This Week in the Mercury
Monday, August 31, 2009
Accessories / Crafty / News Knock My Socks Off
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Portland's premiere sock company, Sock It To Me, is preparing for its Third Annual Design-A-Sock Contest, wherein anyone can submit up to five original designs for the chance to win up to $500 and 10 free pairs of socks from the company, which specializes in funky styles of knee socks, as well as crew and bootie styles for men and women plus a selection of leg warmers that put American Apparel (good for so many other things) to shame. Check the paper version of the Sept 17 Mercury for the template and get started. Contest closes Sept 24th. Details are here.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Shopping Guide Mario's Super Sale
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 9:50 AM
It's the shoes that always get me. I love designer shoes. Dries Van Noten kills me dead. So obviously, it's necessary to be aware of sales (having an extremely small shoe size helps, too). When the savings reach the 70% off tier, that's when we're talking business. I can buy a pair and if I stay home with Netflix and bring my lunches to work for two weeks, I can sort of afford them! It's good to know, then, that Mario's is having one of its frantic end-of-season sales starting today, in the downtown Portland, Seattle, and Bridgeport Village locations. Look for that magic 70% off mens and women's clothing, accessories, and shoes for the next 10 days, and I shouldn't have to tell you that sooner is better than later.
A cutey little booty from Sigerson Morrison...
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Shop LAND: Buyolympia.com to Open Brick 'n' Mortar on N Mississippi
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Buyolympia.com is what you call O.G. on the DIY scene, selling work by such icons of the scene as Nikki McClure of calendar fame, who will, fittingly be the first artist to exhibit work in the new store, called LAND (what is with the ALL CAPS today?) at 3925 N Mississippi. The online operation moved to PDX last year (its warehouse has already been operating at the same address), and will open its shop full of books and zines, clothes and accessories, records, home, paper, and kids' goods on October 9th. Here's a peek at McClure's 2010 calendar, which we be on the walls during the launch:
Event FUSE
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Details are still pending as to who is showing what, but a date has been set for FUSE, the first big fashion event to have come from the Portland Fashion Synergy group. It's a follow up to China Bound, wherein a Portland delegation brought the work of 12 Portland designers overseas to China to introduce them to our city's passion for independent design and sustainably motivated production methods. For FUSE, Chinese designers will join Portland representatives (Synergy President May Tee notes that, "Some of the participating designers are from the original 12 designers but we also want to showcase other designers so the Chinese delegation can see something new.") on the runway in what might be the first (?) international fashion show held in Portland, certainly the only one I can think of. It's a black tie event, to be held Friday, Sept 25 at the Art Museum, and tickets ($100 general, $150 VIP) include a one-year membership in the Synergy group, plus both pre- and after-parties. And who might want to go to this? Well:
The founders of PDXFS believe strongly that the most effective way to establish Portland as a fashion capital is for stakeholders in this future to work together towards collective prosperity. PDXFS seeks to build mutually beneficial partnerships with:
-Government councils and commissions
-Educational institutions, professors and students
-Apparel industry designers, manufacturers and retailers
-Local businesses, organizations and associations
-Media
-Investors
-Fashion enthusiasts
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Gossip Anna Wintour, Letterman, and The September Issue
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 4:32 PM
A couple weeks ago I attended a press screening of the upcoming doc The September Issue, which goes behind the scenes at Vogue during the process of putting together its biggest issue of the calendar year. It's currently schedule to release in Portland on the 11th of September, so I'll reserve the bulk of my thoughts on it until then, outside of admitting that at one point—and I did not remotely see this coming—I actually misted a bit. Anna Wintour, who seems to be making an effort to downplay her bitchy reputation, made an appearance on David Letterman's show the other day in support of the film, which I would agree puts her in a relate-able, if not exactly approachable light:
Event The Last Splash Slideshow
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Check out this slideshow of last Saturday's Last Splash event, as photographed by Jesse Champlin and Minh Tran! Also check out the gallery here for design and photo credit details.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
News Call for Models: Portland Fashion Week
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Portland Fashion Week is coming up in a few short months (click that link if it's been a while... the web site's been redesigned, and it's better now) and they're looking for a few good models to walk the runway on a work-for-trade basis, with the added bonus of being splashed around in the media, becoming a permanent part of a rising designer's portfolio and of course, networking. I sure hope to see a lot of new faces and a variety! Here are the basic requirements:
Females:
MINIMUM 5'8" - 6'0"
DRESS SIZES 0-6
BRING HEELSMales:
5'10" - 6'2"
Waist 28-32
Jacket Sizes Up to 42L
Open auditions are taking place this coming Sunday, August 30 at the Art Institute of Portland from 2-5 pm. You should also check out Project Green Search, a Greenloop-sponsored "green model" search that's working in symbiosis with PFW, and which offers some sweet prizes and opportunities for the winner.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Crafty American Apparel's Bag O' Scraps: Today in Not Necessary
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 11:29 AM
I am interested in the idea of American Apparel sheets. I am cracking up at word that they are selling $8 baggies of scrap fabric complete with a "zine" that has scrap project ideas like wrapped hoods for beardos.
News The New Portland Garment Factory
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 9:36 AM
On Friday I had the opportunity to pop down to the new location of the Portland Garment Factory in the up-and-coming Montavilla neighborhood at 7910 SE Stark. In contrast to the small, dark location on Belmont, the new Factory is flooded with natural light, bright and spacious.
The added square footage is going to be used as a showroom/storefront where buyers can place orders on clients' designs as well as shoppers being able to pluck pieces off the racks, including samples and one-offs. Meanwhile, the factory, which does patterns, grading, and production for indie designers throughout the region, occupies the back end of the long space, providing a pleasant busy-bee hum in the background. The new digs will be celebrated with a grand opening party on Saturday, September 5th. Look for more details in an upcoming issue of the print edition.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Fashion / Shop Get Cycling, Stay Fabulous
Posted by Will "the Intern" Radik on Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 4:52 PM
So you've recognized the benefits of using a bicycle as a mode of transportation in your daily life. You want the tight, ass-kicking thighs, the relaxed conscience, and the wind in your hair that come with a cyclist's lifestyle. But you don't want to look like a TRON cast reject. Starting today, as part of Community Cycling Center's "I Ride" campaign, Pin Me will be showcasing stylish items that are also conducive to cycling.
Prairie Underground hoodies have long sleeves that can be pulled over your hands to shield them from the biting wind.
- Prairie Underground hoodie
Spiewalk raincoats protect from the cold drizzle like any other raincoat, but with a classy fitting cut instead of a formless bulk.
- Spiewak Raincoat
Leggings make skirts a less problematic cycling option and, bonus, they don't have to be spandex!
With a donation of $10 to wonderful Portland non-profit Community Cycling Center, shoppers get 15% off their purchases. Community Cycling Center provides educational resources; affordable, recycled bikes; and more to the Portland area. As if all that isn't enough, they're also giving away pins that say things like, "I match my shoes to my helmet." Free pins, people!
Get down there sometime between now and Sept. 13th and get equipped with the cycling outfit of your dreams.
Pin-Me 3705 N Mississippi
Event Tomorrow! The Last Splash!
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Tomorrow's a big day for Portland shenanigans, with the Soapbox Derby up on Mt Tabor, followed by The Last Splash pool party/art and fashion runway show featuring experimental swimwear from some of PDX's most interesting visual artists and designers—in a pool! Check out the floating runway-in-progress:
Where else can you watch an avant garde runway show while floating in an 82-degree junior Olympic-sized swimming pool? Nowhere, that's where. Mark it: 6 pm tomorrow at the Peninsula Park Pool at 700 N Rosa Parks, $8.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Just... DON'T Wink, Wink
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Um... just watch:
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Event Reminder: Portland Fashion Synergy Mixer Tonight!
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Don't forget that tonight, 7:30 at Saucebox is a li'l get together being held by the Portland Fashion Synergy group (whose web site looks like it got a makeover just in time for the occasion). Anyone that's looking to find out more about what Portland's potential role is in the garment industry should attend—it's a new organization that's just finding its footing so now is the best time to get involved at the ground level.
Home Mid-Century Modern Porn
Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 1:51 PM
As a huge fan of mid-century modern design and architecture (and Mad Men, for what it's worth), I got a HUGE kick out of this short video that is essentially some mid-century modern porn, featuring clip after clip of household items, technology, architecture, furniture and more from the year of our lord 1958! (And set to a jaunty mid-century beat, as well!) It's a Don Draper wet dream, ya'll!
Hat tips to The Mid-Century Modernist!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Fashion / Event Textura
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 3:50 PM
There's an interesting-sounding trunk show happening Friday evening at IDOM, from 6-9 pm, for Textura, the project of Christina Maria DesVaux that connects Uruguayuan women's traditional wool weaving with urban design to promote economic and social development there. It's pretty scarce on the internet, which is indicative of a small-scale operation, and as far as I can tell Friday's cash-and-check-only show is a rare opportunity to get your hands on Textura goods. The dress on the flier looks yummy:
And I was able to scare up a couple more shots as well:
Monday, August 17, 2009
Event Content09
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Mon, Aug 17, 2009 at 1:28 PM
It's about this time of year that I start to feel a creeping melancholy about the end of summer coming up, and I think I must not be alone in this, since the stretch between now and the holidays is punctuated yearly by fantastic, packed events that keep me distracted from the fact that the sunshine is fading (crossing my fingers for Indian summer). In addition to TBA, Musicfest NW, and Fashion Week, all the way down the pipe in October is Content09: Experience Independent Fashion.
It's a rather austere name for what is going to be one of the most thrilling days of the season: Mark calendars for October 18th. Spearheaded by Gretchen Jones (of MothLove and Hunt & Gather), 31 apparel and accessory designers are taking over the second floor of the Ace Hotel, doing up rooms to showcase their work and inspirations—like the Affair at the Jupiter for fashion. We'll get to wind our way through the room installments with the added entertainment of live music, DJs, drinks, and visual art, and when I look at the list of participants I know I will never want to leave. Behold: Adam Arnold, AK Vintage/Im:mortal, Barbara Seipp, Church + State, Claire La Faye, Pinkham Millinery, Duchess, Dust, Elizabeth Dye, Emily Baker, Emily Katz, Emily Ryan, Gatsby, Genevieve Dellinger, Hazel Cox, Holly Stalder, IDOM, Janeane Marie, Jayme Hansen, Jess Beebe, John Blasioli, Kate Towers, La Merde, Liza Rietz, Luxury Jones, MothLove, Paperdoll, Reif, Smith & Bybee, Stone & Honey, and Tanner.
Oh my.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Shop The Three C's
Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Fri, Aug 14, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Chocolate, champagne, cupcakes and supporting independent business? SOLD AMERICAN!
Shop Hollywood Vintage Moves
Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Fri, Aug 14, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Just drove by Hollywood Vintage and noticed the store is vacant (2800 NE Sandy). Started to panic, but was reassured to see that they were just moving across Sandy, to the other side of the street. The new storefront is MUCH bigger. In my hunt for a costume for a fake wedding in July, the friendly proprietor told me that if they did move, the store would start to carry a lot more women's clothes. So yay!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Shop A-Hunting We Will Go: Olio Birthday Sale & Downtown Bargain Bonanza!
Posted by Hannah Franklin on Thu, Aug 13, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Portland indie fashion titan Olio United has hit its terrible (terribly awesome!) twos, and it's time for a birthday bash! Except instead of having to give them presents they're just showering you with stylin' party favors. I don't remember being this cool when I was two, but I'm also not a DIY art and fashion retail collective. In honor of their second year, Olio's online store will be offering a Birthday Sale through the 15th (that's Saturday!), which means every customer will get 20% off their ENTIRE ORDER. Just enter the code "happybday" when prompted at checkout, and you're golden (as in, you will have lots of gold left, because you just saved yourself so much money! Disclaimer: you cannot literally pay for online purchases in gold, even if you are Jafar or have mad ingots just chillin' in your pockets. Sucks).
Feel free to buy me any of the following from Olio:
AND THEN! The sale saga dramatically continues: Sunday the 16th is the epic and hotly anticipated Bargain Hunting 101 event at the Crystal Ballroom. Fifty Portland boutiques will be selling super discounted merch in vendor stalls, kind of like a flea market, only EVERYTHING IS GOOD and nothing smells faintly like mothballs or poo. Retailers represented include Olio (obvi), as well as all these guys. It's kind of a big deal and it will definitely rule, so get a good night's sleep on Saturday and show up early — the event lasts from 12-5. Check out these insider tips for an optimal bargain-hunting experience.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Men's Frances May Men's Sale!
Posted by Will "the Intern" Radik on Wed, Aug 12, 2009 at 5:03 PM
I know, guys. You're just sitting around at home, knocking back a couple cold ones, reading MOD, and thinking, "Dude. Why isn't there a sale with carefully curated collections just for me?" Well right now, there is!
Frances May is offering 50% off their tastefully handpicked Spring/Summer Men's collections.
- Perhaps these shorts could be yours, for half the normal price
Men's Goodbye Rain Pants. FOREVER.
Posted by Brett Glass on Wed, Aug 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM
There is NO WAY I am wearing my stupid rain pants today, I don't care how much water is coming from the sky. It's August!
I'll just deal with wet pants.
That's not an okay strategy for a daily bike commuter during the long rainy winter...but I can't bear to put on the rain pants ever again!
Here's my NEW strategy.
On top: the killer red anorak from the Stand-Up Comedy/Slow and Steady Wins the Race collaboration. It's long enough to cover my thighs. If you like it call Stand Up Comedy and get on the wait list—I'm on it already.
On bottom: the Swims I bought last year at Winn Perry—galoshes that fit over your shoes and pants, up to mid-calf. They'll have them again this year, but get yours early because they sell out.
I realize this strategy will leave some pant leg exposed. So maybe...
Hunter boots, ala Kate Moss circa 2005, sold this year at Parallel.
I'm going to make it happen. I am not wearing rain pants ever again!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Men's Vintage Pendleton Shirts
Posted by Brett Glass on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Maybe it's because Oregon turns 150 this year and Pendleton turns 100...but I've been on the lookout for vintage Pendleton field shirts all summer. You know the style: wool plaid, two buttoned breast pockets. They're what your grandpa wore to the cabin in the 1950s.
It seemed like a fruitless pursuit until I visited Winn Perry.
Well, they've got about ten vintage shirts that match my description—for only $30 each. How often do you ask for something and then get it? This is going to be a good year.
I know we've got two good months of summer left (if I get what I ask for), but the selection is pretty choice. Go and check them out before they sell out.
- The selection at Winn Perry
Shoe / Shopping Guide Mathematical Madness at Olive Shoes
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Event Portland Fashion Synergy: The Mixer
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 10:20 AM
If you've heard me talking about Portland Fashion Synergy and you'd like to get more involved in their activities (making high quality, small run local production a reality, opening new markets for Portland-designed apparel in China, awarding grants to apparel design students), here is your golden opportunity: The group is hosted a launch/mixer on Wednesday, August 19 at Saucebox where you are invited to network as well as check out a video from China Fashion Week showcasing the 12 PDX designers whose work was shown there as well as further details on the group's upcoming events. If you're working in the industry in Portland this is a good time to get involved with an organization at the ground level. Its ultimate purpose is still very much being shaped, but it exists out of a need for Portland fashion to get support and find its footing. Now's the time.
Event Xtabay Turns 8!
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Some of you may not even remember Portland before it teemed with interesting indie boutiques, and these days when one of them turns 3 it's like they've crossed the threshold into qualifying as a local institution. But back in the day Portland's shopping scene was utterly about vintage and thrift. And even if we're mixing it up with new stuff from the new school of stores, most of the great vintage spots in town are still going strong. Like Xtabay, the SE Clinton (2515 SE Clinton, to be precise) stalwart that celebrates its eighth birthday this Saturday with a whopping 40% off on all vintage merchandise, kicking off at 11am with a free gift to anyone who shows up in an Xtabay ensemble, plus cupcakes and champagne, naturally.
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