Hello, and greetings from Appalachia, where I am holed up in an absolutely fabulous chalet in the Great Smoky Mountains, where I was somewhat surprised to turn on my laptop and find that I have like two bars of internet power! That just doesn’t seem right! There’s bears and stuff around here! Anyhow, I need to get some beauty sleep before heading off to Dollywood tomorrow (hell yeah, y’all!)—no, I’m not four years old, it’s three hours ahead here—but before I go just wanted to give you a quick heads up that Portland Fashion Week is beginning its ticket sales tomorrow, with a 10% off deal if you buy them this weekend. More info and complete schedule here. On a related note, if you haven’t yet seen it, check out the Oregonian’s Vivian McInerny’s amusing roundup of celeb quotes when faced with the concept of Portland Fashion Week:

Portland Fashion Week? How, uh, interesting

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

VIVIAN McINERNY

The Oregonian Staff

NEW YORK CITY — This city is trying to rework its image. Signs declare it “The Big ‘Green’ Apple.”

Even Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week tried to green up the shows by not giving away bottled water as usual to thousands of attendees. But Portland, land of the green vibe, will have its own fashion week in October. The themes? Sustainability and regional design.

A few front-row guests in New York shared their thoughts on Portland Fashion Week:

Actress Ellen Barkin deadpanned: “Sustainable, meaning you can wear it forever?”

Ivana Trump, famous divorcee of The Donald: “I think it’s fantastic Portland has a fashion week. Each part of the country has different dress codes. I think Oregon will be very casual. Portland Fashion Week would be easier, I think, not so hectic and crowded as New York if I go.” Wait a minute, would she really consider attending Portland Fashion Week? “Yes. I would be happy to come. Absolutely!”

Jane Krakowski, actress from “Ally McBeal” and “30 Rock”: “I don’t want to play into that stereotype. It would be cruel. Lots of fleece? I shouldn’t say that. I have friends in Oregon who say it’s the most beautiful place on Earth.”

Allison Janney, actress on “West Wing”: “Raincoats and a good pair of walking shoes; bluejeans and rain boots. Portland is having a fashion week? I love it!”

Fern Mallis, senior vice president of IMG Fashion in New York, which produces fashion week here: “I don’t know if people can add Portland to their list. They’re already going to back-to-back fashion weeks (New York, Milan, Paris, London, Los Angeles, Miami). But, hey, whatever it takes in every city, if people become more aware of fashion — it’s good.”

Mya, singer: “Portland is so far removed from the entertainment world I would think the designers there would relate well to everyday people. Sometimes when I buy clothes in L.A. or New York, I can only wear them in L.A. or New York.”

Nigel Barker, photographer and judge on “America’s Next Top Model”: “When I think of Portland, I think commerce more than fashion. I know you have that famous old department store, what’s it called … Meier & Frank. Years ago, I was there for work. Not as a photographer, a model.”

Hey, if you checked out last night’s Flourish Fashion Show over on Mississippi Avenue, then you already know the stage was boiling hot with great fashions and models with delectable junk in their trunk. (As the emcee I was behind them. What else was I supposed to look at??) Anyhoo, it was FUN, and I’ll try to drum up some juicy pix.
IN THE MEANTIME: There’s another show you don’t want to miss coming up this Sunday; here’s the scoop from this week’s Sold Out column…

Lindsay Garcia and Heidi Parsitt of Ziva Salon have put together a fashion show to benefit local conservation organization Ecotrust they’re calling the Eco Style Fashion Show. Using it as an opportunity to show off their hairstyling skills, Ziva will feature removable extensions dyed with natural temporary hair dye on models sporting looks from the ubiquitous Sameunderneath, Someone Clothing, and Le Rouge, as well as Art Institute of Portland graduate Diana Pingul. Aside from Sameunderneath’s bamboo fiber clothing, sustainable catered food, and the natural hair dye, the production isn’t super sustainable, but it should bring in a good haul for the environmental champion it benefits. Oh, and another motivation? Your ticket price includes a $50 gift certificate to the salon! (Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center, 721 NW 9th, 2nd Floor, Sun Sept 16, 6 pm show, doors and refreshments, 5 pm, $25)

Don’t miss it!

Hey you! Truck on out to Mississippi Ave. tonight for the Flourish fashion show featuring looks from the hottest, cutest boutiques in town, including Pin Me Apparel, Black Wagon, Sameunderneath, Blue, Amalee, Gypsy Chic, and Phlox. They’re debuting some of the hot new fall fashion you’ll find in their shops—plus you’ll get a big 15% off at all participating stores!
And I’ll be emceeing the event, which is great, because I have this “thing” for sexy people.
See you tonight at the Flourish Fashion Spectacular, corner of N Mississippi & Beech, 7 pm, $2 suggested donation with the proceeds going to the Albina Youth Opportunity School!

Start digging those pennies out from beneath the sofa cushions because this Saturday marks one of the most awesome sales of the season: THE PDX COLLECTIVE WAREHOUSE SALE. Not only will you find wicked deals from such shopping faves as Nolita, Moxie, Phlox, Pin Me, Shoefly and more, they’ll be featuring name brands at a whopping 50-75% off retail!

BY THE HAMMER OF THOR, WHAT A DEAL!

What kind of name brands? How about…

Deep discounts on designers like Tibi, Three Dot, Seven for all Mankind, True Religion, Orla Kiely, Manoush, Prana, Stella McCartney for Adidas, Charles David, Kors, Camper, and Free People will have you saving more than you spend!

So get thee to the Warehouse Sale @ Apotheke (1314 NW Glisan St. 2nd floor in the Pearl) this Saturday, September 15 from 11 am - 6pm. OMIGOD, I’m gonna look so hot.

Giovanna of Una (2802 SE Ankeny) sent us some lovely photos of her new arrivals:

Makes me start thinking about party dresses for the holidays…

One of a flurry of fashion shows happening in the coming weeks, the Eco Style Fashion Show initiated by Ziva Salon’s (610 NW 23rd) Lindsay Garcia and Heidi Parsitt features looks from the ubiquitous Sameunderneath, Someone Clothing, Diana Pingul, and Le Rouge. On the Eco tip, the salon will showcase natural temporary hair dye and catered munchies will be of the eco friendly variety. The show is a benefit for EcoTrust, and tickets are $25, but check it: your ticket includes a $50 gift certificate to the salon!. So that’s like, them giving you money. Awesome. Choose from hair, skin, or waxing services, not to mention beauty goodies from the store. Pick up your tix at the salon!

(looks by Diana Pingul)

I am among the many optimists who remain certain that Portland’s gonna come through with its indian summer this year. We may be wrong, but I for one am heading for a warmer climate tomorrow—if I can’t get my hot summer here, I’ll go elsewhere, thankyouverymuch! So, while I should be spending my time deciding how many different shades of grey I’ll need to buy tights in for the fall, I’m instead gifted with the fun task of packing all my favorite summer pieces, most of which I only got to wear a few times during the actual summer months this year. Not least of which is a bathing suit. I’ll be with family and grandmas and such, so it’s probably ill-advised to go with the string bikinis, as they reveal, among many other things, the illicit tattoo I bought myself for my 16th birthday (ah, foresight). I’m not into sporty suits, but vintage inspired looks are just fine by me, so when I need a little modesty without wanting to risk looking like a frump, the suit I have from Poppi Swim (4831 NE 42nd) comes in handy. It gives you a ton of coverage below the belly button, but a plunging halter top keeps it sexy and flattering. And, now that the peak season is through for swimsuits, the store is having a massive sale through September: 45-75% off prints and select solid pieces, 15-50% off non-Poppi brand lines like Sunsets, Hydra, Speedo, and Aerin Rose, 15% off all accessories, and free pairs of Havaianas flipflops with a purchase of $150. And, if this indian summer thing really does happen, you won’t even need to wait to start getting mileage out of your new suit.