Smash hit Portobello West is a must-do steppingstone for aspiring designers like Oriana Camporese, who snagged her Farmer’s Daughter feathered headband at the market, which turns one this Sunday (August 26). Rebecca Blissett photos.

The traditional among us celebrate a one-year anniversary by giving paper or clocks, but Carlie Smith began the first-anniversary celebrations for her monthly London-inspired market, Portobello West, with a recent fete at Jacana Art Gallery and will culminate with the announcement on Sunday (August 26) of the winner of the market's first Graduate Award.

Feting: Portobello’s Carlie Smith (left) and Schaart Clothing’s Cheryl Densky.

Flaming Angels’ Miriam Melanson (left) and photographer Yuko Sato at PW’s first.

The road to success hasn't always been smooth. "I was surprised, but at first, people didn't think my idea was feasible for the frequency I wanted," Smith said in an interview with the Straight . "And even though I was always confident that the market would be a success–it was time Vancouverites had the experience of buying directly from artisans–we are still suffering from growing pains." These include the high costs incurred in part due to Smith's determination to keep rates affordable for new designers and a change in venue from the Plaza of Nations to Rocky Mountaineer Station (1755 Cottrell Street).

Despite these setbacks, Smith proudly states: "[Our] original vision has been maintained and we're learning how to better promote the talent that exists in the city. Many designers have grown from the experience by better understanding their target market.”¦We want to be the first steppingstone for new designers."

Lysa Bromaroff launched Fertile Images and Design ( www.fertileimagesanddesign.com/ ) at the first Portobello West (www.portobellowest.com/), participating ever since. "I'd been taking photos for three years, and Portobello West was a very natural next step for me–I needed a place to show people what I was doing."

After her first month at the market, Bromaroff was invited to showcase her wall-size photographs at DMG's Home & Interior Design Show, which ultimately led to Fertile being sold at several Yaletown Sofa Co. retail locations. "Portobello West has been great for us, and we love the friendly, design-forward people that show up each month," Bromaroff said.

Smith developed the Graduate Award to increase the market's involvement with such fashion schools as Helen Lefeaux, Kwantlen, and the Art Institute. "By working with grads, we can ensure that there are always new designs and new vision at the market," Smith said.

The annual juried award will provide the winner with "everything they need to launch their label": a prize worth over $10,000 that includes Web-site design, a photo shoot, marketing support, and a year-long booth at the market. The four finalists for the inaugural award are clothing labels Shaina Webb Designs, Bad Apple Fashions, and Freja Designs, and handbag house Ora Designs.

Smith's fall lineup indicates that many of the designers seizing the market as a chance to showcase their work are new. For Bromaroff, this is affirmation aplenty: "We [the designers] hope to become a Vancouver institution, and we know damn well that Portobello West is going to become a Vancouver institution."