Tuck Woodstock
Tuck Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Portland Designers of Color
Diverse Portland designers offer streetwear, statement pieces and even bridal gowns.
Tuck Woodstock
Tuck Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Ready to upgrade your wardrobe, Portland-style? Turn heads with the latest fashions from these celebrated Portland designers of color.
Portland Designers of Color
Ginew
Pronounced “gih-noo,” Ginew got its start when Amanda Bruegl (Oneida and Stockbridge-Munsee) and Erik Brodt (Anishinaabe-Ojibwe) made a series of belts from a buffalo hunted by Erik’s father. Today, the couple runs the world’s only Native American-owned premium denim collection. Ginew offers “Native-Americana” heirloom goods and workwear made with selvage denim, leather, brass and wool. For a one-of-a-kind statement piece, try Ginew’s heritage coat, a selvage denim jacket lined with vibrantly patterned Pendleton wool-blanket fabric.
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The world’s only Native American-owned premium denim collection.
Christopher Bevans
Born in Brooklyn to parents of Jamaican and Belizean descent, Christopher Bevans graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Bevans then worked for Sean John and began designing for stars like Kanye West, Prince, Jay Z and LeBron James. In 2006, Bevans moved to Portland to serve as Nike’s global design director of urban apparel. These days, he’s breaking new fashion ground with DYNE, a technologically advanced line of men’s athletic and outerwear.
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Sunjin Lee
Raised in Seoul, South Korea, Sunjin Lee attended the city’s prestigious Sookmyung Women’s University, studying architectural and urban design. But after designing her own wedding dress — influenced, of course, by architectural forms and silhouettes — Lee decided to change careers. She moved halfway around the world to Portland to become a bridal gown designer. Lee now boasts a lengthy lookbook of stunning white dresses, each of which is handcrafted in her Portland studio.
Find it
- By appointment only; call 971.270.0780 or visit sunjinlee.com
Brady Lange
Project Runway superfans will recognize Portlander Brady Lange from his stint on Under the Gunn, a 2014 Project Runway spinoff. An Art Institute of Portland graduate, Lange fosters hip, youthful vibes with fun prints, clashing patterns and wacky props. A 2015 runway show in Portland featured rainbow swim briefs, bubble gun-wielding models and shirts emblazoned with illustrations of lions.
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Stephanie Mai
Another Art Institute of Portland graduate, Stephanie Mai began her career designing stylishly draped evening gowns and wedding dresses. In 2009, she debuted her first ready-to-wear line at Portland Fashion Week. These days, fashionistas can find her sexy, modern dresses and separates at local boutique Anne Bocci. Visit her atelier for made-to-measure evening dresses, bridal gowns and haute couture.
Find it
- Anne Bocci
- Stephanie Mai Atelier (by appointment only; call 503.819.4512)
German Madrigal
“Imagine trying to convince two traditionally raised Mexican parents you wanted to go to school to learn to sew,” German Madrigal wrote in 2014. Thankfully, he talked them into it — and it paid off. While still in design school, Madrigal made headlines by winning Portland’s FashioNXT competition for emerging designers. He has also shown at New York Fashion Week twice. His award-winning collection “Equilibrium” features futuristic, gender-neutral jumpsuits and overcoats in layers of black, white and blue.
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Jaefields
Founded by native Portlander Wookie Fields, Jaefields debuted at the 2014 Portland Fashion Week, touting a polished line of minimalist, functional streetwear. The brand’s name comes from Fields’ Korean-American heritage, but Jaefields sources raw goods and inspiration from around the world. These are combined to create a perfectly Portland collection of athletic shorts, hoodies and tops.
