In My Closet: Designer and Artist Stephanie Podasca

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Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Marti Zimlin, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Local designer and artist Stephanie Podasca is the queen of mixing the high-low. Whether it be a pair of Alexander McQueen sunnies paired with jeans from American Apparel and a great vintage bag or a fabulous scarf from her own line paired with a great clutch and a little black dress Stephanie is someone whose NE Portland home is filled with a curated closet of fabulous things (think cool records, vintage posters and, of course, dip-dyed pillows).

Her scarves and pillows can be found locally at Demimonde and Boy’s Fort. Her Instagram @podascashop is one to follow, as it features inspiration photos and her latest work. Those who love the spirit of Stephanie’s pieces can shop online at www.podascashop.com.

What one word sums up your style? Moody.

What influences you when it comes to style and shopping? The weather, what music I’m currently listening to a lot, and usually which one of my scarves I feel like sporting for the day.

What is your favorite article of clothing in your closet? Impossible. I have so many different things that I love. It’s hard to choose just one thing.

What are your favorite stores to shop in Portland? Demimonde, Frances May, Boy’s Fort, Betsy & Iya, Paxton Gate, Nordstrom (obviously) and Monticello Antiques. But I do honestly miss Bloomingdales in New York all the time.

Who are your go-to designers? I’ve never been an e-commerce shopper but lately I’ve been hooked to buying stuff on Nasty Gal. I also have a lot of sweet H&M finds, as well as some amazing 80s designer vintage. As for current designers there’s a good amount of Cheap Monday, Acne, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Alexander Wang. I also have a stack of band T’s I’ve been slowly building and carefully curating for years.

What's been your best shopping find? A few years ago I became obsessed with these Margiela patent leather sandal heels that are futuristic, minimal, and sleek. They only came in black or raspberry and I only ever saw them online. I gushed over them forever, of course, freaking out every time I saw the price. I was in New York and went to the Barney’s warehouse sale and found them for a quarter of the price in patent raspberry, last pair, my size.

It was truly meant to be. They are my birthday shoes.

What's your special occasion go-to piece? I have a vintage 1980s teal silk crepe dress I found for $17. Super simple straight cut and long with slits up the side. Paired with very tall black open-toed Jill Stuart suede pumps.

If you only had to pick one thing from your closet during an emergency what would it be? The first scarf I ever painted! A hand-painted reproduction of an Egon Schiele painting that hangs in my living room.

What do you think about Portland style? Portland definitely has it’s own aesthetic going on and I love it. I've found it's hard to explain to my East Coast friends who still have this crunchy idea of what it's like. It's not even crunchy! Every style is represented. I’ve noticed it to be casual and functional, but still very cute and unique. Lots of amazing vintage here mixed with great modern designers, and I love the extensive community support for local designers and hand-made goods.

Always refreshing to see the occasional punk or glamazon.

Footwear is important – who rules your shoe closet? I have a lot of great Marc by Marc Jacobs that have lasted me for years from winter boots to summer sandals. I also couldn’t live without all my Anniel flats!

What is your go-to work outfit? For fall/winter I live in high-waisted black Cheap Monday jeans almost all season. I have three pairs. Paired with various printed, long sleeve silk blouses, a vintage gray cashmere cardigan and my Acne pistol boots.

In spring/summer? A long black skirt, cute wedges, and a black v-neck.

What has been your biggest fashion miss? Doc Martens. I had the cutest pair when I was 7 years old. I tell myself I’m going to buy some every single fall but it just hasn’t happened for me yet.

Marti Zimlin is a fashion-obsessed New Yorker living in Portland who spent years working at fashion magazines. She never met a Chanel bag, Proenza Schouler dress or piece of rose gold jewelery that she hasn't liked. She blogs daily about Jeff Goldblum at iheartjeffgoldblum.blogspot.com and about fashion and other random musings at martizinpdx.blogspot.com.

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