Movers & Makers is a new series about the people behind the goods that move the local economy. Queen Bee Creations founder and designer Rebecca Pearcy has always had a knack for making and selling items. The progression from crafty preteen to savvy entrepreneur happened organically, much like the evolution of her now fifteen-year-old business. “It’s hard to know exactly where the beginning was because I was always more...

"Where Ownership Is Outdated, But Fashion Never Dies." If you were anywhere near downtown over the past six weeks or so—getting on/off the Westbound Max, walking back to work from the SW Alder food cart pod, perusing the shelves at the Central Library—chances are you saw this phrase spelled out in large, coral-colored letters emblazoned on the wall of the Galleria building on the corner of SW 10th & Morrison more...

Next up in our Local Alternatives series is Victoria’s Secret, the underwear and lingerie brand that has grown from selling only bras and panties to offering a full body care and fragrance collection, swimwear, and even a make-up line. In the world of pop culture, Victoria’s Secret is best known for having ridiculously good-looking spokeswomen (Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, and Adrianna Lima, to name a few), its annual more...

When we last spoke with Jennifer Thomas, president and designer of Jet Clothing, in June 2011, we discussed the challenges of garment production in Portland and featured her store as one that has not only made in-house production possible, but profitable. Thomas emphasized the satisfaction she gets from providing jobs in her native Oregon while also being able to cater directly to her consumer base. Mere months later, we find Thomas more...

Next up in our ongoing series, Local Alternatives, is Anthropologie, a store oh-so-charmingly poised in the Pearl District, the perfect location to lure the modern career women that make up the brand’s target market. A part of Urban Inc., Anthropologie was founded in 1992 and has built a reputation as Urban Outfitters’ older, more sophisticated sister (with a better paying job) by offering polished, vintage-inspired options more...

It’s that time of year in the retail world when you walk into your favorite store, perhaps seeking air conditioning instead of an actual item, and the mannequins are decked out in long sleeves and sweaters. Wait, did it not just become summer? Of course it did, and of course stores are already stocking up on fall items, because fashion is always forward-thinking, always ready for the next season, the next It Bag, the next Big more...

This is the first feature in an ongoing series that will examine local alternatives to specific retail giants. Think of it as a sort of Pandora station for shopping; insert a big name store and we’ll provide some indie options. Whether these suggestions get a “thumbs up or thumbs down” is up to you, dear consumers. Get a’shopping and let us know your reviews! Founded in 1983, J.Crew originated as a more...

There are many stages of excitement when you decide to purchase a new electronic device. First there is the buildup: the months of saving, the placing of an order or trips to the store, the potential wait time for delivery. The anticipation segues into the learning phase as you get acclimated with new buttons and spend time transferring data. Finally, there is the accessorizing stage, which involves buying the various more...

When it comes to purchasing goods, there is a hierarchy of consumerism that goes something like this: knowing a product was made in America, good; knowing a product was made in Oregon, better; knowing a product was made right here in Portland, super bananas awesome. This line of thinking drives us to support farmers’ markets and mom-and-pop cafés over corporate giants and impersonal franchises. It’s no different when more...

A good bag—like true love, a dream job or an affordable apartment—can be very hard to find. Your arm candy should be comfortable enough to lug around all day, versatile enough to be used for multiple occasions and large enough to stock all the necessities of life without making you look like you’re leaving on a three-week hike in the mountains. Lucky for us, there are many local retailers and designers that make more...