City Life “I Have A Confession…” By Luscious Lisa

City Life

Volume 4

            I have a confession… 

I skipped out on a responsibility a few weeks ago.  I had the total intention of covering the Respect in the Rose City fashion show at 915 Club on Friday, November 20^th.  I went to the concept meeting, gave ideas to the coordinator, and even recruited friends in the business to help dress and design makeup.  However, in my ambitious vigor, I was double booked.  I had accepted my friend’s suggestion to vacation to warm weather mere hours before I involved myself in the show.  So should I blow off my friend and the 80 degree weather of the California desert or partake in a fashion benefit for my boss’s nonprofit and raise awareness of domestic violence?

In a moment of weakness, I chose the selfish route.  And I’m damn happy I did, because I needed a relaxing vacation to reset just a few days before I invited my parents, my friends, and a 17 pound bird to my home for Thanksgiving for the fourth consecutive year.  I returned rejuvenated and ready to tackle new tasks, which was good, considering I had only a few hours after landing in Portland to prepare myself for another fashion extravaganza.

Although the spontaneous planning of the event was painfully obvious, I would place this show in the “success” column.  The designs were elegant, if not inventive.  The diversity of the show was refreshing.  The rap group was disappointing, but no one really noticed after the energizing performance of the dance troupe.  I only wish they had time for a couple more routines. 

The fashion part of the show was pretty decent.  Several models rocked it on the runway, especially for such an impromptu event.  The garments were very user friendly, as well.  Check out Cocoon Silk for your next big night out look, formal to fashion forward.

After the holiday weekend, I helped photographer Hal Harrison with what resulted in an enjoyably beautiful photo shoot.  Several days later, Rose City Photography and I collaborated again for another delightfully organic product.  However, good things hardly last forever, and we had to cut our project a bit short to make it to the first runway audition for the upcoming Speakeasy lingerie show premiering in February 2010.  Designer Keith Weldon held the first casting for his impending event a Shaking Martini Lounge off 46^th & Freemont in NE Portland.  After waiting outside for their audition, the flirty and beautiful models gave it their all.  If this casting is any indicator of the upcoming show, it will be a hit.

The last event on my agenda for Saturday was the children’s cancer benefit at Lavish.  The apartment complex on SW 12^th & Washington was just that… Lavish.  The first annual event was a success in my eyes.  Live music and complimentary massages, food, and cocktails with your entrance fee?  Yes!  If every charitable event were this much fun I would clear out my schedule for them all!

Portland State University also held a charitable runway event benefiting world AIDS awareness.  The show took place on December 1^st in the Smith Ballroom and featured innovative designs by local artists.  Among one of the more interesting features of the event were personal testimonies of individuals living with HIV and the application of a “+” sign to someone every 9 ½ minutes, demonstrating the frequency of the epidemic.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Thursday, December 3^rd was the Civil War between the Beavers and the Ducks…  Which translates into “huge party” for Oregonians and especially college students.  My friends and I celebrated at Cypress restaurant and bar off the RiverPlace streetcar stop in South Waterfront.  With happy hour food and drink specials and extra juicy Jell-O shots for $1, everyone had a great time—Orange or Green.  If you missed out on the fun, don’t worry.  Cypress is having two more blowouts on the 31^st and the 1^st for New Year’s Eve and the Rose Bowl.

What’s on the horizon for Portland over the next month?  Two events jump to my head—Contour and Couture.  Invasion, located on SW 4^th & Stark, will hold the first of its monthly fashion shows this Friday, December 18^th.  Beginning January 2010, Contour will premiere on the last Friday of every month.  The show’s models are found from casting calls and from Fashion Forward, co-producer Theresa Vincent’s up and coming modeling agency.  So for all you fashion and music savvy folks out there, I recommend making space for your end-of-the-month weekend activities to include Contour Fridays at Invasion and Massive Saturdays at the Crown Room.

This month also boasts the opening of Couture on NW 3^rd & Couch.  This LA-inspired nightclub not only features food designed and executed by top chefs, but is also sure to be an enjoyable place to relax with other Portland Power People.

… Luscious Lisa

Photos:

Civil War Party and shoot pictures available on my Facebook account

PSU Fashion Show:

http://rosecityphotographydotcom.smugmug.com/Fashion/PSU-Fashion-Show/10511655_MaUmg#729810216_9XQoi