Who: Thomas
Where: Outside the Bumble & Bumble casting call at the Cleaners Space
Photo by: AM

Idom has been having trouble moving these cute bags from Brooklyn-based designer Jenny Yuen. Everyone who sees them adores them. But they were priced at $325.
We all know why Fendi charges $2000 + for a little clutch: because they can. But what about indie designers like Yuen? I spoke to her recently to get the lowdown on high prices.

✺Her pieces are produced in one of the few remaining factories in NYC’s Garment District. Yuen visits the family-owned factory and works closely with the craftsmen, who are paid a living wage. Obviously, this is costlier than producing in China (where Fendi bags originate, btw).

✺Yuen gets her leather from Italy or the US, which is more expensive due to higher quality and because American and Italian tanners are paid well and work in better conditions.

✺The hardware is custom made, unique to each bag. Everything is actually gold-plated, rather than just painted gold, and varnished so it holds shine and resists scratching.

✺Yuen is a completely independent designer, producing on a small scale. She doesn’t get the price breaks that bulk producers often get.

Idom on Alberta has the line on sale now. They’re still expensive, but totally worth it.

Yesterday at a (cold, windy, raining, outdoor) photo shoot, we were taking about how weird it is that the Sephora store in our area is way out in Washington Square, with rumors of another to open in Clackamas. Why not downtown, or merely within the city limits? Out of this grew a conversation about how much of Sephora’s cultural cache has eroded as they become increasingly big box, from sophisticated and metropolitan to the WalMart for faces. From that point of view the banishment to the suburbs for Sephara stores seems less a function of Portland’s junior league status among major cities and more another typical example of our city’s development style. Instead we have in our urban core independent retailers like Blush specializing in makeup product and services. I don’t wear much makeup anyway (I just don’t have the time), and today I’m sitting at home in a slip and hoodie with a head cold, going nowhere fast, but if my situation were different, as yours hopefully is, I might like to know that today is what Blush calls “Flirty First Friday” (cursed name), wherein you book an appointment for them to do your makeup, and the $30 reservation fee can be redeemed for product. Which essentially sounds like the same deal you can get at a department store whenever, but why go chain when you can go indie?

I think this show’s going to be fun. They’re serving free beer and wine, which always helps. They’ve got a good DJ. It’s free. Video will be projected outside, so you can watch from the park across the street (it’s totally not going to rain). Looks are from Sama Eyewear, Mabel & Zora, Popina Swimwear, Olive Shoes, Fez Studio and Modish Studio.
But the best thing? On Saturday you can come to their trunk show and buy everything! Because a show without shopping is like sex without love. Empty and meaningless.

DETAILS:
Fashion show: Friday at 7:30
Trunk show: Saturday 11-4
Visage Eyewear, 1046 NW Johnson

It’s been just a few short months since Hazel Cox and business partner Genevieve Dellinger shuttered the much-loved Denwave boutique in the bustling 811 E Burnside, and opened her solo venture, Hazel Grayslayer in the same building. She’s since been juggling her substantial wholesale business and store hours, using Grayslayer double duty as studio and shop, where she sells her genius line of accessories (for pets, too!). This afternoon, however, she was pleased to tell me that she is closing the 811 location at the end of this month and moving her operation to a private studio, where she plans to hold open studios, most likely the first of which will be open only to clients and friends, but with the eventual goal of making them open to the public. Local designers turning their focus back to making without retailing is turning into a trend, apparently, and one that seems to be making them happier and healthier.

The recession’s a bummer, but the silver lining I suppose is that spots like Sotto Boutique are trying to keep their prices accessible by offering various deals. A locally based online boutique, Sotto is offering 25% off all purchases until June 15—just enter the code “relief” at checkout. They stock womens clothing and accessories from favorites like Rachel Comey and church + state, among other delights.

Blood is the New Black “Hair” Tee Collaboration with the artist Manolo Chow.

It’s been four years since Nolita put down Portland roots (the original location is in Missoula), and they’re throwing themselves a birthday party on Friday the 13th, from 5-8 pm. Stop by and take advantage of the food and cocktails plus 15% off store-wide, a “gallery installation” of the 2007 Nolita butt contest submissions (of which I was a judge), prizes, and gifts. If you can’t make the party-proper, hang tight; the sale runs through the weekend.

Yesterday, fashion titan Yves Saint Laurent died at age 71. Let’s all pause to have a moment of appreciation for the man and his most famous contribution to the 20th century wardrobe: Le Smoking.

After eight years of helming the reigns of Portland’s indie fashion scene, Seaplane has been sold to former sneaker pimp and American Apparel/Red Light/Fashion Camp/Lovecraft Biofuel impresario Tacee Webb. There’s a second LA location in the works for the store, which essentially put Portland fashion on the map. Original founders Holly Stalder and Kate Towers will continue to sell at the store, as will many of the designers that have defined the aesthetic. Laura Irwin of Precious and a familiar face at the Seaplane store on NW 23rd will stay on full-time. Stay tuned to see how things shape up; I’m particularly interested in seeing how the exportation of Portland designers goes over in LA. I wouldn’t be surprised to see lines like church + state becoming popular with Hollywood stylists, in an environment thats particularly interested in one of a kind and limited pieces (how would you feel if you ended up in a “who wore it better” poll?). With Webb’s business savvy and Towers’ and Stalder’s newfound freedom, expect to see good things from all.