For 18 years, the fashion design students of the Art Institute have diligently chained themselves to their sewing machines in pursuit of the perfect thesis—a senior collection. It's a process that takes nine months from concept to design, followed by prototyping, refinement, and (fingers crossed) a successful finish. While they task themselves with providing content for what has now become Portland’s longest-running fashion show, students in the Fashion Marketing and Design Management departments work to produce the show from beginning to end, for real-world experience for all.

This year the village behind the fashion show–think design students, an entire event production class taught by well-known fashion show makers Elizabeth Mollo and MaryAnn Escutia, plus longtime show heads Melanie Risner and Sue Bonde–decided to shake it up and leave the traditional runway event behind. Perspectives, a joint effort with the Aveda Institute, is a series of art installations filled with “eco-couture avant-garde dresses.” Alongside the installations, viewers can take in a senior showcase including looks from FashioNXT’s Emerging Designer German Madrigal and one of Portland Monthly’s Oregon Women, V Throngrivong. And, finally, a trunk show rounds out the offerings with clothing and accessories offered by alumni of the fashion program (and fashion show). 

Tickets range from $10 for students to $50 for VIP with proceeds going towards scholarship funds for both Ai and Aveda students.

Perspectives
6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 5
Aveda Institute Portland,
325 NW 13th Avenue
Tickets: $10 students, $25 GA, $50 VIP