Mad Hatters

Especially in this sweltering summer heat, a hat is the cutest no-brainer solution to having an all around cooler day. We've spotted them all over Mississippi, and our own hats are off to these favorite looks:

"My name [Boramie] means I was born on a full moon. My grandma named me."

Meet Ragen, perhaps the sweetest miss on Mississippi. Not only does she work at Black Wagon, the cutest kids' shop in town, but she also sings for Ural Thomas and the Pain. With remarkable style to boot, she's no doubt a triple threat.

It's the little details that complete a great outfit. Who knew a dainty teapot + a soda tab could make such a great pair?

Leah channels vintage nautical vibes in this peter pan collared top. She draws inspiration from her travels to destinations like Guatamala, where she found her purse.

Pattern Play

Cindy is a darling in this easy tie-dyed frock and blunt fringed 'do.

Kaylee has the bright idea with breezy florals and a matching statement necklace. 

Don't be surprised if you pass her on Mississippi: Stephanie, Miss. Ave's own Marketing Manager is always running about in something new. We adore this animal-spotted number, which she brightens with a gold arm cuff.

Good Things Come in Twos

Meet Saundra and Ursula: the ultimate farmer's market cuties. We ran into Saundra early in the day as she was setting up for market, and caught the two in their booth where they sell natural bath and body products. We asked them what inspires their personal style, and Saundra replied, "I'm very intuitive -we'll both show up with the same colors on. It depends on the cycle of the moon and the sun."

"We met the other day. She's living with a friend of mine. I go 'I'm just hanging out this week,' and she goes, 'I'm just hanging out this week' so we started hanging out."

Meg and Christina, Backtalk regulars, take to the streets with their adorable pup. We love their pairing of mid-length hemlines and neutral palates with metallic details. One can often spot the two looking this effortlessly wonderful, as they live right on the block!

Saturday Street Style

Maya, shopping at Reading Frenzy, wears a Seiko watch with a casual vintage outfit and Tivas. "It's an easy step to dress up outfits," she told us, so she wears it to work every day. 

We spotted Isabel right off the bat with her adorable haircut, frock, and chunky platforms. We can't even choose a favorite part of this look!

Backtalk is Making Moves

Perhaps you came to our unveiling last Saturday or perhaps you've noticed our absence from Alberta St. Either way its official: we've moved to Mississippi Ave. and we are so happy to be here.

So far we have discovered a community of wonderful neighboring businesses (stay tuned for Backtalk's Portland favorites guide) and lots of encouraging enthusiasm from Mississippi customers. After weeks of building the new space, we were excited to share it with you, and after only a few days in business, 3962 Mississippi Ave. already feels like home.

And did we mention our recent addition of designer Alexa Stark to the Backtalk team? Yes, Katie and I are pleased to welcome this Portland-based by way of New York garment magician in to our space. You can now find her sharp designs and charming smile as permanent Backtalk fixtures.

If you missed our opening festivities please come visit the new digs. You can also browse these lovely photos of the new space, courtesy of Lavenda Memory (whose portrait series is currently showing at our space) and Cory Betts.

Backtalk sends big love to everyone who has been involved in our developments. See you soon.

Store Style: Jocelyn & Kate

Jocelyn is a near, dear friend of Backtalk by way of Oakland. She recently took a week-long jaunt to Portland with pal Kate and the two took a moment to stop by the shop before journeying back down the West Coast.

Both of these ladies are completely outfitted in vintage, from knit caps to their trusty leather boots and demonstrate how to layer prints, Kate in brights and Jocelyn in neutrals. Miss you Jocelyn!

Store Style: Reba

Reba stopped in from San Francisco while road trippin' to her final destination--Canada. Just so happens she used to sell vintage at Down at LuLu's, where we had our first out-of-state trunk show! Peep her fresh vintage duds. 

Backtalk Holiday Gift Guide!!!

There's a lot of pressure to find that perfect gift but its that time of year again so you better start shopping! More than ever, the Portland community is trying its damnest to focus its energy on supporting small businesses. We want to extend that effort this year by participating in local bazaars, community shopping events, giving holiday discounts and staying open late. 

Here are a few gift ideas that you can find at Backtalk: 

Handmade geometric print gift cards $4.50

Gold-filled triangle stacking rings $30

Optic hand-knit pom pom winter hat $38

Neon woven cord bracelet $20

Raw brass cut out spine cuff $67

All natural, herb-infused soap rocks $12

Find us at Union Pine's Give Good Gift December 7-8 and ADX Gifted 2 December 15-16!

VRDjewelry

Before I expound let's admire the symmetry of these designs:

So what's the story? Yesterday BACKTALK debuted VRDjewelery, a line of hand-worked, raw metals by designer and metal smith Victoria Ramos.

Ramos crafts the pieces in her Tampa Bay studio and claims, "It brings me so much joy knowing that something I've designed and created with my own hands is now a part of a customer's daily life"

We chose VRD designs for Backtalk due to the line's precision and artisan execution; both of which contribute to the immense beauty that runs through the entire collection based on quality, simplicity and artistry. 

We currently stock all of the designs featured above along with copper captive and brass cage rings. Each piece is well under $100, direct from Victoria's Ramos' hands onto yours.

Come examine VRD's intricacies in store or special order by email.

Tis' the Season...

...To paint your lips a sinful shade of black, or scarlet, or blue, or purple, or turquoise. Fortunately, Portland homes the premiere, goth-lipstick sorceress. Kim Damio of PDX Black Lipstick Co. has concocted the perfect all-natural lipstick formula in a prism of high-drama shades. My personal favorites are the wicked, dark hues: Undead Red and, of course, Black.

The recipe breaks down to plant-based products: sunflower oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, Candelilla, and Vitamin E. This means no nasty paraffins, parabens or (eeeeek!) triclosan.

Perhaps more than any other product at Backtalk, PDX Black Lipstick Co. attracts a diverse crowd into our space. From hot goth chicks, to Ren Fair enthusiasts, to teen queens, to your mom;  a standard day sees a string of women enter the store and beeline for the lipstick shelf.

This makes sense because it looks great and, hell, it feels like chapstick! We have used it in most, if not all, of our press shots and events. Check out these kissers:

Clearly, it doesn't have to be Halloween to don some lusty lips. But in honor of Hallow's Eve we want to say: we LOVE you PDX Black Lipstick Co. <3

Find a sexy rainbow of shades in store.

Backtalk's Been Busy...

On our days "off" team Backtalk likes to get down with some local styling. Here's some excerpts from shoots all styled with Backtalk goods.

Photo: Gabrielle Angeline Photography, Jewelry: Sword + Fern, Model: Madison Smukalla

Photo: Gabrielle Angeline Photography, Jewelry: Sword + Fern, Model: Madison Smukalla

Photo: Gabrielle Angeline Photography, Jewelry: Sword + Fern, Model: Madisom Smukalla

And this shoot with Portland gem Lavenda Memory was published in Bisous Magazine:

Photo: Lavenda Memory, Stylist: jillian Rae Jewel, Jewelry: RillRill, Model: Gail Shamon

Photo: Lavenda Memory, Stylist: Jillian Rae Jewel, Jewelry: RillRill, Model: Gail Shamon

Next up is a shoot with photographer Christine Shields and models Malene Jensen and Arti Danes. It's all kinds of androgynous sexy. Here's a preview. Stay tuned for more...

Photo: Christine Shields, Models: Malene Jensen, Arti Danes

Wintercheck Factory Snapback Hats

Last week, Backtalk received a shipment of these DEADSNAP hats from Wintercheck Factory. Sewn from deadstock, 90s fabric in Denver, CO, each hat delivers classic snapback style: 6 panels, button top and flat brim. Nuff' said. 

(Clockwise from Top): Portugese Man O' War, Jurassic Park, Miami Vice, Mixed Berry, Vision Quest