September marks 25 years since Nirvana’s second studio album Nevermind crashed onto the music scene, defining grunge and solidifying Seattle as ground zero for the moody rock movement.

Fall ready-to-wear collections seem to be streaming a similar soundtrack, with ’90s references evident throughout. We headed to The Paramount Theatre to celebrate the anniversary of this angst-ridden record…which the band performed on Halloween night 1991 on this very stage.

Since its opening night in March 1928, The Paramount Theatre (downtown, 911 Pine St.; 206.682.1414; stgpresents.org) continues to be one of Seattle’s most celebrated performance venues. In addition to Nirvana, notable acts to take the stage have included the Grateful Dead, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and Madonna

Isabel Marant Étoile appliquéd metallic “Ferna” jacket, $695, Nordstrom (downtown, 500 Pine St.; 206.628.2111; shop.nordstrom.com). Cute Like Mad “Johanna” net dress, $200, cutelikemad.com. Aritzia black lace bralette, $45 (Bellevue Square, 118 Bellevue Square; 425.450.2287; us.aritzia.com). Kendall + Kylie midrise leather shorts, $295, and Valentino “Rockstud” leather T-strap pumps, $1,095, Neiman Marcus (Bellevue, The Shops at The Bravern, 11111 NE Eighth St.; 425.452.3300; neimanmarcus.com). Shadow House leather choker, $22, Moorea Seal (Belltown, 2523 Third Ave.; 206.728.2523; mooreaseal.com). Iosselliani black rhodium-plated and crystal ring, $289, Hitchcock (Madrona, 1422 34th Ave.; 206.838.7173;
hitchcockmadrona.com).

The interior of the theater was designed in the Beaux Arts/French Baroque style of the palace of Versailles. French baroque plaster moldings, gold-leaf-encrusted wall medallions and beaded chandeliers greet theatergoers as they enter the lobby

Schai “Luxe Uni” coat in ghianda plush, $1,295, available at schaischai.com. Simon Miller denim top, $240, Barneys New York (downtown, Pacific Place, 600 Pine St.; 206.622.6300; barneys.com). Citizens of Humanity “Rocket Indie” jeans, $238, Aritzia. Givenchy suede “Shark Line” knee boots in navy, $2,125, Neiman Marcus. Dahlia “Open” ring, $36, and “Single” ring, $32, Therese Kuempel onyx “Trio” ring, $50, and The Fox and Stone black tourmaline “Shard” ring, $80, all from Moorea Seal. 8telier leather with silver metal bracelet, $68 (downtown, Pacific Place, 600 Pine St.; 206.419.8185; 8telier.com).

Trouvé fringe-back knit top, $68, Nordstrom. Vegan leather, midrise “Daria” pant, $135, Aritzia. Xenia Mara labradorite and black spinel drop earrings, $170, vintage chain and smoky quartz necklace, $360, and vintage chain “Goddess” necklace, $345, all from Hitchcock. Aireheart by Sydney hematite necklace, $925, and double pyrite with diamond necklace, $1,045, Butch Blum (downtown, 1332 Sixth Ave.; 206.622.5760; butchblum.com). Luly Yang “Ammanii” black snake ring, $495 (downtown, 1218 Fourth Ave.; 206.623.8200; lulyyang.com).

 

 

Part of the theater’s 1994 restoration included the installation of a 24–by-14-foot elevator capable of descending 11 feet to deliver up to 10 tons of equipment directly to the stage.

3.1 Phillip Lim “Varsity” bomber jacket, $750, and lace-trim ribbed sheath dress, $495, Nordstrom. Rag & Bone “Moto” leather boots, $595, Neiman Marcus. Veronica & Harold black spinel necklace, $98, Hitchcock. Maslo “Black Age” bracelet, $28, Moorea Seal.

Former Microsoft vice president turned philanthropist Ida Cole established the nonprofit Seattle Landmark Association in 1992 to save the theater from pending demolition. She said she hoped to restore The Paramount to a venue where “everyone was welcome and felt comfortable, the people’s theater.” The Paramount reopened on March 16, 1995.

Silvae “Wilhelm” tunic, $550, available at Rizom (Belltown, 2316 Second Ave.; rizom.us). Jimmy Choo “Veto” studded leather sandals, $850, Neiman Marcus. Pamela Love gold-plated moonstone and iolite earrings, $250, and Iosselliani black rhodium-plated and crystal ring, $289, both available at Hitchcock.

Seven painters and plasterers worked for three months removing layers of grime from the ornate plaster reliefs on walls and the lacy ironwork, repainting these surfaces in their original 16 colors

Vegan leather jacket, $468, 8telier. Wilfred “Crevier” oak knit top, $85, Aritzia. Vince lamb-leather pleated skirt, $595, Neiman Marcus. Pretty Polly floral pattern fishnet tights, $28, Nordstrom. Rag & Bone “Moto” leather boots, $595, Neiman Marcus. Eddie Borgo gold-plated earrings, $225, Hitchcock. Monica Castiglioni bronze rings, $355 and $410, A Mano (downtown, 1115 First Ave.; 206.292.1767; shopamano.com).

“Show divine at 9th and Pine,” wrote The Seattle Times of the theater’s opening night on March 1, 1928

Mackage “Kenya” jacket, $595, Aritzia. Totokaelo “Catela Bis” ribbed baby T-shirt, $138 (Capitol Hill, 1523 10th Ave.; 206.623.3582; totokaelo.com). Spring papillon green tulle skirt, $3,200, Luly Yang Couture. Adidas “Pro Model” high-top sneaker, $89.95, Nordstrom.

 

Makeup: Melissa Korn for Givenchy Beauty
Makeup assistant: Hana Schaplow
Stylist assistants: Shelby Healy, Lindsay Sievers
Photography assistant: Cameron Karsten
Model/agency: Lauren A., SMG