As previously mentioned, a forum for people in Portland's fashion design community has been scheduled to hash out questions and concerns regarding Portland Fashion Week, for July 12 at the Art Institute (Room 263, 7 pm). Primarily targeting designers and boutique owners/buyers, I also hope that models, previous attendees, former volunteers, etc, will show up to ask questions and voice their concerns and opinions. This organization, and its events, have generated their share of drama and controversy over the years—it hasn't been embraced by the designers to the extent it needs to be to truly represent Portland fashion, for one thing, and while it has begun to generate some interesting smatterings of outside press, many designers have been disappointed in the lack of effect participation has had in generating sales. Those are just two of the main issues at hand, but I've discussed PFW with people from all ends of the industry over the years and I know it's just the tip of what has become something of a quagmire—a quagmire that, like it or not, is the most prominent institution representing Portland fashion to the world. You can't talk about Portland Fashion Week without talking more broadly about fashion design in Portland, and how and why a designer would choose to stay here. In these transitory times those hows and whys seem less clear to me than they once were, and I'd love it if people actually spoke candidly to each other about them.

Most likely if you've heard of Anna Korte, you know her as a jewelry artist, her earthy, leather and metal earrings and necklaces dotting the counters and wardrobes of Portland's fine women and boutiques. But this coming Friday at the 811 building's First Friday shenanigan, she'll be unveiling her more literally sculptural side with and installation titled "Metaphysical Mosaic," it is described as "a large scale minimalist installation involving fiber, intention, and the harmony of space." Korte's main current influence? R. Buckminster Fuller, who also made a lasting impression on another Portland designer, Adam Arnold, whose geodesic tailoring details are the result of studying Mr. Fuller's famous geodesic dome. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in Korte's style.

The Installation opens this Friday evening, 5-9 pm, at Sword + Fern.

Screen-printed tees and hoodies generally get short shrift in the fashion world, and not without some good reason. Nonetheless, many dudes and dudettes hinge their entire wardrobes on these worn canvasses—usually paired in a daily formula with a small rotation of denim—in a show of support for the artists who emblazon them. So maybe it's not an especially tailored or meticulously styled look, but for many people it totally works. And just like chicken eggs and vodka, all the better if the designs come from within the city limits. One such line, Giuce Streetwear, will be showcased at a party being thrown at the Crown Room Saturday night (9 pm, $3), in the mix with guest DJ Ayres, plus locals Nature, and Izm—it's the monthly installment of these music/fashion clashes known as "Massive," and it marks their eighth installment. Joining Guice are Var-City Vintage, Capital, Illa Collective, Lizard Lounge, Heart on My Sleeve, and Monster Vintage. Check out this video from the second edition of Massive to get an idea of what you might be in for.