Fashion: Seamless in Seattle

We love Luly Yang, pine for Prairie Underground and positively swoon over Suzabelle, but thanks to our city's wildly abundant creativity, the Next Big Thing in local fashion is always just around the corner


We love Luly Yang, pine for Prairie Underground and positively swoon over Suzabelle, but thanks to our city's wildly abundant creativity, the Next Big Thing in local fashion is always just around the corner. The seven winning designers from our second annual Seamless in Seattle contest (held last April) proved just that, by presenting fabulous, ready-for-runway pieces and inspiring us with their ambitions to influence the way Seattleites dress: inventive outerwear crafted specifically for the Northwest snowboarding lifestyle, innovative uses of sustainable fabrics and a whole new way to look at playful cocktail wear. Meet the fresh new faces of fashion who confirm, once and for all, that Seattle has some serious style.

Most Wearable Collection
Becky Sullivan, Fleur de Fen (beckysullivan.com)

Education: Seattle Central Apparel Design, Class of 2009
What her designs are about: “I like the idea of details that aren’t obvious, that require some thought,” says Sullivan, 25, of her chic garments, which are also designed to be comfortable and effortless for every day wear. Thoughtful details include fabric-covered buttons, patterned lining in coats and high-necked, ruffled collars.
Design mission: “I’m out to make women feel good in what they are wearing. I love layering pieces, and most of my garments are meant to be worn that way; it really complements a variety of body shapes.”
First garment ever created: “I hand-sewed a purse for my Barbie when I was 5. I think the next attempt was a blouse that I may or may not have even finished when I was 7 or 8 years old, along with a pair of jeans I tried to make by tracing the outline of the jeans and cutting out two patterns and sewing them together. Needless to say, it didn’t turn out well.”
Favorite fashion trend: The 1950s housewife-type frock. “I love the feminine fitted waist and fuller skirt. So classic.”
Where to find it: Select pieces available at Momo (Japantown/International District, 600 S Jackson St.; 206.329.4736; momoseattle.com)

continued with Jesica Milton