Bowlful of Heart - Pet Food Drive

This holiday season, I'm proud to be on the sponsors for Bowlful of Heart.

The goal is to blow last year's pet food drive out of the water. If you would like to donate, and cannot make it to one of the drop locations please let me know. Myself or another person would be happy to pick up your donation.

A HUGE (belated) thank you to every who donated to the Newberg Animal Shelter Friends silent auction

 

This is a HUGE (though a little belated) THANK YOU to all of the wonderful people who donated to the Newberg Animal Shelter Friends auction. This thank you appeared in the Newberg and McMineville newspapers.

I am so happy I know so many awesome people who contributed to this fundraiser.

Salty's Cat & Dog Shop

For Paws

Courtney Rogers Make Up & Waxing
Diana Pingul
animals R people 2

Paper,Flour,Water

Dr. Kyle Kern, DMD and Dee Rosa

NW Pilates

Dale Edgar Brand

Misha Ashton Photography

Studio 102 Hair Design - Shannon

Seaworthy

Classic Caseworks NW

In exciting news the shelter now has enough funds to finally start construction on the new building!!!

Please stay tuned as my friend Cheryl and I will be holding a pet food drive in the next few weeks.

Clair Fall/Winter 2011 - Model : Seyta Selter

Seyta and I met over a patternmaking table in 2003. We've been pals ever since, though at times we don't see each other more than a few times a year. (very sadly). Seyta is the Lady of Duchess Clothier. When she first opened her business in 2005, I was lucky enough to do my internship there helping her get the store open. (most fun). That was back when she made dresses and before the suits. Those days have long passed, and she once again has a store front, both in Portland and San Francisco. Last year I actually found one of her dresses at the Goodwill from my internship days. I may have gotten a little shrieky about it, but I brought it home and returned it to Setya. You should check out her showroom, regardless if you are in the market for a new suit or not, it's lovely.

Clair Fall/Winter 2011 - model : Alaina Mickes

Paper, Flour, Water is the artwork of the lovely Alaina Mickes. She creates wearable art, piñatas, and fun interior décor. Her most used medium is papier mâché, and she is also a talented painter and mixed media artist. She also does custom work, some of my favorites are her animal piñatas. Seen here on display at For Paws PDX. (both of whom generously donated to the Newberg Animal Shelter Friends fundraiser thanks ladies!!) I had such a hard time picking a photo of Alaina because she's too adorable. Please make sure to check her out at Crafty Wonderland this holiday season.

Weekend of Trunk Shows!

I've got a busy weekend ahead of me! At the same time I'm super excited to have all my goodies from this season on display, and see people try them on.

So if you are in Portland please come see me Friday night (10/7) at Union Rose with Seaworthy.
And if you are in Seattle please come see me Saturday night (10/8) at Veloura with Nikki Jacoby.

Clair Fall/Winter 2011 - model : Oliva Britz

Olivia Britz is one of the most talented artists I have ever met. She's also a tattoo artist. She had me sold at the Pee Wee Herman flash sheet. She's done most of the visible artwork on my body and one of those people that can get an idea out of my brain and on paper how my imagination wants it to look. She also let Sarah Giffrow and I dress her cat, Tuna, up like and take photos of it for no particular reason. do check out her blog for latest work, or go visit her at Fortune Tattoo.

Also for good measure - Tuna.

Clair Fall/Winter 2011 - Model : Courtney Rogers

So if you didn't know, my hometown is the small town of Newberg, Oregon. If you know where that is your first reaction may be "oooh Wine Country". Which is exciting as an adult, but not so much as a kid. Courtney and I are both are from Newberg. Her sister Meghan and I were in the same grade in school. While that part of my life is becoming fuzzier and fuzzier the older I get, I'm glad we connected for this shoot. Courtney is an amazing make-up artist, and as well a waxer. She also is MOBILE! Really, she will come to you, how cool is that. Check out her Facebook page : here. I've already got dibs on her doing make up for the upcoming Spring/Summer '11 shoot, so yay! Also I have to give her a huge thank you for the donation of a prize to the Newberg Animal Shelter Friends fundraiser.

Clair Fall/Winter 2011 - model : Tiffanee Bean

Tiffanee is the owner of one of the shops in Portland that I am so proud to have my line in - Mabel & Zora. If you haven't been inside, it's lovely. The shop is designed after a Doris Day movie, and they carry tons of lovely dresses, accessories, and yummy candles. Also be on the look out - Tiffanee is also a designer. Her line is sold at the shop under the label Tiffany Bean (yes different spelling). 

Clair VIntage Inspired in the October issue of Portland Monthly Magazine

I'm still in a bit of disbelief that I made 2 print magazines in 1 month! Yay! Nerd Party!

The second one is the October edition of Portland Monthly Magazine.

 Page 96-97
 Photography by Brendan Coughlin (also my rad studio space neighbor)
www.brendan-coughlin.com



You can see the behind the scenes video here:
Fall Fashion Shoot Behind the Scenes from Portland Monthly on Vimeo.

Clair Fall/Winter 2011 - Model : Nancy Fedelem

I met Nancy I'm not sure exactly when, but it was during when my poor pup Rufus was having some rough food allergy times a few years back. Her shop is in the neighborhood I'm always in, so I started and completed my food quest there. Which, for the record is Salty's Dog & Cat Shop. We were able to find something that he could eat and not not make him itch like crazy. Plus they would special order me the largest size bag too. It's something I really value in local shops, they want to help you and care about you as a customer. I care about them too, which I why I go out of my way to shop local for everything as much as I possibly can. Also, Nancy is extra rad, she let me borrow her birdies for my Spring/Summer '10 shoot. As well as donating some loot to the Newberg Animal Shelter Friends fundraiser.

Clair Fall/Winter 2011 - model : Nicole Prevost

Nicole is the owner of Union Rose, a shop in Portland, Oregon that I am proud to sell my clothing in. Everything in the shop is actually made in Portland, Oregon. With 95% of apparel sold in the United States being made overseas, that's pretty amazing.  Lucky for both of us the people of Portland are great with supporting local.  Nicole also sells her line, Big Brown Eyes at the shop. You may catch her on any given day making garments in the back room.If you don't live in Portland - don't fret - you can order online as well.
If you'd like to come see both of us - Union Rose is hosting my Fall/Winter trunk show on Friday October 7th from 6:00-9:00pm. We'll have candy, pretty dresses, a fortune teller, wine and some more candy.

For the Love of Boobs - Fashion Show October 14th

I'm really happy to be participating in this show this year. If you know me, you know my life has been affected by cancer quite a bit. (For the official record - a BIG F-YOU to all cancer out there). So please come down and see some lovely fashion for a great cause.

Clair Fall/Winter 2011 - Model : Kira Pinksi

I love Kira. I met her in 2007 doing my first Clair Vintage Inspired fashion show at the Oregon Live 10 year anniversary party. She mistook me for one of the models (imagine my shock) and wanted to make my hair pretty. So I let her. I've been seeing her for gettin' my hair did ever since. She did my wedding hair last fall, and shore my 10" of hair for Locks of Love this spring.

One of things I enjoy about her so much is her energy. She LOVES doing hair as much as I LOVE making dresses. So she's super fun to go see, and meticulous about making your hair pretty. (plus we giggle a lot so it's super fun.)

She's at Salon Capelli, and you can her work here.

First time in Print!!!

So I'm still having a mega nerd moment almost a week later after seeing my clothing for the first time in print.

 

Oooh ooh look! There I am. And Tif too! (thanks Sarah Giffrow for the headshot that does not make me look like Sharpe.)

  

And TA-DA!!!!! Pretty!!! I think the best part is this magazine is printed on 11x17 - That's W magazine sized.

You can see the entire magazine online here:


About Face Magazine

The above dress is available at Union Rose. 


Also, I'm going a dress giveaway contest with Honey Kennedy that is open for entry until Tuesday. So get your change to win a garment from the Fall/Winter line:

Get a pretty dress!!

Bargain Hunting - Summer Session Recap

Thanks to all the folks that came out on Sunday. It was so nice to see so many faces. I was so excited to see so many of my things at the sale, that weren't for sale, but on people!
I may have mentioned this before, but the thing that keeps me going and doing what I love is seeing my clothing on people. It's my super geek moment, and I had several (as you can see below).







I also just have to say that Carolyn and I are awesome. This photo is of our feet, still in our heels, at the end of the sale. Pretty footwear forever!

Bargain Hunting - This Sunday! Here are my tips...

So if you don't have this in your day planner, enter it in now.

If you haven't been before, like to shop local, and get good deals - THIS SALE IS FOR YOU! It's also a wonderful opportunity to meet a lot of the designers who labor behind the things you love. I know for me this the ONLY time I sell to the public, and am usually completely behind the scenes. (well aside from fun trunk shows a couple times a year, but I get to drink wine and hang out at those).

Please check out the website for the entire list of vendors, and a nice feature they have been doing on several of them on the main page - Bargain Hunting PDX

If I wasn't working this gig, I would so be at it, shopping away with mimosa in had. Yes, you can shop and have cocktails or iced tea at this event. Sweet!


So here are my tips on shopping the sale:

1. Leggings and a tank top are going to be your best friend. (throw a dress over if you need) There are dressing rooms if you do need to change, but if you can pop tops on over your tank, or try on a skirt super quick it saves time and you can get more done. (I'm a power shopper myself and often opt for this method thrift shopping). There are lots of mirrors out on the floor too.

2. Get there early. If you feel brave even a little before the doors open. There will be a line, but it moves quick, and the sale is on two floors. If you are going for specific vendors - check them first for best selection. I am bringing a lot of one of a kind or very short run things. I have a lot of sizes, but not a lot of things in all sizes.

3. Bring a tote bag! You never know what you will find, large or small. I'm bringing shopping bags for purchases, but I've seen people leave the sale with their arms bundleded with their new treasures.

4. Bring Cash. I say that because not everyone has credit cards services at the sale. Clair Vintage Inspired will accept the following: cash money, local checks, and credit cards!

5. Relax and have fun! You can troll around with your drink and scope things out. It can be a lot of people, but it's lots of fun people who love shopping local! Also- please note, I don't have any crazy last minute deals, I just have crazy cheap prices. Some vendors do when 4pm rolls around.

6. Don't forget to sign up with the Supportland booth - They are doing give aways!! I will be participating in this, so you could win a Clair item.

And lastly - my pricing is so low I am not publishing it. It's less than wholesale is all I am going to say. I don't often do this sale, as I don't usually have enough items to bring. Come see me. If you wear something Clair, I'll try to take your photo for my FB page. Hope to see you on Sunday! xo

Sneak Peak Teaser

Hot off the camera. 1st peak. Gold sparkle dress! Modeled by the most lovely Kira Pinksi. More to come soon, with full details about each of the lovely gals modeling the season - in their "natural habitats".

Hello August

This month is crazy busy for me!

As of right now we have 4 more models to shoot for the Fall/Winter photoshoot. I thought I'd share what Sarah Giffrow and I are up to. (just in case anyone was looking for the Fall/Winter line photos) I had so much fun doing a non-traditional shoot for Spring/Summer I think I'm going to lean that way forever.

This season we are photoshooting some of my favorite independent business owners, wearing the Fall/Winter looks. Needless to say this has taken quite a bit of coordinating, since each gal is only wearing 1 look. We do our last 4 in the new few days. A few might look familiar since I mainly recruit my friends to model.

Stay tuned for a teaser......


In other news Spring/Summer '12 fabric arrived! I'm so excited to get my sketches into garments. Yay! Now I just have to get it all out of the "body bags".



10 Body Bags to be exact. And yes, that is polka dots!

xo

Fall/Winter Photoshooting

It's happening this weekend! Clair Fall/Winter 2011 photoshoot, well part of it anyway. Sarah Giffrow and I have some fun things up our sleeves. Here's what my rack looks like right now, and that's all I'm saying until we are done playing. I'm really excited, and Sarah always makes what is going on in my imagination come out of her camera.

More skirt love

I know I just posted about No Muffin Top Skirts, but I am SO in love with the print I am offering this Fall/Winter.

Mainly because I have been staring at it, since it's been on my cut table this week.

I hereby proclaim this my favorite No Muffin Top Skirt fabric to date.

Fall is around the corner...

Even though I know here in Oregon we haven't gotten any of a summer. I've only been swimming once! So needless to say it's hard to focus on making Fall/Winter goodies and then samples for next Spring/Summer.

I did a first delivery of some transitional Fall items to Union Rose over the weekend. Super limited run of No Muffin Top skirts - in the pencil length. Get them while they last, vintage fabrics.

Alley 33 Fashion Show

I am so glad that I was able to participate in the Alley 33 Fashion Show this year! I'll always do a fashion show when I know Elizabeth Mollo is backstage.

If you didn't make it, take the time to look at some of the Flickr sets, and the AMAZING other local designers, whom also all manufacture locally. Full list here: Alley 33 Designer List. This is my favorite photo I have found so far, and a nice little sneak peak of Fall/Winter. (By Bettie Newell of Little Paper Cities)

Here are some links to flickr sets:

Greenup Images

Betty New

R. Gmeiner

Post Press:

Little Paper Cities

Be Portland
My City Designers
Portland Mercury MOD

I can't wait for next year!!

Images

I have a massive collection of images lurking about the desktop of my computer. I think I'll start sharing them. Apologies for not having the source for these, since I have no clue when or where I pulled them. (a few are my photos)