Shop Talk

Win VIP Tickets to the Ai Fashion Show

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:03:00 -0700

Back for its 15^th year, next weekend two dozen young designers hit the stage at Pure Space for The Art Institute of Portland’s annual fashion show. (Yes, I am co-producer of the show and an adjunct at the school, so basically I’m incredibly biased when I tell you that you don’t want to miss this.)

Every year Ai puts on a grand fashion show with approximately 1,000 of their closest friends in attendance in what amounts to one of the largest runway shows in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a guaranteed good time of people watching, fun, and fashion. Plus, the show is a fundraiser for the Creative Art Scholarship fund that benefits all the majors at the college. Translation: you coming to check out hot outfits on the runway is helping pay for someone’s dream education.

As the print sponsor of the show, Portland Monthly has two fancy VIP tickets to give away. The VIP seats (that run a $100 a pop) include front row runway seating with a stuffed goody bag and entrance to the Portland Monthly VIP exclusive lounge where free drinks and appetizers flow while you rub elbows with the fashion scene’s Very Important People.

To enter, click to fill out this form. . The show sells out each year, so if you’re dying to go, best to snap up a ticket in advance. $20 general admission tickets include an actual chair and two drink tickets. How’s that for bang for your buck? To round out the evening, the street shuts down and food cart venues line up to offer snacks to the patrons not getting fed upstairs, while a silent auction also runs from 6:30 to 8 with a fabulous line up of items from local businesses.

Purchase tickets here, and see a preview of some of the upcoming collections in our slide show round up

Drawing the Line – The Art Institute Fashion Show
Saturday, June 1st, Silent Auction begins at 6pm
Tickets, $20 GA, $100 VIP – Purchase via TicketsWest
Pure Space, 1315 NW Overton Street

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Vintage Polaroids

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:50:00 -0700

Image: Jonny Shultz

Jonny Shultz is a familiar face around the fashion circuit.

He’s held court as the fashion director for Q6 modeling agency for a decade, a former fashion designer in town, an occasional morning television personality with yours truly, and now you can add photographer to that list. Shultz created a photograph series of his models using his vintage Polaroid camera given to him by his late husband to create a beautiful collection of beautiful people.

Flip through the collection to see images captured by a device that all the Photoshop in the world can’t quite replace.

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City Baby Features Fashion

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:24:00 -0700

When Cora Benesh and her fiancé David Morgan set out to write/direct/star/produce a film about Portland, they knew it had to be all inclusive. Not only is City Baby shot here, full of Portland regulars, and sound tracked by our coolest bands, it’s also a love letter to Pdx fashion. Benesh, a long time Portland model we’ve regularly featured (who plays the starring role of the too hot girl with the jack ass boyfriend) says, “Not only was it important to us to showcase and feature local musicians but we also worked to incorporate the local fashion scene and designers. Having worked in the industry for a number of years I collaborated with the Costume Designer Monika Schmidt in reaching into the community to pull clothes. We ended up using pieces from these locals: Jayme Hansen, Luxury Jones, Janeane Marie, Lindsey Reif, Heather Treadway, Isaac Hers, Stone & Honey, Sahlia Spaan, and Earheart designs.”

While many folks have made shows and films about Portland, Benesh and Morgan staying true to our aesthetic means this is a film that actually looks like Portland. And we like that.

See the movie for yourself at this week’s big screen premiere Thursday night at Cinema 21. For more information, see the Facebook event page.

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CITY BABY Trailer from David Morgan on Vimeo.

Open Season: Immaculate Martin Finale

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:04:00 -0700

It’s true that the fashion industry can occasionally take itself a tad too seriously. The finale of Open Season was anything but.

Operating under the name Immaculate Martin, two of Portland’s ling running, exceedingly talented designers–Adam Arnold and Elizabeth Dye–created a fantastic collection of women’s wear combining their aesthetics for something entirely new. The show began with the designers in sort of Cyrano de Bergerac prancing the runway before a magical man in a black unitard did a gleeful ribbon dance. If that wasn’t enough to have everyone thoroughly entertained the kitten mask adorned models came out in cool, modern clothing that was expertly finished with the combination of Dye’s high-end bridal skills and Arnold’s tailoring experience.

Though the combination was seemingly meant to be one night of tongue in cheek fun, the collection was easily thrilling enough for us to say, “Immaculate Martin, we want you to stick around.”

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Open Season: Pendleton Portland Collection

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:36:00 -0700

Image: Saxon Trobaugh

Is there anyone who doesn’t love Pendleton’s Portland Collection? Showing its third collection of men’s and women’s wear Wednesday night the upcoming fall pieces are stronger than ever. Referencing archived fabrics, the newest grouping features cozy wool jackets, printed pants, and fitted dress that are both accommodating to different body shapes. If that wasn’t enough, the looks are just plain cool, making it easy to see why TPC maintains its status as our fashion mascot.

Open Season: Lange and Reif

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:28:00 -0700

The second night of Open Season brought the cool kids out to Produce Row. Designers included the relatively new Brandy Lange and Open Season veteran Lindsay Reif in a spectacular combination.

Lange kicked off the show with a combination of tightly tailored menswear pieces for fellas who actually want to leave an impression on the world, and women’s wear in playful young silhouettes using an open work lace, bold stripes, and a fun tropical print. A fabulous collection from a promising designer.

Lindsay Reif comes back to Open Season by building on her skillset; particular her ability to work cutouts and mesh. It’s an incredible talent to balance a sexy see-through bit that comes off as both stylish and jaw dropping. Rounding out the super chic looks were bags and accessories by Coco Cardenas putting the perfect cherry atop a delicious fashion sundae.

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Trend Watch: Animal Prints

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:24:00 -0700

We know, we know; Animal prints are not new—but they're bigger than ever.

In a twist on the traditional tiger stripe and leopard print, big name designers are taking the whole animal to task for their inspiration. From Givenchy’s shark themed collection last year to Kenzo’s sold-out-in-two days tiger sweater, the fashion world loves its critters.

Bonus point: These pets you don’t have to clean up after. Check out the slideshow above for more animal kingdom inspiration.

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Open Season: Stalder, Ryan, and Rietz

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:28:00 -0700

Try as one might to stay neutral in a city full of so many talented independent designers, it’s hard to not have some favorites. Monday night’s inauguration to Open Season with designers Holly Stalder, Emily Ryan, Liza Rietz proved that.

The three longtime Portland ladies (to whom new designers in town owe several hand-calligraphed thank you notes for establishing a fashion scene here) each sent beautiful collections of dresses and separates down the makeshift runway at the White Owl Social Club.

Stalder strayed from her recent focus on bridal to share a blue collection that hit a perfect balance between boho and romantic. Ryan’s knack for interesting, but not overdone, embellishments—like the fringe touch on a knee length marbled number—keeps the eye from straying. Finally, Rietz incorporated her signature use of origami influence with paneling and seaming detail to create clean, modern silhouettes pushing the elegant looks to a wider market.

All in all, designers like these keep me thrilled about writing fashion in our fair city.

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Toast's iAccessory Giveaway

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:38:00 -0700

It’s no secret that a large portion of the city is obsessed with their iPhones. wandering around the streets staring at their glowing screens with jaws slack, drool half coming out as we scroll through Instagram and respond to emails.

Toast’s cute laser cut iAccessories allow you to at least look stylish as your zombie strut around town with a customizable wood wrap made from ebony, ash, walnut, or bamboo.

The thin adhesive covers:
•Personalize your iPhone
•Add grip
•Protect the back
•Easy to apply - peel and stick
•Peels off cleanly, leaves no residue on phone
•If you are careful, these covers are reusable.

Win a cover from the local company that uses only renewable energy and donates one percent of sales to environmental non-profits by filling out this form. Or, if you’re too eager to wait, snap up one of their iPhone, iPad, or iMac covers for a low price at their online shop.

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Fashion Forward: The Review

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:32:00 -0700

Image: Paul Swortz Photography

While I was jaunting around New York city trying on million dollar necklaces, Portland Sewing had their annual Fashion Forward runway event. Since I couldn't be present, my intrepid intern Beau Reed went to the show and has his Top 10 best hits of the night.

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