Successful images come in part from matching the concept to the product, such as Polaris’s stripped-down portraits that complement minimalist jewelry. Polaris Quantum 5 earrings; polarisjewelry.com
4Polaris Jewelry
Successful images come in part from matching the concept to the product, such as Polaris’s stripped-down portraits that complement minimalist jewelry. Polaris Quantum 5 earrings; polarisjewelry.com
5Vava & Iron Oxide Designs
Proving that two heads are better than one, newbie lingerie line VaVa teamed with veteran jewelry designer Amy Lee Fox of Iron Oxide for a stunning, dark editorial with serious fine-art frame potential. Iron Oxide Designs shimmer fringe body chain (ironoxidedesigns.com) and VaVa custom nightie (vavalingerie.com)
6Vava & Iron Oxide Designs
Proving that two heads are better than one, newbie lingerie line VaVa teamed with veteran jewelry designer Amy Lee Fox of Iron Oxide for a stunning, dark editorial with serious fine-art frame potential. Iron Oxide Designs shimmer fringe body chain (ironoxidedesigns.com) and VaVa custom nightie (vavalingerie.com)
7West End Select Shop
Playing off the unusual shapes she carries in her shop, owner Andi Bakos conceived a spring lookbook with bold poses and pops of color. Mr. Larkin crop top, wide leg pant, and skirt; westendselectshop.com
8West End Select Shop
Playing off the unusual shapes she carries in her shop, owner Andi Bakos conceived a spring lookbook with bold poses and pops of color. Mr. Larkin crop top, wide leg pant, and skirt; westendselectshop.com
9Seven Sisters
How do you get shoppers to remember your store? Layer models into what we affectionately call “The Lady Pancake.” This image from Seven Sisters stayed with us all year. Pansy Co bralettes and high-waisted bottoms; sevensisterspdx.com
10Seven Sisters
How do you get shoppers to remember your store? Layer models into what we affectionately call “The Lady Pancake.” This image from Seven Sisters stayed with us all year. Pansy Co bralettes and high-waisted bottoms; sevensisterspdx.com
11Olderbrother
Olderbrother’s gender-neutral line caters to the minimalist aesthetic—hence Spring/Summer ’17’s stripped-down environment with male and female models happily wearing the simple silhouettes. Olderbrother Turmeric Overalls; olderbrother.us
12Olderbrother
Olderbrother’s gender-neutral line caters to the minimalist aesthetic—hence Spring/Summer ’17’s stripped-down environment with male and female models happily wearing the simple silhouettes. Olderbrother Turmeric Overalls; olderbrother.us
13Myriam Marcela
Marcela, already a darling on the indie circuit with her expert eye for detail, continues to impress with her delicately hand-pieced coat. Myriam Marcela Ada faux fur quilted coat and Pia silk dress sweater dress; myriammarcela.com
14Myriam Marcela
Marcela, already a darling on the indie circuit with her expert eye for detail, continues to impress with her delicately hand-pieced coat. Myriam Marcela Ada faux fur quilted coat and Pia silk dress sweater dress; myriammarcela.com
15Allison Bartline
You can count on Bartline to bring the edge. For her current accessory collection, she submerged her models in milk to let the weird vibes and jewelry take center stage. Allison Bartline bowline turn, sovereign, uraeus, amarok, and scorpious rings; allisonbartline.com
16Allison Bartline
You can count on Bartline to bring the edge. For her current accessory collection, she submerged her models in milk to let the weird vibes and jewelry take center stage. Allison Bartline bowline turn, sovereign, uraeus, amarok, and scorpious rings; allisonbartline.com
In the ’80s we had the immense heft of a Spiegel catalog, full of shoulder-padded beauties and Italian imports. The ’90s brought dELiA’s skater girls and mini-Courtneys in baby doll dresses. And then the fashion catalog fizzled. (Thanks, Internet.)
Some shoppers miss that fashion-brand connection and glimpse of how designers envision their styles on models. Enter the digital lookbook. Portland designers and retailers have taken to the medium in spades, using lookbooks to unveil new collections and express the heart and soul behind their work. Myriam Marcela, for example, asked me to help her direct a lookbook for a holiday collection based on a 1970s family photo of her extended family snuggled together at home in Guadalajara. Faux fur replicated shag carpet; patterned fabric evoked old-wallpaper vibes (see first image).
It’s easy to get lost in the myriad of pretty photos. Here are some recentPortland standouts.
