In the pantheon of those who have nudged Portland fashion along in the last several years, we can be grateful to visionary (and hardworking) designers, shopkeepers stocking better local designers, boosters, buyers, and retailers like Stand Up Comedy, Una, and Le Train Bleu, whose proprietresses reach beyond the expected to seek out small, distinctive, modern lines from all over. What’s more, they’ve each staked out a highly individual vision for which our fashion landscape is that much richer.
Bria Phillips’ launched Le Train Bleu five years ago as an online shop with smaller lines you didn’t see anywhere else like Erotokritos, Vena Cava, and BiLaLi (at the time, pretty much every line she carried was nowhere else in Portland). Since then, she’s expanded greatly to include lines like Karen Walker, Eskell, Development, Rudsak, and regional lines like Dayna Pinkham’s hats and Seattle’s Suzabelle. Phillips finally opened a real live shop in Portland, moved it to the Pearl and recently moved again. But her major impact has been beyond PDX; not only have her non-PDX sales always far outstripped local sales, but LTB is recognized as a top online shop by British Vogue, InStyle, Lucky, the Washington Post, etceteras. Point is, we’re lucky we can both walk through the door of the NW 26th Le Train Bleu AND shop online at midnight.
Phillips relocated Le Train Bleu (1905 NW 26th) from the Pearl to NW 26th some months ago. Tomorrow, Saturday June 21 from 11-8 she hosts a House Warming Party and Sale with goods from 40-80% off, “DJ Matt spinning old-timey 78’s, Saint Cupcake towers, and cheap wine. “
WHAT TO DO NOW?