IT'S BEEN two years since Barbara Seipp took a step back from the Portland apparel world. The former owner of the boutique Isaac Hers (originally on N Mississippi, and then in W Burnside's Black Box Building), which also boasted an in-house apparel line of the same name, closed her shop and ceased pumping out seasonal collections in 2012, citing a desire to focus more time on her family.
This week, Seipp returns to the clothing world, and she's not alone. Kate Troedsson has traveled the world as a model, but she's also been building a reputation as a designer, particularly in her work with heavy fabrics like denim and waxed textiles. Now Seipp and Troedsson have teamed up to create the Karl vonBuck line of clothing, which is expected to marry Seipp's practical, comfortable (and washable!) everyday pieces with a bit of Troedsson's street chic. Both have a good reputation for hardy construction.
The Karl vonBuck line is rooted in denim, not often seen in Portland apparel design (it's a special-needs fabric than can be tricky to work with and produce locally). And according to the designers' statement, it "represents an attitude, an adrenaline rush, an escape from normality, a way of life, a dollar hard earned, a giant punch in the face, a righteous article of clothing." We'll take a closer look at that denim dress, but minus the face punching, please. Karl vonBuck debut, Adorn, 3366 SE Division, Thurs Dec 4, 7:30 pm
• Currently on deck for Mercantile's frequent rotation of trunk sales is a preview of Lafayette 148 New York's 2015 resort collection, including petites and plus sizes. Mercantile, 729 SW Alder, through Sat Dec 6
• This year, instead of just envying the crafty types who make their own holiday gifts, be one of them. Schoolhouse Electric is hosting a whole series of workshops, A Handmade Holiday, taught by the likes of WildCraft Studio School, Egg Press, and more, that will guide you through everything from making shibori dyed table runners to getting through all your holiday card writing. Schoolhouse Electric, 2181 NW Nicolai, through Sat Dec 13, various times and prices, schoolhouseelectric.com for details
• Right up until Christmas Eve, you can bring in a donation of new or gently used hats, gloves, mittens, linens, dishes, silverware, or pots, and new women's personal care items to Una, and they'll take 10 percent off your purchase. All donations will go to the good folks at Bradley Angle House in the meantime. Una, 922 SE Ankeny, through Dec 24
• Another shop tuning in to the season of generosity is Lizard Lounge, which is offering 20 percent off one regularly priced item with the donation of five non-perishable food items, which they'll be passing on to the Oregon Food Bank. Lizard Lounge, 1323 NW Irving, through Dec 31
• Northwest salon Hair MW is getting in on the holiday action with a trunk show/party featuring locally produced fashion and accessories along with deals on services and their vast array of high-quality product lines. Look for marionberry whiskey from Eastside Distilling, and goodies from Boulevard de Magenta, Stephanie D Couture, Anne Bocci, and Duchess Clothier, to name a few. Hair MW, 1015 NW Lovejoy, Thurs Dec 4, 5-9 pm
• The grand opening of Tender Loving Empire's new SE Hawthorne location doubles as a release party for the PDXMAS local-music Christmas album, so people like Luz Elena Mendoza of Y La Bamba will be performing live renditions, plus a DJ set by Party Damage Records DJs. Fort George Brewery suds will flow, and there will be a raffle drawing every half hour where you can win first-edition LPs, TLE gift certificates, and prize packs with everything from clothing to bath products to jewelry, and more. Tender Loving Empire, 3541 SE Hawthorne, Thurs Dec 4, 6:30-9:30 pm
• The brand-new North of West design-focused mercantile (opened by the makers of Nell & Mary, Make It Good, and Pigeon Toe) had its soft opening last week, but here's the official kickoff! Enjoy cocktails, music, and getting to know one of your favorite new spots. North of West, 203 SW 9th, Thurs Dec 4, 6-9 pm
• Soon-to-launch online purveyor of Korean cosmetics and skincare TNT Color Lab (founded by Portland's Tina Bue) makes its sneak-peek introduction to Portland via West End Select Shop this week. Catch it now or be forced to wait until it hits the internets in 2015! West End Select Shop, 927 SW Oak, Thurs Dec 4, 5-8:30 pm
• The shops of NE Broadway are hosting a Ladies' Night Out, where participating businesses will proffer discounts, drinks, and snacks. Find deals like 20 percent off storewide at Soho Boutique, and much more. Various locations, NE Broadway, Thurs Dec 4, 5-9 pm, nebroadway.com
• Wood & Faulk is setting up shop at Bridge & Burn for a trunk show with New Deal drinks and snacks. Simple! Bridge & Burn, 1122 SW Morrison, Thurs Dec 4, 6-8 pm
• See, Shop, Sip is the order of the day at Compound, which is displaying Japanese folklore-inspired sculptures and paintings by Laika facial animator Kim Slate; selling the full selection of Kiriko Made apparel and accessories; and serving up traditional matcha green tea from Mizuba Tea Co. Compound Gallery, 107 NW 5th, Thurs Dec 4, 7-10 pm
• Support the arts! The Pacific Northwest College of Art's holiday sale is an excellent opportunity to score some truly original gifts—prints, paintings, sculptures, and "handcrafted adornments" included—as well as embolden the city's future artistic geniuses. PNCA Swigert Commons, 1241 NW Johnson, Thurs Dec 4-Fri Dec 5, 6-9 pm, Sat Dec 6, 11 am-5 pm
• Alchemy Jeweler is debuting its intriguing-sounding "Pearl Bar" with Tahiti-based Black Market Pearls, who'll be selling loose pearls, strands, and finished jewelry for all the pearl lovers in your life, including options to customize and "Tahitian island vanilla rum punch"! Alchemy Jeweler, 1022 NW Lovejoy, Thurs Dec 4-Fri Dec 5
• Mabel & Zora is stocking up on quality, go-to, and very gift-able items made by Michael Stars for a trunk show that coincides with a holiday party and opportunities for buy more/save more discounts! Mabel & Zora, 748 NW 11th, holiday party Thurs Dec 4, 5-7 pm, trunk show continues through Sun Dec 7
• All your favorites in the 811 building are ganging up: SIX/SEVEN, Seven Sisters, Redux, Milk and Honey, and Bombshell Vintage are all offering festive discounts, drinks, and other treats well into the evening. At Haunt there will be a trunk show of Anna Joyce textiles and bags (at 20 percent off during the event) and jewelry from HeartCave's Age of Aquarius collection. 811 E Burnside, Fri Dec 5, 5-9 pm
• Just to make the holidays a little happier, Nationale is hosting weekly happy hours where you can drink, mingle, and meet a rotating schedule of the designers featured in the store. First up is the jewelry of St. Eloy. Nationale, 3360 SE Division, Fri Dec 5, 6-8 pm
• Retailers of N Williams (Ink & Peat, SpielWerk Toys, Queen Bee Creations, Lark Press, Workshop Vintage, Yoga Shala, and Myoptic) band together for Shop Late Williams, where you can take advantage of 20 percent off at each location, plus win prizes and raffles while you're at it. N Williams between Beech & Mason, Fri Dec 5, 6-9 pm
• Hallowed Portland shoe store Halo hosts an open house celebration with a few of their closest friends, including stylist Scarlet Chamberlin, men's furnisher Bowyer & Fletcher, Egg Press, Rachel Ancliffe, and Gold + Arrow salon. Plus! Eat things from Il Gallo Nero, and drink things from Eastside Distilling and Coalition Brewing while taking 20 percent off all full-priced Halo merchandise. Halo Shoes, 938 NW Everett, Fri Dec 5, 4:30-8:30 pm
• Road trip! The Agave Denim warehouse is hosting its annual winter sale, where you can grab American-made denim and knitwear at outlet prices. They'll also have live music, and a denim exchange wherein you can donate your used, clean pairs for an additional 10 percent off. Agave warehouse, 6210 S 11th, Ridgefield, WA, Fri Dec 5-Sat Dec 6, 9 am-5 pm, Sun Dec 7, 11 am-4 pm
• The Portland Bazaar returns for its fourth year with a huge (50+), deftly curated selection of vendors, whose goods include art, food and spirits, clothing, home goods, and much more. The tip of the iceberg: OLO Fragrance, Maak Lab, Hazel Cox, Draplin Design Co., the Good Flock, Kiriko Made, Wood & Faulk, Bridge & Burn, Mazama Wares, Modern Macrame, Yo Vintage! Buy a ticket and get an edge on the crowds for the preview opening evening, or join the free-for-all (or both). Splash Studios, 419 NE 9th, preview opening Fri Dec 5, 5-9 pm, $10 (includes a beverage from House Spirits), Sat Dec 6- Sun Dec 7, 9 am-4 pm
• Amelia hosts a dress-focused event with Clair Vintage Inspired to meet your party needs. Look for 20 percent discounts on the line, and drinks with designer Alyson Clair, who'll also offer up styling tips and ideas, if you need them. Amelia, 2230 NE Alberta, Sat Dec 6, 2-8 pm
• The exquisite vintage collection at Xtabay is unbeatable for holiday party-dress hits, and the shop is piling on the revelry with a holiday fashion show, with two viewings plus raffles, champagne, and other treats, all to benefit Cascade AIDS Project. Xtabay Vintage Bridal Salon, 2632 SE 25th, Ste. E, Sat Dec 6, 7 & 8 pm, $12
• Shopping at bars is fun, especially when they're full of locally made treasures from Brehan Todd and Jesseca Anne Jewelry, cashmere beanies, bags, small home goods, and apparel, too. So it goes at the Leisure Craft Fair. Leisure Public House, 8002 N Lombard, Sat Dec 6, 10 am-4 pm
• Make Light is a toy-specific shopping event that tasks artists with making innovative gift ideas to "inspire the next generation." If you've got a young one in your life you'd like to steer in a design-conscious direction, go here. The Bison Building, 421 NE 10th, Sat Dec 6, noon-6 pm
• The long-running da Vinci Arts Fair gathers more than 70 juried artists selling everything from clocks to soaps, plus live music, edibles, and hands-on activities. da Vinci Arts Middle School, 2508 NE Everett, Sat Dec 6, 10 am-5 pm, Sun Dec 7, 10 am-4 pm
• Pop Up Shop PDX has all the hits, no filler. They're making this easy for you, with a ton of diverse gift ideas from the likes of Imaginary Authors, Jacobsen Salt Co., Bean Goods, Woodblock Chocolate, Norwood, Primecut, BT Livermore, and more. The Cleaners at Ace Hotel, 403 SW 10th, Sun Dec 7, 10 am-6 pm
