Who: Ariel
Where: Diplo Party at Holocene
Cutest thing about Portland: DJ Beyonda!
Photo by: AM

With cold weather right around the corner, Souchi (807 NW 23rd) should be one of your regular shopping stops. The in-house line of cashmere knits makes winter bearable, and even during the spring their lightweight pieces are any wardrobe. On Thursday, Sept 27, join them in celebrating 10 years in the biz with a party that includes 25% off current collections during the party, and 15% off through the end of September. Plus, attendees will be able to enter a drawing for a custom sweater!

There are apparently still people walking the earth who think that Hitler invented the swastika. Retail chain Zara had to pull a range of handbags made in India that were “inspired by commonly used Hindu symbols,” which included the dreaded swastika. Tread carefully, designers.

The offending article. What I don’t get is how the woman who started calling attention to this didn’t notice until she had already purchased and brought home the bag. Fast fashion has really gone to far if people are just wildly buying things without even looking. I mean, those swastikas are pretty big.

As threatened, Philip Lim debuted his collaborative efforts with Birkenstock on New York’s runways:

Do you love them, or hate them?

Ha ha, the green queen of fashion seems to have had a mis-communication with whoever designed the invites to her Adidas show at London Fashion Week this year:

At least they got the color right, but the invites are a whopping 16 x 10 inches, and come with these giant, ahem, Styrofoam hands. Way to go.

I am dragging a little bit of ass this morning, due to the preponderance of free wine last night at Mario’s “Autumn Lights” fashion show, which I began consuming at a faster rate as soon as it became apparent how conspicuously underdressed I was. My Harlans, Mario’s purchase though they may be, were embellished by the cat fur my ragdoll had let loose with at the vet earlier. But hey, at least I found some concealer.

The show, a benefit for the Portland Art Museum, showed patrons and prospective customers the goodies Mario’s is carrying this season, a parade of Pucci, Etro, Dolce & Gabbana… all the best names, and even some new-school Proenza Schouler and such to youth things up. A grand production in a beautiful room of the musem, it was good times for all.

My favorite model:

Not to quibble, but as a representative of the scrappiest paper, I have to point out that for most of us, this kind of clothing is not an option. A pair of $200 jeans, yes. D&G sunglasses, sure. All in moderation of course. So my unsolicited suggestion to companies like Mario’s—especially if they want to stay ahead of the game with Sak’s—is to stock more luxury accessories, an area I’d think might be easier to take risks, and be less conservative. There’s no way in hell I can afford a Prada dress, but I’d sure as hell spring for a pair of these:

They may not be the most practical socks in the world (cheaper than a good pair of jeans, though!), but they are unmistakably F/W 2007, hello, yes, I’m paying attention. Unfortunately, they’re not available in Portland. So, what I’m saying is that I would love to patronize Mario’s more than I do, but I only ever seek out the Big Names when looking for small, but recognizable, accents and accessories. It’s the only thing I consider outside the realm of fantasy. Especially shoes. And yet I find that local luxury suppliers don’t go for the fun stuff. Mario’s carries Miu Miu shoes, but nothing funky, not these:

Sak’s doesn’t carry Miu Miu shoes at all in Portland, nor do they have the Prada socks. And get this: the Portland store is the only Sak’s location that doesn’t. WTF!? Something is amiss. So, in conclusion: I liked the show, but it was rather conservative. Please sell me some expensive socks.

Yeah, so maybe I have shoes on the brain today. But lookey here, Olive has a brand new web site, so you can, you know, pre-shop.

(Georgina Goodman boots)

You do not want to put off your holiday shopping again this year. Remember last year’s financial disaster? Yeah, end it before it begins. The great thing about the approaching months is that retailers are all about organizing events that help you TCOB in a timely fashion. Such is the case with the back-by-popular-demand Fashion by Flashlight, scheduled for October 11. All you have to do is cruise up and down NE Alberta for snacks, beverages, and, naturally shopping ideas. (And hey, it’s only October, so you don’t have to feel bad about snagging some goods for yourself while you’re at it.) Participating stores this year include: Bolt, Close Knit, Donna & Toots, Digs, Ella’s, Foundation Garments, Frock, Garnish, IDOM, It Girl, Mabel & Zora, Office, PedX, and Tumbleweed.

(Glances inside exciting new-store-on-the-block IDOM)

Man, it is getting cold. And even though everyone who likes fashion is supposed to be thrilled at the onset of fall, when clothes, hair, and makeup all kick it up a notch, and fashion magazines are bigger than Bibles, I still shed a little tear everytime I face another long stretch of chill. I am, however, proud of having already gotten something accomplished, and that’s a massive cobbling attack on my shoe wardrobe, rectifying pairs I haven’t worn for sometimes over a year because of damage. It’s sort of like getting new shoes. Almost. And, when you do go all out and buy that pair of winter boots or party pumps, we all know to get the soles covered in waterproof rubber.

I’m terribly lucky to be cohabitating with someone who is an excellent cobbler, but if he passes on a task I usually take my shoes to Rubio’s or Nob Hill Shoe Repair (although if you want some Rubio’s action, you better hurry—the beloved shoe repair pro is closing shop at the end of this year!) A reader wrote in extolling the virtues of this place, but the Tigard location is kind of a deal breaker for me. Where do you take your nice shoes for maintenance?

Keeping investment pieces in good repair (like these Dries Van Noten shoes, available at Halo) is vital.

Long known for its fitting experts, lingerie shop (bad name) Oh Baby is having two upcoming bra fitting events at both locations: This weekend, Sept 21-23 on the Eastside (1811 NE Broadway) and Sept 28-30 on the Westside (722 NW 23rd). Pre-book a fitting appointment with the ultra-helpful staff, and enjoy 15% off on all bras during the event(s).

(bra by Empreinte)

Ivy Studio, former resident of the Jupiter Hotel and Doug Fir complex, has shut their retail location in favor of an online-only presence, as well as original merch in select stores. Check in with them next time you need to shop for kids’ stuff; they’ve got lots of cute tees and books for hip breeders and their larvae.

Lush (803 NW 23rd), the hit-or-miss natural bath and body product store, is celebrating the changing seasons this Sunday, Sept 23 (the official first day of Autumn), with an Equinox Celebration. They’re advocating the Moroccan clay-laden Mud Flats Soap, the patchouli and frankincense-scented Blue Skies Bubble Bar, and the dark, woodsy green Tramp Shower Gel (for skin and hair) to help ease the transition for fall. Go have a sniff, and if the products are to your liking, a purchase of $45 or more garners you a goodie bag of extras.

In the past few years, I’ve been spending more time in Sellwood. It’s like going on the cheapest vacation ever, to a wholesome American town where none of my relatives live. One of the little shops that hides out in those parts is Tilde (7919 SE 13th), instantly recognizable for its candy colored interior, caused by the deluge of playfully designed housewares and accessories. Well, this weekend marks the one-year anniversary, and to celebrate the store is having a sale: Everything (excluding artwork) will be 10% off this Saturday the 22nd, including handbags, jewelry, and decorative items, many of which are locally made. While you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to walk around a bit for a mini-slice of local Americana.