In a little under two years of business, Eden has quickly become a destination for locals and travelers seeking bespoke jewelry, opulent garments, dazzling perfumes and one-of-a-kind accessories and goods for the home. Cindy Rokoff, proprietress of Eden, is no stranger to retail – Eden is the fourth shop she has owned and that list is about to grow…
Eden is opening a bridal boutique! In early March, Eve in Eden: a Bridal Salon will open in a newly-renovated, annex-style space in the back of Eden at 221 NW 11th Ave. Rokoff saw the need for a non-traditional bridal boutique in Portland, one which offered a range of locally designed and vintage wares.
We seek opulent curiosities and creations with a regard for the unusual. The intertwined influence of history with the present yields a beautiful mix – our hand-curated selection offers something for everyone. Eve in Eden showcases a range of bridal fashion from the 1920s to the 1970s as well as gowns by beloved Portland-based designers. As at Eden, jewelry is a focus and the salon features exclusive bridal collections from many local jewelry artists. Accessories are key – heirloom-quality clutches, bags, fascinators and hair pieces vintage and new. Eve in Eden isn’t exclusive to brides – those hunting for a fancy frock or finishing touches for a special occasion will find plenty to pick from. Our staff is excited to share the honor of putting together ensembles for that most-special day, and many other occasions to come!
This look book was shot at The Crystal Ballroom by photographer Eric Rose with models Annie Montgomery, Haley Robison and Marika Emerson. Art Direction by Cindy Rokoff. Styling and set design by Carlie Armstrong, Jesseca McCloskey, Brehan Todd and Marika Emerson. Hair by Jessica Adams, Makeup by Marta Heitz. Gowns by Urchin Redesign and Eve in Eden vintage. Jewelry by Acanthus, Ay Marieke, Brehan Todd, Demimonde, Jesseca Anne, Kiowa Rose and Sahlia. Shoes provided by Solestruck.
Spring is creeping up… the daphnes are beginning to bloom, the cherry blossoms, crocuses, come! We invite you to a night of perfuming in the garden of Eden! Please join us for a sniffing and decanting party at Eden on Saturday, February 16th. Eden staff will be joined by Portland perfumer Josh Meyers of Imaginary Authors and Sara Stuart of Demiscent as they talk fragrance and help you explore a wide range of scents, including our beloved Serge Lutens, D.S. & Durga, Annick Goutal, Imaginary Authors, Slumberhouse, Tocca, L’Aromarine / Outremerlines and many more! Stuart will be bringing 50 perfumes, from houses Eden does not carry, but which fall into the realm of what we see to be Eden’s palate. These will be available for ordering in small, travel size vials, from $12 and up – a steal without committing to an entire bottle! We’ll have cocktails from Jinx for you to sip, treats to nibble and two expert “noses” to consult with your perfume queries and to help you find the perfect scent for spring, for a special occasion, or for every day.
Now that our Holiday Look Book has made the rounds (if you still haven’t seen it, you must! Click here) – we thought we would shine a light on the artist generous enough to open his studio and artwork to be photographed.
Tahoe the Contender
Alexander Rokoff is a Portland-based painter originally from New Mexico. Rokoff is known for the old-world influenced style and sometimes dramatically large scale of his work, as well as subject matter. His paintings are executed in the style of old masters with unconventional, modernized subjects ranging from Issac Brock of Modest Mouse and Storm Large of Pink Martini to everyday “forgotten” people – as he terms. In the neighborhood between Mississippi Avenue and Killingsworth Street, Rokoff has documented many long-term residents and notable personalities, capturing a unique moment in time for an area that is rapidly gentrifying.
Clockwise from top left: Ruth Simon, Virgil Baker, James “Chip” Simon, Bruce Holloway, Alexander Rokoff, David Reese.
Clockwise from top left: The Contemplative, The Recipient, The Underworld, The Retreat
Rain Hell from Above
One reviewer said this of Alexander Rokoff and his work: “Alexander Rokoff is perhaps the leading young Attitude painter. His paintings are wise, quirky, and often cocky. Drawing exclusively from the people, community, events, and environments of contemporary life, Rokoff nudges viewers around, pushes them into curious and sometimes uncomfortable corners. At the same time, he challenges them to entertain foreign and awkward imagery. Appearing almost voyeuristic, his paintings make bare the emotion, restlessness, or contemplative states of the models.
“Each work is executed in Rokoff’s signature style, one that presents direct quotations from the great European masters and yet has a looseness of brushwork and an exploration of color and texture that is entirely Rokoff’s. His command of anatomy coupled with a complete understanding of how states of being—emotions and thoughts—manifest physically in the human form, make these images haunting and hypnotic.”
Issac Brock and the Seven Deadly Sins, left, and Storm Large
We would also like to extend thanks to the Falcon Art Community, which opened it’s doors and allowed us access not just to Mr. Rokoff’s studio, but to hallways, props and generally, being underfoot all of the artists for a day.
The Falcon Art Community (via their website) “Founded in 2006 by Portland real estate developer Brian Wannamaker, The Falcon is a privately funded and thriving arts organization supported by a portion of rents gleaned from a portfolio of vintage properties encompassing commercial mixed-use and residential rentals. This unique model helps to fund artists directly through low-cost studio space, patronage of work and marketing and career support from full-time staff.
“The Falcon Art Community provides an intentional community in which experienced and emerging artists inspire each other in an atmosphere of beauty and elegance. Imagine walking through the halls of the Louvre on the way to write, compose, paint, act or practice music in your studio—the Falcon aims to catalyze great art by surrounding artists in inspiring and masterful artwork. A unique live/work space where artists can live close to their work without having to live in their workspace, the Falcon recruits artists whose work combines excellence in craftsmanship and vision. Falcon artists are actively engaged in their career, using the facilities for creating new work and teaching, and taking advantage of special services to help promote their careers in Portland and beyond, while maintaining their personal and working vitality.”
The Contemplative by Alexander Rokoff
Last year’s trip to the woods to shoot Eden’s very first Look Book was a really magical day for all involved – marked by kinship, collaboration, a truck full of easygoing ladies, wilderness exploration, fancy clothes and jewelry and lots of champagne. Naturally, we’re really keen to get most of that same team back together (along with a few new faces) to produce a second Fall Look Book!
The photographer from last year’s shoot, Annie Montgomery (who’s also the talent behind one of our favorite jewelry lines, Pure Jewelry) will be one of this year’s models, shot in turn by talented photo team Anya Verdugo and Carlie Armstrong (Anya took these lovely behind-the-scenes photos last year.) We’ve got a handful of people working behind the scenes, including several other Eden jewelry designers and shop girls, and the whole thing is being handily orchestrated by proprietress Cindy.
What about the location? We’re very excited to be packing up our gypsy wagon and heading east to the Falcon Art Community artist studios. Artist Alexander Rokoff has kindly agreed to allow us to use some of his beautiful large-scale oil paintings to add some incredible dimension to our wild-posh aesthetic. Care to see some of our inspiration? We’re thinking feathers, fur, soft velvets and shiny, shimmery fabrics plus heaps of flowers, fruit – a cornucopia for the senses, if you will.
We’re tremendously excited to announce an upcoming trunk show featuring three very talented local designers!
On October 4th, to coincide with First Thursday, we’ll be offering first dibs on three incredible and really unique accessory, clothing and jewelry collections: Reif by Lindsey Reif, Ann-Ya by Anja Verdugo and Jesseca Anne by Jesseca McCloskey. Add to that fortune telling courtesy of Psychic Siamese Terror, cocktails and snacks, dance tunes, and of course, a fashion show… it’s going to be so much fun!
You’re invited – please join us to preview these designers incredible fall collections, have your fortune read and welcome the change of season and advent of fall!
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Previously, we interviewed Jess about her jewelry design and the launch of line Jesseca Anne (which you can read here.) Anja’s photography has appeared on our blog before: she took some phenomenal behind-the-scenes photos for the Eden Look Book we shot last fall; she also designs and sews clothing and accessories for a (semi-) eponymous line, Ann-Ya. Lindsey Reif is a clothing and accessories designer whose designs channel a vintage influence with urban appeal, balanced with a regard to natural landscapes.
We asked each of these talented ladies a handful of questions about inspirations, trends and what they’re looking forward to as we turn the corner into fall:
Eden: In regards to your newest / most recent collection, from where have you drawn inspiration?
Lindsey Reif: My most recent collection was inspired by 60s French Ye-Ye singers, in particular Francoise Hardy. The thing I love the most about these ladies is they appear to be sweet but are really no-nonsense, cool chicks, which is the type of woman I design for. The song that I used for my video lookbook, “Laisse tomber les Filles” by France Gall, is all about a girl who is tired of getting played and she’s telling the guy that he’d better stop breaking girl’s hearts or he’s going to find his broken one day.
Anja Verdugo: The pieces that I am creating for Eden will be unique to the shop, and I am definitely being influenced by the aura of dark beauty that inspires the space. The vision powering this collection is that of an old rose found within a charred, post-apocalyptic environment, preserved but imperfect. A memory of beauty in a harsh environment.
Jesseca McCloskey: My biggest inspiration this season came from watching the 1927 film, Metropolis. I have always been drawn to style of the 1920′s and l instantly fell in love with this 1920′s version of the future! I’m also forever inspired by art deco and art nouveau jewelry and strive to reinterpret those classic styles in new, modern ways.
Design by Reif.
Eden: Can you talk a little bit about the creative process of conceiving and executing this collection?
Lindsey: I usually go through and collect images that I like from the internet and magazines, and then I organize them into categories, like era or mood. Then I just let things develop organically – I’ll usually design one key inspiration piece for a collection, and then the rest just seem to flow around that. Right now I sew everything myself, so it’s a very hands on process – I spend a lot of time with each garment.
Anja: I’ve been inspired by dark textures and shapes, and the way that they can be infinitely combined, working together to create a subtle but powerful aesthetic. I’ve been searching extensively for the right materials, and have allowed them to dictate my design choices.
Jess: This one actually surprised me since I wasn’t trying to design a new collection when the inspiration struck… I was just trying to be lazy and watch a movie! But as soon as I started watching Metropolis I was flooded with ideas (I kept having to pause it to sketch!). The sketches that I made while watching the film are the foundation pieces of the collection and I’ve built upon them as I’ve sourced materials. I chose to use some semi-precious stones this time like labradorite, pyrite and green adventurine and I’m so excited to share it with you!
Eden: What type of style might the person who wears / carries your designs possess?
Lindsey: The woman that wears my pieces isn’t a slave to trends, yet still likes to look modern and relevant. She has a solid idea of her own personal style and isn’t afraid to take a risk and wear something edgy like studded shoes with a vintage dress or bold accessories. Overall her style is classic and effortless, and she buys pieces that she knows will be versatile in her wardrobe and look good for seasons to come.
Anja: They are a person who selects clothing and accessories thoughtfully, but decisively, understanding their own personal talismans and what makes them feel powerful. It’s less about the exact styles and more focused on the idea that aesthetically-driven people can pinpoint certain things that they want to channel and the way they dress can help to draw these things up from within. I want people to wear or carry my pieces when they feel that it belongs with them, working in unison with their existing selves and adding to their personal magic.
Jess: I love the range I’ve seen in the type of women who wear my designs. I think my jewelry appeals to women who possess their own unique sense of style. My ladies pay attention to the current trends but don’t often care to follow them. They like to set themselves apart from the crowd and know that the secret to a great outfit is all about the jewelry!
Design by Ann-Ya.
Eden: What styles are you excited to wear or see as the weather cools down and people start dressing for fall?
Lindsey: I’ve been seeing a ton of galaxy prints and I love them. I am excited to see people rocking that print on leggings and bodycon dresses. Also, VELVET EVERYTHING.
Anja: In the winter I love dressing in shades of black and gray, multi-layers and different textures that work together to make me feel ultimately comfortable and in my zone. In Portland I think it is a lifelong project to create your ultimate winter look, since protection from the rain is so crucial. I’m still working on my perfect suit of armor.
Jess: Fall has long been my favorite time of year and I can’t wait to start layering again! I’m always a fan of over-sized tops and cozy sweaters, wedges and lots of jewels! Anja recently described her style inspiration as “Futuristic Flapper” (a concept that definitely relates to my new collection!)… I would absolutely love to see more people interpret that style!
Mark your calendars for October 4th… see you there!
