I'm about to publish a feature on the Northwest debut of Handmade Nation, the documentary film (and book) by Faythe Levine about the rise of DIY craft. I tried to be Very Serious About It, because I think the movement in general warrants that respect, but then I see crap—and I mean crap—like this and it makes me feel all funny inside.

These are laptop sweaters. SWEATERS FOR YOUR LAPTOP. Unless you did something extreme like bury it in the snow, if your laptop got cold it would still work, and if you dropped it while it was wearing a sweater it would still break. I'm all for delaying the inevitable landfill-bound fate of gross synthetic objects, but the fact that someone is selling these for $20 (you can't even use the laptop unless you take the sweater OFF!!) is just... blech.
Prom season is just around the corner, and if you're looking for that perfect gown that says, "I would like you to stick your penis in my big pink vagina," I think I've found it!

Last week, I put a call out to local apparel and accessories designers that we are currently accepting submissions for emerging designers to be showcased as part of our spring show, Forecast. It's the fifth consecutive year that I've been able to do some kind of fashion event through the paper, and this year is going to be exceptional. We have an amazing roster of local designers, almost all of whom operate on what I sometimes think of as the "Portland couture" level, with one-of-a-kind pieces or very small runs. We'll also have a "salon" where people can view accessories up close in more of a gallery setting, taking a page from past years' "Installations" events, as well as a portion of the show dedicated to some fresh names on the local scene—that's you! You can either mail or drop off photos of your finished work, along with a bio, and anything else you'd like to throw in to better represent yourself (in the past we've seen fabric samples, sketches, and samples, but please don't submit anything that you need to have returned!), along with a $25 submission fee (checks and money orders should be made out to the Portland Mercury). This is going to be an amazing event, and a great opportunity to get exposure for your work. Check out the line-up thus far!
Adam Arnold, Dust, Elizabeth Dye, Emily Katz, Gatsby, Holly Stalder, Frocky Jack Morgan, Kate Towers, Liza Rietz, Moth Love, Emily Baker Jewelry, Rush Accessories, John Blasioli, Cloud Society, Emily Ryan, plus more (like, maybe you!)!!
For inspiration:






Celebrity fashion gossip time!!
Lauren Conrad (aka LC or as Marjorie just said, "some bitch from The Hills") is temporarily stopping her fashion line. Yes the former best friend of Mrs. Spencer Pratt has a clothing line. Where she sold it I have no idea. There were reports LC was ditching it for good, but thank the good Lord himself, it's just going to take a break for a few seasons.
Hey! Mandy Moore did the same thing! Yes, she has a clothing line too, and in case you're wondering it's called Mblem and it's actually been around since 2005. Again, word was she was ending it but turns out she's just "taking a break for a few seasons" as well.
At the same time that the aforementioned celebrities are putting theirs on hold, Gwyneth Paltrow is starting a fashion line! Currently working on her Fall/Winter collection, she'll be collaborating with French fashion house ZOEtee’s for her line ZOEtee’s Loves Gwyneth. The line will be like her—free-spirited ('70s inspired) and goodhearted (all proceeds will go to the charity London’s Kids Company).
Lindsay Lohan. Crap, I hate this bitch. She's acting as "a modern 'Alice in Wonderland' who explores three metaphysical settings characterized by fluctuating geometrical shapes with neon colors" in a new Fornarina ad for the Spring/Summer line. I rue the day I bought Fornarina shoes.
Early this afternoon the Art Institute previewed the soon-to-be-graduates of the apparel design program, offering a glimpse of some of the things in store for us come June, when the school hosts its big annual fashion show:



You might have heard about Fat Fancy, Portland's plus-size underground boutique. If you haven't been, check it out this weekend, they're having a massive sale to get rid of their vintage and modern winter inventory. Plus, they've got a few new original pieces from freaky-fabulous Leslie Hall of Leslie and the Ly's. Gem sweaters anyone?
The details:
12-5pm Saturday and Sunday
834 NE Emerson between 8th and 9th
2 1/2 blocks from MLK
As reported earlier,
One of East Burnside's institutions just picked up and moved: Burnside Proper was an early pioneer of the strip now known as the "Lower East End," home to hip venues, boutiques, bars, and restaurants. It's hard to believe now, but back when the salon/studio/store first opened, E Burnside was actually kind of sketch, and its fashionable makeover pretty much began at Burnside Proper, whose name now sounds eerily prophetic. The new digs opened on Tuesday, March 3 (we breathlessly await details on an inaugural open house event) at 715 SE Grand, with a new name to go with it: Co. Co. & Co. How can a name with no words be so wordy? Amazing.
A couple updates: They've backed off of Co. Co. & Co. as the new name, and are still searching for a new new name. And, we can now let out our breath because the inaugural event is in mere days: This Sunday, from 6 pm on, they are inviting people to help them break in the new spot with a drinks 'n' snacks shindig that hints at possible inclusions of photo booths and nail airbrushing—you'll have to come by and see. Sneak a peek at the photos of the space in the meantime:




Just a heads' up that next month marks the second anniversary of Lille, which has in a relatively short time improved the quality standards of underwear drawers across the city's population of cool girls who know the virtue of natural fibers, shopping local, and—hopefully—the infectious excitement Lille's Sarah Wizemann conveys on the delightful, prolific Lille blog, which I highly recommend for a midday pick-me-up at the office. Some of the things she has planned are a month-long art show (with a First Friday opening, as per us) of contributors to the Lille walls over the past two years, as well as a sample sale the first weekend of the month (actually, we're talking Sat-Mon, because—reminder!—the shop is now open seven days a week). Wizemann snagged a bunch of sample-sized goodies from the distributors she works with, so those who wear small sizes are going to make out like li'l bandits! You might, in fact, want to keep it a steady weekend date—the second Sat-Mon in April will feature a buy-two-get-one-half-off sale, and the official anniversary date of April 18 will be marked by a par-tay featuring drinks, giveaways, and more. Oh, and if you're more in the market for a swimsuit (river days are coming!), peep these glimpses of the newly-in-stock swimwear from Malia Mills:

The Mercury is gearing up for our fifth annual spring fashion show (Sunday, April 26), which I am proud to say has had the honor of introducing some of the best new design talent onto Portland's consciousness, many of whom have gone on to do some very interesting things. (Um, Leanne Marshall much?) This year's format will deviate slightly from that of the past couple years: It is a platform dedicated primarily to established Portland designers, who in most cases have made their mark by emphasizing limited or one-of-a-kind pieces, and many of whom are recognizable as instrumental to the existence and perpetuation of Portland's unique scene.
In the interest of tilling the soil and in celebration of the burgeoning designers who are keeping the torch alive, a portion of the show will also be dedicated to the work of designers chosen by submission, selected by a jury including myself, France May boutique owner Pamela Baker-Miller, Portland designer (also showing his own work) Adam Arnold, and fellow MOD contributor Brett Glass. We are looking for a small selection of designers to produce one look apiece for an emerging designer showcase alongside the work of ground-laying designers like Holly Stalder, Frocky Jack Morgan, and many more.
Interested in being part of the most exciting Portland fashion event of the season? You should be! To submit your work for consideration, please send a submission package that includes a brief bio, photographs of your finished work (samples are not necessary, and please do not end anything you wish to have returned). Apparel and accessories designers of all kinds are welcome to apply!
Please send mailed/drop off submissions attn'd to Marjorie Skinner c/o the Portland Mercury, 605 NE 21st Ave Ste 200, Portland, OR 97232. All submissions must be received by Thursday, April 9 at 5 pm and must include a $25 submission fee, with all checks and money orders made out to the Portland Mercury.

I posted earlier that designer May Tee has moved production of her high-quality women's wear line from New York to Portland, having founded the Filo Factory, and yesterday evening I went in to take a look at the space. Clean and well-lit, it began as the shared studio of Alyson Clair (her line is called simply Clair) and Sarah Wallace (her line and store are Lucia). They connected with May Tee through PDX Fashion Synergy, a fledgling organization that was May's brainchild, and which has partnered with the Art Institute of Portland to establish a scholarship (the first one awarded was to Janeane Marie). The goals are ultimately broad, but in general the aim is to foster and support the apparel design industry in Portland through relationships and shared resources—maybe even offer health insurance through membership.
Tee and Wallace pooled together to add five industrial machines to their existing resources, a proper cutting table, and hired Susie Ruan, a talented sample maker, with the goal of eventually having her take on a production manager role as the factory's client base grows and they are able to take on additional sewing employees. They've also leased a program called OptiTex, which all three swear by for precise digitized grading, maximizing fabric yield, and generally doing wonders for quality and consistency.
Filo is poised to fill a role that many Portland designers struggle with. Any legitimate factory located in the region requires a large minimum of pieces to produce, and a designer working on a smaller scale is faced with shouldering much of the production work on their own, or contracting it out to sewers who work out of their homes, which can result in inconsistent quality. Filo joins the Portland Garment Factory and Sofada in trying to fill that void, with low or no minimums at reasonable cost to local designers.
May points out that Filo has several advantages over even the work that she's experienced with her own line at the hands of New York factories, where by virtue of the distance between here and there design details are frequently lost, despite monthly trips to monitor the production. There's an old-school mentality that resists computerization despite its effectiveness, likely out of the fear of taking on any additional costs. A traditional factory might charge more for a greater range of sizes, while with OptiTex it can be mapped out with minimal hassle, and thus expense.

"There's a lot of talent here," says May of the sewers in Portland, "you just have to handpick them." This is probably particularly true now, with layoffs at large firms. Along with Ruan, they and their associates in the Synergy group are keeping their eye on such candidates, and if the factory is able to grow and create enough new jobs, there's the possibility of additional support from the Portland Development Commission.
If you're a designer looking for a local, reliable source for production—even on tricky fabric like woven knits—Filo is extremely well equipped, and Ruan comes highly praised. May Tee's line is, after all, carried at Mario's, which is not known for compromising luxury and quality for sentimental feelings toward local design, and her work there is testament to the standards upheld by Filo.



Wanna get a cheap facial? (Commence "I can give you a free one, heh heh heh" jokes.) The Paul Mitchell School (234 SW Broadway) is having some sort of awesome sale. Granted you will be experimented on by "future professionals," but geez o' Pete is it a smokin' deal.
Haircuts $9.95
Color starting at $27.95
Highlights starting at $39.95
Manicure and pedicure $22.95
European facial (this is where Alison inserted a Swiss ski instructor joke) $22.95
I can vouch for the facial. It was a good hour long, and by the end I felt like I was annointed with enough essential oils to be a Hellmouth demon's ritual sacrifice. (Obviously, I spent my 60 minutes fantasizing that I saved Sunnydale from Gavrok Spiders.) My future esthetician was super and the whole experience was worth so much more than 23 bucks.
See how happy I look!

If you watched Project Runway last season to see Portland designer Leanne Marshall win it, then you will no doubt recall Kenley Collins as the reality show's de facto villain. Wonder what she's up to now? Oh, not much. Just braining people in the head with laptops.
The reality star allegedly attacked her sleeping ex-fiancé with her pet cat, water, several apples and the laptop. The Web site also reports that Collins is currently being held in jail.
She used the cat??!! That is seriously messed up. Read it here.
If you pay any attention to shoes, you are likely aware of the rise in popularity of TOMS, the shoe company that gives one pair of shoes away to a child in need of them, mainly in Argentina and South Africa, for every one pair bought by a guilt-ridden liberal/paying customer. I actually quite like them, even without the charity angle, and they come in a huge variety of colors and patterns, and often collaborate with artists on limited editions. I think the coolest are the one-of-a-kinds that were commissioned by Olio United, featuring the work of local artists like Jill Bliss and Trish Grantham (there are some currently on sale there, check it). I pretty much live life in high heels, but with summer around the corner (allegedly), I think these are good candidates for ranging around in the sun (you don't want to be the girl navigating her way down a rocky path to the Washougal in these, trust me).

Anyhow, the "TOMS Vagabonds" are currently on tour, stopping off in Portland at the Lizard Lounge this Sunday from 12-4 pm. You can catch crazy deals on the shoes, plus giveaways, DJs, ping-pong, a photo booth, and free beer. Sounds like an afternoon to me.
Mark it down, folks: Next Saturday, from 10 am-7 pm, there will be a sample sale taking place in the space next to the Low Brow, at 525 NW 10th, featuring "insane" deals on goods from Nixon, Obey, Holden, Lizard Lounge, Ryz, and more (see below for another ringing endorsement for the innovative local sneaker company below).

As far as fashion is concerned, I would hardly consider myself cutting edge and I tend to be a minimalist: I refuse to carry a bag unless I have to. The staples of my wardrobe are t-shirts and sneakers, which at one time were very boring items to collect. But recently it’s become easy to find t-shirts with original artwork on them and it seems like sneakers are heading in the same direction.
Customized or original looking sneakers have been a big hit for a while. You can go online and pick the color and pattern of the canvas on your Vans or mix and match Adidas shoe styles. Which is all fun and great, but Portland-based RYZ takes original sneaker artwork a little further with their Threadless-esque model. Artists submit designs on the website, users vote on the designs they like best and then RYZ produces a limited number of shoes for you to buy. There are high-tops and low-tops, plus you can design the sole, which gives the sneaker a little extra soul (come on, that pun was just asking for it!).
I am very won over by many of the designs and this may bring a whole new level of snazz into my sneaker collection, which is looking a little mud-spattered and rain-sodden these days. The one problem is that the site doesn’t show the shoes on any real feet, so I’m not quite sure what they actually look like, but it’s worth checking out. And if you like something you can vote for it.
These are some designs currently available for purchase:
Where's the category tag for "inspiration" when you need it? Fans of the original Grey Gardens documentary following American blue bloods Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter "Little" Edie, aunt and cousin to Jackie O respectively, are no doubt aware of the upcoming dramatization starring Drew Barrymore as Edie, Jessica Lange as "Big" Edie, and Jeanne Tripplehorn as Jackie. And I think I speak for all of us when I say EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Unlike most re-makes of classic films, which beg the essential question, "Why fix what ain't broke?" I think its fair to say that while the original is a mesmerizing waltz of headscarves and cats and crumbling grand houses and mental decay, there are some interesting aspects to the Beale's story that are well out of the camera's purview. The back story, the height before the fall, Jackie-frickin'-O, and the film version promises all of these things.
Like I mentioned, you probably knew this, and first heard rumors of the production long ago, but OMG did you realize it's almost upon us? It premieres just one short month from today, April 18 on HBO. But I don't have HBO!!! Nooooooooooooo! Who's going to help me?
Oh, and here's the new trailer!!:
The good weather is so close, yet so far away, no? We're in the home stretch (Spring officially starts on Friday, for whatever that's worth) but a look outside the window falls somewhat short of promising. While I have tried, and can attest to, the pleasantness of a visit to Löyly even in the dead of summer, there are still plenty of gray, rainy days ahead that will make you want to escape inside the clean white spaciousness of the Southeast Portland retreat. Löyly no doubt far surpasses your usual gym-sauna experience, with appointments available for relaxing massages, single-serving beauty and aromatherapy products like house made salt scrubs and foot baths and facial products, a wonderful steam room spiked with herby additions like lemon grass, cleansing tea, salty snacks and wine and beer to help you adjust to post-sauna life—it's such a good way to cope through these final months of blah and SAD, it really is. Fans of the spot already know that they have gone through a number of adjustments to their pricing in recent months, with different options adjusted for the length of time you plan to spend, a flexibility I'm a fan of. The best deal has always been the punch card, good for five visits up to three hours each (separately visits of that length, the longest offered, go for $25 a pop), and while they usually cost $100 each, starting today and through Sunday the 22nd, punch cards are on sale for only $85! So for goodness' sake, relax.

Terror struck NYC's America's Next Top Model auditions on Saturday when an overheated car inspired some confused person to yell, "BOMB!!" And if you think there's anything more terrifying than hundreds of wannabe Tyra's emitting teakettle whistle screams and trampling you with their fuck-me pumps, then you have quite an imagination. (No need to watch the whole thing.)
And here's the news report of the incident. Please note the pun "not model behavior" is used TWICE, and who's that "regular guy" collecting the model's pictures and phone numbers? Oh! A PERVERT. It is NYC after all.
The fashion world at large is abuzz with disseminating the fruits of fashion weeks around the globe, and we'll leave you to catch up with Style.com for that. In the meantime, here's a roundup of news from the industry that doesn't stem from a runway..
American Apparel was considering bankruptcy! How great would it be if all the "hipsters" of the world actually had to start putting some form of originality into their look, rather than just buying a deep-v and braided headband? Alas, AA is partaking in a financing agreement with London-based Lion Capital LLP for $80 million to pay off old debts and stay afloat. Oh well, the hipsters would just start shopping at Urban Outfitters more anyway.
Shepard Fairey, the street artist who created the iconic Andre the Giant image but became famous for his red and blue Obama HOPE poster, has not only made it to the National Portrait Gallery but he has made it to...Saks. The artist recently unveiled a tote bag to be sold at Saks for $20. Is it just me or is this weird? Saks?
Neiman Marcus reported a loss of $509.3 million last quarter. That same quarter last year, ending January 31st, they had made $44.3 million. Write-downs are to blame for half a billion dollars of the loss, and the rest is because their wealthy shoppers are tightening their belt just like the rest of us. It's about time.
To the dismay of many, Wal-Mart reported a rise in sales for the month of February. Sales rose well above the 2.4% expected, to end at 5.1% for the month. Target, meanwhile (my corporate, small-business killing super store of choice), was down 4.1% for the month. All I have to say is, oh crap...

When is a scarf more than an accessory? When it’s labored over for about two years.
It took artist and photographer Jason Kinney about that long to create his line of limited-edition screen printed scarves, Pauper Voile. Available at Frances May and on Etsy, each one was handmade at his Burnside studio and features an original print.
At about $150, they’re not cheap…so I asked Kinney for a few more details. After the jump, his inspiration for the clever prints, the totally modern way he learned silk printing…and a little justification for buying something pretty!
'Tis the season for dresses! Well, that's a lie. Every season is a season for dresses, but 'tis the season for dresses without tights! Which I'm kind of sad about because I just picked up a pretty floral pair, but I'll excuse my wasteful purchase in honor of celebrating...Mabel & Zora's One Year in the Pearl Anniversary!
Today through Sunday the 22nd they will bestow upon us, their beloved shoppers, 20% off dresses. Because the only thing better than a dress during a recession is a dress that's on sale.
Do not miss their celebratory party next Friday the 20th, for they will have other recession friendly things: wine (booze), dessert (food), and drawings for gift certificates and other good stuff (possibility of free stuff). Recap: discount, booze, food, and other (if you're lucky) free stuff. This sounds fantastic.


Popina is starting their March Madness sale today in honor of their 3rd anniversary (and the beginning of NCAA tournaments in Portland). The sale starts today and runs through the 22nd, and you can expect big savings on their 2008 prints and some solids. For those of you not in the know, Popina is over at 4831 NE 42nd. Their swimsuits are designed and made locally, with a 1940's-50's flair.
Here's the breakdown:
One Piece Suits: One for $25, Two for $40
Separates: One for $15, Two for $25, Three for $40
I'm personally not one to have a matching swimsuit (or really a matching anything) so I suggest getting 3 or 4 pieces and mixing and matching them all summer long. Or go for a bangin' one piece.

This Saturday, March 14th, America's Next Top Model is holding a casting call at the Jantzen Beach Supercenter for all females 18-27 years old who are 5'7" and UNDER! That's you! Or at least me, and, I'm assuming, most women. Let it be known: stumpy legs will not stand in the way of qualifying for the next season of Tyra's hypnotizing madness. Though I have been wondering how short they will actually go. For instance, does this mean that designers will be making hot fashion items for little people? Oh, what excitement!
The call starts at 10am and the official Portland CW site, says that they will only see the first 150 candidates. You will need to fill out and bring the application, which can be downloaded from the website. And don't forget to smile with your eyes...
New pieces by Portland designer May Tee for Spring '09 are set to hit the racks at Mario's and Parallel by the end of this week.


A relative newcomer to the local fashion scene, May Tee has quickly built up recognition for precision and professionalism in the design and construction of her line, as well as an enormous amount of enthusiasm and energy for deconstructing the assumptions (read: limitations) associated with growing a fashion business in Portland. She founded Portland Fashion Synergy with myriad goals in mind, one of which was to make local, high quality production an attainable reality for local designers. And what do you know, by the looks of her most recent designs for Fall/Winter '09-'10, for which she set up a local factory (it's called Filo Garment Factory, located in Northwest Portland) to do the sample/production work, she's come another step closer:

Says May Tee: "Currently the factory is producing the maytee line and for Lucia Apparel. It is the plan (and our mission!) for Filo to support the local designers. We are in the process to streamline the production process so we can take in some work for local designers. The factory is set up to do all pattern making as well as pattern grading digitally. It is pretty sweet!!"
Sweet indeed. Can't wait to take the factory tour.