Just got a message from Mary Luczycki, the longtime manager at the recently closed Hawthorne shop Local35, and more recently its spinoff/replacement Machus. Spying an opportunity to fill the more mid-range price point void that Local left in its wake, Luczycki is taking matters into her own hands to open Communion, which will even go so far as to reside in the very spot that Local35 left vacant. Details as to what specifically will be carried are still in the works, and she is projecting an opening somewhere between March 15 and April 1. All in all, nice catch. There couldn't possibly be anyone more qualified to serve the Local35 customer, refill that role in the Hawthorne economy, and inherit all the good vibes that Local35 built up over the years.

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• The about-to-be-closed Local35 space circa January 14

Thanks to good old Cupid/Hallmark and the fact that spring is around the corner (maybe that should be "spring" in the Portland context), this weekend is especially brimming with sale events on the local retail front, so if you're thinking of re-upping on some staples, especially cold-weather items like coats and sweaters, but you're tired of getting all your clothing from naked lady parties and thrift stores, this is a good time to stretch your dollars on quality, often locally produced items. Pop over to MOD for the full calendar.

• Holly Stalder

New York Fashion Week is just kicking off, and our pal Gretchen Jones (who I'm sure you'll recall left Portland for the Big Apple after winning Project Runway not so long ago) was one of the first out of the gates. She's always hit bohemian notes in her collections, and this one has a heavily Southwestern theme—risky business, in my opinion, but in designing her own digital textiles, Jones was able to retain full control of the mood, which was cut with darker elements. In fact, this collection was greatly influenced by the passing of Jones' father just after her collection for last season debuted, and both his Apache heritage and themes of transitioning between life and death are palpable in the clothing, which was also informed by Nico's Desertshore, Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, and Poe's The Raven. Texture was as important as print in the materials here, and the pieces in latticed wool in burnt orange and white are by far my favorites, as in the pantsuit shown below. Her installation presentation, with the models posed around sand and stones is characteristically dramatic, but I hope there's a follow-up photo shoot in the works, since photos from yesterday are frustratingly shadowy, but check out some more of the better ones over on MOD.

• Ariel Clay

I had occasion over the weekend to drop into a party thrown by the Solestruck staff, where the booze flowed and the karaoke performances were met with appreciative enthusiasm by its platform-heeled attendants. Apparently they had a righteous good time too, because they've decided to throw another karaoke party called "Get Sexy, Sing Karaoke" in the much smaller confines of their store. Billing it as a pre-Valentine's Day event, you can call your shoe shopping what you want, but the bottom line is they'll be pouring you sake and beer, handing you a mic, and enticing you with new arrivals from brands like Acne (unfortunate name, yes, but a favorite nonetheless) and See by Chloe. Plus, a trunk show of jewelry by One Two Three and Product of Play. Stop in to get raunchy on Friday, February 10 from 7-10 pm, then go out and get 'em, tiger.

• Solestruck

Another good reason not to completely let your ass fall apart during winter's dreary latter half: The Red Light's Co-Ed Naked Shopping Spree is right around the corner on Sunday, Feb 19. Four contestants (two girls, two boys) will be chosen in a drawing to compete in the event, which is now in its sixth year (plus some alternates for when people inevitably chicken out). The things proceed much as you'd imagine: The contestants are given three minutes three minutes to race around the shop in their birthday suits, loading on as much clothing as possible—in front of the general public, who is invited to attend—and whoever winds up with the most items wins, going home with everything on their back plus a $100 GC to the store, plus "socks by Gumball Poodle, donuts from VooDoo Donuts, music from Made in China Records, pins, stickers and card packs from PORK magazine and free passes to Hidden Springs Nudist Club’s members-only rec night." Additionally, Prince cover band Erotic City will perform a free set.

This is the sixth year running for the Spree, and word is that almost twice as many submissions as last year have already come in, but if you're ready to throw your name in this pile, that's simple enough. Make a purchase between now and the 16th, and just say the word at checkout (18+ only though). Good buck-naked luck!

• The Red Light

Again, I'm increasingly irked at the still-persistent concept that women need an escape from their homes while the menfolk get their Superbowl on. Yeah, maybe I do have little to no interest in the game, and yeah I do appreciate just about any excuse for a sale, but this constant refrain is making me want to stay home double-fisting nachos and crushing beer cans on my forehead.

That said, eeeeeeeeeeeee! Mario's is getting in on the action with their tailgate party/Super Bowl sales, which thankfully are for both men and women, and furthermore, you can take advantage and still watch the game, too, because the "tailgate" portion starts today, winding up to Sunday, when they're offering half off of from final sale prices, AKA as cheap as Mario's gets.

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If you pay attention to vintage this town, you know that Yo Vintage! is one of the most prolific sources in town not only for secondhand duds of international provenance, but also for frequently updated lookbooks. This time, they're kicking it up a notch. To launch their new spring shoot, "Prints Charming," they're hosting a little soiree at Isaac Hers the night before it launches, next Wednesday, Feb 8 from 5-8 pm. You'll be able to get exclusive first dibs (before the internet!), plus the requisite snacks and bubbles.

• Charise Marie

Hold on to your hats and remember to play nice, because this one's going to be damn popular: The much-discussed and ballyhooed first collection of Pendleton's The Portland Collection is having a big closeout sale on Saturday. Says Rachel Turk, who co-designed the collection along with her Church + State partner Nathaniel Crissman and John Blasioli, "I just saw the racks yesterday and there is a lot to choose from with a range of sizes: outerwear, jackets, dresses, pants, skirts, tops, knits etc. There will also be some Opening Ceremony and inline Pendleton product available. It should be a madhouse so I suggest getting there as early as possible for the best selection." <— Understatement. Here are the deets:

The Sticks & Stones-led The Specialty Store is finally poised for its big official debut. This Saturday (6:-10 pm) at the shop (524 NW 23rd), peruse lines like New York's Pvblic, Chicago's Designer Drugs, and Portland's Harding & Wilson over celebratory drinks and Saucebox chow, plus DJs Lionsden and Easter Egg. Bonus: All (increasingly high end, having moved into the materials territory of woolly mammoth tusk and extinct mackerel shark teeth) Sticks & Stones merch will be 25% off during the event.

• Sticks & Stones
• Siberian Mammoth cufflinks by Sticks & Stones

I've written many times of the virtues of R.A.W. lingerie: the textiles designed and naturally hand-dyed by designer Rio Wrenn, the romantic silks, vintage laces, and crochet details. There's a rare opportunity to snag yourself a pretty little something from the collection just around the bend: R.A.W. will be hosting a sample sale during the month of February (the 2nd to the 23rd, open Thursdays and by appointment) with 30-50% off. [Insert reminder about Valentine's Day here.]

I've settled into a pattern with buying fall and winter clothing. I don't actually buy them when they first come to stores in early fall, since my resources basically exclusively go to fund gift buying from September through December. And because you need your sweaters, your rain coats, your wool stockings and trousers and your boots at least intermittently through the month of May (meaning we're not even halfway through it), it's perfectly reasonable to delay thinking about sprucing things up on the inclement end of your closet until after the New Year. And, it's arguably shrewder to wait, since retailers are desperately bailing out the stores of this merchandise in preparation for spring. Siljan has joined the ranks of Portland based shops that're having winter sales, announcing discounts on their Scandinavian-centric merchandise for men and women, including some excellent choices for staple items like boots and coats. Shop online, or make an appointment at the studio.

• Siljan
• Hope Field Boot in Wine

Frances May really doesn't have to worry about getting lonely anymore. After the closure, in rapid succession, of both Narcisse and Covet, the shopping hub known as the West End was starting to look a little lean, but things are picking up again with just-opened new neighbors Pinkham Millinery and Parallel. And now, N Mississippi vintage/Western shop Animal Traffic has announced that they too are coming to the neighborhood with a second location at 429 SW 10th. According to owner Tom Erikson, "The new location will feature vintage along with modern items from Pendleton, Forage, Duluth Packs, Minnetonka, and many more. There will be a strong focus on classic Americana styles and Made in America brands from footwear to apothecary, as well as locally made goods."

Get your first peek at the February 18 soft opening, and an official grand opening slated for the evening of March 1.

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• One of the shop's many, many pairs of vintage boots.

Danger danger! Warning warning! Don't let this terrible-sounding event that just came across my desk happen to you!

Firstly, it's called Fuze It.

It appears to be one of those vague, awesomely out of touch monstrosities that occasionally bursts forth from Los Angeles on a nationally touring rampage of ridiculous claims. This one purports to be "The Ultimate Fashion, Art, and Music Experience," and seeks to cull together/exploit naively aspiring artists, models and musicians from the Portland area. "For participants, the event serves as a stepping-stone to either jump-start their aspiring career or make their existing career shine," etc, etc. The participating suckas are, of course, TBD, but the lady who emailed me the press release has helpfully informed me that "the fashion show will feature some of the latest looks from Forever 21." Tickets to attend? $20.

Yeah... no.

Yet another diversion from nacho-binging on Sunday, February 5th! The English Dept. has announced the date for the 2012 edition of their annual bridal fashion show, A Novel Romance. Wedding season is in full force, and The English Dept. has handily established itself as the source for cool, sensible, tasteful brides to find their dresses, accessories, and—with the addition of Lille Trousseau next door—their block is a one-stop for lingerie, shoes, and tons of spirit-calming recommendations for flowers, photographers, and all the other many overwhelming details that go into such a production.

In addition to new collections from shop favorites Nicole Miller, Jenny Yoo, and Ivy & Aster, this is the one chance per year to see new work from proprietress Elizabeth Dye, whose own bridal and bridesmaid designs are typically some of the biggest show-stoppers (I gotta pour some out in remembrance of the days when Dye was still making regular womenswear... I wish she had four hands so she could still do both), often replete with tasteful literary references.

This year the show will return to its favorite digs at the Ace Hotel Cleaners Sunday Feb 5 at noon. $10 tickets available right here.

The gender-prescribed notion that women need an alternative activity while the guys are at home watching the Super Bowl is worn and creaky at best, but at least we can capitalize on tradition: Radish Underground is hosting their third annual Super Sale on Feb 5 from noon-5 pm, with fall and winter pieces priced 15-30% off (including stuff that usually never goes on special), and 15% off Thundies and Yoga Jeans (don't ask). And, because the ladies behind Radish, Gina Morris and Celestial Sipes, are adorable and throw some of the best retail parties in town, there will be yard lines marked throughout the store, an end zone, and very likely dance parties in the dressing rooms.

Make a whole afternoon of it while you're at it, because just a few blocks away at the Crystal Ballroom Bargain Hunting 101 will be in full swing during the same hours. The bi-annual group clearance sale features price-slashed merch from a variety of retailers and independent vendors, including samples and one-offs of clothing, furniture, and more. Scout the full list of vendors here, then go eat a bunch of nachos with beer, belch openly, scratch your groin, etcetera.

• Radish Underground

Reif started off 2012 off right, with a web site redesign featuring lookbook shots from her latest collection for spring, "Rituals," to be available for purchase through the site beginning in March. Check out her latest work and pick out the favorite pieces you'd save up your lunch money for—I'm partial to the gauzy, sheer stripes on this blouse. Something about springtime makes me gravitate even more to black. Click over to MOD for a couple more favorites.

• Reif