If there was ever a week in local fashion that demonstrates
the diverse communicative powers of clothing—this is it. Two
shows take place this week, both directed at what can only be
considered niche audiences, and at complete odds with each other. One
is recognizably and quintessentially Portland: The Rockin’ Rebelz of
Fashion Show, a retro, rockabilly two-fer of live music and
fashion. The other is less often seen in these parts: Fashion for
the New Y.O.U. is a youth-oriented fashion show aimed at
encouraging young people to dress with modesty. It is being put on by
Brittney Tane of TaneCity, Inc., who also produced a
similar event during the Saviours’ Day celebration in Chicago, a
major holiday of the Nation of Islam (NOI).
The Rockin’ Rebelz event showcases budding design talents that share
an affinity for retro clothing from the ’40s and ’50s, with about 10
looks each from Sweetz Clothing, Billie Jo Retro,
Ashley’s Assets, Mayalisa, and Talia Marie
Fashions (attendees are also encouraged to come dressed in attire
reminiscent of the era). Sweetz and Billie Jo both exhibit an affinity
for pin-up styling and sexy updates of American classics like capri
pants and pencil skirts. Ashley’s Assets, meanwhile, is a line of
necklaces that hang down both in front and back, and Mayalisa and Talia
Marie Fashions are both making their initial debut. While Mayalisa is a
line of re-imagined vintage dresses, Talia Marie’s aesthetic has an
Edwardian and Victorian influence, as well as a take on the Japanese
phenomenon “Gothic-Lolita,” which, as the name implies, toys
with the woman-child dynamic. (w/Honest to Empire, My New Vice; Mt.
Tabor Legacy, 4811 SE Hawthorne, Sun June 22, 7 pm, $15-20)
It is safe to say that any meddling with the lines between women and
children will look quite different at Fashion for the New Y.O.U.
Although the show is not directly affiliated with the NOI, Tane cites
it as an inspiration and says that she would “never deviate” from the
NOI’s customarily modest style of dress. Asked to name icons that
represent this ideal, she mentions Jada Pinkett Smith and
Dorothy Dandridge as well as Mother Khadijah Farrakhan,
the wife of NOI leader Louis Farrakhan. Eager to keep the
designs exclusive (“You’ll have to attend the show to see who and what
is being featured,” says Tane), Tane defines dressing modestly as being
fashionable without being provocative, and explains the need to
introduce this concept: “The teenage pregnancy rate seems to sky rocket
with the weather. It’s getting warm outside and the first thing a young
woman does is shed clothes, rightfully so. However, I’m determined to
show young women how to respect and protect themselves through
fashion.” If you are planning to check it out, take note that a
business casual dress code will be strictly enforced, meaning no
T-shirts or tank tops allowed. (w/Libretto, 6ix, Patricia Rojas;
Ohm, 31 NW 1st, Sat June 21, 7 pm, $12-20, all ages)
In other happenings, Leanimal, sky&boat,
Filly, Erhart, Foyer, Layers Squared,
Antic, Paper Doll, and Reif have joined together
to form the Fashion Fight Club collective, aimed at mutual
promotion, information, and resource sharing. To celebrate its
founding, they are throwing a trunk show and party selling overstock
and out-of-season pieces. Erhart designer Chelsea Erhart says
the group is open to new members, and that eligibility basically boils
down to “being a designer and not being mean.” The group’s blog
(fashionfightclub.blogspot.com)
is meant to eventually be an open resource for everything from where to
find a good silk to rallying together for trade shows and fashion
events like POOL and Portland Fashion Week. (w/DJs
Beyonda, Equestrian; Olio United, 1028 SE Water, Sun June 22, noon-5
pm)
Meanwhile, Le Train Bleu is throwing a party to celebrate
recent notices in the press. The store’s popular website (letrainbleu.com) was named in
British Vogue as a favorite American etailer
(above Bergdorf Goodman), as well as on InStyle‘s
Top 20 Online Shopping Sites (in the company of titans like Saks and Target), a major triumph from a small indie that began with
founder Bria Phillips working out of a studio apartment,
squirreling inventory under the bed and couch. The party offers
staggering discounts: 40-80 percent off all clothing! Not to mention
wine, towers of Saint Cupcakes, DJ Matt spinning 78s, and new lines
from Australia (Fleur Wood), LA (Yumi Kim), and Paris
(Heimstone). (Le Train Bleu, 1905 NW 26th, Sat June 21, 11
am-8 pm)