Droppin’ dollars on dazzling designs

Over the last two years, designer Alicia Wood has built a successful name for herself in Portland’s fashion scene.

Riza Liu/VANGUARD STAFf

MS. WOOD’S MODELS pose in the designer’s most recent creations at Masu Sushi last week. Wood “designs for the everyday woman who enjoys clothes.”

In 2010, she launched her brand, Ms. Wood, and has since shown at Portland Fashion Week, Portland Mercury’s Open Season fashion show and Fade to Light fashion show (where she will be showing again in February).

Wood’s designs have graced the cover of About Face Magazine, and she recently launched a successful trunk show featuring her cool and modern designs at Portland’s Rhapsody Boutique.

Wood showcased her exclusive, Japanese-inspired spring/summer 2013 collection, “Ikuru,” last week at Masu Sushi, where Project Runway contestant and designer Bryce Black was in the house. It was an intimate night of models, music, fashion and sake.

Wood’s clothing demonstrates that fashion can be comfortable, stylish and accessible.

Riza Liu/VANGUARD STAFf

“You wouldn’t believe it, but many of my clients are young fashion students who just love clothes,” Wood said. “They have no problem dropping $350 for an investment leather handbag, and I love that.”

After studying design at Seattle Central Community College, Wood went on to study at one of fashion’s most reputable schools, Parsons The New School for Design in New York. Wood now collaborates with her husband, Ben Wood, a woodworker specializing in accessories, furniture and shoes.

At Masu Sushi, models stood gracefully around the candlelit room while an intimate crowd assembled to watch the show. The clothing color palette consisted of black, white and gray, featuring knee-length leather skirts and an off-the-shoulder, smoky-gray knit dress cinched at the waist and topped off with a black leather clutch. During the show, Wood explained her design process for a new collection.

“I typically start off a collection while listening to a song. It’s the salt to the soup. I just feed off of it,” Wood said. “From there, I often imagine the colors, shapes and theme that I want.”

She almost always uses a neutral color palette and adds one pop of color to tie the collection together. At Masu Sushi, Wood’s colors especially popped with a wooden platform pump with blue fringe accents. It’s a sexy shoe for any woman and totally makes the outfit come alive.

While taking a minimalist approach to her designs, Wood often incorporates leathers, organic fabrics and woods into her collections. Continually inspired by Japanese culture, she uses structure and simplicity to create a bold statement. Kimono sleeves have become a signature look of Wood’s, as she incorporates them into each collection.

“I like combining an earthy, drippy effect with a rock ’n’ roll appeal,” Wood said. Her recent collection shows a hint of modesty, as she uses asymmetrical tank tops, tunics and dropped hemlines.

“I want my clothes to show a woman’s sexiness without being overly vulgar,” Wood said.

Believing that accessories are a fabulous element of any outfit, Wood often pairs bold, geometric jewelry with her designs. You can expect to see wood and metal bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

“My clothes are understated yet maintain a strong point of view,” Wood said. “I design for the everyday woman who enjoys clothes. My clothes offer a mix of balance and versatility, so my clients range [in age] from early 30s to late 60s.”

Portland Fashion Week’s associate producer and backstage manager, Elizabeth Mollo, was also in attendance. After graduating from the Art Institute of Portland in 2005, Mollo has become a fierce figure among Portland’s fashion scene.

Mollo appreciates Wood’s work because “she doesn’t really follow any trends and does what she feels like,” Mollo said. “Other than the fact it can be a bit cliquey, this is a city of many creative talents, and it’s what sets Portland designers apart.”

Wood’s simplistic approach to fashion is refreshingly modern, and her clothes offer great flexibility. She describes Portland’s fashion scene as flavorful, hip and playful.

“People here like to have fun with clothes, and don’t take it too seriously,” Wood said. “I like that because you can find a lot of inspiration in that type of environment.”

While always striving for an artistic take to her designs, Wood understands the commerciality of fashion.

“I love designers who are true artists in their work, but I also look up to people like American designer Michael Kors, because he’s smart,” Wood said. “He understands what women want and knows how to sell clothes. That’s what I hope to achieve with my business.”