Who: Takahiro Miyashita, Designer of Japanese label Number (N)ine
Where: The Menswear Fall 2008 Show in Paris
This past week in Paris, Japanese label Number (N)ine debuted their Fall 2008 Collection, titled My Own Private Portland. Miyashita’s love of all things Portland, including Gus Van Sant and early 90’s grunge clichés, were romanticized and updated to create comfortable yet sophisticated looks for Fall. The collection included plaid shirts, beaten-up boots, corduroy jackets, fringed moccasins and gloves, letterman jockwear, and distressed leather coats with leather-covered buttons. Everthing about the show, from the dark garage setting that Miyashita found in the Bastille, to the ACE Hotel blankets he gave the audience to keep them warm, demonstrated a loving nod to Portland and the effortless, unpretentious style that exists here.
Photos by: Marcio Madeira

The annual PDX Collective sale is always a hit—boutiques from around town (plus some buddies from the out-of-town Parts + Labour all get together to unload the last of their winter merchandise at rock bottom prices, all under the same roof, which makes your life a hell of a lot easier. It always comes at the tipping point of my tolerance for the sweaters in my wardrobe, but you’ll find deals on all manner of apparel. This year, it’s happening on Saturday, Feb 9, and they’ve moved to the Cleaners at the Ace Hotel, and the lineup of participating stores, which is not quite finalized, is shaping up to be pretty blockbuster:

Mimi and Lena, the English Dept, Physical Element, Pin Me, Bubble, Moxie, Sameunderneath, Parts + Labour, and Nolita are all committed, with rumors of a possible Le Train Bleu addition, plus one more store—you’ll know when I know. In the meantime, get ready to be happy.

Oh, I guess I’m a bitch. One of those snobby inner SE-dwelling types who steps off the grid so infrequently that I literally have gotten lost every time I’ve ventured out to the ‘Tron, cursing its comparatively labyrinthine streets and the odd errand that brought me there, beating the steering wheel and spewing vitriol at every drab strip mall I pass.

So, my expectations for a new online boutique originating in this sprawling suburb were somewhat less than astronomical. Turns out, I’m a snobby bitch, because Sotto actually looks like decent little trove of indie designs.

Though personally I’m not a practitioner or advocate of online apparel shopping (how can you buy things without touching them, trying them on?), those of you who are (especially those of you who use the internet as a tool for price comparison) should definitely check them out. (Plus, I suppose, the less distance your online purchase has to travel to get to you, the better.) There is crossover in some of the lines with physical stores in town: They plan to carry Rachel Comey, for instance, which can also be found at Stand Up Comedy, and Jenny Yuen bags, also found at IDOM (1600 NE Alberta).

Other lines coming down the pipe are Charlotte Ronson, Eskell, Mociun, and more. The selection as of now is somewhat skimpy, but to celebrate the launch of the store, they are offering 20% off all merchandise through January—choose from leather bags and wallets made from recycled leather jackets by Ashley Watson, cropped leather jackets from Madison Marcus, and dresses from Mooka Kinney.

Who knows, if they do well they might open a storefront, like Le Train Bleu did—maybe even in Portland.

(I’m into these Rachel Comey shoes, which Sotto is stocking in brown for spring)

Don’t let that sewing machine intimate you any longer! Dust it off and go to Cool Cottons (2417 SE Hawthorne) tonight from 6:30-8:30 for their “Get to Know your Sewing Machine” workshop. No pre-registration required, just show up! Learn the basics on how to handle your machine and you just might have the chance to become The Mercury’s Next Top Designer.

I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of spats ever since Marjorie wrote about them a couple of weeks ago. I love the ones at Local 35, but I went on the search for some handmade ones and found these on Etsy. I think my search is over!

Embellished spats by Irish designer Bonzie.

Adorable kids spats by Soil. Ramona from Soil replied to my request for adult spats stating,

“I do make the spats in adult sizes, but right now only the same ones that I have listed on etsy. I can do them as a custom order in a womens size 7. I can also do other sizes but may need a few measurements. I’m also happy to work with you if you want them taller, shorter, or whatever”

The shocking news that one of P-town’s most beloved boutiques is closing its doors came in today:

2008 has brought many new changes and ideas already, and Hazel and I are eager to share. April 8th marks our third anniversary in our beloved spot on East Burnside, and we are proud to have been a part of shaping the neighborhood from nearly the very start of it’s transformation (when we moved in, there was a cigarette shop next door where Moshi Moshi sits, and the fabulous Burnside Proper was still taking shape). As the date draws nearer, we have been considering our choices, as it is not only our anniversary, it is also our chance to renew our lease and continue on, or a chance to close the door and start new projects afresh. After much deliberation, Hazel and I have chosen the latter. Our time with Denwave has been incredible, and we have grown and learned much. When we set out three years ago, we had no way of knowing just how far we would come, and we are immensely proud of what we have accomplished, but the time has come for us pursue our other passions! By shuttering the retail end of our operation, Hazel and I will both have more time to devote to our first loves, which is to be simply creating and making!

Our future plans are still nebulous, but Hazel plans to open a semi-public studio in a yet-to-be-decided location, where she will continue to make available her work, as well as other smalls that she will curate in. Look forward to seeing the new incarnations of her ideas in later spring to early summer.

I will continue to design custom work, as well as expanding into a more solid collection output that will be made available in shops here in Portland as well as farther afield. I will also continue expanding my bridal repertoire.

Make sure to drop by the shop in the coming months to get contact information from both of us, we won’t go far! And while you are there, you can take advantage of the great deals we will be offering on merchandise from now until close! Hazel and I will be adding new work to the shop until the last day, so there will always be something new to see. Thank you all for a fantastic experience, and all the love and support over the past three years, it has truly been a pleasure.

To New Ideas, And Green Pastures!!!!

-Genevieve and Hazel

I’m slowly building up a drawer portfolio of quality lingerie pieces from places like Lille and Oh Baby!, and I’m stoked to learn that the latter boutique will now be carrying awesome pieces from Marlies Dekkers. Come check out the line at the store’s monthly Thursday Nightie event, where you can scope the line in a casual, social setting. (Or sneak in during off-hours if you’re shy, but either way you should see these!):

The event is Thursday, January 31st, from 6-8 pm at the NW 23rd location… see you there!

The semi-annual sale is on over at Phlox (3962 N Mississippi), with 20-70 % off. Meanwhile, new arrivals are coming in from old favorites Splendid and 3 Dots, plus new lines to the store Twinkle, Michelle Jonas, Preloved, and perhaps most excitingly, Linda Loudermilk!

Who: Jun
Where: The Vanity Party (with The Horrors) at Warehouse
Cutest piece: My Jeremy Scott sweater dress!
Photo by: AM