United States « the cabinologist

Impossibly fresh vintage-inspired wooly beauty; The Portland Collection combines two wonderful things, Pendleton Woolen Mills‘ extensive heritage archives and the creative, romantic minds of some of Portland’s most talented designers (Nathaniel Crissman, Rachel Turk, and John Blasioli), to create a very hip, timeless line of sophisticated cozy clothing.

Each piece is a contemporary statement of carefully curated color, texture, and pattern that promises to endure. The Portland Collection debuted in 2011 with a fall line of clothing inspired by the Pendleton Heritage archive of design motifs and clothing styles, each item woven in Pendleton’s historic Northwest Mills and stitched in the USA. I have always loved Pendleton, and own several vintage pieces–no cabinologist’s wardrobe can do without! Last fall, I purchased the TPC 2011 poncho, an absolutely stunning, impeccably crafted garment that feels like wearing a blanket. Perfect for those cold Chicago days (and yes, I’d wear it cusp-of-winter fishing as depicted by Anthropologie below)

After such a warm reception, the new TPC Fall 2012 Lookbook doesn’t disappoint, either with a selectively restrained colorway, fabulous abstract blocked pattern geometries, and, of course, cozy silhouettes. The blocked patterns are a nod to the limitations of historic weaving technologies used at the turn of the 20th century, which could not accommodate diagonal lines. Despite this historical technological shortcoming, the visual effect is decidedly modern, deconstructed, and fresh. Below are a few of my most coveted pieces. I haven’t yet whittled my favorites down to which indispensable item I’ll be investing in this fall…but I’m sure to be wearing something from this stunning collection!