(With some commentary by Out NW Style editor, Reshma Allu.)
Seattle’s fashion community turned out in force Wednesday night as the Primavera Designer Showcase for Pride, presented in partnership with The Finerie Seattle, transformed into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most vibrant celebrations of creativity, Pride, and philanthropy. Benefiting Queer Northwest’s Queer Journalism Program, the sold-out evening united fashion, music, culinary artistry, and community under one roof.
The guest list read like a who’s who of Pacific Northwest culture. Among those attending were fashion influencer Linda M. Lowry; Liz Galloway of Seattle Magazine; Mireya Garcia and Rio Barber of Q13’s Studio 13; Your Royal Highness JJ and Duchess Manila-Starr; SGN Publisher Renee Raketty; and former Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best, who surprised guests by trading her badge for the runway as she modeled for Rossario George.
The evening showcased four creative talents: couture designers Julie Danforth and Tony Vincente of Rossario George, culinary designer Jonathan Mathews of Kwanchai, and chart-topping dance artist Roman, who served as host while delivering three live performances throughout the night.
A Feast Worthy of the Runway
Before a single model stepped onto the catwalk, guests were already immersed in Jonathan Mathews’ culinary vision.
Kwanchai Events transformed the VIP experience with an elegant spread of handcrafted appetizers, curated gift bags, and two signature cocktails that became conversation pieces themselves. His refreshing sangria proved to be the unofficial drink of the evening, while the VIP lounge remained bustling from start to finish.
In fact, the VIP turnout was so strong it nearly made General Admission feel like an exclusive support group.
Mathews’ reputation continues to rise beyond Seattle’s culinary scene. Earlier this month, he joined Roman on Q13’s Studio 13, highlighting the creative partnership that continues to flourish both on stage and in the kitchen.
Julie Danforth Opens with Timeless Glamour
Opening the runway, Julie Danforth delivered exactly what Primavera promised: renewal, color, and elegance.
Fresh from her celebrated return to Metropolitan Fashion Week after a two-year hiatus, Danforth reminded audiences why she remains one of Washington’s premier couture designers.
MK Scott’s Take
With choreography by Meiko, Julie Danforth Designs immediately established the evening’s joyful tone. Her collection flowed effortlessly through crisp white, vibrant hot pink, royal purple, and bold blue, celebrating confidence, individuality, and Pride.
“If fashion had a Northwest weather forecast, this show would have called for a 100 percent chance of fabulous.”
Reshma Allu’s Take
The collection leaned toward romantic sophistication, with an elegant palette of orchid, violet, silver, ivory, and charcoal. Standout pieces included a plunging orchid mermaid gown, an opulent violet satin ball gown, and a shimmering liquid silver sequined slip dress.
Danforth balanced evening glamour with playful femininity through voluminous candy-pink tulle skirts, pearl-dusted ivory gowns, and a charming rosette mini before pivoting confidently into tailored fashion. Military-button jackets and satin double-breasted blazer dresses demonstrated that her precision extends as naturally to suiting as it does to couture gowns.
Rossario George Delivers a Dramatic Finale
Closing the evening, Tony Vincente of Rossario George embraced Primavera’s spirit with a presentation that merged wearable luxury with high-concept couture.
MK’s Take
The show began quietly with Nicole modeling a ready-to-wear summer dress currently available at The Finerie Seattle before transitioning into elegant white gowns that reflected the Primavera theme—a concept Vincente himself helped shape.
Meiko’s choreography maintained narrative continuity throughout the presentation, allowing each look room to breathe.
I particularly praised the Sex Drive collection, highlighting Lia’s striking fringe gown alongside unforgettable red “kinky-style” boots that demanded attention with every stride. Twin silver ensembles—one featuring tailored pants and the other a dramatic skirt—offered visual balance despite a brief runway stumble that the model recovered from gracefully.
The collection ventured boldly into haute couture with dramatic black tailoring accented by sculptural white wings—an ambitious design Scott suggested might find an even more enthusiastic audience in fashion capitals such as Milan or Las Vegas.
The evening concluded with one of its most memorable moments as former Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best appeared in a breathtaking white power suit complete with a sweeping cape, bringing the audience to its feet.
If rumors prove true that this marks Rossario George’s final Pacific Northwest presentation, it was a farewell worthy of the brand’s legacy.
Reshma’s Take
Vincente used Primavera to premiere pieces from La Maison de Rossario George, presenting leather separates, a chain-belted high-slit leather gown paired with opera gloves, sheer paneling styled with vivid red latex boots, feathered gowns, dynamic fringe, and holographic suiting that seemed to generate its own light.
Architectural tailoring elevated the collection further through dramatic caped sleeves, sculptural organza, and a white one-shoulder caped tuxedo jumpsuit that earned one of the night’s loudest audience reactions.
Moments of restraint arrived through a champagne satin gown and an elegant feathered mini, giving viewers visual pauses between the collection’s boldest statements.
Roman Owns the Stage
As host and performer, Roman became the heartbeat of the evening.
His opening performance of “All Mine” energized the audience from the outset before returning after intermission alongside Seattle music legend Bernadette Bascom for a moving duet of “Price to Pay.”
Roman closed the evening with a fresh interpretation of Quarterflash’s classic “Harden My Heart,” transforming the runway into an impromptu dance floor as guests joined the celebration.
Scott praised Roman’s charisma, professionalism, and effortless ability to keep the evening flowing between performances and runway presentations.
His only playful critique?
“The wardrobe could have used a little more attention—but when you’re stealing the spotlight that thoroughly, who’s really looking at the clothes?”
The Party Continued Long After the Final Walk
Whenever the runway paused, the dance floor took over.
Before the show, during intermission, and well into the evening after the final model exited, DJ Darran Bruce of The DJ Sessions kept guests dancing with an energetic soundtrack that transformed the venue into a full-scale Pride celebration.
By night’s end, Primavera had become far more than a fashion showcase.
It was a celebration of artistry across disciplines—fashion, music, culinary design, performance, and community—all united in support of LGBTQ+ journalism and creative expression in the Pacific Northwest.
The Primavera Designer Showcase proved that Seattle’s creative community doesn’t simply celebrate Pride.
It wears it, sings it, serves it, and dances until the lights come up.
Support the Next Generation of Queer Journalists
The celebration doesn’t have to end when the runway lights go down. There is still time to support the mission behind the Primavera Designer Showcase for Pride.
Queer Publishing’s nonprofit initiative, Queer Northwest, is currently raising funds for its Queer Journalism Training Program, which provides aspiring LGBTQ+ journalists with mentorship, hands-on reporting experience, and opportunities to tell the stories that matter most to our communities.
Please scan the QR code to make a contribution. Every donation helps empower the next generation of queer storytellers and ensures authentic LGBTQ+ voices continue to be heard throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
