Preview: Day 1 of Portland Fashion Week

Well, we just landed and I’m so excited for the show tonight. We’re blasting music from the hotel room, frantically writing and getting pumped for some new up-and-comers. Tonight’s theme is “Moving Fashion”. These designers specialize in activewear that doesn’t sacrifice style. The objective: look amazing and feel comfortable.
For those of you in colder climates, you’ll want to know about Icebreaker from New Zealand and Sweden’s Gersemi.
For the men reading this, you’ll have a lot to tune if for, too. Two lines quickly gaining popularity here in the Pacific Northwest are Defyance and Tony Dimitri. Both will be showcasing their spring [...]

The New Economy in Luxury Fashion

We are doing our best to keep up on fashion news…specifically as it relates to your pocketbook! But the news hasn’t changed much lately. High-end fashion is adapting to the economic climate in ways it hasn’t before! The avant-garde looks on the runway five years ago were pieces of art that the rich and fashion-forward could occasionally indulge in. But today, they are overshadowed by the simple cross-seasonal designs that the high-end market is playing to. This recent article from the Associated Press describes how a member of the Spring 2010 audience at NY Fashion Week might have just as [...]

Exclusive Invite into Rachel Abroms’ Studio!

We first introduced you to Rachel Abroms several weeks ago. Her high-end line of jewelry has been seen on many celebrities and in countless fashion magazines including InStyle, Lucky and Marie Claire. Rachel is probably best known for her leather wrap bracelets that helped launch her line into a successful career almost ten years ago!
Now, LDB readers are being offered an exclusive invitation to Rachel’s Studio in L.A. to meet her and get a sneak peak at her holiday collection…for 50% off!! This is an amazing opportunity! We hope you can make it.
If you’re not in L.A., don’t worry. Log [...]

To our fashion fabulous readers: Please bear with us!

If we seem a little slow in updating this week, it is because we are working hard to make some improvements to the site that will make LDB an even better resource for you when looking for a unique gift, a new designer, or new pieces for your store/boutique.
We have had the privilege of meeting with over a hundred different designers in the last several months, but we’re afraid that these little “gems” are getting lost among the hundreds of archives. We want to highlight our favorites and give them the attention they deserve.
So please, “pardon our dust” and stay [...]

Portland Fashion Week: The Preview

I wrote last week about all the reasons why I love this show! It celebrates the indie designer like no other fashion week in this world. And it is becoming the destination for eco-fashion designers and buyers. Only 7 days left ’til we land in Portland! Here are a few of the designers whose collections we are most looking forward to:
Lizzie Parker- A very popular Seattle designer, Lizzie’s looks have also been featured in major fashion pubs including Lucky, WWD and InStyle. I’m intrigued by her past spring collections. Very bright, feminine, sexy, yet comfortable.
Mountains of the Moon- This is [...]

FREE 3D Virtual Apparel Seminar

I just learned about a great opportunity to learn more about 3D Technology for the apparel industry from our friends at Fashion Business Inc. This could be a valuable tool to decrease your costs. Has anyone had experience with 3D tech for fashion before? Comment below. I would love to know what you think!
Topics include:
- Virtual Sample Making
-Virtual Merchandising and Sales
- Virtual Fitting Rooms (WOW!)
Dates: Sept 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 (all shows are the same)
Time: 6:30pm
Location: 5527 E. Slauson Ave; Los Angeles, CA 90040
Details: Come prepared to hear all about it. Food and drinks will be served. Please register [...]

Travel in Style with Jendarling!

Oooh how much I love these bags! I travel enough to know that I do not want to board another airplane/train/car without one. Jen, the founder and designer of these Jendarling bags, works out of her studio in San Francisco and got the idea when she saw a void in the market for an eco-friendly garment bag that was made using breathable materials that actually protect clothing.
Have you ever brought your clothes back from the dry cleaners and just hung them up in the plastic they came home in? Well, I don’t want to make you feel bad…but don’t do [...]

ISM Mode- Los Angeles

It is hard  not to be intrigued by these designs. Initially, it was the photography that drew me into designer Inka Sherman’s world. But the photography settings only enhance the flavor of these original vintage-inspired designs. As she told us her story, I found myself thinking…”No way! Really?” several times. I mean…who grows up in an Austrian artists’ commune! Her story is incredibly unique and I could quickly see how she uses her experiences to shape her company…ISM Mode.

LDB: I love the vintage, old-Hollywood feel I get when I browse through your collection. Where, specifically, do you find your inspiration [...]

Countdown to Portland Fashion Week

Now that NY Fashion Week has wrapped up, most fashion editors turn their attention on what European runways will turn out. But there are other shows here in the U.S. that deserve more attention than they generally receive. Portland Fashion Week and Chicago’s Fashion Focus are a couple of our most anticipated fashion shows of the season. You’ll be hearing more about Fashion Focus soon from our new Chicago contributor! In the meantime, we are counting down the days until Portland Fashion Week!
PFW is not your mother’s fashion show! Portland is carving out a space in global fashion by taking [...]

Young Guns Fashion Week Closing Party!

Tonight at 11pm! Sponsored by Fashion Indie…
Fashion Indie events are rarely open to the public. Until now! If you’ve been in New York City celebrating Fashion Week, don’t miss this all night dance party to end the week with a bang! Open bar 2 - 3AM. Tons of music, dancing and debauchery as well as the New York premiere of This Is A Shakedown!