After a sweet, beautiful respite from writing about Project Runway, another Portlander has gone and landed herself on the show for its 15th season. We’ve historically been a highly successful city when it comes to Klum’s judgements. Locals have snagged the winning title in seasons 5 (Leanne Marshall), 7 (Seth Aaron Henderson), 8 (Gretchen Jones), 11 (Michelle Lesniak), and then Seth Aaron again on All Stars. An impressive feat for a city of our size and without the same fashion resources as the big guys.

But we may just not be done yet. Sarah Donofrio—a new-to-Portland designer by way of Toronto—will make her Runway debut when the show premieres September 15. Donofrio, relatively unknown in our local scene, has a fashion design degree and has taught fashion courses back in Toronto, which leaves us with high hopes Tim Gunn won’t have to give any of the dreaded pattern-making lectures. See Donofrio’s pieces in person at her Belmont pop-up shot One Imaginary Girl through September.

One Imaginary Girl 
3334 SE Belmont St.