On First Friday I happened to swing into the Portland Museum of Art to check out the newest collaboration between Ponomo and Emblem Studios - Beaux & Arrow. A little buzzed off a good fashion fix, I was excited to see a new exhibit up: Refashioned. 

If you have not been yet, you must go. I thought this was a stunning exhibit. According to the press release, contemporary artists, Lauren Gillette (York, Maine), Anne Lemanski (Spruce Pine, North Carolina), and Angelika Werth (Nelson, British Columbia), use the configuration of an article of clothing or hairstyle as an armature for historical narratives. Their work begins with the desire to communicate details of a life revealed in the conventions of outward appearance.

Some of my favorite pieces are above but photos do not do these garments any justice. Get thee to PMA before the exhibit ends on July 31.  

Photos c/o Portland Museum of Art 

Once in awhile, a clothing line gets its start from a class project. Or at least that’s how it happened for Elykssor Clothing. Kyle Poissonier, the line’s Creative Director, met up with us to discuss how a marketing major and two former football players formed their very own fashion line.

Originally from Skowhegan, Kyle met his business partners at Husson University in Bangor. After creating the line as a fake business proposal - he thought that it might just work. After figuring out the purpose, style and fit they were going after, they enlisted artists from Sacramento to Maine (including our very own Ryan Adams) to come up with creative designs. 

Elykssor’s name is from “the elixir of life”. Many of the t-shirt slogans read “prolong life” to promote strong, healthy lifestyles. The line has also helped raise funds for charities, with proceeds going to organizations like the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Though Kyle is back in Maine, his partners are based in NYC where the line was originally launched. “Portland saved Elykssor,” says Kyle. “The response here has been great. I don’t know if the line would have survived if I didn’t come back to Maine.” 

Next up for Elykssor are vintage-inspired garb which they’re expanding into more fashion pieces like dresses and jackets. Check them out on Facebook and Twitter. 

 

Spotted at the corner of High and Congress, I first noticed the faded floral pants on this gorgeous young lady, a Mainer from York and a former MECA student. She was sporting a bandana, an embroidered shirt with lace underneath, a quilted backpack and a plaid shirt in hand - even with all the different prints and texturea, the look felt more fash than clash. Her boyfriend, also a Mainer and former MECAer, looked classically cool in a western plaid shirt and jeans. His main accessory was a pair of glasses tucked into his shirt, very smart for someone who might not have perfect vision. The best part was their laidback footwear — very broken-in flats for her and slippers on him. You can check out their artwork here and here. Unfortunately, they won’t be selling at First Friday’s anymore since they’re moving to San Francisco, but we hope they’ll be back soon.

And on an unrelated note, a huge thanks to Chantal for her sweet blog post about us. Check out the post here and her awesome shop here. The crush is mutual.