first glimpse of Spring 2010, Totem Coast

This is the first sample of the Birch Tank from the Spring 2010 Collection. It's a sateen pima cotton printed with small black brush strokes, and reminds me of birch trees. It needs some fine tuning with the fit, which I'll take care of as soon as my fit model Heather gets back from Greece (yes, I AM jealous!) I have a few other pieces done, and I'll snap shots of them at the studio today. But this one i really love! it's so simple, and so beautiful. The fabric is amazing! I'll be showing it at CONTENT at the Ace Hotel on Sunday, October 18th, in room 225. i hope all who reads this comes to the show!!! I'm sharing a space with a jewelry designer named Andy Lifschutz- he creates mystical, moving, ultra-modern pieces from reclaimed wood and metals... so far i want EVERY piece he's shown me! It's going to be gigantic- tons of supremely talented Portland designerns will be showing all across the second floor of the hotel. Speaking of which... i need to get to work!!!

out and about, north portland

Here are some shots I took walking around recently. The train cut me off on the way to the studio, I usually cut across the tracks. There were three trains, one after the other, miles long...

Day Look solution

Here is another therapeutic solution to my wardrobe problem. If only...

paper leather jacket by Vince

resin pendant by Missoni

cowl neck sweater by Rick Owens

Legging by Sass & Bide

boot by Yves Saint Laurent

solution number one

I've known for a while now that I need a complete d0-over in my closet. I really have no essentials, except for a black trench that I was recently given. I live my life in jeans and tee-shirts, which is completely uninspiring, yet comfortable as hell and convenient to boot. The root of my problems is that I don't have money to spend on clothes, much like the rest of the world right now. I realize that fashion can be had at a bargain, and I believe I have an eye for finds, but it's hard for me to spend five bucks right now. On a global scale, this can hardly be considered a problem, especially when one considers that state of the world and the plethora of crises we are on regarding hunger, education, disease, quality of life, economic stability, and so on. Yet, I find myself battling these wants... I want new boots, I want a new cardigan, I want to buy a house someday, I want to get a kitten, I want to get that Ikea book case and sofa. Where is the need, and the satisfaction of needs being met? As they are on a daily basis, because even without expendable income, i still manage to live a notably comfortable life... iPods and iPhones everywhere, an apartment with a washer and dryer, trips to the beach... Anyway, I guess the boundary between the realms of Want and Need are being more clearly defined on the map of my life. I was raised as a consumer, and the desire for THINGS is strong in me. Especially as a designer, when I am attracted to a thing it's usually because it appeals to me on several levels, and I see it as a beautiful form that says something about how I see the world, instead of just as a cute shoe. Maybe it's that I filter my way of seeing through things, like I am building a museum of my life. That is what i strive for, at least. Intent is one of the most important element of design for me... Anyway...

I went shopping on Net-A-Porte.com tonight, a little virtual pick-me-up. God, I didn't actually BUY anything. Gotta pay rent, you know. But! If i could have, I would have started with this little day look. Very comfortable, versatile.

Necklace: Dannijo

Sweater Dress: Helmut Lang

Leather Jacket: Doma

Boots: Church's

all at net-a-porte.com

I heart iPhone

OOOOOOOOH LA LA! i got myself an iPhone finally! Business expense, you know...

(actually I can't imagine daily operations without it, after having it for a day and a half.) So i took a teency-weency break today and took some pics around the studio. I know, weak blog... I'm just not that good at this :) But i do enjoy it, and I do love these pictures :)

My first boutique!

Oh, the day has arrived. I just dropped off an arm load of pieces today at Radish Underground, a lovely boutique in downtown Portland that carries the lines of several local designers. The store is great- it's adorable inside, and has a well curated selection of clothing for men and women, art work, and accessories. They even serve drinks on First Thursday (tomorrow, people!) which is when my pieces should be available for sale. I starting with 7 styles, and will be working on more new stuff everyday. So thanks, Gina and Celeste, for carrying my work! Ok people now go buy it all up. 

The store is at:

414 SW 10th Avenue Portland 97205  503.928.6435 

http://www.radishunderground.com/index.html

Resort 2009: Alexander McQueen

I'm not sure if this collection could be more amazing. Sharp as a tack. Bold colors. Extraterrestrial geometry. Mirror symmetry. Perfection of the cut. My jaw was on the floor looking at these pieces. I have been in the Alexander McQueen store, and the experience is transformative. There are ideas wrapped in ideas in his work! It's all so very modern... anyway, i hope you enjoy it as much as i do! Please, visit the whole collection here: 

2024: Autumn/Winter 2009

At long last. These photos are from my fall collection, 2024, and shot by the wunderphotog Ben Pigao (gotta love him). He really captured the mood of the collection in these images- there is something solitary and distant about them, which i love. Anyway, I am already to work on my Spring Collection, and hope to have some new work out soon. Pieces from the 2024 Collection will be available through custom order. Enjoy the images!!!

ps- my website, www.janeanemarie.com, will not have this collection up for awhile... i need to have my website re-done since iWeb discontinued their damn service!!!

Preview! Fall 2009

This is the first edit back from the shoot we did YESTERDAY of my fall 09 Collection: 2024. Seriously, yesterday! Ben Pigao is on fire. He shot the collection, and put my beautiful friends Kacy and Heather close to trains, heavy machinery, and plenty of other dangerous/dusty things. But it was great! And it didn't rain. 

Tiffani Patchett created the incredible make-up looks, and Madi styled hair. 

Model: Kacy

Yeah, Howard Petrella Shot that..

 A little dream of mine just came true! 

I have admired the work of Seattle photographer Howard Petrella FO'EVAH, and finally this weekend an opportunity presented itself! Stylist Elianna Barel asked to borrow some of my pieces for an editorial she would be collaborating on with Mr. Petrella. So she came to the studio and picked out some things... I wish i had more time to make something especially for the shoot, but i've just been a tinge overwhelmed these past few weeks. Anyway, I hope there will be another chance to work with them again!

from the West to the East and back again

Awhile ago, my friend Jillian asked me if she could borrow some pieces from me for a project she was working on. Now, Jillian is an amazing, dynamic, creative, and wildly energetic woman and I will always be happy to be a part of whatever ideas are brewing in her brain. So i let her take some things... and her project became China Bound, in which she flew to China with the work of several Portland Designers and met with several important figures from the Henan region in China, where much of global garment production happens. It was an idea exchange between Portland and China- they work mostly in mass production, with almost no independent designers, and Portland is brimming with independent design talent. Anyway, it seems like this may transform the future of both Portland and Chinese fashion industries! 

The pictures were taken by Leah Nash, who travelled with Jillian and documented the trip. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Fashion Farm

These are the first few images to come back from LUCAS COOK, and amazing photographer who is fresh fresh FRESH. 

The dress is an italian cotton shirting, with a subtle chevron weave. It has a bustier foundation with boning, and A-line flared skirt, and an inset piece at center from with chevron knife pleats. Very simple, yes?

Morayma, the fearless model, deserves some kind of award, or trophy, or SOMETHING! I mean, look at those cows! she is completely surrounded! I can't even imagine what the ground around her must be like... But, she comes off beautifully, and naturally. There is something epic, yet quiet, with these images...

More to come!