We’re starting to see a theme here for opening night of Portland Fashion Week and it’s not the much ballyhooed sustainability angle of the week, but occasion dressing, specifically the grown-up, polished dresses offered by several of the featured designers.
amai unmei is Portland-based designer Allison Covington’s line of classic, clean-line evening dresses and coats in rich silks: chiffon, charmeuse, brocade. In launching amai unmei last year, Covington was inspired by the Japanese high art of tsutsumi, or wrapping. What results are not von Furstenberg wrap dresses, but looks that definitely reference the notion of wrapping the body as one would a gift. amai unmei is available in Portland at boutiques including Mimi & Lena (1948 NE Broadway), Artemisia (300 SW Stark), and Ella’s Boutique (2529 NE Alberta).
A note to the curious: amai unmei (pronounced ah-mah’-ee oon’-may), means ‘sweet destiny’ in Japanese.
amai unmei, Portland Fashion Week Night One, Friday October 19. Doors at 6. Tickets available at the Portland Fashion Week website.
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