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles and Washington DC. Liza Rietz designs are currently available for both custom and retail at her studio/store “liza rietz” in Portland, Oregon.
Rietz’s modern designs are structured yet feminine, detailed yet wearable, and are created individually, not mass-produced. Rietz designs two small lines annually, producing small batches of each individual design. Though her collections adhere to the seasons, her lines are not season-specific. Instead, Rietz focuses on designing clothes that are versatile and that easily translate to any time of year.
Rietz’s designs are made out of all natural fabrics including cottons, linens, silks, and bamboos. With a small production run of each line, the individuality of each piece exemplifies how clothing can be artistic and expressionistic as well as functional.
New Menswear on Madison Buyer
New Menswear on Madison Buyer
Vital Clothing Company is a new line with a classic look. Within the Vital family we are trying to promote a different style. We have been through many diverse styles in our short lived lives and we are trying to put a stamp on the fashion industry. We want to be the “feel good” clothes that people wear for all events.
Vital prides itself on using the best quality of material for making the clothes. We have a talented skilled team of designers that provide the crisp fresh look. Vital has a style that is going to last through the years.
Meet Mark Basa
Mark Basa is taking fashion by the horns by creating mind blowing 100% Australian Made Designer garments.”With shades of Alexander McQueen prints, a twist on modern street styling & a creative outlook to mens fashion, the Mark Basa label has created a uniquely new ‘fashion forward’ image.”
Mark will be showing his collection at the Fashion Forward Festival Sydney in May.
New Designers on Madison Buyer
Check out some of our new and a.m.a.z.i.n.g designer on Madison Buyer.
First we have AmyClaire 
Designer Amy McCormick fell in love with design, and fell into it as well. She originally studied fashion photography, but soon discovered that her love of fashion had to do with the touch and creation of the clothes themselves. For every social event she was to attend, she would think of what exactly she would want to be wearing, and then create it. When it came to clothes, Amy has always had a thing for comfort. Not only the physical comfort of a dress, but also the feeling that you have when you are in the right dress. To feel appropriate for the event, not too young or girly, but be dressed with just the right sophistication and class, with a flattering touch.
Next we have XCVI 
Our style is effortless and eclectic, bohemian and confident. We believe in quality and the perfect flattering fit for all women. We celebrate the strength and diversity of women, designing clothes that work for their individual lifestyles. Women who are unapologetic of who they are and what they want out of life. We fashion clothes for the confident, the bold, and the adventurous.
XCVI is about luxury, wearability, comfort. The luxury of super-soft, breathable fabrics that drape without clinging, skimming a woman’s curves, flattering her body. The wearability of clothes that mix-and-match or work as a complete ensemble. We create clothes that can be worn every day – in a thousand different ways. Clothes that feel comfortable all day long. Clothes that can be worn from day to evening, can be dressed up or down. Clothes that are versatile.
XCVI is fashion you can live in.
Classic by Zebra Collection Limited
MEET MADISON BUYER DESIGNER: Zebra Collec
tion Limited
Zebra Collection is a classic brand that doesn’t focus on being super trendy, but everlasting and classic collection is not obsessed with zebra pattern, they just like to accent clothing with touches of zebra print.
Zebra Collection’s target audience are women from 25 to 50 who want quality and luxury. Zebra Collection designer Bruce is currently working on next years summer swimsuit line and for the winter 2011 will find the collection launching a winter ski wear line, and a junior line.
Zebra Collections future line will be furnishings for the home and a womens perfume. The reward is to see the design go from a simple idea to being on a beautiful women.
Find Zebra Collection Limited: Website * Facebook * Twitter
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