About the green thing- I do understand where the criticism stems from- "being green" is being employed as a marketing tactic so commonly these days we tend to distrust it as a label. However, we shouldn't let our inner cynics get the best of us. Sneering at businesses, fashion or otherwise, that attempt to adopt greener practices seems counterproductive to the basic truth that green is good. Let's not be flighty and jaded and start saying "screw green! I'm tired of that trend!" Maybe we are tired of the obvious marketing, but that will go away when it ceases to sell. I think Portland designers should go ahead and wave their little green flags, so long as they remember to keep their designs competitive on every other level as well. And yes, do whatever it takes to draw some business and jobs to our fair city, for godsakes.

And I apologize for actually writing the words "green is good"- I couldn't think of another way to say it!

Since everyone and everything is using the "green" mantra now to sell anything and everything, it's losing it's appeal. The Portland fashion week shows last Fall were a disappointment and the promoters had little to offer other than slapping the "green" label on everything and not being too concerned about content. There were some VERY good designers there but also too many that left me and others disinterested. And what was it with the show being put on in a warehouse where there was no public transportation? People having to get into their cars to drive to a "green" event, in Portland!!!

I think Portland markets itself very well to the arts and a front page article in The Oregonian just 2 weeks ago mentioned how highly Portland is thought of nationally as an arts center! So it's no fault of the city and if the designers are leaving their fate in the hands of show promoters that aren't getting the job done, then they only have themselves to blame

I think the 2 previous posters got it right. It seems everyone attaches words like "green" or "sustainable" to sell about everything and it's kind of todays marketing catch phrase like "new and improved". No one pays it much attention anymore. Designers everywhere now are incorporating sustainable and "green" products and practices anyway to get on the bandwagon so that novelty to the local fashion scene is fading. It's true Portland has the reputation for being Green and we have a nationally recognized reputation as a cultural and arts center so you can't say Portland "sucks" at marketing itself because it really does a great job of that. The local designers would be smart to organize into a co-op or local association and get their money together to hire a reputable marketing firm. I went to a Portland Fashion Week show a couple years ago and it wasn't anything that made me feel like I had to go back so it's up to the designers to market themselves if they want the exposure.