"MOST OUTDOOR summertime sales aren't really for a higher price-point market," says Lindsey Reif by way of explaining how she and partner Megan Hamilton got the idea for the Mississippi Flea. "There is a lot of craft stuff, and you get kind of lost." Reif, who spends her days making puppet hairdos and costumes for LAIKA, is best known in Portland design circles for her clothing line Reif. Her latest venture is one she hopes will be an annual or even seasonal event (an indoor location being key to that possibility).
Loosely inspired by the much larger and long-running Brooklyn Flea, Reif and Hamilton sought to produce a tightly curated market of local and vintage apparel, housewares, and art that combined the selectivity of a boutique with all the summertime fun of an outdoor fair, complete with tacos (Taco Pedalers) and popsicles (Sol Pops). Through a combination of approaching people personally and an open submission process, Reif and Hamilton have assembled a diverse lineup of vendors, who for the most part aren't the ones you see every time you turn around. Hamilton herself is making something of a debut as a vintage seller, while Reif is soft-launching a line of housewares, Haus, so far consisting of pillows and curtains made from found materials like vintage denim and lace. "I've always wanted to have kind of a lifestyle brand," Reif says. "The things I'm making now I've had in my mind for a long time." Naturalism, minimalism, American craft, and Bauhaus are terms she uses to describe the pieces, which stick to natural fibers as much as possible.
Joining Reif and Hamilton are Southeast outposts Palace and Golden Rule, introducing themselves to a different neighborhood's clientele. "We will be bringing lots of summer accessories—Quay Eyewear, OLO, BAGGU backpacks, Iacoli & McAllister jewelry, LunaSol jewelry, Rosebud Salves," says Palace's Charlotte Reich. "Soft vintage sheer Ts, bathing suits, and slouchy linen tank tops for the ladies. For the gents we will be bringing linen Ts, vintage soft T-shirts, Alternative Apparel chino shorts, Uncle Harry's men's products, and more."
Sally England, who works in large-scale macramé soft sculpture, will add "a series of macramé plant hangers that are again a bit larger in scale then you might typically see, with oversized wood beads and thick rope. Some of the knotted hangers will be holding glass terrariums, while others will hold empty containers to be filled with plant life, knickknacks, and bric-a-brac." Jill Gregory of Amy Sacks Eyewear, meanwhile, says "People will be able to order optical frames, reading glasses, and reading sunglasses, and we will have a selection of regular sunglasses available for instant gratification purchases."
The list goes on to include more select vintage from Thistle & Lace, Sara Bergman apparel, jewelry from Hazel Cox, Worn Path, and Jesseca Anne, Mississippi Records, and art by Aidan Koch. Mississippi Flea, 4009 N Mississippi, Sat July 23, 11 am-5 pm,
• Nau kicks off one of its famous warehouse sales this week, with up to 80 percent off street-to-hike gear and great insulated, waterproof options for biking Portland's rainy streets. 525 NW 10th, Thurs-Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm
• The perfect excuse to head to Portland's gorgeous Japanese Garden this week is the opening of Behind the Shoji, a group sale of Asian-inspired glass, pottery, jewelry, wood carving, textiles, and more, with artist demos at 11 am on the weekends throughout its run. Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston, opens Sat July 23, through Sept 5, free with admission
• Enjoy savings up to 75 percent off all weekend at the Pearl District's third annual Summer Style Sale. Twelve shops are participating, including Mabel & Zora, Folly, Physical Element, Popina Swimwear, House of Lolo, Lizard Lounge, Moulé, Solestruck, Bonnet, and more. Fri-Sun, various locations and store hours
• This week's most happening fashion party is Alley 33, which will take over the alley at SE 33rd and Hawthorne with nearly 20 Portland designers, DJ Gregarious, and an adjoining beer garden—let's hope the weather comes through. SE 33rd & Hawthorne, Sat, 4 pm doors, 6 pm show, $10
• This weekend's GEAR Con steampunk and neo-Victorian convention includes a fashion show, naturally. Stop in for a look at Taken by the Sky by Laura Hagen, and be prepared for drama. Crowne Plaza, 1441 NE 2nd, Sat 3 pm, included in convention admission, $25 for the day, $45-50 for the weekend, pdxgearcon.com
• Combine your love of animals with your desire for beauty products at Lipstick for Dogs, where you can find the guidance and tools for your next makeover with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Oregon Humane Society. American College of Healthcare Sciences, 5940 SW Hood, Wed 5-8 pm
