This week marks one of the greatest and most unexpected successful fusions of our time—solar energy and fashion.

The solar panel runway at the Portland Fashion Week made a winning combination with the solar-inspired designs of famed “Project Runway” winner Seth Aaron Henderson.

This week, both will travel from Portland to Solar Power International in Los Angeles, the largest solar industry tradeshow in the world.

The sharp lines of Aaron’s designs will march down the all-black solar panel runway designed and donated to the fashion week by SolarWorld, the largest solar panel manufacturer in the Americas, again this week.

SolarWorld has brought the exhibit to L.A.

SolarWorld has recently reintroduced its all black panels and decided to showcase them in this unusual way, because they are more aesthetically pleasing than the typical black and white modules, said Ben Santarris, SolarWorld spokesman.

“We’re saying ‘solar is the new black,’” Santarris said.

After Aaron heard that SolarWorld was sponsoring the Portland Fashion Week, he connected with the panel manufacturer, Santarris said, and toured the facility. The line he showcased Saturday night in Portland offers an artistic interpretation of the different stages in solar panel manufacturing.

The sleek line, featuring sharp lines and a futuristic look, is believed to be the first artistic homage to the solar industry attempted in the fashion industry, Santarris said.

The runway itself turned out well, he added.

“It looks pretty slick and cohesive,” he said. “And it’s pretty darn sturdy. I’m 230 pounds, and I can jump up and down on them.”

Offering up the panels for a runway, though they aren’t gathering light or producing energy, helps to increase awareness about solar energy, Santarris said. It shows people how durable and strong the panels are and brings home the idea that “solar is in fashion” right now.

“This was definitely an opportunity to explore the mutual interests of both industries,” he said.

The Portland Fashion Week was a sustainable fashion show, showcasing sustainable fabrics, practices and energy sources.

It was a theme that worked, breaking through two commonly held stereotypes about the northwestern city—that it’s too cloudy for solar energy and too grungy and outdoorsy for high fashion.

“It’s just plain fun,” Santarris said of the show.

Pictured: Designer Seth Aaron Henderson walks across SolarWorld's solar runway at Portland's Fashion Week. Both are in attendance at the Solar Power International conference in Los Angeles this week. Photo taken by Fred Joe.