"Dumbclothing designer Paula Fletcher had some fun with the closer of the spring Arena fashion show. Her models engaged in mock fights on stage. One model, shown here, even faked a bloody lip. Dumbclothing is available at 206-322-6630."

From schoolgirl punk to amped up business attire, the first-ever spring Arena fashion show featured a broad sweep of Northwest style.

The only show of it's kind, Arena introduces new and emerging Northwest apparel designers.

Officially called the northwest Apparel Designer Showcase - local fashionistas just call it Arena - the show is a springboard for talented, young designers with an edgy and urban fashion sensibility.

The spring show - held May 18th at Lake Union's airy Maritime Heritage Center - featured 19 designers, the biggest number of designers for any Arena show.

This was the first year the 11-year-old Arena has held a spring version of it's annual fall show.

Arena organizer and founder Jon Rosson intends to expand his show to a a spring and fall show every year.

At this show, designer Allen Wood, a 21-year-old Art Institute of Seattle student, impressed fashion-watchers with the Japanese-inspired street wear of his JudoPop design company. He borrowed a touch of pop with a hand-painted interpretation of Roy Liechtenstein's "Girl with Hair Ribbon" on an asymmetrical "vixen" top.

Surprisingly, ankle and leg warmers made an appearance at the show. Designers Masha Osoianu and Allen Wood of JudoPop both featured models sporting knit warmers.

The show closer also became a dazzling show stopper. Dumbclothing - making a repeat performance after appearing at last fall's show - featured pseudo quarreling models wearing sultry lace-up dresses featuring unusual back strapping. The models came out fist fighting, pushing and grabbing and one even faked a bloody lip. Of course, it was all for the show, but what a show it was.

For more information about Arena, go to www.arenafasion.net.