The lights go up in the Willamette Ballroom. Boutiques set up pop-up shopping booths. A kids’ runway show kicks off the afternoon, then the main runway follows in two parts — including a spotlight on emerging designers — with photo moments and a cash bar in the mix.
That’s the finale being built toward on April 12 at the Salem Convention Center as part of Salem’s first-ever Fashion Week, running April 5–12.
“It will be the very first Salem Fashion Week ever held,” Jordan Hill said.
The idea is a weeklong build-up across Salem-area fashion, beauty and wellness businesses, with each participating location running its own limited-time specials, events, giveaways or promotions ahead of the runway night.
General Admission is free for the first 200 tickets, but reservations are still required for everyone, even if you don’t add on a paid upgrade. The final 100 tickets will be $10, and as of the latest update, about 100 tickets have already been claimed, meaning the remaining free spots may go quickly. Initial capacity is set at 300, and additional seating may be added if demand keeps rising.
The runway finale is planned as more than a single show. Along with pop-up shopping and photo opportunities, Earth Angel Wellness will offer B12 shots on-site for purchase and is sponsoring the VIP lounge and Winslow Boutique’s runway segment.
Ticket upgrades are optional and designed for people who want a more premium experience:
- VIP add-on (limited to 30 spots): Private bar, finger food and gifts, including a $50 Clink gift certificate
- “Paparazzi Experience” ($25): Step-and-repeat backdrop with photographers and interview-style moments
- Front-row seating ($50): Runway-edge seat with a complimentary glass of champagne
“We want Salem to be able to show up, enjoy the whole experience completely for free,” Hill said.
Hill said one challenge has been convincing people the event is real — and that it’s actually happening in Salem. “The hardest part about putting on a first time event like this is the fact that so many people don’t think it’s real,” she said. “Being able to tell someone that this is a real event and we would love to have them involved (whether as a business or an attendee), seeing the excited look on their face is so much fun.”
She said she’s also been surprised by how quickly the community has jumped in. “What surprised me the most is how much Salem wanted this,” she said, pointing to volunteers, businesses signing up for spots, sponsors offering to support boutiques, and attendees promoting the event after registering for free tickets. “It’s been such a great community movement since the beginning!”
Clink, a French-Parisian restaurant in Salem OR, is the presenting sponsor. VESPER. — a luxury digital women’s magazine focused on fashion, beauty and lifestyle — is the official press partner. Salem Business Journal is also partnering on coverage.
“Fashion Week is such an exciting way to support local designers and small businesses here in Salem. It gives our community a chance to show up for a growing creative industry and have a lot of fun while doing it. I can’t wait to see how this first season unfolds and how it continues to grow. I love being part of something that celebrates creativity and fashion in Salem,” said Sheena Nash, owner of Clink, a new Parisian restaurant in The Forge, located in downtown Salem.
The planning committee includes Hill (Hilltop Property Group), Jesse Peone (Cato Media Company), Sheena Nash, and Bonnie Milletto, a professional emcee and speaker with an acting background. Ellen Yin, founder of the “Cubicle to CEO” podcast, will serve as the main host and emcee.
Runway participants announced so far include Ivory Bull & Co., Winslow Boutique, and Olivia’s, with more expected to be announced leading up to April. Off-runway participants include Chrystal Clear Aesthetics (Keizer), which plans a special event during the week, and Satin & Stone, which will offer a Fashion Week promotion and host a permanent jewelry booth at the finale.
The larger aim is to put Salem’s boutiques — plus local beauty and wellness businesses — in front of new customers in a format that feels accessible, with the runway show acting as the community-wide capstone.
More businesses and week-of details are expected ahead of April 5.
Get your tickets here (first 200 free, last 100 are $10)