Unmentionable: A Lingerie Exposition
From the team that brings you the Alley 33 Fashion Event, this February 8th is the fourth annual Unmentionable: A Lingerie Exposition!
After exploring the lineup for this year’s show, I’m particularly excited to see the collections of every.single.one of these local independent artists.
Allihalla
Stoked on the fun and cheeky Allihalla! After taking a peek at some of her designs online, Alli’s works are great for the everyday alternative who wants something colorful, bright and bombastic. Her Etsy pieces display cute pink colored hearts, form fitting garter shorts, rainbow weed prints, and of course, lots of multi-colored lace and mesh to go with it. So if you’re into lingerie that will definitely put a fun smile on your face, be sure to pay attention to these pieces on this year’s runway!
Aniela Parys
This year’s headliner is none other than the ever beloved, ever tasteful Aniela Parys! A designer from Portland, OR now based in Barcelona, Spain. I absolutely ADORE her designs. With her focus on quality over quantity seen in the slow fashion movement, her bralettes and knickers are beautifully lacey, light and supremely delicate. After checking out her products with my own hands (as Altar is one of her few stockists), I began to imagine myself, sitting on the balcony of a hotel somewhere in Barcelona, dressed in her lingerie, the wind gracefully kissing my face, as my man lays sprawled naked on our hotel bed, covered in rose petals, exhausted from the magical evening I gifted him. This is the vision I get when looking at one of Aniela’s handmade works. With wonderful materials like velvet, lace and unbleached organic ribbed cotton, I am very excited to see this artist’s romantic collection.
ChangeWear
Imagine a brand that really sets the groundwork for good lingerie. Not only are these products cut and sewn by hand by a Portland factory that has been around for over 30 years, but the garments are designed with ‘Athleisure:’ real lingerie for the everyday real woman. With wire free designs that make the pieces comfortable, classic with excellent support, these pieces are perfect for work, play and everyday living. What’s really cool about this brand, are the 24-in-1 convertible bras with interchangeable dual color bra pads, for an endless personally-customized style and color. Furthermore, the bra straps are detachable, allowing for cross back, halter, and traditional styles. These ingenious creations are without a doubt, high quality, functional, body-positive garments perfect for any woman out there. Be sure to pay attention to this display!
Chubby Cartwheels
I just love coming across curve fashion! Sporting happy fun styles like Mary Jane inspired bodysuits, mermaid leggings, and of course, lace, velvet and mesh pieces, Chubby Cartwheels garments are great for any deliciously curvaceous individual. Shawna offers an excellent variety of handmade basics in a multitude of colors and prints that emulate sexy rocker vibes, flowy gothic styles, and bold casual pieces, perfect for anyone with a unique attitude. Definitely a lookout for this year.
Copper Union
Another excellent curve fashion business is Copper Union! Created by Claire Doody, this artist creates excellent handmade pieces with an excellent knowledge of textiles and fits, perfect for making unique garments for those with shapely curves. Setting a new standard for plus-size fashion in Portland, her designs express confident, electrifying pops of color, while also supplying more dark bohemian designs like Stevie Nicks inspired shrugs and black mesh dresses. Claire’s designs are modern with a touch of edge. We are so excited to see her FIRST EVER lingerie collection, debuting right here at Unmentionable. It is sure to be a fire starter.
Fräulein Couture
Also following the slow fashion movement, Vanessa Froehling offers several styles of garments from evening wear and lingerie to couture business wear and style costumes. With a modern perspective to classic silhouettes, these sweatshop free high fashions are particularly great. Focusing on her lingerie, the use of lace is very prominent, along with velvet and bamboo knit to create timeless shaded intimates that perfectly hug any, and every type of curve, on any body.
Lille Boutique
Opened in 2007 in Portland, Portland’s beloved Lille Boutique reflects a passion for vintage inspirations with high quality constructions for the modern woman. From elegant underpinnings like silk and lace bras with graphic bold lines to comfortable loungewear like cropped pants and slouchy tees, this boutique definitely offers it all for customers looking for natural shapes, organic fibers and ethical manufacturing.
Piper Dalton
Do you love knitwear?! If so, Piper Dalton is definitely one to love. Designed and produced in her own home studio with hand- spun yarn, her pieces are influenced by the natural world with intense color combinations and soft, yet complex beauty. Initially looking at her undergarment pieces, I immediately fell in love with how raw and cozy her pieces looked. My personal favorite is the teal full bodysuit. It has a very modern metro vibe that almost looks slightly futuristic due to the all over ribbed texture and open back.
Poetic Works Lingerie
Amarantha Harrison provides her audience with exquisite silk and organic cotton underwire bras and briefs with a touch of lace. These practical garments come in a variety of colors like indigo, rich reds, light lavenders, hints of peach and other lustrous pops. These intimates definitely combine elegant luxury with everyday high functionality. Easy to wear and practical, a must have for the lingerie enthusiast.
Rogue:Minx
A one woman shop run by the talented Anna Marie Cooper. Her lingerie works are definitely rocker. From black burnout leopard print velvet bodysuits to sheer black moon printed mesh crop tops, her pieces are without a doubt her own and unlike any other. Despite her darker style, she also uses bright colors like copper rust orange and merlot wine in other bodysuits, or playing with images inspired by night creatures like Eve and Lilith.
Seeker Intimates
Alex Harris focuses her intimates on the use of deadstock and remnant fabrics as well as organic and natural fibers to create her own unique pieces. After looking at her online Etsy account, unique: they truly are. No only does she use completely sheer lace to make her bras, but also in metallic rib knits and cashmere. One of her pieces that really stuck out to me is her Gimme Danger Bodysuit. The back is beautifully made with intricate black straps woven through each other to give the suit an almost bondage inspired low back. Her Baby Grandmothers Kimono is also equally as unique, inspired by psychedelic rock patterns during the 60’s and 70’s.
Tush and Bush
Addie Miller’s undergarments are not only well made, but full of color! After checking out her website, I have come to the conclusion that her underwear is very well constructed, offering low rise and high rise designs that look long lasting, high quality and most of all, wearable. With an athleisure construction to it, it is without a doubt these pieces are made with care but also have their own unique aesthetic. Examples include bold structured bras, with secure straps and bold lines, softened by a layer of soft white lace underneath, and happy bottoms with polka dot prints and graphic mesh lines on the sides.
VAVA Lingerie and Iron Oxide
Two of my favorite local creators in Portland, VAVA Lingerie and Iron Oxide are coming together to bring to you a tasteful collaboration, combining delicate velvet and lace intimates with eye catching accessories, perfect for a sultry evening in the boudoir. VAVA’s pieces are made with beautiful gem toned colors with tops and bottoms that excellently express any type of curve for a sexy, sultry appearance. Iron Oxide’s accessories are without a doubt in a league of their own, but for this show, Amy has decided to make some one-of-a kind show pieces that will absolutely flatter the intimates presented. Her use of crystal and metal details definitely shine bright in any light, and I can’t wait to see how these two brands work together.
As you can tell, the lineup for this show is going to be amazing! With a variety of different types of lingerie offered, some intricate and elegant, others for everyday simple wear, the coming Unmentionable presentation will definitely be a show stopper for those who indulge in intimate garments and would love to add a few more tasteful pieces to their personal collection.