Get ready to play boutique musical chairs: Seaplane has left its digs at 827 NW 23rd and moved just half a block away to 2266 NW Lovejoy, to what is now the third location of the legendary store originally founded on SE Belmont by designers Holly Stalder and Kate Towers. Says current owner Tacee Webb of the decision, "With less rent and overhead we can focus on being more creative, and have a sewing room at the shop for designers to utilize onsite. It's turning into much more of a true collective/cooperative now, where the designers who run the shop make all the profit on their pieces in exchange for working hours at the store. It's our way of adapting to the new economy so our designers can still keep a good income."
Meanwhile, IDOM is set to take over the NW 23rd space, with a projected reopening scheduled for early June—the store, owned by designer of the IDOM house line Modi Soondarotok, should stand to benefit from its move off of NE Alberta to the dense shopping hub of relatively moneyed foot traffic on Nob Hill, and it's heartening to see the space change hands to another independent entrepreneur at a time when so much of the area's recent development has been corporate.
In the meantime, the coming week is crammed with stylish events and parties, beginning on Thursday with a celebration of the relaunched PF Flyers Sportshu at Local35. Originally developed for baseball players in 1940, and recreated by the company's Japanese branch, the classic, limited-edition hi-tops are part of the Archival Reissue Collection reprising classic PF Flyers sports shoe designs over the past 70-plus years. Come down for the launch to snag a rare pair—or get lucky and win one in the raffle. (Local 35, 3556 SE Hawthorne, Thurs May 14, 7-9 pm)
Two runway shows are also on the weekend calendar, beginning with the annual Strut event benefiting Basic Rights Oregon, which this year boasts a particularly fantastic lineup of design talent including the aforementioned IDOM; adorable swimwear from Popina Swimwear; ladylike Sofada apparel; sporty, youthful looks for men and women from Erhart Designs; and sophisticated, impeccably tailored womenswear by Maytee, plus up-and-comers Sarah Seven and Heating & Cooling. (Luxe Autohaus, 410 NE 17th, Sat May 16, 7 pm, $13-75) The fashion action continues the following night with Modified Style, in which over 30 participating designers will present garments made entirely of donated scrap fabric. The DIY-centric event is a triple-pronged benefit, for the Farm Sanctuary, Sisters of the Road, and Junior Achievement. (Secret Society Ballroom, 116 NE Russell, Sun May 17, 7 pm, $10-15)
