Mercury Online Charity Auction

Bid now, bid often. It is for a great cause, the Portland Women's Crises Line. One of my No Muffin Top skirts and a bunch of other neat stuff is in the Hey Pretty Lady Auction. Right now it's the "Hot Auction". Check it out!

Mercury Online Charity Auction

P.S. Holiday dresses have hit stores, get one now!

RIP Pops

When I was in high school I worked at a drive-in movie theater in the snack bar. It was/is amazing. Pops (Robert Francis) ran the ticket booth. Cranky as hell, and a full of piss and vinegar. He was the quintessential cranky old man. He would chase kids with flashlights, and never took any crap from anyone. I believe that I was hired there solely because he liked my car, a 1961 Bel Air. I have many fond memories of visiting with him when I would warm up his coffee during the feature. On slow nights he would show me part of his car collection. My favorite was a 1965 Cherry Red Impala that he had purchased brand new.

Working at the drive-in theater made me a lot of who I am today. Growing up in a small town there aren't a ton of people who are into vintage aesthetic. The drive-in was built in 1954 and is all original. Also, it was there that I learned about work ethic, and taking pride in the work that I do. It is a family run business, and every job is important.

On Saturday I learned that Pops had passed on. It is a very sad end to an era. Today I attended his services. RIP Pops, you are sorely missed.

Robert Edward Francis
FRANCIS, Robert Edward 1929-2008 Robert Edward Francis was born the son of Ted and Grace (Heater) Francis in Newberg on Tuesday, July 2, 1929. He attended Central Grade School, graduated from Newberg High School and from Linfield College with an associate degree. Robert had a natural athletic aptitude for sports and played football in high school and college where he was full back and received an All-American award for his football fame. He served in the U.S. National Guard and became a sergeant; then worked for Western Electric. In the summer of 1954 Robert met Betty Jean Aust at the Miss Oregon pageant at Seaside. It was love at first sight and they were married in Portland on May 29, 1955. They made their home in Newberg where they raised their three children. She preceded him in death in 1994. He worked with his father as a boy and teenager and later became the president of Francis Enterprises. In 1967 he bought his first dog, an Irish Wolfhound, which began his successful dog showing career. This led to him becoming a true fancier of Irish Wolfhounds. He was an old car buff, owning several. He had a big heart for abandoned animals and financially supported organizations that worked with animals. On Sunday, Nov. 17, 2008, Robert E. Francis died at a Portland hospital when he was 79 years, four months and 15 days of age. Surviving and left to honor his life are two sons, Michael and Brian, both of Newberg; one daughter, Doria Bouneff of Tolovana Park, Ore.; four grandsons, Malcolm, Riley, Christopher and Alex; and those who have come to know and appreciate him as he has lived and worked in our community. He was preceded in death by his brother, Stu Francis; and one grandson, Adam Bouneff. His celebration of life gathering will be Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Attrell's Newberg Funeral Chapel, a Golden Rule Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Hospital for Children or Dove Lewis, c/o Attrell's Newberg Funeral Chapel, 207 Villa Road, Newberg, OR 97132.

alysonclair.com updates

My website is ever so very pretty. Check it out!

alysonclair.com

I love pretty fliers!

This one is for the one I'm in! Yeah! Come see me.

Upcoming Trunk Shows in PDX!

I know I haven't posted in a while, but for good reason. I have been sewing up a storm finishing off the production of my Winter/Holiday line. I have a trunk show next week at Pin Me Apparel, so I'm excited to be almost done! Here are some upcoming events that you should check out too.

May Tee Trunk Show 11/21


Lucia Trunk Show 11/22

Clair Holiday Line

Thank you to my most lovely model Boni Dutch (hair/make-up), and Ron Hope for photography.

Delivery for all items is Thanksgiving week!

Interfacing

As you may or may not know, I am not a huge fan of working with wovens. Last season I had my first ever woven in a collection, a skirt. For Winter I have a few more wovens, which for me = INTERFACING. When I was in school, I would just iron on the interfacing to my already cut out pattern pieces and peel it off the ironing board (much to some of the other students horror). I found this the quickest and most efficient way to get it on there. Then I would just cut away the excess. This came in really handy when doing tiny pieces.

I am still using this method for my production now. It goes way quicker then laying another marker of just interfacings. In factory production, we often interface the fabric on a drum press and then cut. Since I neither have drum press, or 60" wide interfacing, I am opting for this:


I find the quickest way, even though it is likely not the "correct" way to do things. I'll keep doing it too, until those waistbands learn to do it on their own.

Right now I am about knee deep in Winter production. Just trying to get everything cut, so I can deliver in about a month. My back injury is unfortunately slowing me down a bit, which can be frustrating at times. I also have some other exciting ventures I am beginning work on (top secret for now), and I am also going to start working with PDX Fashion Synergy. Very exciting!

I just need 36 hours in EVERY day.

Hey! Curvey girls! Where are you?

I do try to fit every shape and size. This fall I have noticed that my Large and X-large sizes are not moving as fast as they usually do. My Large is usually 12-14 and my X-Large is a 16-18. I will ALWAYS make these sizes, because I feel it extremely important to fit this demographic. I can also go larger if needed, please message me about a larger size if you would like it. If I have fabric I would LOVE to make one just for you.

Also, I have begun making XS as well. If you go into a shop and they do not have your size, please let me know. I can usually get one for you if it is in stock.

Other fall news:

- The Ahoy! Dress in Rust print is now SOLD OUT.
- The 9 to 5 Blouse in Polka Dot is selling fast. So if you want to get your hands on one do so soon. (It looks great with a sweater vest).

I shot my Winter/Holiday items this last weekend with Ron Hope. The shoot went fantastic, and I hope to have photos up soon, and items in stores before Thanksgiving. Holiday dresses anyone?

I <3 Portland

I am one of the few native Oregonians that lives in Portland. I love this city, and all that it has to offer for me, the nutty people who live here, and the anything goes attitude. A few months ago one of my clients at work gave me the City of Portland flag. Prior to this I didn't know one existed.

Anyway this is what it looks like:

Here is the history of it, as found on the City of Portland Website.

Description: The flag of the City of Portland is an offset cross of light blue, edged by white-yellow-white stripes, with a white four-pointed star in the left center, all on a background of Kelly green. The official size, proportions, and color elements in the City Flag are specified in the Portland City Code 1.06.010 (http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?&c=28155).

History: In 1969, at the suggestion of Mayor Terry Schrunk, the Portland Art Commission established a special committee to select a designer for an official city flag. It chose Douglas Lynch, former president of the Art Commission and a prominent local graphic design professional and teacher. After extensive research and consultation with art commission members and city commissioners, he proposed a design in a process he called “as much diplomatic as it was artistic”. The Portland City Council adopted the flag in January 1970. In 2002, with the encouragement of the Portland Flag Association, Mr. Lynch simplified and improved the design, and the revised version was adopted by Ordinance 176874 on September 4, 2002.

Symbolism: Green symbolizes Oregon’s forests, which surround Portland. The intersecting vertical and horizontal blue stripes represent the Columbia and WillametteRivers, with the central white star (technically, a “hypocycloid”) signifying Portland at their confluence. The yellow stripes symbolize the harvest of golden yellow grain (Portland is a major exporter of wheat) and the gold of commerce. The white stripes are merely decorative. The offset cross is not intended to resemble a Scandinavian cross. The design inspired the logo of the Port of Portland.

Locations: The City Flag flies in front of the PortlandBuilding (5th Avenue) and City Hall (4th Avenue), in Pioneer Courthouse Square, and on many other commercial buildings around the city. It also hangs in the City Council Chamber and the PortlandBuilding’s 2^nd-Floor Auditorium.

Previous flags: Portland has used three previous flags, with the first proposed in a flag contest sponsored by Mayor H. R. Albee in 1917 but never officially adopted.


Just thought I would share that info. I think it's pretty cool, and I am rocking the flag up in my work area at my day job. Yeah PDX!

I guess this is a good problem to have...

Our hoards of fabric have begun arriving. So VERY exciting. Only problem is we are running out of storage space under our cutting table.

With all the new fabric arriving I am so amped to work on the line. Sadly my back is not as excited. I am under doctors orders to tone it down a bit. I have been to a chiropractor, doctor, acupuncturist, tomorrow physical therapy, and an MRI on Saturday. I'm trying not to let that slow me down, but it has. Good thing I have awesome studio mates who will lift fabric for me, and cut the center of markers when I cannot reach across the table.

Speaking of my awesome studio mates......Sarah and I may have gotten a little carried away with the label maker Carolyn brought over to help us organize. This is my favorite:



Today was a cat party at the studio. My building was being treated for bugs, so out the pets had to go. Muku was the only one allowed to have free reign of the studio, but that is because he helps us cut and sew.




Ok not REALLY, but he's so damn cute, and cross-eyed.

also...

I am LOVING this fabric. I don't usually go for wovens, 45" wide fabric, or Robert Kaufman. But DAMN! I love it.

Down to the last SKU

I am down to my last SKU to sew for fall. I am so proud that I was able to get everything else into stores. Actually the dress I have left to sew, sold so well at Lucia all of them are going there. Most of the Orange colorway sold out in the first week! I hopefully will get some more fabric to make some more for other shops.

Got back from Las Vegas last week. I purchased 737 yards of fabric. I cannot even tell you how EXCITED I am about that. It is for Winter/Holiday and Spring. Tonight I made 4 prototypes for winter, and I want to wear all of them. Major nerd times.

Only bad thing to report is that I have majorly messed up my back. I wish I could say I was doing something cool, but sadly it has been me gradually abusing it. I am wearing a back brace and getting adjusted a bunch. If you need the name of an excellent chiropractor let me know. I haven't been able to bend over at all. Luckily I have full range of motion on my arms, so I can still sew. I have good studio mates who have been helping me lay fabric, and move the fabric rolls around.

This year we have gathered a Race for the Cure Team. The race is Sunday. Unfortunately I have been advised doing the entire 5K walk is not in the best interest of my back. So I will be at the starting line, and then setting up the after breakfast at Lucia. I am really excited because we should have close to 20 people on our team, and we met our fund raising goal of $500 for the Komen foundation. This is an important event to me. My grandmother died of breast cancer, my aunt is a strong survivor, my mother and younger sister have both had things removed from their breasts. 10% of Lucia sales will be donated to Komen foundation on the day of the event. So now you have a good excuse to shop!

Fall Collection 2008

In stores now!

Pin Me Apparel
3705 N Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR 97227
(503) 281-1572

Lucia Apparel
424 NW 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

Get Directions

(503) 222-5244

Moxie
2400 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214

Get Directions

(503) 296-6943

1 down, 1 to go!

Last night was the fashion show for ExplodeLaMode. I had 6 models and I think they all did an awesome job. On the way to the show from hair/make up, there were 6 of us crammed in my car. With our big hair, we kind of looked like a scene from a John Waters movie. Too bad no one got a photo. Hopefully some photos will surface soon, I was backstage during the show. I also got pre-press for the show and didn't even know it. (that is how busy I have been!)
Portland Mercury - Sold out!

The Art Institute of Portland asked Sarah of Lucia and I do to the Rock the Runways show as alumni of the school. That show is next weekend. I'm pretty excited for that, and we will both be showing 10 looks.


Other then that I have just been sewing like mad crazy. I have 2 fall styles delivered Lucia, and soon to Pin Me and Moxie.

Hopefully I'll have some photos soon. Our studio space is almost 100% complete. I have been waiting to post before and after photos of that. We are 98% done.

Upcoming Fashion Show

It's a benifit for P:ear. Hope to see you there!


Other then that I have been busy busy (duh!). I have 14 Sku's for fall. Had a photoshoot Saturday. Photos to come soon.

Fall Production

Fall production has been going nicely. I have quite a bit of material cut out, and am finishing up my designs and will be cutting the remainder in the upcoming weeks. Here is a sneak peak of one of my sweaters being laid up and getting ready to cut out. (I LOVE the 7 yard long cutting table at my work).


I am very excited to announce that I am joining work spaces with 2 of my best friends Sarah Wallace of Lucia Apparel, and Carolyn Hart of Carolyn Hart Designs. We move into our space on July 1. VERY exciting. We all feel like real live professionals. It will be so nice to be able to ride my bike a short distance and be able to access a studio workspace 24/7. The only thing I am not looking forward to is moving my Juki serger down and then up stairs, it weighs a ton. Good thing I have some strong friends. We have jokingly named it the "S.A.C." studio, after a joke we had in school, and our initials, duh.

I am also going to be doing a photo shoot for a model with Pete Springer. Pretty exciting, the gal is super cute, and they are going to use my fall clothing for the shoot. I am really excited about that, since Pete is a great photographer, and I haven't done a "organized" fashion shoot with hair and make up in ages.

On a totally non-apparel related note, I got a word into Urban Dictionary It is "bodangle". Click the link, and give it a thumbs up if you like it. I didn't make the word up, but use it quite frequently.

Nerd Moment!

One of my shirts made it on TV!! And more importantly Lucia Apparel got featured on the below segment:
Better TV
The video is not available to post, so please follow the link. The black and white print top is mine (seen in the photos from previous posts).

More news soon! I have been a busy bee with my fall production.

Busy as usual....

Really I can't even thing of a time where I haven't been busy. It's nice to relax, but I'm usually having the most fun, so being busy is just fine with me.

Right now all of my spring/summer items are in the 2 stores I sell at, Pin Me Apparel and Lucia Apparel. If you are in the Portland area, please check them out.

Here are the photos of some garments on my rack, freshly steamed and tagged, read to go to the stores. This stage is always my favorite, or where I feel the most proud.


Last Sunday I spent the day (with many others) helping my very talented friend, Sarah Wallace, get her store ready to open. She had been working on the space for weeks, and it was finally the exciting time to set up all of the fixtures, get the garments ready, and arrange the store. Here is what it looked like around 9:00 am:


There were a total of 9 tote bins of clothing. You would be amazed how many garments you can get into one of those bins.

Around 2:00pm, mannequin dress up time:




9:00pm



I guess I was pretty tired, since this was the only photo I took of the after

Here is the sign from the street, and one of my tops in the window:





In other news, the fabric I ordered in Las Vegas arrived. However, the spring/summer items I had ordered were all out of stock. I took this as a sign to get a jump start on the fall/winter items. (and a much needed break for myself). Last night I sewed up the first of my prototypes, a plaid sweater. It looks great, and makes me wish it were fall now, so I could wear it. I can't wait to start production sewing, I just love sewing knits. I am also going to do 2 jackets in the line, a new challenge for me.

I would also like to show off the newest member of my sewing machine family. I got this one to live in my house, not my workspace. Since it is very compact, and of course beautiful. If I have not already mentioned, I do not like new sewing machines. Why buy plastic when you can have a solid machine? I rescued this baby off of craigslist.org and had it tuned up for half the cost of a cheap new machine, plus it came with the cute period desk and stool. I'm in love.


As mentioned before, Muku and Mr. B are available for modeling.

Finally! Some photos....

Last week I did a shoot with my lovely friend Nina and photographer Tyson Robichard. I have a few items ready to go to shops, and that is what we shot. We used my apartment as the location, since it was easy, and when we shoot the rest of the stuff, the setting will be the same. So here is what I have been working on. I will be taking the first delivery to Pin Me Apparel Tuesday evening, so items will be for sale this week. Yeah!!

One of my cats, Muku, makes his modeling debut. He's available for booking. Ha ha.