Rachel Comey. photo Marcio Madeira. via style.com
Well, the West End is coming right along isn’t it? We can credit Randy Gragg (editor of Portland Spaces and former architecture/urban planning critic for the Oregonian) with the tag “West End,” and we can credit forces like the Ace Hotel, the Living Room Theater, and American Apparel for bringing shoppers to the blocks just south of W Burnside from say, 10th up to 13th. Odessa (410 SW 13th) and got there first, then The English Dept (1124 SW Alder) took the leap from NW 23rd. We wrote a bit ago about the papered windows of Covet on 10th, and this weekend Frances May opens at 1013 SW Washington.
What’s interesting is the concentration of higher-end, independent labels that are found in few if any other boutiques in Portland and the kind of modern girl aesthetic that runs through these shops. Odessa has long had Mayle, and has VPL, Eventide, AF Vandervorst, Daryl K and Opening Ceremony shoes. Frances May will have Mooka Kinney, Rachel Comey, Samantha Pleet, Christian Joy, Clu, and Lorick. And The English Dept has Eley Kishimoto, Development, Built by Wendy, and Kloset Red Carpet. And the local designers represented, Elizabeth Dye at The English Dept (it’s her shop) and Church & State at the new Frances May, are among our best. Throw in Canoe for good measure, and the modern girl doesn’t have to stray far for the goods.
The Pearl may be in transition, with sometimes it seems more chains than independents, but just across Burnside, things are looking very good indeed.
WHAT TO DO NOW?