Archive for October, 2008
Seattle-based designer Lizzie Parker’s new fall jersey pieces are in at Olio United (1028 SE Water): dresses and this fabulous wear-a-million-ways “vest,” for lack of a better word. You can wear it with the cowl around your neck and tie it around your hips, or for a blouson look, around your waist. Or you can wear it with the band around your hips like the mini-est of skirts and wrap the ties around your neck. It’s bat wings drape in a liquid way without being bulky. It’s not for everyone, but I was surprised how easily I took to the black version of it. A few minutes with Olio owner, Korinne, showing me the possibilities, and I was into it. Now I have to keep myself from wearing it every day so I don’t become known as “that crazy vest lady.”
If you haven’t been in to Olio recently (across from clarklewis) you must go see. With a thoughtfully curated selection of fashion, housewares, furniture, gifts, in an eclectic modern vein…highly recommended.
Posted on October 24, 2008 | Filed under Uncategorized | Permalink
image via Project Runway on Bravo
“Any work of art which is not a beginning, an invention, a discovery is of little worth.” —Ezra Pound
Okay. We are talking about fashion which is second cousin to art, but at its best aims toward art even though it must ultimately engage commerce. But let us briefly recall watershed moments like Dior’s New Look. The quote could just as well read, “Any work…which is not…” and still be salient.
This is the second to last time I will write about Project Runway. Tomorrow, the end of suspense and presumably Leanne Marshall can get on with things after being in hush-hush limbo forEVER as Project Runway drags to a close. Presumably Leanne has had enough positive attention from the show—from Diane von Furstenberg, for one, who is only president of the CFDA, from Michael Kors…whatever that’s worth, and importantly from Tim Gunn, who, among the regulars on that television show, has the exclusive claim to a modicum of taste—that she will be able, to quote the great K Mikey M of Urban Honking, be able to “Make it Happen.”
By any measure of judging that would take into account innovation and vision (what fashion needs to keep moving forward), Marshall will have to be the winner. By any measure that takes into account construction and appropriateness: Marshall. For all of the idiotic assignments with which these designers were presented, the final story is the final collection. And Leanne presented a cohesive, clear vision: innovative without being costumey and very well executed.
But let us remember that this is a television show…and so a winner is not the best designer, but the best draw for next year’s crop of viewers, no? Korto does high-caliber work, but an Oscar de la Renta ruffle is not making it new, Mr. Pound. And Kenley is the Queen Appropriator, like hundreds of other retro girls buying vintage sewing patterns and stitching up a view to the past. Anyone who doesn’t see this, and sees something innovative in yet another feathered fascinator (when artists in Portland like Hubris & Sophrosyne and Gretchen Jones have been doing feathered hair ornaments for quite some time now…a situation which is surely replicated across the country in forward-thinking havens) or Betty Page-ism is out of touch. Her final collection was All Over the Place, full of ideas, few interesting. Bothe of these women will have fine fashion careers making popular fashion. But Leanne Marshall must be the winner.
In the difficulty of my recalling a past winner is perhaps the crux of the matter here. Does it matter? Let us hope that for Leanne Marshall it does. For this is her year.
Pieces from Leanne Marshall’s line Leanimal have been carried in Portland at Foundation Garments on NE Alberta and at Seaplane on NW 23rd. Is this still the case? Or is she NY bound.
Posted on October 14, 2008 | Filed under designer | Permalink
dlr wrap shirt. photo via dlr-designs.com
Portland Fashion Week continues tonight, Thursday at 14 Square (1330 NW 14th) with the following designers showing on the runway:
MEWV Sustainables
In Harmony (Seattle)
dlr designs
Revivall Clothing
Bon’Lou
StudioSKB
As much as we’d like to tell you the show starts at 8, if last night is an indication you’ll have time for a drink…or two…after 8 and before the show gets rolling.
Posted on October 9, 2008 | Filed under event | Permalink
It’s that time again when the Boutiques on Alberta, NE Alberta that is, band together for Fashion By Flashlight, a shopping night this Thursday, October 9 from 6-9 PM with sales, goodies, drinks and more.
Posted on October 9, 2008 | Filed under event | Permalink
designer: Liza Rietz. photo: Josh Elliott.
Don’t miss the Liza Rietz and Emily Ryan Trunk Show and Sample Sale this Sunday, October 12 at Rietz’ shop (2305 NW Savier) from 1-4 PM. The two Portland-based designers will have the pieces they showed at their recent runway show and Ryan says she’ll “also have many inexpensive and comfy tunics and dresses for sale” that she’s culled from sales samples.
Posted on October 7, 2008 | Filed under designer, event | Permalink
Don’t miss the Church & State Fall 2008 Fashion Show on Saturday, October 11 at 7 PM at Frances May (1013 SW Washington). Portland-based Nathaniel Crissman and Rachel Turk of Church & State design finely-crafted women’s clothes with a modern aesthetic both innocent and honest.
Of the 2006 collection, ultra said:
it was refreshing to see that the interest was all in the way the garments were built with any details being integrated and subtle. So details of construction like gathered sections falling from curved piping on the front of a trim little jacket and the rear of a high-waisted skirt were magically important, as were the ubiquitous and well-loved Church & State signature fabric-covered buttons.For more advance reading, check out this profile of the duo.
Posted on October 2, 2008 | Filed under designer, event | Permalink
Alula Fall 08
Is Portland Fashion Week next week already? We’re pasting in the full official schedule below. Saturday night with a double hit for the men (Collier and Christopher Bevans) looks really strong. And we’re looking forward to seeing the ultra-sophisticated May Tee (the designer has done time at Central Saint Martins and an internship at Missoni) and Idom collections from PDX and Alula (Seattle), in particular. More on unofficial shows and events to come.
Hours every evening:
PFW Plaza: 5PM (open for all)
Pre-party reception: 6:30PM (ticket required)
Runway Show: 8PM (ticket required)
VIP After-party: 10PM (VIP or Preferred seating ticket required)
Wednesday, October 8 (Get Tickets)
Opening Night Party and Entertainment
Hosted & Introduced by Mayor Tom Potter
MC’d by Mayor-Elect Sam Adams
Icebreaker (New Zealand|Portland)
Art Institute of Portland Fashion Show
Thursday, October 9 (Get Tickets)
MEWV Sustainables
In Harmony (Seattle)
dlr designs
Revivall
Bon’Lou
StudioSKB
Friday, October 10 (Get Tickets)
Dimitri
Nike Considered
Alula Clothing (Seattle)
May Tee
Sameunderneath
Saturday, October 11 (Get Tickets)
Saffrona
Collier
Lizzie Parker (Seattle)
Lucia
Christopher Bevans
Sunday, October 12 (Get Tickets)
Amai Unmei
Strung Out by Peniche (LA)
Salvationware (Seattle)
Idom
sofada
Elroy Apparel (Vancouver, BC)
Posted on October 2, 2008 | Filed under event | Permalink
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