When Nau announced it was winding down operations in May, the future was uncertain, but those who were taking the last of the inventory off the company’s hands at deep liquidation discounts were aware there was a decent chance they were acquiring some extremely limited pieces from the Portland company that dared to dream of being a sustainable and socially conscious outdoor wear brand, but bit the dust.

But hello, today here comes the announcement that Horny Toad, a like-minded company based in Santa Barbara, has acquired the company, which is relaunching (“Nau 2.0,” as it were). The reincarnation promises a streamlined team, with sales still available on the Nau website (where there is also a statement posted regarding the new arrangement), but will, starting this fall, also be available in select retail outlets. In Portland, that outlet will be the Lizard Lounge (No surprise there; the store was opened by Horny Toad.), with products expected to arrive in-store this fall. In the meantime, you can stay tuned on developments in all things Nau at The Thought Kitchen, Nau’s—er, Horny Toad’s new blog.

Great news for local up and coming fashion designers who might feel adrift in the scary apparel world: A number of designers (including Erhart’s Chelsea Erhart, Leanne Marshall of Leanimal) have joined force to form the Fashion Fight Club, a brand new collective aimed at sharing information and resources, anything from fabric sourcing tips to banding together to present at trade shows like POOL. Things are just beginning to get off the ground, and you can check the blog (linked above) for information on upcoming meetings and events. The eventual hope is that it will serve as an open source of information to the group, membership in which is predicated on, as Erhart puts it, “being a designer and not being mean, basically.” Get in on the ground floor and help define the collective’s aims and regulations by contacting Erhart, and by stopping by a trunk show this Sunday at Olio United from noon-5 pm, with DJs Beyonda and Equestrian, and members of the FFC selling overstock and out of season pieces. There have been murmurings among Portland designers for years about creating “something” to unify the industry—if enough people get on board, this may just be the thing. And while much remains to be decided, the group is already all over the logo:

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.

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.

Allison Covington of Amai Unmei just let me know the exciting news that she plans to open a boutique at 2275 NW Johnson, just off of NW 23rd. And fast! Projected opening is early next month; stay tuned for details…

DB Clay is turning 10 at the end of the month, and they’re launching another new collection of their amazing wallets (we’re on Version 3.1). To celebrate the 10-year landmark and the launch, they’re throwing a party at Lizard Lounge Boutique (NW 13th & Irving) on Thursday, May 29 with music, art, drinks, and a showcase of the new wallets (which, yes, you can be among the first to purchase). Then, Friday and Saturday, May 30-31, there will be a two-day sales event where you can buy discounted samples, make your own wallet kits, and more.

This is a local company that has an inspiring amount of ambition, personality, and heart. I love the way they weave their lives into their product, like this wallet from the new line. Entitled “Adult Chores”, the print, when you see it up close (there are bigger photos here) turns out to be a crossed out to-do list from compulsive list maker and company founder Garett Stenson.

Holy crap.

Nau has announced on their web site that they are closing business operations.

And, um, in the spirit of every cloud having a silver lining, the entire line is now 50% off.

UPDATE: According to the PR rep who answered my query, Juicy will be going into Pioneer Place Mall on the tentatively planned date of July 24th.

I was doing some Googlin’ last night and stumbled across this : an employment ad for a store manager for a Juicy Couture Portland store. OMG, I can’t believe it took them this long to realize Portland women are the perfect demographic for shlubby (velour!) sweatsuits. I’ve got a message in to the company for more specifics, but in the meantime, are you looking for a job?

Look out for Parallel (1122 NW Marshall) and Lucia Apparel (424 NW 11th), opening in June and late May, respectively. While Lucia is the flagship for the line of the same name designed by Sarah Wallace, Parallel’s Tez Hartley name drops lines like Twenty8Twelve and Sameunderneath that will be in store for this mens (yay!) and women’s boutique. Expect a grand opening for Parallel on August 8, and for Lucia, June 5.

A look from Sienna Miller’s Twenty8Twelve.

Tip of the hat to Neighborhood Notes!

My heart sank as I flipped through the four digital pages of Refinery29’s new “Wonder Bread” feature on wallets that “put the funny back in your money”; where was DB Clay? All my long conversations with the local company’s ambitious young founder, Garett Stenson, played through my head, and I started to think that maybe the respected indie fashion site was losing its grip, until I hit the last page.

Nice.

According to Gawker and more reassuringly, the New York Times, Woody Allen has sued American Apparel for $10 million for using an image of Allen as a rabbi (via Annie Hall) on billboards:

The good news: The new Kate Moss biography is out, written by Francoise-Marie Santucci, and it looks juicy.

The bad news: It’s only in French.

If your French teacher in school was more effective than mine, you can buy it on Colette’s e-store.

Hey, look who’s got a web site!

Joy Cohen, who co-founded the English Dept. (1124 SW Alder) three years ago with Elizabeth Dye, has announced that she is leaving the shop in the sole hands of Dye. It will be interesting to see how this change affects the character of the shop, not least in terms of the buying decisions (in other words, the merch!), but with Dye still at the helm, I’m not worried about it.

(Cohen, at right, with Dye in a photo taken at the store’s original location on NW 23rd)

Beloved Denwave, pioneer of the 811 E Burnside building, has been getting rid of their remaining merchandise (go fight over the scraps!), and tomorrow is the last day for good. They’re also offering up their store fixtures to the highest bidders, so go check those out as well. Otherwise, consider stopping by the store all day Saturday for treats and champagne, saying cheers to sad ends and exciting new beginnings.

Hey, what do you know, that photo was taken by Minh Tran.

There’s a little shuffle in the works on the NW end of town: Le Train Bleu is moving it’s off-line boutique from current residence at 748 NW 11th a week from today, up to 1905 NW 26th, where they currently carry on their bustling on-line business. Expect them to re-open (party, please?) on the 17th of this month. Meanwhile, stepping in to fill the vacant space is Mabel & Zora, who are expanding off of the original location (1468 NE Alberta). In addition to longtime favorite lines (Porridge, Veronica M, Mixie) they’ll be “taking it up a notch” with additions like Trina Turk, Plenty by Tracy Reese, and more. Their projected opening of the new store is March 15—if not sooner! In the meantime, they are working with interior designer JJ DeSousa from Digs to develop a “1960s Palm Springs feel.”

(a look from Trina Turk Spring ‘08)

I’m not usually one to gossip, but if it’s Gawker it must be true, right?

Anyhow, according to the ironclad fact checking machine that it is, Gawker is reporting a possible pants-pooping incident that supposedly befell Tyra Banks! And even worse, during FASHION WEEK! (BTW, have you been following the shows?) Oh shit! Here’s the scoop:

UPDATE: Local.35’s Justin Machus just called to say the party is being pushed back to Friday, 2/8. The remodel is still happening this coming week, and the store will re-open on Friday, February 1st.

DON’T WORRY, it’s not like this.

No, Local.35’s closing is temporary—they’re doing a bit of remodeling, taking out the dropped ceiling in the front of the store to make it 15’ high throughout, and the shop will be closed from Monday 1/28-Friday 2/1 Thursday 1/31. To show off the new head room, they’ll reopen the night of on the 1st with an art opening regular store hours and local Alex Steckly’s large in-store exhibit, “Uneducated.” The opening party to celebrate the renovation and art show will be on Friday 2/8, from 7-10 pm. If the drinks and DJs aren’t enough to keep you busy, you’ll also find 10% off anything in the store during the event.

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 not sure exactly what a “Spirit of Portland” award really means, but it sure is a nice gesture, and Tito Chowdhury, one of the main men behind Portland Fashion Week is about to get one next Thursday, 12/13. I do know, having worked with him in an advisory capacity, that he has worked (and continues to work) damn hard on this event, and deserves recognition.

UPDATE! Tomorrow’s candlelight vigil will be held at 8 pm at the Q Center (69 SE Taylor). Please bring candles. The press release reads:

Tuesday’s gathering will be an opportunity for the community to come together and support Dan’s partner Jonny Shultz and family, mother Karyn Callaway and father Phil Callaway of Philomath; and younger brother Jesse Callaway of Portland. Dan, who worked as a cancer researcher in the Oncology department of Legacy Good Samaritan, will be remembered as a community activist, avid bike commuter, the life of the party and an expert in the art of practical jokes. Jonny and those close to Dan need the love and support of their community during this sad time.

Some of you may have heard that Jonny Shultz came home on Friday night (oddly, I was with him just before, co-judging Nolita’s butt contest) to find his partner, Dan Callaway fatally shot. (Authorities suspect that he interrupted a burglary.) Shultz has been a longtime member of the local community, design and otherwise, both with his own line and as an agent for Q6. Clearly he needs as much support as he can get right now, and friends are planning a candlelight vigil for tomorrow night. Stay posted for details.