Accessories: MOD, Portland Mercury

Forget Arm Parties—It’s All About the Ear Party

Kayla Rekofke — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:59:00 -0700

Man Repeller may have coined the the term “arm party,” but this summer it’s all about ear cuffs, double ear piercings, and mixing and matching metals. From lust-worthy and opulent Swarovski crystal earcuffs by Ryan Storer to more affordable options and styles seen at Nasty Gal, the new looks in earrings are endless.

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Cathedral Park Collection by Betsy & Iya

Toby Robboy — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:48:00 -0700

Time for some pretty lookbook pictures, this time featuring the latest jewelry collection by betsy & iya. The Cathedral Park collection was inspired by the namesake St. John's based park, and follows up on the line's Bridge collection (inspired by the St. John's bridge). The pieces are true to betsy & iya's signature aesthetic, which juxtaposes art deco-type geometry with earthy elements like raw leather and oxidized brass. The lookbook documents a road trip the b&i team took to the Columbia River Gorge with photographer Elizabeth Rudge, and features some beautiful scenery along with two models who make you super jealous you're not there. Check out some of the highlights below and view the full lookbook here.

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Sahlia Jewelry Moving Sale

Elizabeth Mollo — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:14:00 -0700

Real quick: Sahlia Jewelry is having a sale today from 5-8PM in preparation for their relocation into neighboring boutique Rhapsody. All jewelry will be 25%-75% off, plus they will have treats and champagne.

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PINO X Pattern People X PICA

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

Serial collaborator PINO has teamed up with Pattern People to produce limited edition printed silk bow ties, with proceeds benefiting PICA programs and artists. Only 100 of these were made, and with that stunning graphic print I can imagine these will sell pretty quickly. To purchase click here.

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Illuminations Collection S/S 2013

Kayla Rekofke — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:59:00 -0700

Anna Korte, the boho babe behind AK Vintage just dropped her latest collection, "Illuminations." Inspired by French poet Arthur Rimbaud, whose book of poems bring to life themes like creation, destruction, ecstasy, and metamorphosis, Illuminations is full of dreamy bodychains, statement necklaces, and dainty geometric bracelets ideal for your next arm party. With a cameo by Ms. Korte herself, the Illuminations lookbook is a true extension of her stunning signature style. Shop the entire collection here.

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Psssst

Marjorie Skinner — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:50:00 -0700

A little secret for ya: Tomorrow Mabel & Zora is doing their first-ever flash sale, with 30% off Orla Kiely bags for 24 hours only. Pass it on.

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Brookes Boswell

Marjorie Skinner — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:44:00 -0700

As fiendish as I am about sun protection on virtually every other inch of my body, I'll admit to a relative delinquence when it comes to my scalp, and the weekend's amazing weather underscored the fact that this is the kind of thing that needs to be worked out sooner than we thought. The obvious solution to this is a frigging hat or two, yet for some reason it's hard to bite the bullet for silly reasons like the fear of hat head and the difficulty in finding a hat that's just right and committing to it. I don't like the idea of wearing the same hat for three months straight, so that means finding several hats that are just right, which I do all the time with stuff like jeans and shoes and coats and sunglasses and I don't know why I'm being a baby and hats are just harder for some reason.

The folks at Windowwall salon, which is hosting a trunk show for Brooklyn milliner Brookes Boswell this month, appear to feel my pain:

Buying a hat is often one of the hardest decisions. Thinking, "Is the shape right? Does it allow enough light? Can I hide well enough? Do I love the fabric?" And most importantly, "Does it fit well?"... It all begins with the fit and the design.

Which sounds like... you just gotta try on a lot of hats and go with the ones that don't make you feel silly and do make you feel better about yourself. Which is tricky! To get you started, and to prove that good hair and hats can coincide peacefully, swing by the salon on April 15, 4-7 pm, where Boswell will be taking orders for hand-blocked cocktail hats, felts, and Panama straws made to size, with plenty of hats on-hand to test, and complimentary bubbles to propel you through the process. Your poor scalp will thank you.

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And the Sock Winner is...

Rose Finn — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:04:00 -0700

After attending the Design-a-Sock contest party, and agonizing for way too long about my vote, I was curious to see who won. Here are the top 3 designs:

Not only did their little shindig have free food, booze, and, of course, socks, but I got to find out more about this very creative local business. If you ever have any sock needs or know of any upcoming birthdays, then "Sock it To Me" is definitely worth checking out.

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Autoctona '13: Significant Other

Marjorie Skinner — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:44:00 -0700

You can hardly swing a soldering iron in this town without hitting a jewelry artist, but there aren't many people making the kind of high-concept, futuristically modern designs that Autoctona has become known for. The 2013 collection and lookbook, titled "Significant Other," has dropped:

According to the artist's statement (and that feels like the appropriate term to use in reference to designer Alessandria Murgia's work), the collection "investigates the concept of union and the interaction between diverse aesthetic elements... The concept of duality plays a key role in different aspects of the line, from material to design and concept creation."

Find Autoctona through their website or at Stand Up Comedy and Una. More images behind the cut.

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Seaecho Presents "In The Valley Below"

Kayla Rekofke — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:59:00 -0700

Designer Sarah Vale Rapp just debuted her brand new spring collection, "In the Valley Below." Stepping out from the more traditional Pendleton fabrics she has become known for, Ms. Rapp infused this collection with pops of sequins and 3D floral rosettes in additional to some lush, springy Pendleton textiles. Showcasing range with a douse of familiarity, I’m starting to think my Seaecho Aggie Carryall bag needs a new friend! Shop the new collection here.

Seaecho

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Francis Klein

Marjorie Skinner — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:59:00 -0700

"Glasses are like haircuts: we do not choose that from our neighbor but the one that suits us, changes us, the one we like or the one that gives us confidence... one that simply allows us to be ourselves in all circumstances."

Such is the founding principle of Francis Klein, a family-run Parisian eyeglass manufacturer paying a visit to Portland on Friday March 29 at the Reynolds Optical Co. downtown in the form of a trunk show (800 SW Alder, 12-6 pm).

It's a rare opportunity to see these highly stylized (uh, not for plain black and wire rim-types) pieces—which are interesting objects apart from their function—as a complete collection outside of France. A little brand history:

In the 1970s, Francis Klein, optician by profession, opened his shop in the seventh arrondissement of Paris. Fairly quickly disappointed by the lack of original products on the market, he decided to create his own models, assisted by his wife Michele, interior designer.
Marriage in life and in the glasses world of technical and artistic senses leads to a type of plastic frames quickly noticed and adopted by the fashion scene, fond of the originality of the product and an sensitivity in terms of colour work unknown until then.

On the wave of the flourishing success, Francis Klein glasses are also exposed in fashion shows (especially in the early days of First Class) and in optical shows, whether in Europe, United States or even in Japan, where they meet success, Francis Klein also being among the first French glasses designers to have crossed the threshold of the Asian market.

Subsequently, yet logically, the adventure goes further with the two daughters of the family, Betty and Dixie. Their training, one in styling and optics, the other in international trade, combine perfectly to continue the family saga, and in 2003 they opened the flagship store and the showroom in the Saint Germain des Prés district.

Go on and embrace your eccentricity, four-eyes!

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Fourth Annual Tasi Jewelry Trunk Show at Tilde

Marjorie Skinner — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:59:00 -0700

If you're looking for some fresh new jewelry to festoon yourself for spring, there's an excellent opportunity to do so this weekend at Tilde, which is hosting the fourth annual Tasi Jewelry trunk show, with 20% off one-of-a-kind pieces in natural, un-dyed stone, sterling silver, and gold. Stop in from 12-3 pm this Saturday and Sunday to meet the designer and get up close and personal with the goodies.

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Grayling Spring '13

Marjorie Skinner — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:17:57 -0700

Things are starting to bloom and we're being treated to occasional bursts of sunshine, which makes Spring more or less official. Get ready for the floral motifs to start appearing on the racks of clothing stores with increasing frequency (for men, too, at least the ones who have the balls). Portland jewelry superstars Grayling have taken a bit of a harder approach with their spring collection, stepping away from the colorful gemstones that frequently appear in their designs in favor of a concentration on metals—a nice counterpoint to tradition.

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Obsession of the week: Leather Snapbacks

Kayla Rekofke — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 08:59:00 -0800

If you buy one accessory this season, let it be a leather snapback cap. Sporty, chic, and it totally transcends the seasons. I just recently got this one as a birthday gift, but you can find them pretty easily online. Look to the babes below for styling inspo:

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Handbags and Dominos

Elizabeth Mollo — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:59:00 -0800

This Thursday diversion comes courtesy of Anya Hindmarch's presentation straight from London Fashion Week. Taking 7,559 hours of prep time, this display is crazy awesome. I am not sure what is up with the Benny Hill type music though (I guess it's a Brit thing?)

Via NY Mag

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"Rocked" to the Nines

Rose Finn — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 10:59:00 -0800

On Sunday I attended "Rocked: a Couture Bridal Event" at the Nines Hotel, in their grand ballroom. Although there was nearly six times more cake than couture, I still got a glimpse at what this season's (wealthy-ish) brides are wearing; ranging from "meh," all the way to "fuck yeah, that's red!"

Alongside vacation packages, limo rentals, and boundless booze, local designers sat perched and ready to sell.

Holly Stalder was the first designer I encountered, and I'd say the most interesting and "Portland-y" of any of the designers there. Though her designs still carried frills, lace, and flowers, the shapes and textures were more creative. Her waist and hemlines flowed elegantly, making the dresses appear more fitted and comfortable than the stiff wedding cakes we're usually expected to don as a bride. Her dresses would more likely be seen on a pouting ex-lover in a Shins video, rather than on Bristol Palin's wedding day.

One of my favorite dresses was from Divine Designs:

Though it seems simple and classic, there are complicated mesh layers that create a beautiful, flattering pattern; it even has a bit of a pinkish tint to it. I had to stop myself from walking out with the mannequin.

Sun Jin Lee caught my attention not with gaudy lace or voluminous poofs, but with flattering, classic lines. Her pieces were a nice range of sophisticated with innovative touches, all the way to dresses that you could wear in the picnic scene of a Fellini film. Their pricing caught my attention as being somewhat more accommodating, as well.

There was also jewelry...

...And lingerie...

...And some more conventional wedding dresses, for those who want to get back to basics.

Sophie Chang only had two dresses showcased, but took very different approaches on a similar structure. I wasn't crazy about the angles on her white dress, or where it jutted out; this dress would probably look best on someone with less robust hips.

Whereas her red dress was the belle of the ball. With an open back, and tailored, layered lace, this dress I found to be the most compelling and memorable.

Though "Rocked" provided less fashion than advertised, it seemed all-around to be a comprehensive convention for those awaiting bridehood. I'd recommend attending events like these if you're planning a wedding in the near future; just don't eat before you go (rookie mistake).

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Ellington Handbags Spring 2013 Launch Party

Rose Finn — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 08:59:00 -0800

If you're at all like me, you've been carrying around some pseudo-garbage bag strung around your shoulder for months, with all the edges fraying and shit falling out of it. That's why this upcoming Ellington Handbags Spring 2013 Collection Launch Party will be right up your alley!

This Spring collection launch will be this Thursday, the 21st, from 5-7pm at their store on NW 23rd. The soiree will be providing food and drinks, a raffle, a free gift with purchase, and a chance to meet your purse's designer. Enjoying cocktails with your new purse and its creator sounds like a pretty hot Thursday night to me. Menage-a-purse, anyone?

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Betsy & Iya Month of Love Short Story Contest

Toby Robboy — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:54:55 -0800

In honor of Valentine's Day, betsy & iya just announced the most awesome contest idea ever! The jewelry label, which always has the most poetic product descriptions on their website, decided to reverse the creative process by giving fans a chance to submit a 40-word story that "will capture a quintessential betsy & iya moment," and designer Betsy Cross will make an original piece of jewelry inspired by the winner's story. The winner will receive the piece of jewelry once it is made, as well as a $400 gift certificate. The second and third runners-up will receive $100 and $50 gift certificates respectively. All contest entrants will be eligible to receive a 20% discount on an online purchase between today and April 3.

Entries, which must be submitted by March 7 to betsy & iya's Facebook page, will be put up for vote by FB users from March 8—March 14 to determine the finalists. The top three entries will be chosen by a panel that includes author Nancy Rommelmann (Transportation: Stories, The Queens of Montague Street), Kevin Sampsell (author of A Common Pornography, founder of Future Tense Publishing), B Frayn Masters (host/executive producer of Back Fence PDX), Courtenay Hameister (host of Live Wire!) and Nathalie Weinstein (editor of PDX Pipeline). The winner will be announce March 31.

Betsy & iya is always finding creative ways to connect to their customers, and this contest was conceived as a way to allow them to reflect the line means to them. As Cross explains, "We have such an engaged following online. We wanted to hear from them about what stories, dreams and fantasies come to mind through the lens of a betsy & iya piece." Get all the contest details here.

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Tilde Super Sale

Rose Finn — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:49:52 -0800

Tilde in Sellwood is having a last-minute Valentine's sale this weekend, with 20% off everything!

With local trinkets, jewelry, clothing, and just about anything women like, there's no excuse for you to forget her Valentine's gift this year.

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Reif Turban Giveaway

Elizabeth Mollo — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:59:00 -0800

Always wanted a Reif turban but have not been able to shell out the (very affordable) $28 because you are super broke or because you're just a cheap asshole? Well, now here's your chance to win a Reif turban AND a Reif headband. Click here, follow the instructions, and enter to win. Pretty easy, and if you win you'll look super pretty!!!

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New from Demimonde

Kayla Rekofke — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:59:00 -0800

Have you guys checked out Demimonde on NE Broadway? If not, you totes should get yourself over to the shop: Absolutely gorgeous jewelry paired with a collection of vintage and new items that are lovely to fill your closet or living space with. “Exploring the illicit affairs we have with the objects we adorn ourselves with” couldn’t be a more fitting mantra for their perfect little shop. Demimonde is located at 2428 NE Broadway.

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It's National Hat Day!

Marjorie Skinner — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:02:32 -0800

Just thought you should know.

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I’ve Got Hose

Kayla Rekofke — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 08:59:00 -0800

Ladies, listen up, it's officially winter time here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (durrr). Tights are absolutely essential for the months of November-March, and the past couple of times I’ve gone out I've been quite shocked to see so many bare legs [I'm still totally rocking bare legs—Ed.]. Lille boutique makes it effortlessly easy to stock up on gorgeous tights that are not only practical, but more importantly, pretty. Click below to shop the looks, and check out Lille’s complete hosiery collection here.

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Tailly: Taking Cat Ladies to the Next Level

Marjorie Skinner — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:14:00 -0800

This may be a manifestation of taxoplasmosis (JK), but it also brings up a couple thoughts:

1) In my experience, cats usually wag their tails when they're pissed/want to kill things more so than "excited."

2) This seems like a good way to get cats to attack you from behind.

3) Crepes aren't that exciting.

4) I want one.

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The LiV Collection by BD503

Elizabeth Mollo — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:40:38 -0800

On Wednesday I attended the launch of The LiV Collection by BD503, a small affair that celebrated the release of a new handbag collection designed by singer/ songwriter LiV Warfield (a rising star who got her big break singing backup for Prince) and local handbag maker BD503. Warfield and BD503 designer Bianca Pettinari met this year at FashioNXT, where BD503 had a booth and Warfield sang to kick of the week's events. She spotted a bag, claimed she was, "Not leaving without it," and struck up a friendship with Pettinari, which led to the collaboration. "The LiV Collection by BD503 includes shoulder bags and clutches with signature details and exotics inspired by LiV’s passion for life, music and fashion."

BD503, a newcomer to the Portland design scene, boasts Pettinari's 20 years of experience working in Italy for the likes of John Galliano, Costume National, and Theory; individuality (each bag is made one at time and is one-of-a-kind); re-purposed leather sourced from vintage garments and top-quality excess leather from traditional Italian manufacturing; and each bag is handmade in their Portland studio. Following are a few shots of the clutches that caught my eye. You can check out the entire collection here.

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