• OMG Computer Repair

So this may not be a super “fashion-y” post but if there’s one thing fashion fanatics can’t live without it has got to be their laptops- Pinterest, FB, Tumblr, the list goes on. After a very unfortunate accident that involved a bottle sparkling water and R. Kelly’s "Ignition," my little laptop was pronounced dead on arrival at the dreaded “Genius Bar.” With many of my work-related duties surrounding my computer/Internet access/and Adobe programs, what’s a girl to do? Turn to your bestie, obviously. This is when I was recommended to OMG Computer Repair, where my dear friend Anna recently had her laptop resurrected by the skilled hands of Michael Romay. Michael must have heard the sad desperation in my voice when he agreed to take my case late last Sunday evening. Michael worked extremely fast, didn’t rip me off, and in fact did the repair for $20 under what the Apple store was going to charge, and in just a few short hours (take that 48-hour turnaround time!). His vast understanding of both Macs and PCs was utterly apparent upon entering his home office space in North Portland. Needless to say, I’m back up and running and couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Next time your computer needs repair or just a simple tuneup, look no further than this local gem.

While Portland contestant Michelle Lesniak Franklin enjoys multiple wins and sails into finalist territory, Project Runway producers' efforts to dig up new recruits are beautifully timed in the area. These people are no strangers to research, and certain local designers have been fielding persistent phone calls and emails, but they are also, as is their vampiric nature, always looking for fresh prey.

Should you want, for whatever reason, to throw your hat into the godforsaken ring of reality television fashion, they are currently casting for Season 12. From now until April 8, you can make yourselves known to them (procedures here) at your own risk. Remember, being a good designer is one thing, but your comfort level in front of the camera, your ability to start/withstand drama, and your ability to produce soundbites will all be called into evaluation. Those of us watching at home thank you in advance for your sacrifice. May you not be cursed with the first out.

• Barbara Nitke
• Wants to kick you "out."

Behold the best new local fashion blog: Bins Babes! In it, intrepid locals do their best to recreate looks from the runways using only clothing from the Goodwill Bins and money fished from under the couch cushions. Now that's dedication. Some of their success stories:

• Bins Babes
• Price: 6.1 lb = $5.43

• Bins Babes

• Bins Babes

• Bins Babes

Just... why? Everyone knows Diet Coke is the only acceptable soft drink in fashion. I’m such a cheerleader for one my fave blogs The Man Repeller, but this just feels so cheeeeesy. Like, I’m sure you’re just writing your super popular (understatement of the year) fashion blogs sippin’ a Diet Dr. Pepper while coming up with your witty entendres. BLECH! Leandra, I expected more from you.

The big fall fashion weeks are now underway (you can obsessively track just about every look that hits the runways here), but as Mr. T reminds us in this instructional video from 1984, you shouldn't let the pressure of fashion week's focus on expensive designer clothing hold you—or your style back. Because you can always re-purpose old gym socks and smear some ketchup around or something. Like so:

This is right around the time of year where I start to crave color and can't believe there was a time when I was looking forward to wearing gray wool tights. (Although frankly I've ended up going bare legged more often than sticking'd this winter.) And even though the length is all wrong for my body type, the striped colors on the Beatrice skirt from Garnish's brand new White Label limited edition collection are exactly what I'm craving right now. Go have a peek at the whole thing.

• Mark Riskedahl

• Mark Riskedahl

• Garnish

If you are watching Girls you may remember how Elijah called Hannah a "sad, limp little glowworm" for donning a sleeping bag with arm holes last Sunday. But did you know that her glowworm outfit is a "Napsack" from Portland-based camping gear company Poler? In fact, they even sent one down the runway of the Merc's most recent fashion show. And now, they appear to be catching on across the nation. Even Al Roker wore one this morning:

There was a time, not quite so long ago, when I would become... concerned each time a Portland apparel designer chose to participate on Project Runway. No more. When I found out that Michelle Lesniak Franklin would be competing on Season 11, which premieres tonight at 9 pm on Lifetime, I realized I was mostly just excited to have an excuse to watch it with the one or two friends I have who are still willing to. Besides, the producers are really swinging for the fences with this one, adding a team dynamic, and taking shit international:

I interviewed Franklin this week in Sold Out, so you can read up to prepare. And if you really want to do your homework, Lifetime is airing a pre-episode "Road to the Runway" meet-the-designers at 8, so you can brush up on your bitchy comments and find a good groove for the main event. And of course, if you prefer the digest version, I'll be here every Friday recapping each episode with bitchy comments of my own.

It's that time of year again: Your local Buffalo Exchanges (1420 SE 37th & 1036 W. Burnside) are taking donations of fur garments (either full-on coats or collars, trim, etc—shearling too) for Coats for Cubs, which re-purposes them as bedding for injured and orphaned wildlife. It's a good solution if you have some fur on your hands that you're not sure you can rock (my in-laws thrifted a full-length fur coat for me, which I don't think I'd be comfortable wearing, even on the East Coast)—it won't become landfill, and will serve a guilt-purging purpose. Plus it can be in any condition. Critters don't care. Drop 'em off anytime during either store's regular hours from now until April 22nd—do it for the cute baby raccoons.

(Caution: The following video contains brief footage of PETA-like horrorshow fur factory documentation. You've probably seen worse, but if you're feeling delicate today, don't watch all the way through.)

The latest video from Die Antwoord just dropped, including some familiar themes (Roger Ballen art; controversy courting in the form of Yo Landi sporting full-body black face; animals), as well as a new target. The South African group made headlines earlier this year by turning down a chance to tour with Lady Gaga, calling her a "bad Madonna rehash." To drive their disdain home, they enlisted a drag version of her here, depicted undergoing a series of misfortunes, including a spoogey prawn/cockroach thingy and a lion. You've been warned.

I spent yesterday afternoon down at Portland Sewing, filming a segment for their preview coverage of Portland fashion week/FASHIONxt, with host Ifanyi Bell and Joshua Buck, designer for Chicago Harper and one of the most interesting Portland designers to not to be showing at FASHIONxt. I was glad to see the focus on Buck as an extension of the piece outside the event itself because 1) the representation of Portland design isn't very strong (they had filmed, separately, with Becky Ross as well, a local designer and Project Runway veteran—the latter demographic one that is represented very well). And 2) Buck is one of the most interesting designers working in town, and one of the few doing menswear apparel that walks the line between wearable and experimental.

The segment is airing on OPB this Thursday at 8 pm, if you want to see a quick hit of me trying to articulate FASHIONxt re-branded effort to fuse an interest in new fashion design with new personal technology development, and a preview of Buck's Spring collection, including a pair of neon orange pants made specially for Bell to wear during the shoot. C'mon, I brushed my hair and everything.

• Ifanyi: Pulls off neon pants surprisingly well.

What’s left to say that hasn’t already been written about a million times regarding the infamous Lana Del Rey? Are her lips real? Does she really sing? What really when down at the slumber party of the century (Lana, Gaga, and LiLo at the Chateau Marmont)? Whatever the answers may be, one thing is certain: Her look is fierce as fuck. Mulberry named a bag after her, and I'm still not sick of "Video Games." The hair, the hoops, the nails—homegirl has it goin' on! Scope her Fashion Week look and some of my other faves below:

• People
• Lana with Queen Kate at the Mulberry Show in London

• British Vogue

• Pinterest

• Pinterest

• Pinterest

Portland is a city that loves to get around on bicycles, but the number of people riding around without helmets makes me nervous. Maybe they think helmets are uncool, or maybe they just don't want to walk around with helmet head. Those excuses might be a thing of the past thanks to two Swedish girls. Anna Haupt and Terese Alpin created the company HÖvding with one purpose, to create an invisible helmet. Seven years and one million dollars later they have done just that. How freaking cool is this?!?! Even cooler that this revolutionary technology was developed by two women, who in the video talk about their struggles of being women in a male dominated field. Check out the video for yourself, and behold the amazingness.

• HÖvding
• The Invisible Helemt wraps around the neck like a scarf.

• HÖvding
• On impact it deploys like an airbag and encompasses the head.

Way back last summer, a Facebook page for something called the Portland Fashion & Style Awards appeared on the 'nets, threatening to throw an awards show for the industry this past January. That never happened, but PFSA has a real web site now, and this time they're saying they're going to for real throw down on October 5 at the Schnitz—polls are even open now so you can nominate for each of the categories (best designer/salon/makeup artist/boutique/etc.).

Although it came out of nowhere-ish (its headquarters appeared to be in Vancouver, at one point, and none of the major players actually working in the industry—in other words, the people who should be represented at an event like this—have had anything to do with it), it's actually the work of Tod Foulke (with Ann Akre), who was once associated with Portland Fashion Week. Reports from the school suggest that the apparel design students at Ai, at least, are buzzing about it, but I fully anticipate it to make the first year of the Portland Music Awards look plugged in. That said, I am totally going, because I love a trainwreck, and you know, research, and the fact that we didn't do "Worst Night Ever" this summer.

• PFSA