Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

Benefit fashion show for WMPG adds designers and online auction

By Avery Yale Kamila akamila@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

Recycled materials will reign on the runway Saturday night during the annual WMPG Fashion Show. The popular event brings together 28 local designers, who will show about 60 original pieces of clothing and accessories.

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Two pieces from designer D.S. Bullock, who creates under the Road Rash Rubber label, will be among those on the catwalk during the WMPG Fashion Show Saturday night.

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IF YOU GO

WMPG FASHION SHOW

WHEN: 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show Saturday

WHERE: Space Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland

TICKETS: $10 at www.space538.org

WHAT ELSE: A live auction begins Saturday and runs through May 2 at www.biddingforgood.com/wmpg.

"Recycled and retrofitted clothing seems to be the common theme," said show organizer Paul Drinan. "I'm also seeing more people knitting and hand-painting."

Lines following the up-cycled clothing trend include Akosua and Mad Girl World. Designer Katie Worthing, who works under the PrettySneaky label, will show pairs of Chuck Taylor high-tops that have been embellished with merino wool knit uppers.

"We've got a lot of new designers on board," Drinan said. "It's an impressive array of fashions. I'm seeing a lot of variety in colors, shapes and textures."

This year, the show will be complemented by an online auction, which includes pieces from 10 of the designers. The auction goes live Saturday at www.biddingforgood.com/wmpg and runs through May 2.

All proceeds from the show and the auction support the community radio station's effort to increase the power of its transmitter.

"For us, this is a major fundraiser," said Dale Robin Goodman, WMPG's development director. "It raises over $1,000 a year, which is a lot for us, because our needs are small."

The show is in its sixth year, and Drinan said he's watched the fashion scene in Portland evolve significantly during that time. Not only are there more fashion events taking place locally, there are more serious designers in the community.

"In the past, the minority of people in the show were full-time designers, and now I'm finding that for as many as a third of the people, it's a profession," Drinan said.

The show takes place at Space Gallery in Portland. Doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday, with models hitting the runway at 9 p.m. The show always sells out, so be sure to get your $10 tickets early. You can purchase them in advance at www.space538.org.

A sampling of participating designers includes: Helton Hill, Hand Sewn by Eva, ESP Collection, Bee by: Katie Best, Luksin Designs, PrettySneaky, Akosua, Lillian Gardner, Corey & Company, Cosmic Coture, Mad Girl World, Road Rash Rubber and Jamie Koo.

Staff Writer Avery Yale Kamila can be contacted at 791-6297 or at:

akamila@pressherald.com