What Would Sarah Palin Wear If She Shopped at Butch Blum?

We don't know for sure, since pub date was obviously some time ago. But the Seattle high-end clothier has outfitted some other semi-lookalikes from the campaign trail in what I have to admit is a pretty damn fun "magazine." The Fall Launch Party for the shop is next Wednesday.

Topics: Boutiques and Shops and Fashion News

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She's Crafty

And She’s Just My Type

I LOVE crafts, especially the kind I can wear so I’m pretty pumped that Portland native and current Belgium resident, Nancy Minsky, will be at Buffalo Exchange tomorrow from one to three p.m. She’s a former assistant to Calvin Klein and the author of Denim Revolution, a book filled with creative ideas and instructions on how to update and embellish your old jeans. Not only will she be signing books but she’ll also be offering demonstrations so bring an old pair of jeans you’re willing to alter (I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she knows what to do with jeans that have a giant hole in the crotch). I’ve been assured that it doesn’t matter whether you’re handy around a sewing machine or not—all skill levels will be able to participate.
If you’re a student, bring your ID for $5 off a purchase of $20 or more. Her book will be available while supplies last for $19.95

Topics: Boutiques and Shops, DIY, Fashion News, and books

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Vain Salon Gets a Makeover

Check out what graffiti artist Deuce 7 spraypainted on the back of Vain Salon. His exhibit "Pneumonia, Isolation, and Disorder” is showing at BLVD Gallery until August. The Minneapolis dude left his mark on Belltown with some early morning runs that resulted in the above art. Swing by and check it out, or go see his stuff at BLVD. It's awesome.

BLVD Gallery, 2316 2nd Ave. Open Wed.-Sat.See www.blvdart.com for more details.

Topics: Boutiques and Shops and Visual Art

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Fremont Boutique to Take Over Olivine Space

I was shopping Olivine's annual sale today when I discovered I will still have a super-fun, cute boutique to bike to even after Olivine closes its doors in September—because Fremont's Horseshoe is moving in!

I lovelovelove Horseshoe, and it's not just because of the vast Prairie Underground selection. It's really because the owner Jill Andersen is such a sweet gal and is a super-talented jewelry artisan—check out her stuff at the shop. I hope she knows that with this cool new Ballard Avenue space comes a stalker. And that would be me.

Topics: Boutiques and Shops

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Ballard's Olivine closing in September

After more than 10 years in business, girly, French-chic boutique Olivine on Ballard Avenue will be closing its doors in September. Owner, Julie Wray, won't be moving far—just to Fremont—but she won't be taking the clothes with her. Her new shop Show Pony will be more along the lines of gifty items.

Au revoir, Olivine. You'll be missed.

Topics: Boutiques and Shops

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H&M News, Finally!

Hallelujah! We'd been hearing this for a while, but finally we know something tangible. We get three of them!!!

Hennes & Mauritz, the Swedish-based design-driven clothing retailer, said Wednesday it would open three stores in the Seattle area by this fall.

H&M, known for quality fashion at affordable prices, said it will open in University Village, Westfield Southcenter and on Pike Street in downtown Seattle..

The company said it would have a two-level, 19,000-square-foot store in University Village; a 25,000-square-foot, two-floor store in Southcenter; and a 16,000-square-foot store on Pike Street.

Topics: Boutiques and Shops

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Vintage Designer House Knows How to be Pretty

Store: Pretty Parlor
Location: 119 Summit Ave. E, Capitol Hill
Owner: Anna Lange
In Business: 6 years
Hours: 12ish - 7 p.m. Daily
Phone: (206) 405-CUTE

Pretty Parlor is: “A vintage and indie designer house.”

What Gives? “Everything is all handpicked by me. It's all cream of the crop. People love it here. They want to live here.” - Anna Lange.

What You'll Find: Vintage clothing and accessories for men and women as well as indie local designers, a fun staff and eye-pleasing displays.

Local brands include: Suzabelle, Empire Empire, Handmade, Megan Leone, Ruffeo Hearts Lil' Snotty, Dumb Clothing, Paper Doll Fashion, and owner Anna Lange's very own House of Pretty Parlor.

Prices: Vary, but fall into these ranges - Accessories: $10. Shoes: $25. Clothing: $40 - $200.

Consumers Say:

Name: Toya
Age: 21
Occupation: Starving student

Overall Impression? Beautiful, very girly, and fun.

How would you compare Pretty Parlor to other vintage and second-hand stores, like Red Light and Atlas Clothing? The pretty Parlor is much better since it's more intimate than those other vintage stores. And you can tell it's all about being pretty, which I am about when it comes to vintage shopping.

If you could live at Pretty Parlor, would you? Of course I would live there! It's the home of my dreams: pretty pink and all of my grandma's beautiful clothing I could wear all day and everyday. Plus, Banana the owner would be a cute roomie. Wait, I would want it all to myself.

Topics: Boutiques and Shops

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More Seattle as Japan: Atsui Tokyo

Store: Atsui Tokyo
Location: 90 Madison Street, downtown Seattle
Owners: Jay Doughten and Masako Kanazawa
Opened: August 1st, 2007
Hours: 10AM – 7PM daily

What Gives? "Seattle needs more fashion, period. There are a lot of fashion capitols and Tokyo is one of them. People in Tokyo spend a lot of time and devotion to look good. It's different from Seattle.” - Jay Doughten.

See Them: Seattle Int'l Fashion Week 2007. Their threads can be seen hitting the runway tonight at Neumo's starting at 9 p.m. and on Saturday at EMP starting at 8 p.m. The show at Neumos is 21+ and cost $20. The show on Saturday may or may not be all ages and costs $50.

Brands Include: Hysteric Glamour, a unique streetwear line that produces graphic tees and high end, fun denim. $100 for a tee, $275 for denim. Citrus Notes, a women's line of fashion forward clothing with simple yet elegant pieces. $250 for a skirt, $450 for a jacket. Mr. Olive, a men's line that produces casual attire and detailed denim. $70 for a tee, $200 for denim. Filly O'Lynx, a fun and feminine women's line. Tops for $180, dresses for $260.

Consumers Say:

Victor

Overall Impression? "It was alright. It's really expensive and I'm not familiar with any of the brands. They had a specific look, and that was good. The store was well put together. The denim was interesting [and] the sizing was good. [The person working] was very enthusiastic to talk about the styles and brands.”

Can Tokyo styles be found anywhere else in town? “No, this store is definitely a niche. The styles are cool and there is nowhere else to get it.”

Do you think Seattle needs more fashion? “Yeah, I do. Everywhere can use more fashion.”

Apryl

Overall Impression? "I love the clothes, but the sizes are mainly for small girls. Prices are a little high. The guy running the store is a little overbearing and was wearing too much cologne. He was too excited and needed to chill out. The location is in a bad place.”

Can these same styles be found anywhere else in town? “No, not at all. They are one of a kind things.”

Does Seattle need more fashion? “Yeah, definitely. It needs more progressive fashions instead of mainstream stores, like Nordstrom.”

Topics: Boutiques and Shops

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