The time has come, once again, for Alley 33 to descend into our lives. Whereas typical runway shows show a fantasy version of ready-to-wear outfits to offer a sense of showmanship, Alley 33 eschews the pomp for what most shoppers really want—the truth. The show is dedicated to the consumer with a golden rule: all items on the runway must be available for purchase in town. This one isn’t about fashion dreams; it’s about what you can wear out in your every day life—and look great while you’re at it.

This year the roster has around 20 designers participating in the outdoor show/party meaning there’s sure to be something for everyone including dresses, swimwear, casual, lingerie, menswear, and inevitable some surprises. Portland Monthly has hopped on board as a sponsor, since we’re pro the idea of people seeing clothing they love and going right out to buy with local dollars flying about, in supportive boomerang style. But as the day draws near, I must admit to having my eagle eye on certain lines eagerly anticipating what they’ll send down the runway.

Laurs Kemp 

Kemp, a recent transplant from Arkansas, is the designer in residence at Backtalk boutique’s West End location. She says her capsule collection was inspired by the music of Arthur Russell, late 1970s loungewear, Japanese minimalism a la early 1980s Comme des Garcons and Yohji Yamamoto, and films of that period - like 1978's Girlfriends.

Wear Moore

The one-woman street wear line is both made here in town and vegan. One of few locals to tackle both women and menswear, the casual cool button ups and jackets are promising.

Lizz Basinger

A veteran to Alley 33 and the local fashion scene, Basinger's feminine looks are reliably cute and wearable for work or play. She also knows how to impress a crowd with a rain jacket, and even though it'll be August, fingers crossed one makes the cut.

Alley 33 Fashion Event
Saturday, August 8th
Doors at 6 pm. Show at 7 pm
33rd & SE Hawthorne Blvd
Tickets are $12 adv/$15 at the door
Buy tickets here!

Featured Designers:

Amelia Boutique
Laurs Kemp 
Carolyn Hart Designs
Altar Houseline
Chubby Cartwheels
Sarah Bibb for FOLLY
Veil & Valor
Lizz Basinger
Bridge City Bikinis
WearMOORE
Emma Salz
FYN
Piper Dalton
Smith River
Wolf Child x MKO Visions
The Moonchilde
KD Designs 
Eve Skywalker
Lostwood Lane Apparel 
Carla Mink for Mink 

Music by: DJ Gregarious
Hair by The Red Velvet Parlour
Make up by Beau Monde
Presented by: Siren Nation, Altar PDX and Elizabeth Mollo Productions
After Party at Gold Dust Meridian with Disc Jockey Gregarious.