We all know the old adage that “all the world’s a stage,” but let’s take it a step further. . . why not just have all your conversations, meetings, coffee dates, trysts, etc. within earshot and hop-skip-jump distance of The Stage—i.e. one of the alluring lobbies of the Gerding Theater at the Armory.

Case in point, a series of talks coming up next week here in the Lobby around Portland Fashion Week. [Note:the following was originally published earlier this week on ultra]

TALKING FASHION: Portland Fashion Week Panel Discussions
Let’s talk. Wouldn’t it be great to hear from experts, people who are working in fashion in Portland about how to start a fashion business, about what we mean when we say “sustainable” when we’re talking about fashion, and how fashion fits into the “creative economy” that Portland wants to nurture and grow? We’re excited about the lineup of working designers, showroom reps, PR and press folks, boutique owners and more who have agreed to give you an insider’s perspective for TALKING FASHION, a series of panel discussions ultra is presenting in conjunction with Portland Fashion Week.

Each day at noon, Monday through Wednesday (October 22-24) of Portland Fashion Week at The Gerding Theater at The Armory (128 NW 11th), we’ll be hosting the following conversations (admission is FREE):

Launch Pad, Starting a Fashion Business in Portland
(location: Lobby, The Gerding Theater at the Armory, 128 NW 11th)
Monday, October 22, 12:00
sponsor: ultra | ultrapdx.com

A conversation about how to start a fashion business in Portland with insight from fashion designers and entrepreneurs, PR people, marketing and sales people, and members of the press.

Emily Katz - designer, Emily Katz/Bonnie Heart Clyde
Tracey Forrest - owner, True Collaborative Fashion (showroom)
Michelle DeCourcy - designer, Michelle DeCourcy
Rachel Gorenstein - designer, Rachel Mara
Sam Huff - creative director, Hecklewood
Erin Rackelman - PR/sales, Entermodal, Pinkham Millinery
Elianna Bar El - writer, Willamette Week

Fashion and the Creative Economy in Portland
(location: Lobby, Gerding Theater at the Portland Armory, 128 NW 11th )
Tuesday, October 23, 12:00
sponsor: ultra | ultrapdx.com

A discussion of how fashion feeds the local economy, the connections between fashion and other segments of the creative economy, and the issues surrounding doing business in Portland, and both exporting Portland fashion and amplifying the presence of Portland nationally as a center for creative economy.

Jesse Beason - Senior Policy Director, Office of City Commissioner Sam Adams
Elizabeth Dye - boutique owner, The English Dept/designer, Elizabeth Dye
Holly Stalder - boutique owner, Seaplane/designer, Holly Stalder
Sue Bonde - director, Apparel Program at Art Institute of Portland
Heather Larimer - columnist, Portland Tribune
Jonny Shultz - agent, Q6 Talent/designer, Jonny Shultz Designs
Adam Arnold - designer, Adam Arnold

Sustainability in Practice
(location: Lobby, Gerding Theater at the Portland Armory, 128 NW 11th)
Wednesday, October 24, 12:00
sponsor: ultra | ultrapdx.com

A conversation about how local fashion companies are putting sustainability into practice every day. What does sustainability really look like for Portland apparel and accessories companies?

Anna Cohen - designer, Anna Cohen
Larry Olmstead - designer, Entermodal
Amy Christensen - designer, Sameunderneath
Aysia Wright - owner, The Greenloop
Kirk Mayer - Material Design Consultant, Portland Sustainable Design Alliance (SDA)

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