OtherYour Holiday Startup Gift Guide for Fashionistas
As we commence our holiday shopping, it is always our goal to find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts that the recipient will long treasure. Then, as we stumble bleary-eyed from store to store, we start adjusting our standards from “perfect” to “passable,” from “rare” to “returnable.”
Let our Oregon entrepreneurs help. For the fashionistas in your life, here is some inspiration that you won’t find at Wal-Mart. These bold trendsetters are venturing into uncharted fashion territory, enabling you to take as much pride in your gifts as they take in their work:
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SummerSkin Want to protect your skin without announcing to the world that you’re wearing sun-protective clothing? For those occasions in Portland when the sun actually shines, SummerSkin will help you fill the fashion gap between frumpy and sporty. Staff pick: The fabulously versatile Endless Summer scarf can also be used as a shoulder wrap, skirt, or a hood. In a region that’s adamantly anti-umbrella, it never hurts to have an extra hood on hand. |
Wildfang Winner of our 2013 Development Stage Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Award, Wildfang is where tomboys call home. Born in Portland, and proud of it, it is here to “liberate menswear one bowtie at a time,” and we certainly hope it is here to stay. Staff pick: Winter weather got you down? Wildfang’s new ‘Singing in the Rain’ boots might just make you happy about a rainy day. Who knows, they might even inspire you to sing. |
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Society43 Your Ducks fan friends have the hats, the shirts, the foam fingers. But are they rocking their Ducks sunglasses? When co-founder Jason Bolt was studying at the University of Oregon, he was inspired by the enthusiasm of Ducks fans, but found their accessories lacking. Society43 now completes the wardrobes of college sports fans across the country, with a focus on social good. Staff pick: Well, of course we chose the Ducks sunglasses. There are a number of varieties to choose from, but these green lenses will definitely help you stand out from the crowd. |
Shwood Shwood was born when one of its founders saw a tree and said, “Hey, that branch would look really cool as a pair of sunglasses.” Turns out, he was on to something. These one-of-a-kind handmade glasses are perfect for just about any occasion—except, perhaps, a Ducks game (see left). Staff pick: It’s hard to choose, but few things say Pacific Northwest like Redwood trees. Who thought their warmth and majesty could be so aptly captured in an eyewear frame? |
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WearShare Braided friendship bracelets are so last-century. WearShare takes advantage of 21st century technology to let you customize your friendship bracelet out of a selection of Facebook or Instagram images of your choosing. A perfectly personal stocking stuffer for friends of all ages. Staff pick: Well, we can’t choose this one for you. It’s up to you to fill in the blanks! |
Orox Leather Once upon a time, goods and clothing were made to last. Now, we expect seams to unravel and soles to unglue. Not so at Orox Leather, where you will find everything you won’t find at the mall: handcrafted products, domestically sourced materials, and craftsmen who take pride in their work. Staff pick: Whether shading your eyes from sun or fending off rain, this waxy, waterproof Proletariat Hat will protect your head from the elements in style. |
What would you add to this list?
