Once again, the forward-thinking crew at Hollywood Theater seeks out the company of Portland’s fashion-loving movie watchers with the second installment of their Fashion in Film series on Thursday, June 19.

My co-curator (Marjorie Skinner, fashion columnist for Portland Mercury) and I looked deep into our souls for the sophomore event. Then, it appeared in a vision.

In 1995, a film came into the world that would forever change the way we talk about fashion victims, the ensembly challenged, and the full on Monets.

Clueless, a loose modern interpretation of Jane Austen’s novel Emma, stars Alicia Silverstone and Stacey Dash as Cher and Dionne (“both named after famous singers of the past, who now do infomercials”) muddling their way through the hierarchy of high school. The duo adopt alternative new chick Tai (played by Brittany Murphy, RIP), and teach her how to snag guys, use words like “sporadic,” and—most importantly—dress in every 90s cliché imaginable while rolling with their homies including Paul Rudd and Breckin Meyer.

A love letter to the fashion of the 90s (my personal go-to era), the wearing of neon, school girl socks, or Pearl Jam plaid is all highly encouraged in addition to yelling, “there goes your social life!” at the screen at appropriate moments. As always, an informal after-party occurs at dive bar Blackwell’s post film to discuss its ongoing relevance to cinema and our everyday vernacular. 

As if.

The Hollywood Theater’s Fashion in Film Series
Clueless
Thursday, June 19th at 9:30pm  I  $8
4122 NE Sandy