Carrie Hearts Lanvin Who Hearts H&M

The new Portland H&M store has been open for almost a week, but Alison Nicole and I put off going right away, at first to avoid the inevitable teenage hysteria. I understand the excitement, just don't respond well to Black Friday-esque trample-shopping crowds. Hopefully the surge has settled into a stream--we are heading to the new downtown store this afternoon. We're a day early to catch the new Lanvin hearts H&M line (is the collection even coming to Portland?), but look! Albert Elbaz never fails to thrill me, season after season, and didn't fail to again with his high-street-to-low-street-to-high-street (or whatever he said he was going for) pairing with H&M. Even if we get deprived of his line (out West we have to get crafty to get what we want some times), there are so many fan saucy dressed to get excited about. There was plenty of color on the runway, but I love best these creamy black confections punctuated with bursts of leopard and bright color, save of course for Anna Dello Russo's florescent sorbet trot down the runway.

Unforeseen Circumstances

In anticipation of Lille Boutique's next fashion show, Unforeseen Circumstances by NYC designer Teo Griscom, I am grazing through the UC site, getting my first feel for the brand and the soft, vulnerable pieces. Usually I attempt to limit my consumption of dreary blogs and lonely websites, preferring to experience solitude in person through poetry, art and nature. But something about the images and Griscom's language--not to mention the gorgeous, hand-made pieces themselves--makes me more than willing to go there with her. Plus, there's nothing like the start of a rainy winter to make a person want to hibernate in cozy sheets wearing only the softest of fabrics! Get familiar with the knits, and
RSVP quick if you want a seat at the show.

Masquerade Ball At Mt. Tabor Theater

Portland family play time again! If you've a PDX Family party pro or if this is your first time, get your tickets at TicketsWest, Mt.Tabor theater or Just People music. Dress your best and come play. We will take good care of you! (Take inspiration from Daria Werbowy's masked beauty I found in an old Vogue Paris stashed in my room.)

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Check out my post from this year's prom (also at Mt. Tabor theater on Hawthorn) and 2009 Prom in Eugene. On December 18th, in addition to shows from Reeble Jar and host Just People, there will be live painting by Dane Eisenbart, hula hooping, stilt walking (courtesy Mr. Jasin Weiner) and Mr. Wu turning the tables.

Let The Beauty You Love Be What You Do

Let the beauty you love be what you do
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
-Rumi

 Here are some behind-the-scenes shots from a recent shoot for Sahlia's website. Coming up to Sahlia's lofty studio in the Ford building in South East is like coming home to a little tree house sanctuary. The high ceilings, exposed brick, big windows and raw edge wood all feels so natural and peaceful. I love the old picture frames she made into jewelry displays. (I'm going to try and convince her to teach me how to make them--yay x-mas presents!) I visit her as much as possible, and always leave draped more of her gorgeous jewels. She likes me to wear them out and about to give them

some freedom and fresh air.

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The shoot was straight-forward, with just Natalie modeling, me styling and Sahlia shooting. Natalie is such a sweet, talented model to work with--not to mention hilarious and professional and all the other things a person could want! Doing her makeup was a breeze: a nude smokey eye, nude super glossy lips and summer-bronze face. Hair just took some minor tweaking to an already great cut.

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Recently I helped Sahlia name her new pieces. The first day I came in with my notebook and scribbled up line sheets I was a little nervous, thinking I could either be right on or possibly wayyyy off. I got her a copy of the Essential Rumi (my obsession) and used my copy to come up with the names. I was led by her example of the name "Patience" for a pair of earrings (they take her forever to make, plus a lot of patience, because of how she has to sauter and meld (or whatever she does) these tiny barbells through little links interspersed along the chain. I think we finally named the earrings "With Patience"). She loved the names, and over a few days (and a bottle a few bottles of red wine) we perfected each. For a pair of braided chain earrings: "Being Woven." For small silver hoops suspend from a chain with barbell clusters: "Sky Wheel." For the triple-v necklace below, I loved the name "Birdwings" (which inspired me to post the hauntingly beautiful poem here), and Sahlia came up with "The Symmetry of Wings," which is even more descriptive. Some names, like "The Sun is Love," had no match yet in jewelry, but inspired new pieces. For us creative freakshows, it is all such a process. I'm excited to see where we all go with our work. In the meantime we just keep digging our wells--working in beautiful spaces with clear minds, vision and purpose and collaborating with talented, passionate people!

Birdsong brings relief

to my longing

I am just as ecstatic as they are,

but with nothing to say!

Please, universal soul, practice

some song, or something, through me!

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The way of love is not

a subtle argument.

The door there

is devastation.

Birds make great sky-circles

of their freedom.

How do they learn it?

They fall, and falling,

they're given wings.

-Rumi

Sexy Savant In Portland

Friday night at Holocene, Feng-Feng Yeh of the NYC-based Savant label debuted her lingerie capsule collection--nine sexy, refreshing looks that stayed true to her avant-guard aesthetic. The line recalled her Spring 2009 collection, this time making bandeau bras, elastic caging and brocade boyshorts the central focus of the collection. Boyshorts, briefs and bloomers came with pool-blue stripes and black detailing, silver trip set against black cotton, and lavender silk Chinoiserie. Elastic bras provided cleavage and suggested a most comforting fit. Everything looked completely wearable--I mean, we're talking about the bedroom here. Anything goes! But the collection looked almost like it was ready for the street (okay, ready for the beach), with the water-loving neoprene and suggestive, but not dead-give-away coverage.

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Alison Nicole and I stayed after the show, catching up with some of the models and checking out the neoprene and elastic fits up close. We stuck around long enough to catch a word with the adorable Yeh. I asked her why she chose Portland to debut her line. She said simply that Lille boutique approached her about a trunk and fashion show for First Friday and she liked the idea. But she enthusiastically added, "I love Portland! It has everything I love... Coincidentally my sister moved out here just two days ago, so it all just worked out."

 From top, model Kate Troedsson wears the Neoprene Sportive Bra and Cotton Organdy Night Dress. Sally Garrido-Spencer wears the Blue Stripe Elastic Halter Bra, matching boyshorts and Elastic Cage skirt with metallic buttons. Megan Hodge wears the Reversible Neoprene Bandeau Bra and Blue Stripe Applique Boyshort. Photos by Alison Nicole.

There Is A Rain For Storytelling In Candlelight

This morning I had the pleasure of watching the most fantastic hail storm. My sweet little cat and I sat side by side outside on the deck and watched little white pellets and loads of rain smash through the branches of our little forest. We've had some gorgeous fall weather, but today in honor of the rain and the cozy season, here is the poem Seasonal Event by my grandma Anita out of her book Pockets of Time.

A gray day in this land is a time

for scholars

              and lovers

when diaphanous scarves of mist

fold into the hills and wrap parched

sensitivities in an intimacy

that no highbright sun could achieve

It presages rain.

Ah, rain! On the face, in the hand--

it breaks into music on trees and stones.

It dissolves the dusts of summer

and holds in suspension a subtle

distillation of muted colorings--

the miracle of a raindrop in a gray day.

-Anita Hamm

Dressing As A Limitless State Of Mind

This is pretty cool! Tonight at Holocene: debut Spring 2011 Savant lingerie fashion show, created by New York-based Savant founder and designer Feng Feng Yeh. The show is presented by Lille Boutique, which will be hosting a Savant trunk show tomorrow, November 6. I've read about Yeh and her creative club wear designs (read: Avant-gard) in Vogue, and it's awesome we get to see the new lingerie line first. Rest assured, it won't be your typical Angel-esque bra; check out this bandage bralette for a hint of what's possible. Love the '70's pallet, thick fabircs and bold lines from this season's ready to wear
(not to mention the sweet elf ears).

Robo Boogie: 001000100101011

I don't usual post about downtown events, but this one is going to be flowing with some of the most colorful, glittery fashiony club girls in town. At least, it should be with Annie Angell (real name--we used to get in trouble together back in middle school) running the show. (Plus, I couldn't pass up posting this adorable robo flyer created by Corey Michaud.) Come out to East Chinatown Lounge to check out the DJs and all for your post First Thursday activity. More info on Annie's blog. 

Stress And Destiny

This isn't exactly hot off the press, but I want to show some appreciation for Portland's Gretchen Jones and her win on Project Runway, especially because of how up in arms the world seems to be about it! Exciting for Portland --third Portland (Portland-area, thanks Seth) winner on the show and fourth to compete! (For those who've been napping: Leanne Marshell won Season 5, Janeane Marie and Seth Aaron competed
Season 7, Seth taking the crown.) 

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I watch zero TV (not necessarily out of principle), so I had to get all my Gretchen updates from Jezebel, where the writers took an uncharacteristically rude approach to the coverage. I brushed it off each week, figuring I was biased. (Not only hometown bias--a little white Moth Love dress by Gretchen from Francis May with a deep fluttery back has been my 95 degrees and above go-to now for two consecutive summers.) As a huge fan of "blah colors" (Gretchen's pallet choice as described by the Jezebel writer) I had no problem with her hashing out a design idea without throwing in superfluous color. The (ahem) neutrals not only stayed true to Gretchen's style, but also allowed for some true exploration of design. Some of the more interesting collections have been made from an entirely simple pallet--see Spring '11 Chloe, Stella McCartney and Francisco Costa's Calvin Klein. It is with obvious respect to the environment that designers chose less harmful dyes and chemicals. Plus, as it sounds, Mondo will have no trouble gaining deserved attention and support as he continues his career.

 My personal experience with Gretchen? She's honest, gracious and focused on what she wants.

What's not to respect?

Birdwings

Your grief for what you've lost lifts a mirror

up to where you're bravely working.

Expecting the worst, you look, and instead,

here's the joyful face you've been wanting to see.

Your hand opens and closes and opens and closes.

If it were always a fist or always stretched open,

you would be paralyzed.

Your deepest presence is in every small contracting

                                                                 and expanding,

the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated

as birdwings.

-Rumi as translated by Coleman Barks