THERE ARE MANY style events coming at ya in May, so let's just dive right in:
Los Angeles-based blogger/designer Emily Schuman has just released a new collection that shares its name with her wildly popular blog Cupcakes and Cashmere. Mabel & Zora just picked up the line and will host a launch party with cupcakes (duh) from Cupcake Jones, mimosas, and a raffle to win a copy of Schuman's book, Cupcakes and Cashmere: A Guide for Defining Your Style, Reinventing Your Space and Entertaining with Ease, and a dress from the collection.
Mabel & Zora, 748 NW 11th, Sat April 30, 11 am-2 pm
If you're in the mood to haul ass to the suburbs super early in the morning, check out the fourth annual Ladies Who Brunch charity fashion show hosted by Bridgeport Village, with all proceeds going to the Women of Meridian Park at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. The event is hosted by Byron Beck, and features stylist M'chel Bauxal-Gleason. In addition to the fashion show, ticket holders will enjoy brunch, swag bags, a beauty and accessory bar, raffle prizes, and a silent auction.
Bridgeport Village, 7455 SW Bridgeport, Tigard, Sun May 1, 9 am, $50
Sundaze Collective, a monthly fashion and lifestyle pop-up shop curated by Yo Vintage!, has a rotating lineup on the first Sunday of every month. This round will feature Seven Sisters, Mazama, Machete, Seaworthy, Johan, Vintalier, the Granite, Lauren Winter, Topaz, Alexa Stark, Fiore Floral Design, Olderbrother, Little Feral, and Michael Green.
The Cleaners at the Ace Hotel, 403 SW 10th, Sun May 1, 11 am- 6 pm
Backtalk will host the aptly named first Thursday event Feminist as Fuck, which will feature work from Chicago artists Leah Ball and Meghan Lorenz of Cities in Dust, and local designer Lauren Winter. Ball is an artist and feminist activist with a background in graphic design and metalsmithing. Her ceramic art objects have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Nylon, and Real Simple.
Cities in Dust came about after Lorenz's experiences working for designers Fred Segal, Kelly Whitesell, and Elizabeth Del Castillo of Eskell, as well as stints as a visual merchandiser and set designer in Los Angeles. She realized she wanted to create the kind of jewelry she wanted to wear.
Winter has a sustainability-focused clothing-design studio in Portland. Her goal is "to create high-quality statement designs that reflect the individuality of the wearer and evoke an air of timelessness." Sounds like a groovy night with some bad-ass chicks, in my opinion.
Backtalk, 421 SW 10th, Thurs May 5, 6-9 pm
The ladies of motorcycle clothing company Strange Vacation sent their Original Jacket to 18 of their favorite photographers, who took photos all over the country. They're putting them on display during Worn: A Photography Show. Participating photographers include Laura Austin, Ashley Clark, Meredith Devine, Forde Photo, Herb George, Ray Gordon, and tons more.
See See Motor Coffee Company, 1642 NE Sandy, Thurs May 5, 7-10 pm
Nicole Whitesell of Adorn and Erinn Warner have opened Gild, a new shoe shop that's an extension of Adorn's SE Division location. The shop features brands like Dolce Vita, Superga, and Matt Bernson, as well as accessories from Trask, Maya Moon, and Seaworthy. They're celebrating with a party featuring all the usual goodies (snacks, bubbly), plus golden manis and raffle prizes.
Gild, 3370 SE Division, Thurs May 12, 6-10 pm
Few clothing swaps match the magnitude of the Biggest Clothing Swap in the Northwest. In its sixth year, it's held at the Crystal Ballroom, and last year more than 1,000 people attended and left with thousands of pounds of new (to them) clothing. There will be sections for women, men, plus-size, and accessories. It's a bring a bag (or two) and leave with a bag (or two) type of thing. Proceeds benefit the annual Alley 33 fashion show, and all leftover clothing will be donated to local charities. (Full disclosure: I co-produce this event with fellow Mercury contributor Cassie Ridgeway.)
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, Sun May 15, 11 am-3 pm, $8-9
