Portland has been defining itself in the fashion world recently, happily capitalizing on the new international focus on “green” and “sustainable” everything—from dog food to haberdashery. Through increasing media exposure, the city is claiming its rightful stake as the ancestral land of environmentally minded design innovation. And while nowadays it’s perfectly standard to see highfalutin’ types confidently plunking down dreadful amounts for pointedly organiccotton jeans that are the height of desirability, we have come a long way in a very short time. Recall the days before green fashion’s buzzwords and blogs, when the only act of environmental activism you probably ever participated in was recycling.
It made perfect sense that while folks in Cleveland were only first contemplating the separation of their trash this epicenter of greenness would have already turned its recycling creativity to something as sophisticated as fashion.
I hope you won’t be too offended now as I recall this first wave of Portland fashion, the ad nauseam recycling tricks displayed at craft shows, self-consciously casual fashion shows, and the “locals” sections of stores as being, for the most part, totally embarrassing. Aside from the basic fact that most of Portland’s native fashion was painfully amateur in its execution, the real fatal flaw was a desire for items to be about repurposing, so that it was not only obvious, but the whole point was that your purse used to be a record, your skirt used to be a pile of neckties, etc.
Luckily for all of us, subtlety is winning that war. I’m pretty excited about the fact that, thanks to local artists, you can dress conscientiously without visually trumpeting the fact that you’re doing so. So it’s with some trepidation that I approach events like Junk to Funk, a recycled fashion show contest, wary of regression. To my relief, the event’s spirit has inspired fantasy costumes instead of earnest, literal streetwear, with 26 pieces chosen based on how much of the material used is recycled, and focusing on craftsmanship and creativity.
When show producer Lindsey Newkirk showed me photographs of some of the submissions, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of quality—an excellent balance between humor and aesthetics. Says Newkirk, “A handful of the pieces are recognizable trash—paper, cups, bike tubes, wrappers, or repurposed textiles. Some really cool and less recognizable pieces were spawned from mini blinds, crayon wrappers, old windsurfing sails, a teddy bear, VHS tape, Crown Royal bags, Mardi Gras masks, and even a discarded river raft!”
The event is a benefit for Orlo, long active in using the arts to discuss the environment. Also in the mix is the MarchFourth Marching Band, DJ Stay in School, a SCRAP-sponsored DIY table, Sam Adams on emcee detail, and junk art. Costumes are encouraged, and the best ones will be rewarded. (Junk to Funk, Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, Sat Dec 2, 9 pm, $12-15)
If you prefer your vintage finds intact, check out Portland’s tiniest addition to the vintage scene: Next time you’re padding around E Burnside on a weekend day, go around the side of the building to Burnside Proper’s back studio (624 E Burnside). There’s not much signage, but someone might simply accost you and insist you check out the sale (it can’t properly be called a store). The small but cute collection of clothing, knickknacks, kitchen stuff, and more is going for real cheap, honest prices, but it’s only happening from 11 am-4 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Pass it on.
Meanwhile, there are still sales and parties and sale parties all over town, such as at Mabel and Zora, who are inviting shoppers to find discounts on party dresses and luggage over wine, cider, and other goodies, plus designers Jenna Robertson and Kiersten Crowley. (Mabel and Zora, 1468 NE Alberta, Sat Dec 2, 6-9 pm) Also, the first-ever Johnny Sole trunk show and art sale, with Piper Ewan Designs, Brunet jewelry, Erin MacLeod Designs, Faith Jennings, plus artists Mike Fox and Mona Superhero. (Johnny Sole, 815 SW Alder, Fri Dec 1, 5-8 pm reception and sale, Sat Dec 2, 11 am-6 pm)
That hat used to be a phone book: marjorie@portlandmercury.com