Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Vote for this year's most innovative, inspiring, and promising designer or boutique.
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Suzi Johnson Souchi
There's cashmere and then there's Suzi Johnson's super pretty Souchi Cashmere. The Portland-based knitter makes her whisper-thin wrap sweaters, dresses, and tanks using high-end Scottish yarn and vegetable dyes. Read More
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Originally published on February 20, 2007
Knit Picky
Souchi Cashmere
Hey there, Little Miss Crafty. Looove your decoupage jewelry box on Etsy. And your prowess with felt is truly amazing.
But can we talk about your knitting? A misshapen scarf does not a masterpiece make.
Put. down. those. needles. (Please.) And trade up with Souchi cashmere, Portland-based Suzi Johnson’s super-pretty sweaters, tanks, and dresses. Handmade from the highest quality Scottish yarn and vegetable dyes and available in three weights (for the Northwest’s schizo seasons), the pieces are ultra soft, whisper thin, and fit just right.
Grab a Peter Pan-collar cardie and sail through spring. Or layer a snuggly sundress over a turtleneck and stop pining for summer.
Everything’s machine washable and built to last (without ever balling up).
So you can stop being such a pill.
Available at Les Amis, 3420 Evanston Avenue North, Fremont (206-632-2877); Tulip, 1201 First Avenue, Downtown (206-223-1790); Olive, 23535 Northeast Novelty Hill Road, Redmond (425-836-4298). To see styles, go to souchi.com. -
Ashleigh Verrier Verrier
Clearly we're not the only ones who love the Seattle native's sophisticated, ladylike designs. After graduating as Parsons Designer of the Year, the Seattle native had her senior thesis collection snapped up by Saks. Read More
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Originally published on March 2, 2007
Dream Girl
Verrier Spring Collection
Once upon a time, you had big plans for your twenties (killer job, dream house, marriage to Luke Perry).
Unfortunately, the reality didn’t turn out quite as sweet (cubicle city, closet-size studio, surfing through Mr. Walsh look-alikes on eHarmony).
Unless you’re 25-year-old Ashleigh Verrier. The Seattle native graduated from NYC’s Parsons School of Design as designer of the year in 2004. Saks was so impressed that they snapped her ladylike thesis collection right up.
Green with envy? Share in the spotlight with Verrier’s just-released parade of garden-party dresses, ruffled blouses, and delicately ruched capris. If nothing else, the luxurious fabrics (satin, chiffon) and rich embellishments (beading, embroidery) will bring you one step closer to your fantasy wardrobe.
A worthy ambition, if ever you had one.
Available at Tulip, 1201 First Avenue, at Seneca Street (206-223-1790); Via C, Nordstrom, 500 Pine Street (206-628-2111). To see styles, go to verrier-fashion.com. -
Dace Moore Dace
Vancouver-based designer Dace Moore's easy, breezy designs have spread through local boutiques like wildfire this season. Her hit formula: on-trend, grown-up staples in irresistibly childlike shapes and patterns. Read More
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Originally published on March 27, 2007
Child’s Play
Dace Spring Collection
You used to be the queen of dress-up. You just couldn’t understand why nobody else (like your defenseless little brother and the family cat) looked pleased when you were holding court.
Dace Moore knows the feeling. But after a childhood spent practicing on her siblings, the Vancouver-based designer has moved on to a more productive pursuit: her eponymous line of simple yet refined tops, jackets, dresses, and shorts that make it abundantly clear she’s all grown up.
We’re guessing she won’t have any trouble finding volunteers for her playful new spring collection. It’s filled with styles named for ponies (another girlhood obsession) — faves like Ginger, a navy romper; Molly, a hooded raincoat; and Billy, a blousy top.
Soft, high-quality fabrics and easy shapes make the pieces perfect for everything from a weekend road trip to an afternoon picnic.
And far more worthy of you than someone’s ratty old prom dress and grandma’s heels.
Available at Impulse, 621 North 36th Street, Fremont (206-545-4854); Olivine, 5344 Ballard Avenue Northwest (206-706-4188); online at dace.ca.