Seattle’s Gum Wall has never exactly been known for subtlety. On September 30, the famously sticky landmark in Post Alley is getting an even louder makeover when CHEW, a Gum Wall-inspired fashion show, turns the iconic Pike Place Market spot into an unexpected runway.
The event lands on National Chewing Gum Day, fittingly enough.
Love the Gum Wall? Hate it? Find yourself staring at it wondering who thought this was a good idea? CHEW is leaning into all of those reactions. The evening will mix fashion, art, music, color and, naturally, plenty of gum.
The show will feature clothing from local designers and artists Noah Parriott of Do Not Bleach and Naomi Amber Dawn, with music from DJ Marco Collins and appearances by local artists and special guests.
Noah Parriott has been selling his handmade designs at Pike Place Market since 2012. His distinctive shirts are created using bleach and coffee, with every piece made individually by hand. His collection has grown to include hats, dresses and onesies. Naomi’s collage-inspired artwork appears on prints and clothing, with much of her work drawing inspiration from the Pacific Northwest.
And then there’s the runway itself: the Gum Wall. The tradition began in the 1990s, when patrons and performers at Unexpected Productions started sticking their gum onto the brick. Decades later, the wall has become one of Seattle’s most recognizable—and polarizing—landmarks. Even after major cleanings, including a 2015 removal of roughly 2,300 pounds of gum and debris, fresh gum quickly returned.
So expect CHEW to be less traditional fashion show and more Seattle-style spectacle: weird, colorful, messy, and very much its own thing.
CHEW: A Gum Wall-Inspired Fashion Show
📅 Date: September 30
⏰ Time: 7 p.m.
📍 Location: Gum Wall, Post Alley at Pike Place Market
