MOD, Portland Mercury

FASHIONxt, the Lineup as It Stands

Marjorie Skinner — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:49:00 -0700

Fall feels far off, but the city's two—count 'em two—fall fashion weeks are doing their best to get you excited about the post-summer months. FASHIONxt has been gradually rolling out announcements of their participating designers as they are confirmed, but let's take a moment to get all the way up to speed.

As has been the trend with this event, it is once again super popular with former Project Runway contestants, with a whopping eight such designers out of 13 (!). That includes the area's Seth Aaron, Michelle Lesniak, and Becky Ross, of course (Bryce Black, where are you?). I'm particularly exciting to see Michael Costello returning, whose line last year completely knocked my socks off. And yes, it's a little bizarre that Portland's become a hub for reality television fashion design stars, but why be mad at it when they are delivering some of the best designs of the entire lineup?

Otherwise, the show looks a little light on local talent, with Stephanie D Couture representing along with Atelier Exclusively Yours, and yet another emerging designer showcase in the mix (called FashioNXT Up/NXT). There's also a small uptick in international presence, including first-time participation from Hong Kong's Yane Mode, and the return of France's Ethos Paris. The event takes place at the old Vigor Industrial Shipyard stomping grounds October 9-12.

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Tanner Goods Turns Two

Marjorie Skinner — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:16:00 -0700

Local institution-in-the-making Tanner Goods is celebrating their two-year mark at the Blackbox building this Friday, with a shindig featuring meat and booze. Because leather.

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"Summer in the City" Lookbook from Lille

Elizabeth Mollo — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:15:00 -0700

Lille recently released their newest lookbook, "Summer in the City", and boy is it eye catching. Shot by Lisa Warninger and featuring Lille's summer stock of lingerie and swimwear as worn by Portland's top model of the moment Clarke Flowers (seriously, that girl is EVERYWHERE), it makes me want to lounge around on a fire escape in my knickers. Of course, I would not look nearly as glamorous. The lookbook also includes sunglasses by Cheap Monday, shoes by Chie Mihara, and jewelry by Orly Genger by Jaclyn Meyer and AK Vintage. Here are some of my favorite shots, and you can see the entire lookbook here.

One quick note, Lille is giving away three more $50 gift certificates in their Pinterest contest. Click here for details.

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Animal Traffic Father's Day Sale

Elizabeth Mollo — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:47:00 -0700

Animal Traffic is having a sale this Saturday and Sunday in honor of Father's Day and will be offering 20% off all menswear. This includes Sierra Designs parkas and jackets, Forage neckties and bowties, Richer Poorer and Wigwam socks, and all vintage clothing. If you are still searching for a last minute Father's Day gift this sounds like the perfect place to do it.

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Converse x Ace Hotel Pro Leather

Elizabeth Mollo — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:59:00 -0700

Today Converse and Ace Hotel are unveiling a third style in their partnership with the limited-edition Converse x Ace Hotel Pro Leather. The high-top is constructed with a clean and white minimalistic design aesthetic and features premium materials of white leather with grey contrast and an allover Ace Hotel "A" pattern. The choice of either white leather or cotton laces is available, and it all comes in a fancy custom-packaged dust bag with box lid. These kicks will set you back $120, but in all honesty, I am not really a sneaker person and I would totally rock these all the time. The Converse x Ace Hotel Pro Leather is on sale now at the Portland Ace Hotel, along with the Seattle, New York, and Palm Spring locations, and online here.

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Nationale's Report From France

Elissa Hall — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:59:00 -0700

Attention Francophiles and general art enthusiasts: the ever-evolving and inspiring shop Nationale delivers Portland a photo report from France. Shop-keep May Juliette Barruel spent a month of research and curation in Paris which included a Mike Kelley retrospective at the Centre Pompidou and a visit to the bookshop/gallery 0fr in Paris. Armed with loads of inspiration and an armful of specialty French items for her shop (get your espadrilles while they last!), Barruel returned this June. Pay Nationale a visit and catch the current Marie Koetjie exhibit while you're at it.

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Poster of the Week

Courtney Ferguson — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:29:59 -0700

There were so, so many great Pride-themed posters for this week it was hard to pick, but this Gaylabration bill by Andrew Eastman is so fresh and so clean.

Send your Poster of the Week recommendations this way!

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Illume Day Spa

Marjorie Skinner — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:29:00 -0700

Estheticians, like so many specialists, are the sort of people you find either by word of mouth or stabbing in the dark/trial and error. A facial, which usually starts with a commitment of around $60 and an hour or so of your time, is no minor purchase, and so recommendations are crucial to finding someone whose practices match up with your needs and comfort levels. For instance some people don't like to deal with the heavy machinery that you can get into for microdermabrasion, ultraviolet light therapy, microcurrents, etc. Some people value all-natural products over everything, and in general people either get facials as part of the regular maintenance of their bodies, like going to the gym or dentist, or they do it every once in a blue moon just to pamper themselves. Or you have a specific problem that needs to be addressed, perhaps.

Most estheticians will cater to any one of these client profiles, but considering how overwhelmingly many options are out there, it's worth it to seek out someone whose practices perfectly dovetail with your own. And there are more options than you may even know. Aside from the visible salon signs on the road, there are places ensconced on the upper floors of office buildings, people who work out of their homes, and still others who are tucked away off of busy commercial corridors.

The later situation is the case with Illume Day Spa, a petite, tranquil space located just off of Sandy Boulevard at 2453 NE Pacific. It's the workspace of Cate Wheetman and Stara Laborde, a cozy environment with bowls of chocolates in seemingly every room.

On my visit, as I waited for Wheetman to finish with her previously client, I scoped out the all-important product wall, which features a comprehensive but well-edited selection of botanically based, high-quality lines like Astara, iS Clinical, and Epicuren. (One thing I will say about skincare products, is that you really do get what you pay for, and there's something about your skin that is really bothering you it's worth finding something that gives you real results, and you can certainly expect to pay more for it than anything you'll find at Wallgreens. That said, don't waste your money plunging blindly into a $60 face cream. Estheticians are loaded with product samples, and you should try as many as you can before taking the plunge. You know you've found the right one when it seems worth the money to buy.)

Wheetman's approach is based on what I think is the most logical thinking: That your skin's needs are the same as your body's. Your diet and lifestyle are—at least eventually—going to present a direct reflection onto your body, especially your skin. (Both Wheetman and Laborde were educated at The Euro Institute for Naturopathic Skincare in Renton, WA.) Illume specializes in working with clients in the long term to trouble shoot factors that might be provoking unwanted blemishes, dryness, puffiness, and other issues. And while she has a good number of plug-in toys at her disposal, once you're in her hands you'll find that she relies more on applications of some truly exquisite, personalized products than on her gadgets.

But the best thing about a facial with Wheetman is that it's basically and two-in-one facial and massage. The Illumination signature facial includes serious attention to your skin as well as massaging of your hands, arms, calves, feet, and scalp. It is probably the most indulgent facial I've ever had in that regard and at $125 for 90 minutes of thoughtful skin therapy and ridiculously pleasant massage it's a screaming bargain.

If I were to imagine the perfect match-up between client and Illume, I would say that you 1) understand the symbiotic relationship between your overall health and appearance, 2) gravitate toward organic/holistic/all natural products, but make room for some exceptionally effective innovations, 3) aren't particularly eager to break out the heavy machinery (but open to it when deemed advantageous), and 4) you know a good value when you see one—their facials start as low as $60 for 45 minutes.

I've only ever had a facial at Illume, but it's also worth noting, if you like their approach, that they also offer body treatments like wraps, bronzing, and scrubs, waxing, brow and lash tinting. If it sounds like your jam, check 'em out.

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House Inhabit Teepees

Kayla Rekofke — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:59:00 -0700

Some of you may have scoped the Sasquatch coverage that went up earlier this month, and just in case you missed it, or wanted to know where to secure a teepee for your Perfect Portland Summer, look no further then House Inhabit. I was introduced to them through Shayda at General Merriment, who so graciously let me borrow hers. Now I’m lusting after one for myself. Made by super-cute parents Mike and Jessica Kraus from reclaimed, hand-picked aged wood and canvas, these teepees could not be cooler. For the kiddos there is a five-foot option, and for us kids at heart the six-foot style as well. Whether you’re going camping under the stars or just making a fort in your living room, these sturdy, yet surprisingly lightweight teepees are ACE! l loved decorating mine with colorful scarves and loads of puff pillows. USA all the way, each teepee is handmade with love in California, and are under $150. Check em’ out here.

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A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes, Fashion and Chess

Elizabeth Mollo — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:59:00 -0700

If you happen to be in the Midwest between October 19th, 2013 and April 18th, 2014—or more specifically St. Louis, Missouri, I highly recommend you check out the A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes, Fashion and Chess exhibit at the World Chess Hall of Fame. You may be wondering what chess and fashion have to do with each other, but it turns they go hand in hand. This is explained very eloquently on the WCHF website:

In the game of chess, the queen is considered the most powerful, and often the most unpredictable piece. A queen, both in chess and as an archetype, embodies tradition, yet possesses the creative freedom to redefine the rules established by a patriarchal system.

The exhibit focuses on how the various archetypes of the queen have influenced the most innovative designers of our time and will include pieces from Alexander McQueen, Gianfranco Ferre, Gucci, Hussein Chalayan, Iris Van Herpen, Maison Martin Margiela, Viktor & Rolf, and more. Here are a few images highlighting the amazing pieces that will be shown at the exhibit:

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And Another Thing About Locally Made Cycling Gear: North St. Bags

Marjorie Skinner — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:14:00 -0700

Before our annual Bike Issue pedals off into the sunset, including a feature on subtly bike-appropriate options for women, one more thing about bike gear that's designed and produced right here in town: North St. Bags.

They make backpacks, panniers, tool rolls, hip pouches, reflective ankle straps, wallets, and so forth, all on SE Clinton St., with most of their materials sourced from US manufacturers. Certainly worth considering as you gear up for the season/year, especially if you're one of those self-righteous bike types. Buying local will give you a little something extra to be smug about. Because you are correct.

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See You In Hell (Again) UNIF x Solestruck Pop-Up

Kayla Rekofke — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:59:00 -0700

Badass LA based brand UNIF is up to no good again, and you do not want to miss out on their latest collection featured at Solestruck for the month of June. Last year's stock went super quick, so I’d recommend hitting up the party to nab your gear before it’s gone. Drinks, shoes, and a super rad assortment of UNIF tees, tanks, jackets, accessories, and more will all be on hand. Party kicks of at 7pm at Solestruck. Sneak peak of the goods below!

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Thorn & Wynn

Marjorie Skinner — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 08:59:00 -0700

The local jewelry scene can be a tad overwhelming, what with the sheer number of people plying the trade. Frankly, it's easy to see patterns and trends in local design, with a few of the bigger names setting the tone for dominant shapes and materials.

I was recently introduced to Thorn & Wynn, by Erica Brotzman, and a couple pieces from her current selection stood out to me (click the previous link to see them all), but especially this black magic-y bracelet, which tickles my eternal Stevie Nicks fancy:

Also, I'm a sucker for the blue accents on this rectangular trick on the old hoop earring standard:

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Summer Travel Essentials

Kayla Rekofke — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 08:59:00 -0700

I’m off to spend about five weeks away from our fair Rose City (follow along on MOD for updates from Washington DC, New York, and London). As I write this I feel like I’m already betraying my beloved Portland by sitting in this Starbucks. (Shhh... Don’t tell my mateys at Stumptown!) Anyway, I’ve never packed for such an extended period, and my fashion philosophy is more “Dress how I feel this morning” than super planned out in. Hopefully I don’t commit to many faux pas! Here’s what I packed in my carry-on:

Friends Layla Headphones in Rose Gold: I’ve never invested in nice headphones, but figured now was the time to pull the plug on my dingy iPhone earbuds. I’ve been rocking them for about two days and am absolutely in love. Perfect for the plane ride, and public transit, these headphones are both stylish and pack a punch in the sound quality department. Made from genuine lambskin leather, and memory foam ear cushions, these are the fashion set's answer to Beats by Dre. See all the styles by Friends here.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High-Top in White: Ah, a true classic that has withstood the test of time. I wore mine on the flight here. They were easy to pop on and off through security, and made my trek from the Metro in DC to my friends' apartment a breeze. AHH! I used to be a heels only girl but lately it’s been tough to get me out of sneakers.

Moleskin Volant Notebook in Purple: Picked this little set of two up at Powell’s to record all my shenanigans and secrets in (what else?).

Seaecho Harlow in Fleetwood: Not only is the Harlow a perfect going-out sized clutch, it easily doubles as a case for an iPad. A true two for one—what’s not to love? The Pendleton fabric gets super soft over time, and more importantly it reminds me of home.

Wild Belle ISLES: Dreamy beats by super babe siblings Natalie and Elliot Bergman out of Chicago. Blending jazz, funk, and rock, I saw them at Sasquatch and fell for them hard. Download it here.

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Kiss Me Kitty

Marjorie Skinner — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:59:00 -0700

Now this is what I call a successful fashion shoot:

This is an accurate representation of what happens when three or more girls all find themselves wearing wacky leggings at the same time. More importantly, you no longer have to order out such things from Australia. Nope, you can get your skin tight funky on right here at home. Kiss Me Kitty is a small-batch leggings operation helmed by Cristi Howe-Story, who—overseen by her five cats—began churning out these designs after becoming frustrated trying to find leggings she liked herself.

Check out some of my favorite styles, and head on over to the online shop for more options.

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Agave Summer Warehouse Sale

Elizabeth Mollo — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:44:00 -0700

Agave, the line of denim and sportswear for men and women that is designed in Portland and manufactured in California, is having a MASSIVE sale today and tomorrow, 9 am-5 pm. Snag items at 40-80% off, and then pat yourself on the back for driving the distance to save all that dough. (The distance being that the sale is in their distribution warehouse in Ridgefield, WA.) If you want to add on to that amazing feeling, bring your gently used jeans to donate to "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" and "The Arc of Clark County" and receive an additional 10% off your purchase. Win fucking win.

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Machus First Friday Jewelry Launch

Elizabeth Mollo — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 08:45:00 -0700

This evening from 6-9 pm, Machus will be celebrating the launch of new collections from two Portland jewelry designers: Revere and The Sum. From what I gather, both designers have a strong aesthetic and I am sure we will seeing their wares on the taste-makers of Portland very soon. The launch promises cool displays, good music, and complimentary drinks, of course.

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Leanna NYC First Thursday Party

Elizabeth Mollo — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:15:00 -0700

Well, I think we can safely say that our first Thursday dance card is now FULL, with the addition of Leanna NYC's First Thursday Party, happening this evening from 6-10 pm. There will be an open bar, music, a trunk show featuring Sseko Designs, and an introduction to their June artist of the month Hilary Winfield. Start mapping out your game plan now so you don't miss out on all of the fun tonight!

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In Which I Write Entirely Too Much About My Three Day KURE Juice Cleanse

Marissa Sullivan — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:59:00 -0700

Hmmm, where do I begin… My name is Marissa and I’m a Taco Bell addict. Since moving to Portland I’ve almost completely cut fast food out of my life, but I still have moments of weakness. Usually it involves being drunk, a very nice cab driver ordering for me, willpower being lost, and Taco Bell consumed. My skin, at 32, is worse than it was when I was a teenager, and I’m shocked I’m not 200 pounds considering the amount of sugar I eat. I know that my lifestyle will catch up with me, but more importantly I had a wedding in New York to go to and I wanted to drop lbs, son! Enter KURE Juice Bar to (hopefully) save the day.

Cleanse Day One: I’m bummed that I decided to start my cleanse on Memorial Day, a day most widely celebrated by BBQ-ing and drinking. Thank god it’s raining; I spend the day blogging and watching the new Arrested Development. I’m constantly thinking about food, I think I’m hungry, I’m day dreaming about pizza, and I’m kind of bummed I’m writing about this because if I wasn’t I would’ve already cheated. I text my friend, "I’m doing a juice cleanse I’M SO HUNGRY" and she texts back to watch the documentary Hungry For Change. I take her advice and my mood is instantly lifted, I’m hopeful, I’ve realized that sugar is as bad as cocaine, I’m absolutely doing the right thing for my body, and I’m unstoppable! I finish my fifth and final juice of the day and I’m actually full! YES!

(My one cheat today: I have a soy-au-lait with a bit of sweetener in it. Even though Kure's co-owner, Nate, told me I was supposed to "pre-cleanse" before my liquid cleanse, I did not. He told me that this is the most important part of my experience, and I had good intentions to abide, but instead I drank bottomless mimosas at Club 21. What I should’ve done is cut out processed foods and eaten lots of fruits and veggies, exactly what that documentary was preaching.) Note: Coffee is not a total cheat, Nick the other owner of Kure told me they don't like it because of the acidity, but ultimately this is your cleanse, do what you think is best for you.

Day two and three after jump...

Cleanse Day Two: I’ve lost 1.4 pounds. I can’t wait to pick up my juice at 11 am; I’m drinking water until then. I’ve convinced myself that I will not have coffee today. With the five juices you also get yerba matte tea, so there is actually plenty of caffeine if you need it. This is the first day I’ve skipped coffee in years, and I have a headache. I keep drinking the matte and water and eventually it goes away. Sitting in my office, I’m fine. No temptation, just a little hungry, but more I just want to eat something. I travel out around 4 pm to get my nails done, and feel as if I cannot be trusted. Temptation on every corner: Pita Pit, Sizzle Pie, Starbucks—it doesn’t matter what I walk by, I envision myself going in and getting down. But I don’t. When I get back to the office I down another juice and realize I’m totally fine. Sitting in bed at the end of day two, I’m hungry but hopeful that I’ve lost another pound by tomorrow. We’ll see.

Cleanse Day Three: Feeling awesome. I weighed myself, and I’m down another two pounds from yesterday. The day was easy: I worked, rode my bike home, packed, and took off for New York. I slept the whole way there, and when I got off the plane I was hungry but barely thinking about food. Day three was really the easiest. I'm not sure if it’s because you know food is coming soon, or if your body is finally happy with what you’re giving it. There was a part of me that felt like I could keep going, and there was a part of me that didn’t want to eat real food, thinking about how little food we need and how much we over consume. And then there was a part of me that wanted to eat all the pizza in NY.

I tried to weigh myself at the end of day three in NY but it didn’t happen. I was positive I had dropped another pound or two but I can’t be certain. What I can tell you for sure is that I lost 3.5 pounds in two days. I only mention that because before I did a juice cleanse that was the only bottom line I cared about. But what this cleanse gives you is better than weight loss. If you take it seriously it can be the start of a beautiful relationship with your body to feed it things that make you not only feel good but look good (sorry, hippie moment). I mean, have you seen the staff of KURE?! Them's some good looking juice slingers.

I did end up eating all the pizza in New York (I was on vacation!) But, like co-owner Nate told me before I left for my trip, "Sometimes ya gotta get clean to get dirty!"

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Drawing the Line: The Art Institute Senior Fashion Show

Toby Robboy — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:59:00 -0700

Saturday night was the Art Institute's 15th Annual Senior Fashion show, and fittingly for such a major milestone, there were about a trillion (23) graduating designers showing. With any show of this size, all the collections can start to blur together after a while, but fortunately, this year there was a strong variety of collections that included quite a few stand outs. While I was a little disappointed to see that there was no menswear this year, the womenswear showcased ran the gamut from evening wear to street, with a really strong showing of swimwear and lingerie. The prevalence of these last two was interesting, as these are arguably the hardest categories to really nail; after all you're working with such a small canvas to create something special, and that has to be flattering enough for women to feel comfortable wearing it. Also, these are two very heavily tapped markets, with a questionable amount of room for newcomers, particularly in a city like Portland. On the other hand, it is a great way for designers to prove their ability to solve problems creatively, and I believe designers of any type who have a strong and unique point of view will always find a way to succeed. Anyway, enough of my musings, lets check out some of the goods!

Celine Sandoval:

This is what great swimwear should look like. The vibrant prints and sexy shapes make these pieces stand out while still being accessible (at least if you're not afraid to show some skin). Sandoval clearly has an eye for color, and knows how to flatter a variety of body types using very little fabric.

Leana Leo:

This was actually the premiere collection of Leo's newly launched swimwear line, LeoREVOLT, and I think we're gonna be seeing plenty more from her. Listed as one of her influences was "the uniqueness of clothing worn at music festivals," and I think these soft, earthy prints would be a sight for sore, peyote addled eyes at burning man. It was smart to do a variety of looks that ranged from super-skimpy to a little covered up, enabling her to reach a larger customer base while staying true to her vision. Also worth noting: I chatted with Leo's business partner, Martine LeLievre during the intermission, and she mentioned their determination to avoid the "made in China" route when it comes to sourcing materials. That's really not an easy task when it comes to swimwear, and one worth supporting.

Alex Hungerford:

Standard hippie wares like a denim jumpsuit really shouldn't work in any context other than adorable-older-lady-selling-shit-at-a-garage-sale, but somehow this collection kinda did it for me. Sure it would have been nice to see a slightly newer perspective on Summer of Love style, but these pieces were fun and wearable, and sometimes that's enough.

Ashley Watson (accessory design):

You would really need close-up product shots to fully do these bags justice, and I worry that those in the audience who didn't have fancy front row press seating may have missed some of the level of detail and craftsmanship that went into them. Watson showed a great editors eye in conceiving these super-cute, versatile pieces, and I could see them selling out in an instant at any store.

Kari Watts:

This collection seemed one part lingerie and one part pared-down-bridal, and was executed beautifully. This is, unfortunately, another example of how simplicity doesn't always fully translate in runway photos, but in person the impact was pleasing and dreamy.

Courtney Leonard:

Okay full disclosure: I've done some work with Leonard, writing and doing PR for her line MIDGE, so call me biased if you want, but that doesn't change the fact that her collection was fucking awesome! Leonard is one of those designers who can do drama and fantasy while keeping her feet planted firmly enough on the ground to create real clothing that people can actually wear. I've always thought the test of a truly cutting-edge yet versatile designer is the ability to make clothes that could be worn by both Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga, and I believe Leonard passes that test. As an added bonus, all of her clothes are made using completely upcycled materials.

Ryan Simpson:

When I read in the program that Simpson's influences were "the bombing of Hiroshima, the early 1940's and a bit of Japanese influence," I worried the collection might be a little heavy handed, but as it turned out, his contrasting of soft drapery and hard edges, and his original take on East-meets-West felt very new, and a little Alexander Wang. Also, those sleeves on look #4? Are you kidding me?

Ariel Lihs:

Military influence is one of those themes that has been done almost to death in fashion, but the touch of feminine romance infused into this collection made it feel original and fresh.

Afton Wickiser:

Given that this collection was inspired by "the vaulted ceilings of the Gloucester Cathedral, England," I was surprised by how simple and pared down the silhouettes were, but juxtaposed with the dramatic color palette of black and red with gold lace, it really worked. Two of the sort of free associations I wrote down in my notes while viewing the collection were "McQueen" and "Gia," yet somehow this was derived from garments that were actually highly practical and very wearable.

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Moulagerie Trunk Show

Elizabeth Mollo — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:59:00 -0700

Moulagerie is having a trunk show this evening from 6-9 pm at Garnish's Pearl District location, where you will be able to buy pieces from the summer collection as well as view and pre-order selected pieces from the upcoming fall collection. In addition to viewing lacy and feminine frocks, guests will enjoy wine and cheese, a live fashion show, and Ebel Artistry will be showing off summer lip shades as well as offering personal styling tips and tricks to help capture your style.

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Poster of the Week

Courtney Ferguson — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:59:35 -0700

This li'l number is by Joshua Keith Vincent. Someone should tell that blotchy man to stop strangling himself.

Send your recommendations for next week's Poster of the Week here.

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First-Ever August Edition of Fade to Light Reveals Lineup!

Marjorie Skinner — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:59:00 -0700

After two years establishing itself as one of the jewels of the late winter fashion calendar, Elizabeth Mollo (also a contributor here on MOD) has announced the lineup for an August companion show—August 28 at the Crystal Ballroom, that is. The show will feature new collections from repeat performers like Bryce Black, Chicago Harper, and Emit, as well as first timers like Michelle Lesniak Franklin and Quick Study.

I'm especially stoked to see Quick Study on there. I first met the designer, Caitlin McCall, at the Portland Sewing graduate show last month, and was so impressed with her clever, realistic, and cool solutions for bicycle-friendly womenswear that I featured her in the bike issue of the Mercury that just hit the streets today. Glad I'm not the only one who was impressed! Check that out here.

And the full line-up, in all its August glory:

Bad Wolf Clothier
Bryce Black
Chicago Harper
ElizaBeth Rohloff
Emit
Michelle Lesniak
Quick Study
Studio SKB
Wandering Muse

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These Boots

Marjorie Skinner — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:59:00 -0700

Depending on your employment and hobbies, this information is either useful to you from a fashion perspective, a practical perspective, or an athletic one (or both), but let it be known that one of the old school kings of locally produced wearables (since 1932 motherfucker!), Danner Boots, is honoring father's day next weekend with a mega warehouse sale running Thurs June 13-Sun June 16.

If you use boots for work or recreation—like all the summertime hiking in the Gorge that I wish I did more often—this is a chance to grab some for up to 40% off. Or, you know, you're allowed to just like 'em.

(The sale's happening at the Danner factory store out near the airport, BTW, at 12021 NE Airport Way.)

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New Boutique Alert: Gaia Couture

Elizabeth Mollo — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:59:00 -0700

A new boutique has just landed in Portland, and it's one that focuses on organic, recycled, and ethical woman's clothing at affordable prices. Gaia Couture is an organic clothing shop for women who love feeling beautiful and are committed to safeguarding the Earth. They offer silhouettes and styles in organic cotton, bamboo, tencel, wool and other natural and recycled fabrics. In addition to clothing they carry recycled and sustainably made accessories including jewelry, shoes, hats, and bags.

To celebrate their opening Gaia Couture will be hosting a party on Saturday June 8th from 7-9PM, and guests can enjoy snacks and refreshments will browsing through the shop's unique offerings.

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