Sale at Le Train Bleu

Diamonds in the Sky Dress by Helen Thurley O'Connor, $452.00

Portland's very own Le Train Bleu is participating in Lucky Magazine's Lucky Breaks Sale. Either shop online (online code is luckybreaks1) or visit the shop at its new location, mention Lucky Breaks and receive 25% off. I haven't been yet, but I hear it's much more open and airy, as compared to its previous location's dark and baroque setting. Standouts for me have been Helen Thurley O'Connor, Rachel Comey, APC, Humanoid, and Shaoo. Ugh, horrible time to be unemployed!

1905 NW 26th Ave Portland OR 97210

Sale ends June 1st

Superfuture Sunglasses

Okay, I know that everyone has already jumped on the wayfarer bandwagon and off. But, sometimes it takes me a while to warm up to American Apparel-esqe trends which explains why I've only begun to search hard for unique frames online.

I discovered Superfuture shades and loved all the wonderful colors available for purchase. A collaboration between Pig Magazine's Sean Beolchini and the Beckerman Brothers, they took the classic style and produced them in the neatest colors. Yes, they are a little spendy, but because they are made from the highest quality manufacturer in Italy and with the Zeiss lens. They range anywhere from 65-113 euros (not including shipping, which is also ridiculously expensive). So, for someone like me living in the lower 48's I'm looking at dropping anywhere from $140.00-$180.00 on a pair (shipping included) depending on the style. Here are a few that I'm considering:

Classic Flat Top in Creme/Black

Ombre-esque Flat Top

Classic Flat Top Striped

(Saw Nicole Richie wear a similar pair ages ago and had been on the hunt for them ever since)

What makes Superfuture stand out from the rest for me is that the frames are oversized. What I run into pretty consistently with wayfarers is that the classic cut is too small for my round-ish face. So! For anyone with the same problem I'd suggest you check them out. Here are a list of places selling them now, see all the beautiful colors they come in:

NipiLand (Italy)

Caliroots (Stockholm)

Shelta (Goteborg)

youyoushop (Italy)

Colette or Sold Out Stock (France)

Steven Alan (U.S.A.)

Etoffe (Japan)

Flatspot (U.K.)

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Entry No. 8 Shirt: The Zip

I recently stumbled upon another great label at Stand Up Comedy called Slow and Steady Wins the Race. Like Pelican Avenue, SSWTR is a concept label whose attention is paid to the basic fundamentals of clothing design: the white t-shirt, seam, color, handbag, shoe, designer underwear (with a particularly interesting tribute to Calvin Klein-- lord of underwear design and advertising), evening wear, etc. Basing every new entry around one concept, it is then manifested into a few clever variations.

A new focus is introduced twice a month (in the form of an entry and then archived into a journal) and with only one hundred of each piece produced-- every single item priced at $100.00. This steady pace of release is a challenge to the commercial fashion industry's (Gap, H&M, etc) perfunctory nature; with new styles being produced, more categories are coming into existence. A sense of control is nothing more than illusive at this point. So, utilizing the simplest and cheapest materials, SSWTR designs smart, sophisticated, yet extremely basic (in concept) clothes in reaction to this reality (hence the name). Limiting the number of pieces and expensive material, the label is promoting a more utilitarian and democratic fashion lifestyle and community. 

I purchased these today! I'm in love with my shoes.

Entry No. 15 Shoe: The Wedge Sandal (made from unbleached canvas)

A few pieces can be found at Stand Up Comedy on 811 E Burnside Portland, OR 97214

If I had the money to go to a record store I would

Simian Mobile Disco is coming to the Holocene tomorrow evening. If you've been itching to dance, dance, dance, then I'd advise you roll through. If you've never heard of them you can do a little pre-funk at home here. They're debut album, Attack Decay Sustain Release is a mega dance record that never fails to cut to the core of me! I can only imagine how much it's going to rock hearing it live. Check ittttttt.

Here's a little SMD action:

1001 SE Morrison St. Portland, OR 97214

$12 @ 9

Pelican Avenue

I discovered Pelican Avenue while perusing a local shop's website, Stand Up Comedy. I was enamored with this suit and had to find out more. Pelican Avenue was created in 2004 by Carolin Lerch, a graduate student from Antwerp Academy of Fashion. Her mission is to create clothes that reflect personal ideas and concepts. Breaking away from the physical molds and barriers of fashion vogue and hype, her pieces challenge conventional threads.

Each idea is like a collection in itself. Her reflections are conveyed through installations, video, performance, or photography and then accompanied by her clothing creations. Here are some pieces that I really enjoy:

Pelican Avenue only makes a few of every piece so it's fairly exclusive. Luckily, there's a shop in my city that carries the label (I believe there were only 10 of that particular bathing suit in existence and is now sold out at said shop). So! If you want to get your dirty little paws on some of this then head out to Stand Up Comedy!

Stand Up Comedy is located at 811 E Burnside Portland, OR 97214

Visit! It's awesome.

Caribou

If you're down for some psychedelic pop goodness then I'll see you at the Doug Fir tonight :) You can check out a few of his tracks here and here.

Here's a taste of what to anticipate for tonight:

(Check out Dan's stylish arm tassels!)

830 E Burnside Portland, OR 97214

$12 @ 9PM 

Muxtape

Muxtape is a great way to share mini-mixtapes with friends. You are generously allowed twelve tracks, so a wide range of awesome can be achieved. Super easy and fun to use, I spent way too much time making one. I update mine from time to time so check it on occasion. What do you think?

Send me your muxtapes!

Thanks to FUTUREMILK for the tip.

May Tee

A friend of mine recently launched her first clothing line May Tee. The autumn/winter line Soft Sculptures, influenced by the Japanese stone sculptures of abstract expressionist sculptor Isamu Noguchi, incorporates unique details that reflect her interpretation of Noguchi's work. Pleats and strange tucks will catch the eyes of those who naturally pay attention to great detail.

I checked out her trunk show at Mario's yesterday and was very pleased with her ten-piece collection and the mega turn out! It was great to see so much traffic on the women's floor in support of May. I tried on the wool jersey dress (on mannequin, also comes in black or cobalt blue) and automatically fell in love. Check her out!

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ultrapdx

Hello!

Hello. I have finally begun to materialize my fantasy of running my own blog. My focus, simply, is to write about anything I like. From music to fashion to local shops and restaurants, I will be sharing everything I find worthwhile to check out. I hope you find my blog's content to be interesting and advantageous to you. Also, I'm super open to suggestions and tips. Party on, Wayne.