Simulated Sunshine

by Rachel Decker

March has been terrible. Well, at least is has been with regard to the weather. Portland is close to breaking the record for the number of rainy days in the month of March, and I’ve been wearing all black lately as a result. This got me thinking: interior designers use color to evoke various emotions all the time, so perhaps it’s time for me to dress for the mood I desire. Here are a few trendy colors for summer that will brighten up even the rainiest of days:

Coral

Ranging from orange-pink to coral red, this tropical color inspiration is both cheerful and sexy. These tones will not only brighten your day, but make you feel romantic, empowered, and passionate.

Bag by Cynthia Rowley, image courtesy of RevolveClothing.com

Yellow

A hot color for spring, there’s no better option than yellow for those days when you need a little bit of sun. Look for hues that resemble goldenrod or daffodils.

Maxi dress by Michael Kors, image courtesy of Style.com

Honeysuckle

Last but certainly not least, the Pantone color of the year: Honeysuckle. A dynamic reddish pink, this summer hue is bold, encouraging, and uplifting. It looks great on virtually everyone, and will bring out your summer spirit.

Shoe by Loeffler Randall, image courtesy of Barneys.com

From Russia with Love

Moscow, Russia is becoming one of the most stylish and elite cities in the world. With Mercedes Benz Moscow Fashion Week just around the corner, here are the top Russian Designers to watch for this season.


Arsenicum by Dimitry Loginov luxuriously represents the essence of the immaculately dressed modern Russian woman. Arsenicum hit the fashion scene in 2004, and has produced two collections each year. Furs, delicate silks, and lace dresses dominated his Fall/Winter 2010/2011 collection. His work has been featured in magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Elle, and Millionaire International. Loginov creates both menswear and womenswear. Arsenicum is definitely on the radar of global fashion, and has even garnered comparisons to Dior.





TEREXOV- Terekhov is a master of draping and he designs with the contemporary spirit of Russia. Upon graduation he won an award to train under master courtier Yves Saint Laurent. Terekhov has had little commercial success in the United States but is very well known in Russia, and the major European fashion cities. Terekhov has collaborated with popular Japanese retailer UNIQLO, and has shown collections in NY and London Fashion Week. His work is clean, sophisticated, and captures the essence of the modern Russian woman.


Lena Vasilyeva is recently new to the Russian fashion world. Her line launched in 2010 at Volvo Moscow Fashion Week, and is set to show her Winter Collection this March. Feminine lines, soft silhouettes, and hints of the sophisticated 30’s women inspire her extremely wearable collection. Vasilyeva designs wedding gowns, and also works exclusively with French accessory label Alexandre de Paris. Vasilyeva has been named one of the freshest faces in the Russian fashion world.






From Russia with love,

Kayla Rekofke

Walking on Broken Glass

By: Anna Branch

On an eerily quiet Portland street one night I unintentionally walked through a mess of broken glass and was accompanied by an echoing crunching under my feet for several blocks. In a flash of inspiration, I imagined a floor covered with shards of glass and broken mirrors with a show-stopping pair of heels captured in a flood of shadows and reflections.

I shot this series in the basement of my apartment building with the help of some amazing friends and of course lots of spectacular shoes!

All photos taken by Anna Branch

Palace

Palace Boutique
The search is over, I can rest easy now knowing that I have found by far, the best vintage shop in town. After my latest blog post “The 3 P’s Of Second Hand Shopping,” I thought it necessary to bring you the ideal second hand shop to make shopping a little easier on you. Conveniently located on Belmont and 34th, this SE gem took me by surprise with its modern, yet classic atmosphere and easy to shop merchandise. I was eager to get to the bottom of the boutiques origin, and was lucky enough to pick the brain of shop owner Charlotte Reich.

It’s always fascinating to me to learn how businesses, especially successful ones like Palace got their start, and a lot of the time it’s always the same story, plenty of passion and the willingness to take risks. An old pro at buying, Reich took her hobby of shopping “the bins” and turned it into a career. Reich was a former co-owner of Rad Summer but after a while the urge to have something completely her own was too much. With nothing to lose and the perfect location presenting its self, Charlotte opened Palace Boutique with high quality merchandise and craft in mind.

The store itself, often flooded with western light is a modern and chic space that incorporates old and new products creating the perfect balance of a store that appreciates vintage style and highlights new local labels like Rabbit on the Run, as well as Indie labels like Seneca Rising and Mina Stone. My favorite part about the store however is the ease in which it can be shopped. The merchandise is color coordinated and unisex, not to mention neatly displayed and not over cluttered. You can browse the wide selection of perfect vintage tees and sweaters with low stress and oftentimes great success.

Don’t just take my word for it, see for yourself! You can follow Reich’s blog at http://mypalacestore.blogspot.com/ or at the website www.palacestore.com. But most of all visit the location at 820 SE 34th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97214 Mon-Sun 11-7.
Erin Enos

Palace Boutique

John Galliano: Misfit or mishap?

By: Sabrina Taylor

The things that John Galliano said are completely unforgivable, but coming from him, is it so unbelievable?

This past February, Galliano went on a tirade with racist remarks such as “I love Hitler” and "People like you would be dead today. Your mothers, your forefathers would be f**ing gassed and dead," after getting into an argument with two other diners at the Paris café La perle.

Although this sort of behavior is inexcusable (hence getting the boot from Dior), is it so surprising? Designers like Galliano live their lives to design the most outrageous ensembles possible. They want to be the first of the first. So was his outburst just taking himself one step further in the notorious category? Was this just a ploy to show the world that he is willing to take just about anything to the next level?

Although I do not know if John Galliano is a racist, I do think that he could have found another way to deal with these people that he was fighting with.

Image courtesy of: http://www.inquisitr.com/99717/john-galliano-fired-from-christian-dior/

Fascinating People

New York Times street style photographer Bill Cunningham is not only eccentric but he and his life is completely entertaining. Riding around on his Schwinn, he goes out no matter rain or shine to photograph the most fashionable on the New York City streets. A documentary has come out about him, and after watching the trailer I couldn't be more intrigued.

"There is no reason to be doom and gloom and think that fashion is finished"
-Bill Cunninham

Watch the Trailer here


By: Brittany Deyoe


(images from cupofjo)

Spring is Back with a New Twist

Spring is here Portland; break out your oversized shades and sheer maxi dresses? That is right, Spring 2011 calls for floor-sweeping maxi dresses in nudes and blacks. The twist this season is they are sheer, peeping at your stems and covering up just enough to stay classy. This trend can be worn by just about anyone, Portlanders do not have to worry about a tan, which is something hard to find here!

The sheer maxi dress is fun and different, but what is most exciting is our stray away from the military look. The military trend has been a part of each season for almost two years now. Finally, this trend has evolved into “biker.” Leather jackets with biker buckles and metal detailing is called for. This edgy twist on structured jackets is a perfect pairing with these elegant yet racy maxi dresses. Make way for spring; this one is going to be all about sass.

Photos by: http://www.oohwee.net/2011

By Anna Shipps