Hello, and greetings from Appalachia, where I am holed up in an absolutely fabulous chalet in the Great Smoky Mountains, where I was somewhat surprised to turn on my laptop and find that I have like two bars of internet power! That just doesn’t seem right! There’s bears and stuff around here! Anyhow, I need to get some beauty sleep before heading off to Dollywood tomorrow (hell yeah, y’all!)—no, I’m not four years old, it’s three hours ahead here—but before I go just wanted to give you a quick heads up that Portland Fashion Week is beginning its ticket sales tomorrow, with a 10% off deal if you buy them this weekend. More info and complete schedule here. On a related note, if you haven’t yet seen it, check out the Oregonian’s Vivian McInerny’s amusing roundup of celeb quotes when faced with the concept of Portland Fashion Week:

Portland Fashion Week? How, uh, interesting

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

VIVIAN McINERNY

The Oregonian Staff

NEW YORK CITY — This city is trying to rework its image. Signs declare it “The Big ‘Green’ Apple.”

Even Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week tried to green up the shows by not giving away bottled water as usual to thousands of attendees. But Portland, land of the green vibe, will have its own fashion week in October. The themes? Sustainability and regional design.

A few front-row guests in New York shared their thoughts on Portland Fashion Week:

Actress Ellen Barkin deadpanned: “Sustainable, meaning you can wear it forever?”

Ivana Trump, famous divorcee of The Donald: “I think it’s fantastic Portland has a fashion week. Each part of the country has different dress codes. I think Oregon will be very casual. Portland Fashion Week would be easier, I think, not so hectic and crowded as New York if I go.” Wait a minute, would she really consider attending Portland Fashion Week? “Yes. I would be happy to come. Absolutely!”

Jane Krakowski, actress from “Ally McBeal” and “30 Rock”: “I don’t want to play into that stereotype. It would be cruel. Lots of fleece? I shouldn’t say that. I have friends in Oregon who say it’s the most beautiful place on Earth.”

Allison Janney, actress on “West Wing”: “Raincoats and a good pair of walking shoes; bluejeans and rain boots. Portland is having a fashion week? I love it!”

Fern Mallis, senior vice president of IMG Fashion in New York, which produces fashion week here: “I don’t know if people can add Portland to their list. They’re already going to back-to-back fashion weeks (New York, Milan, Paris, London, Los Angeles, Miami). But, hey, whatever it takes in every city, if people become more aware of fashion — it’s good.”

Mya, singer: “Portland is so far removed from the entertainment world I would think the designers there would relate well to everyday people. Sometimes when I buy clothes in L.A. or New York, I can only wear them in L.A. or New York.”

Nigel Barker, photographer and judge on “America’s Next Top Model”: “When I think of Portland, I think commerce more than fashion. I know you have that famous old department store, what’s it called … Meier & Frank. Years ago, I was there for work. Not as a photographer, a model.”