Hopefully you haven’t gone too nuts with the
Nordstrom‘s anniversary sale (ahem, it runs until August 6),
because sales based closer to home are starting to heat up: The summer
sale at Halo Shoes (1425 NE Broadway) is on, as well as at
Phlox (3962 N Mississippi), where you’ll find 25 to 50 percent
off all spring skirts, dresses, tops, and slacks, plus 50 percent off
all shoes. And, wildly, Magalí Corzo is offering
50 percent off her entire store, beginning this Wednesday and
continuing for the whole month of August (1720 NW Lovejoy, Ste. 106,
call 235-6660 for an appointment).
Then, of particular excitement, is the fact that this weekend is the
first chance you’ll have to check out the new retail/studio space being
opened by local designers Liza Rietz and John Blasioli—to
be named simply Liza Rietz and John Blasioli… or John Blasioli and
Liza Rietz—we’ll keep you posted on that. Although the store will not
be officially off the ground until later this summer, Rietz is hosting
a trunk show to showcase her past designs—and offer them at 25 percent
off—before she and Blasioli launch their fall collections with the
grand opening on August 31st. (Rietz will be keeping open hours through
the month of August [11am-7pm], but says it’s best to call ahead:
459-4292).
This is a great opportunity to snap up some pieces from one of
Portland’s best modern-minded designers. Long a staple of the inventory
found at Seaplane, Rietz’s eponymous line has distinguished
itself by striking a careful balance between concept and practicality.
While many of her pieces have experimental, sculptural qualities that
are cool, but can be alienatingly hard to wear, Rietz has a knack for
reining in her concepts just enough to make them flattering, not
frustrating, to the off-the-catwalk buying public. You still look
artful and interesting in a Liza Rietz dress, but you don’t look as
though your clothes are wearing you. Her designs are also appealing
because while feminine, they lack the cloying, infantile girliness that
so many designers are currently fixated on—perfect for any grown woman
averse to donning bows and ruffles and waist-less babydolls.
A self-taught, lifelong creative, Portland has enjoyed more of
Rietz’s design talent in part because of the breakup of her former
band, Swords. The fact that she’s not constantly touring has given her
the time to embark on something as ambitious as a retail space.
(Although she still plays music, often with fellow local Corrina Repp.)
(Liza Rietz trunk show, 2305 NW Savier, Fri-Sun, 11 am-7 pm)
Other events this week include the Last Thursday launch of
HART, a collaboration between local designer Chelsea
Erhart and Heart Mind Soul, the custom design company she
became acquainted with when she had some printing done by them. The
collaboration’s emphasis is on color, something they feel is lacking in
the average Portland wardrobe. Check out the result, and get 10 percent
off all dresses in the store during the trunk show. (Foundation
Garments, 2712 NE Alberta, Thurs, 6-9 pm)
Meanwhile, Portland continues to ride the crest of the
green/sustainable/ethical fashion wave/marketing scheme it helped
create with “Organic Day,” an event being hosted by Mario’s
3.10, the venerable designer superstore with two other locations,
in downtown Portland and Seattle. Its two local darlings, Anna
Cohen and Sameunderneath, whose designs are both carried on
the Bridgeport Village 3.10 location’s shelves, are both heavily
entrenched in the sustainable design scene. Cohen can be credited with
being instrumental in the popularization of using hemp blends, and of
being one of the first designers to combine an eco conscience with the
cool of Italian streetwear. Sameunderneath founder Ryan
Christensen was an early proponent of the now-prevalent bamboo
fiber, and both will be making personal appearances at the event. Also
showcased will be new designs from Organics and
Loomstate, and the event will be topped off with a farmers’
market in the Village’s courtyard. The only catch? Most Portlanders
will be expending no small potatoes’ worth of carbon to get out to the
Bridgeport location, but hey—nobody’s perfect. (Organic Day,
Bridgeport Village, 7455 SW Bridgeport, Tigard, Sat, 11 am-6
pm)
Put your money where my mouth is: marjorie@portlandmercury.com