Thousands of porcupine quills were glued together to create the protective “Second Skin,” modeled by Maggie Day at the Port Townsend Wearable Art Show on Saturday, May 13. The piece was created by Terra Holcomb of Kirkland. This year’s show drew artists from Washington, Minnesota, Oregon, Canada and Mexico, and their works were modeled on the runway to benefit Jefferson Community Foundation’s Fund for Women & Girls, a local nonprofit working to improve the lives of women and girls throughout Jefferson County.

The dandelion survives the grim reaper in his garden-tool-adorned cape in “Taraxacum Officinale,” created by Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry of Port Townsend and modeled by Pallas Burken (dandelion) and Ron Gentry (grim reaper). The jacket was made of scanned images of real dandelion leaves. Photo by Steve Mullensky

After intermission, model Julie Reed takes the stage with “Blown Away,” created by Nonie Gaines of Port Townsend. The piece, inspired by glass sculptor Dale Chihuly’s works, brings together PVC sheets and tubes, industrial freezer panels, plastic tableware and other elements to simulate blown glass. Photo by Steve Mullensky

Fantastic art is only one component of the Port Townsend Wearable Art Show – there’s also a fashion design category. Port Townsend resident Tamara Halligan’s “Exaggerate,” modeled by Jacob Wade, won Best Fashion. Her “ridiculously large” sweater was inspired by Scandinavian designer Raf Simons

“Thorned Orange Biped,” which won second place and the People’s Choice award, was created by Margie McDonald of Port Townsend and modeled by Bonnie Obremski. The piece is made of pulled plastic fencing affixed to foam mat.

Nadia Fisch, 11, won Best Student with her “Tale Teller’s Tale,” made from her own discarded children’s books. Debbie Steel, who started the show seven years ago, waves at the audience in a dress modeled in one of the first shows

Amy Dahlberg of Port Townsend created and modeled “The Queen Bee,” an ensemble composed of flowers, ribbons, and a welded wire underskirt. Dahlberg won Best Hair and Makeup

Debbie Steel, who started the show seven years ago, waves at the audience in a dress modeled in one of the first shows. Photo by Steve Mullensky

David Faber is a “Biz Ness Monster” in this third-place piece by Port Townsend’s Teri Nomura