Portland’s Independent Designers

Because I’m so in love with Portland, and I didn’t cover everything in my last post about Portland’s Independent Spirit, here are some more local Portland independent designers and boutiques for your shopping (or just viewing) pleasure. (incidentally, if you’re wondering why it’s important to buy from local/independent designers and boutiques, read these two articles: Where you Wear and We are All Worth It).

Idom Designs

First, up is Idom Designs, a local Portland boutique AND designer. This is a relatively new find for me, but I’m so pleased to find another online boutique selling the lovely prints of Aoyama Itchome, along with other small designers and the owners own work.

Modi Soondarotok, owner & designer of Idom Designs, is committed to selling and designing innovate, unique pieces, that are also socially responsible. For her own designs, Modi employs 10 Thai seamstresses who work out of their homes, are paid fair wages, and keep flexible schedules. Here are some of my favorites…

sameunderneath

sameunderneath is another Portland-based eco-friendly and ethical designer with a retail store, but you can find their designs at several places online, including Greenloop:

Emily Katz

Another one of my FAVORITE eco-friendly designers, Emily Katz, is also based in Portland (see? it really is an awesome city for independent design). Emily makes most of her designs in organic cotton; my favorites are the organic cotton fleece pieces. Buy Emily Katz online through her Etsy shop, and at these other online retailers. These pieces aren’t for sale yet, but check out two of my favorites from her S/S ‘09 Collection:

know any more independent designers or boutiques from Portland? Where’s your favorite eco-friendly shopping city? Let me know your favorite cities – I’m planning to do more of these “local” designer series!!