First Annual Portland Fashion and Style Awards

Portland has a passion for fashion. Jaileene Eubanks, who was named Mrs. Oregon International 2012, produced the First Annual Portland Fashion and Style Awards at the Arlene Schnitzer Hall in downtown. The award show was created to honor those who help make the fashion and style in Portland thrive.

The nominees who walked the red carpet before entering the ceremony were established boutique owners, hairstylists, salon owners, designers, writers, publishers, models, makeup artists and photographers. Out of the many who were nominated, 25 won awards during the night. There also were two fashion shows featuring clothing from designers that can be purchased in boutiques.

Jessica Kane

Portland has made a name for itself in the film, television and fashion industries. One award winner, Jessica Kane, who won Best Style and Fashion Publication for her plus-size fashion magazine, Skorch, said she thinks Portland is more than up and coming: “We’re here, baby!”

Kane was one of the first winners announced. “It was quite a surprise, but a very good one,” she said of the award. Kane began work on her magazine fall 2006 and it launched in 2007. She said she enjoys what she does and she wants to motivate women through her company. “We are a plus-size fashion magazine, representing women of all shapes and sizes and races,” she said.

Skorch has received recognition and a sponsorship with one of the largest and most well-known retail stores for plus-size fashion, Lane Bryant. The fashion industry for plus-size women can be difficult at times. Kane’s advice for those women is, “it’s all about people who are unique, who have presence and who have a brand. Create your presence, have a brand and don’t say no. Don’t take no for an answer.”

Tony Dimitri Peniche

Another surprised award winner that evening was Tony Dimitri Peniche, who won for Best Designer Apparel. “I actually was not expecting it. I was pretty excited,” he said. Peniche has been designing for six years. At a young age he was a painter. “I had never really gotten involved with fashion or anything, until I was about 20,” he said.

Art has been a passion for Peniche a while and has come naturally for him. He called it “a very, very significant part of my life.

“I was able to realize that I can shift (art) and turn it into a fashion company, rather than just (create) paintings, and turn it into a business. It’s really about taking my talents and trying to make a living,” he said.

Peniche’s collection is mostly menswear and is intended for special occasions.

His advice for aspiring fashion designers is, “don’t focus on what’s around you. Don’t focus on your competition. Don’t focus on anything other than what you want to do and what you’re passionate about. And the biggest thing is, to make sure that you understand that it is a business.”

Advocate Staff