Now that’s what I like to see. In the midst of instability, Sarah
Wallace’s Lucia Apparel (424 NW 11th) is coming to the finish
line of its first year in business as a storefront. Beyond the triumph
of surviving a climate where so many have shut their doors, the fact
that the store’s first year was so dismal will no doubt serve as a
valuable learning experience, if we are to believe that there really is
medicine in all suffering. To celebrate, the store—which carries
easy-to-wear, demurely feminine, versatile apparel for women of broadly
ranging age and size—is staying open late for First Thursday,
where the music and wine will flow as shoppers take advantage of sale
prices and a raffle for gift certificates to Lucia as well as loot from
neighboring boutiques, with five percent of all profits from the week
benefiting the American Cancer Society. (Thurs June 4, 4-9
pm)
Wallace is one of the founders of the Filo garment factory (perhaps
the most exciting of the smattering of garment production houses
springing up in Portland to meet the growing desire to fulfill a
locavoric approach to consumption), and her partner May Tee is also
having a moment this week. Parallel (1022-A NW Johnson) is
breaking in its brand-new location (and its one-year anniversary as
well!) with a trunk show of May Tee’s latest looks from her eponymous
line of architectural-but-subtle, super-sophisticated
womenswear—in other words, what you want to wear when you grow
up. (Fri June 5, noon-8 pm)
Apparently taking the local fashion scene by storm, both Tee and
Wallace were represented at a recent presentation from a group of local
industry figures who traveled to the Hunan province of China to spread
the cheer of indie Portland design to a culture dominated by mass
production. While specifics on how a collaboration between the two
communities will play out, plans are in the works for a runway show in
Portland of design talent from abroad. Stay tuned for details as things
shape up.
In the meantime, those itchin’ for a fashion show will have the
opportunity to experience one with a—wait for it—swing
dance theme. “Swingin’ Catwalk” is part dance party, part runway event
that is the co-produced brainchild of Portland designer Christa
Taylor (Christa-Taylor.com) and Stumptown
Dance’s Larry Peacock. Based on the inarguable observation that
vintage-inspired looks are popular among the swingin’ (not that kind!)
set, the inaugural event may become a recurring one, in which other PDX
designers will have the opportunity to see their work in action as the
model/dancers demonstrate their prowess on the floor. (Scottish
Rite, 1515 SW Morrison, Sun June 7, 9:30 pm, $12)