Thaw fashion show and auction heats up the runway on May 5

Despite frequent evidence to the contrary, the calendar insists it’s spring. Your fashion compass is urging you toward brightly colored skirts and pedicure-baring sandals, mulberry handbag and it’s time once again for Thaw, one of Seattle’s premier spring fashion events, also a benefit for the Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) to fund social services and research.

Thaw is set in a different industrial space each year, and this fifth annual show takes place on the top floor of Sodo’s Stadium Innovation Center (1531 Utah Ave. S.), with plenty of raw, unfinished surfaces and a gorgeous view of downtown which has “influenced the design of the runway this year,” explains organizer Liz Weber.

The Thaw show is always a who’s who of Seattle fashion, both onstage and off. Attendees mingle with local magazine editors, designers, musicians and other tastemakers, while noshing on Via Tribunali pizza (whose pizza oven must be lifted by crane to the top floor deck), nibbles from Mistral Kitchen and drinks from O Wines and Georgetown Brewery, among others.

The Thaw Shop is set up in the foyer, filled with donated items by local artisans including Crystalyn Kae, Luly Yang and Cero Designs, with 100 percent of those sales going to the HDSA.

The show kicks off with a touching preview of a documentary illustrating the devastating effects of Huntington’s Disease on both the patients and their families.

A rousing auction follows, with items like a trip to Fashion Week in New York this September, a limited-edition piece by Paul Frank and a one-of-a-kind painting by acclaimed fashion artist Ruben Toledo. The auctioneer will also auction off bottles of champagne and tequila shots for eager bidders.

In addition to the philanthropic aspect of the event, it’s the fashion show that really excites the crowd. This year’s show features both local costumers and ready-to-wear designers.

“I’m really excited about the lineup this year,” enthuses Weber. “It’s our fifth year, and I wanted to take it over the top.”

Expect outrageous gender-bending mulberry bag couture from Mark Mitchell, bodacious designs from J Von Stratton, bespoke hipster suits from Like a Rock Star, underwear for men by Danial Webster and a set of last year's Seattle Magazine "Seamless in Seattle" contest winners.

Tickets start at $75 and are available online.

If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, e-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com or tell us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter for the latest local sales, great deals and noteworthy products, designers and stores.