Who: Ryan and Brian!
Where: Justice Party at Holocene
Photo by: AM

Lots to see at last night’s Fashion by Flashlight on Alberta. Here are a few of my top picks.

Starting clockwise from top:
1. Dress by Erhart Design at Foundation Garments
2. Fab blue earrings as a free gift from It Girl
3. Flashlight (umm…to fill space)
4. Black PeaHoodie by Abigail Adams at Foundation Garments
5. Hat by San Diego Hat Co. at Frock
6. Chocolate brown lamp by Robert Abbey Inc. at Digs Inside and Out
7. Super awesome fuzzy luggage by Catherine Manuell Design at Mabel & Zora

Starting today, and running through Sunday, Mink (4314 SE Hawthorne) is having a sale—15% off everything! Stock up on their party dresses from lines like Soda Blu, Weston Wear and Kenzie, plus denim, the all-important sweaters, jackets, as well as non-closet items like perfume and candles.

I love this, I love the color. Flawless mix of girly pink and intimidating, tough detail.

These giant, dramatic, dark, fading polka dots make this my favorite coat for next season.

Tucked away in NW (2431 NW Thurman), Hecklewood’s been up to some great stuff. The new collection, Native Cascadians elaborates on the graphic tees the brand is known for with scarves, hats, hoodies, and jackets. Check out the eye-catching results:

I am often easily bored by the relentless presence of graphic tees, and it should be noted that Hecklewood is a consistent exception, always ambitious, and constantly raising the bar for themselves.

Mini skirts and dresses are all hot this fall, but finding one at the thrift or vintage store may not be so easy. When treasure hunting at these stores, keep an open mind and always remember that you (or a really nice friend) can shorten these often “Mom” type items to cute little skirts and dresses.

Drab to Fab:

Materials needed:
“Mom” skirt or dress
Sewing Machine
Thread
Scissors

Instructions:
1. Try on skirt or dress
2. Measure to desired length and use a pin, your memory, or tailors chalk to mark that length
3. Add on 1/2” to that length and cut
4. Fold in the bottom of the skirt 1/2” and pin all the way around
5. Using your *best* straight stitch, stitch around the bottom of the skirt, creating a nice clean hem
6. Trim any excess fabric
7. Wear with a pair of tights or boots and get ready for the compliments to flood in

Enjoy!

I never quite know what to say about events like Runway to Rooftop, a fashion show of women’s clothing from the via C boutique of up and coming designers, without sounding like a total windbag. I liked the production, interspersing a well paced show with short entries from the 10 Tiny Dances series. The crowd was fresh and sort of mid-formal bohemian, looking good. I like that the merchandise is available to examine and shop, although the tight crowd made serious browsing unpleasant. At the end of the day these big department store fashion shows are just fancy ways to shop. Nothing wrong with that I guess (although I would so rather see clever, well heeled Portlanders drop their money on equally elegant if more obscure pieces at Una, or on custom Adam Arnold), but it’s hard to think of something to say when the clothing being shown isn’t new design and the up and comers are still names you know: Anna Sui, Philip Lim, M Missoni… So just enjoy some photos courtesy of Minh Tran.

Needing a pair of jeans to keep that ass wrapped up tight for fall? Wanting them to come from companies working toward socially responsible/eco-friendly production ideals? Enter Olio United (1028 SE Water), who is hosting an “Awesome Caboose” denim night this Thursday 10/11, from 6-9 pm. Choose from Sling & Stones, Del Forte, Loomstate, and Good Society, and get a free hemming on your purchase, as well as free wine.

Sling & Stones is a Portland exclusive at Olio United. This premium denim line from Seattle uses only organic, fair trade cotton from the U.S and Peru. Loomed in a small family-run mill in Japan, the jeans are accented with 24 kt gold plated hardware and thread by skilled artisans in India. A portion of the Sling & Stones proceeds goes to charitable organizations in countries that are involved in the production of the jeans.

Good Society is another environmentally friendly denim line from Sling & Stones co-founder Aiden Dinh, with two styles- Straight and Skinny for men and women. Like Sling & Stones, Good Society Denim is made from certified organic cotton and constructed in accordance with Fair Trade regulations. This is its first season, and Olio United is one of only a handful of premier stores in the U.S. that carry the line.

Del Forte Denim is made from 100% organic cotton that is grown, milled, cut, and sewn in the U.S. The jean company is committed to using sustainable products and services whenever possible. A portion of the proceeds goes to The Sustainable Cotton Project, and when you’re done with a pair of Del Forte jeans, the company takes the worn denim back and gives a 10% discount on your next purchase.

Loomstate has been a pioneer in the organic denim movement. Headed by designer Rogan Gregory, Loomstate denim is 100% organic and sweatshop-free.
We currently have five different styles in stock, ranging from slim fit to trousers.

Yawn, another day, another fellating by the New York Times. If you missed the Sunday edition yesterday, be sure to pick it up for the feature on Portland design, in T, the paper’s style magazine, as promised by early reports. On the receiving end of specific shout outs: Stand Up Comedy, Denwave, Adam Arnold, Compound, Ace Hotel, Doug Fir, Jupiter Hotel, Rocket, the Chesterfield, Canoe, Cargo, and Intelligent Design.

(Ye Olde Doug Fir)