PFW

                                              Studio SKB Chicago Harper

                                                   Grishley

                                         Becky Ross for Wicked Quick

                                                 Lizz Basinger

                                                  Silkwood

                                                House of Summer    

                                              Michelle is Well

                                                AM Renegade

Moontess

(Unfortunately I couldn't take any good pictures myself, and these are the only ones available)

About a week ago I got the opportunity to attend a night of Portland Fashion Week, in which emerging Portland designers were showcased. Though the extravagance, as well as the innovation, fell slightly short of NYFW, I still reveled in the opportunity to attend my first ever fashion show. The clothes may not have been up to par, but sitting in row three (of the five) and watching the zoom lenses snap shots of sky high models made me feel oh-so-important, while the sustainable, recycled runway made it feel oh-so-Portland.

Many of the collections were a nod to the sixties, with structured dresses and short hemlines, and let me be honest in saying that the overdone models, sporting twiggy-inspired polyester nightmares, who kicked off the show left much to be desired. The entire collection was badly styled and badly executed, showcasing an utter lack of taste. And while the "Moontess" collection left me equally as horrified, a handful of pieces provided real inspiration.

Amanda Grisham's "Grishley" collection, which combined navajo with leather in dresses and jackets, felt very of-the-moment, while the collection entitled "AM Renegade" played with asymmetrical cuts to liven up the show. "Studio SKB Chicago Harper" had an interesting and perfectly-tailored twist on menswear, while Lizz Basinger almost got it right with her high-waisted shorts. And despite the emergence of star-struck Rachel while chatting with Becky Ross from this season of Project Runway, her ready-to-wear clothes seemed a bit too ready, lacking any real creativity. In the end Grishley was the clear winner (by attendees votes), with bits and pieces of other collections sharing the spotlight.

Sources: Portland Fashion Weekly

Sixty Plus Chic

In many industries, fashion included, age can seem like a death sentence. Gone are the days when crop tops and cutoffs comprise an appropriate outfit, and orthopedic insoles come to replace stilettos. But all is not lost. Judging by these photos, with age can come sophistication, and these elder folk are able to remain chic and fashion forward. It is not often that the senior age group can evoke in me such inspiration, but these styles are proof that, while your hair color may fade, your taste does not have go along with it.

Sources: Facehunter, the Sartorialist

Another Complaint About the Weather

Portland's weather forecast is about as fickle as it gets. One day is filled with hourly downpours, and the next it is 80 degrees. C'mon Oregon, I know summer only ended a few days ago but don't tempt me with the prospect of fall weather only to rip it right from my hands.

I was so excited upon the arrival of cooler days. I immediately began to mentally paint the leaves orange and yellow while assembling fall outfits in my head. The layering and the knits really get my heart racing. But then, twenty-four hours later, as soon as it had come, the new season was melted away by the returning summer sun. I guess the pumpkins, turkeys, and all the coziness that comes with fall will have to wait a little longer. At least I can get my fall fashion fix online...

sources: the sartorialist, stockholm streetstyle, the facehunter

Closet Candy

Absolutely loving closetvisit.com at the moment, in which artist, Jeana Sohn, visits the closets of stylish LA ladies. I love daydreaming about my future apartment, in which the closet will obviously play a prominent role, and the featured houses provide inspiration along with eye candy. In the midst of planning my move to LA, this site is my current "go to" for procrastination.

Neon Oxfords Please

Standing in the aftermath of NY and London fashion week, I often find myself lost within the rubble. After being bombarded by neon, polka dots, long hem-lines, short hem-lines, crochet, sheer, and every crazy hair style in between, it can be hard to differentiate the good from the bad. But all of the confusion and luke-warm feelings evaporate when I see a collection that stands out to me, such as Ter et Bantine. Manuela Arcari, head designer since the line's birth in 1992, proves to be the queen of minimalism as the crisp lines mesh seamlessly with the interesting colors and unexpected shapes. In a fashion world where more is the new less, this perfectly basic collection warmed my heart.

Pixie Dust

I literally want every single item from the new Pixie market. Those creepers are perfection. Budgeting my life is getting more difficult by the dayyy

Sass & Bide

I cannot deny that I am a sucker for polka dots...and when you upgrade to a modernized version of batik polka dots in a slightly sheer fabric, I cannot help but swoon. But that is not the only thing that drew me to Sass & Bide's most recent collection. Everything, from the colors to the styling, was perfection. The designers were able to create looks of interest that never breached overwhelming, by connecting common colors and themes. And a balance was struck as structured cuts were paired with more feminine pieces while neons and prints meshed flawlessly. The overall collection had a modern feel, but still managed to incorporate a classic charm. Love.

Source: style.com