Friends, gather round -- today we bring you Curbed Seattle's very first foray into retail coverage. Racked Seattle is helmed by none other than Alison Brownrigg. We're very proud to deliver her (and her fabulous retail coverage) to you today. Got fun tips for our in-house sartorial mastermind? Hit the tipline at seattle@curbed.com.
Heaven Sent: After opening softly in late May, June 1 marks Totokaelo’s official launch in their new digs on Capitol Hill. At seven times the square footage of its former space down on Western Avenue, the new Totokaelo features the same amazing collection of cutting edge clothing shoppers are used to (Rick Owens, Martin Margiela, Yohji Yamamoto) with new real estate dedicated to home furnishings, including many exclusive collections under the guise of Totokaelo Art & Object. Get in there and have your mind blown by the awesomeness of it all.
Replicate the Runway: For most of us, the annual Nordstrom Designer Preview is the closest we’ll ever get to witnessing the glory of a high-end luxury runway with our own two eyes. It's not New York, Paris or Milan, but Seattle's hometown fashion heavy-hitter really pulls out the big guns on this glittering, thrilling evening. Pencil in Thursday, July 12 for this summer's event at the labyrinthine Smith Cove Event Center on Pier 91 (under the Magnolia bridge) and start finding something to wear. While no designer names have been released as of yet, based on previous years' rosters the lineup will likely include the Fall 2012 collections of the most sparkling superstars in the sartorial universe. Proceeds from the event benefit the Seattle Art Museum's upcoming Elles: Women Artists from the Centre Pompidou, Paris exhibition slated for an October 2012 launch.
Wedding Belles: In other Nordie news, Women's Wear Daily is reporting that Reem Acra will be launching an exclusive made-to-order bridal collection this June called Roses by Reem Acra this June, and available only at Nordstrom Wedding Suites (which only 18 stores have, including the Downtown flagship). Thanks to less expensive fabrics and less intricate embellishments, these dresses weigh-in at under $4,000, half of what her gowns usually go for. [WWD]
Affordable Luxury: Women's Wear Daily, the font of all fashion news, is also reporting that by the late fall all of Neiman Marcus' contemporary departments, including the one at The Bravern, will be remade and renamed to Cusp, signifying a "hipper, younger attitude" for the department, according to the story. Expect accessories, exclusives, denim and active wear from the likes of Pour la Victoire, Rebecca Minkoff, Vince, Theory, A.L.C and Stella McCartney. [WWD]
Heading for an Art Ache: If shopping indie is more your style, head to Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar on Sunday, June 3 from 3 to 8 p.m. for Art Ache, a free Art, Music and Vintage Market hosted by Twinsistr Vintage's Marz with a list of rather well curated vendors that includes Lekkerlife, Knits by Jessie and &c. Jewelry by Meghann Sommer (pronounced Etcetera, amazing stuff). Oh, and mimosas and shots of whiskey plus a Rainier are $5, in case you're plied by alcohol.
Sale Alert:
AllSaints is celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee from Friday, June 1 to Tuesday, June 5 with 20 percent off select items (and online with code JUBILEE).
Rosanna Bi-Annual Warehouse Sale: Stock up on discontinued and overstock tableware items as well as antiques and collectables at this cash-only, no-kids-allowed warehouse sale. Get there early and be prepared to fight some crowds. Friday, June 1 from 12 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rosanna Outlet Store in Georgetown (6755 East Marginal Way Building B).