by Andrea Pohlot

Photos by Aundrea Harrell

We recently found Wyatt Orr on the Portland runway and they blew us away!  Their sculpted jackets were so well done. These recent design school graduates have launched with an already strong portfolio! Crosby Noricks, of PR Couture was sitting next to me. I kept elbowing her throughout the show to say, “I want that…and that too…and I must have that piece now!”

Liise Wyatt and Karly Orr are the minds behind Wyatt Orr. They combined efforts for Spring ‘10 to show both their individual design talent in women’s ready-to-wear, as well as their combined venture in outerwear.

I recently spoke with them after the show to find out more about their line(s). I learned Liise and Karly met in fashion design school. Their recent completion at New York Fashion Academy in Seattle, WA left them with little time to complete their collections. I was shocked to hear that in just weeks they pulled together fifteen looks! And you wouldn’t know it.

Compared to many other lines we saw, Wyatt Orr appeared to be one of the best constructed. Clean lines, careful stitching and a beautiful blend of different textures and bright color kept the pieces interesting, but not over-the-top. Classic and wearable, but also fresh! A difficult balance. But these days, it’s a critical one.

I can’t wait to see more from these two young designers. They are on the move and no doubt will grace the pages of many high-fashion magazines and well-attended fashion weeks in the years to come!

Thanks for sharing your stories with us, Liise and Karly! Best of luck to each of you and to Wyatt Orr! …