If you’re a real Mission District shopper then you’re familiar with Candystore Collective on 16th Street, the store that makes little kids salivate when they walk by because of the Charleston Chews and Cherryheads candy in the window. Well I salivate when I walk by because of the gorgeous rompers and silk dresses in the window. That’s my type of candy. And last Tuesday evening the Candystore Collective gave me another reason to salivate—a spring 2010 trunk show and party by Prairie Underground.
Before the spiked apple cider and bottles of Red Stripe were put out, women were in the place shuffling through the racks of pre-season items. And like any other trunk show the items were available for order Tuesday night only, to be delivered to the store in February. But that didn’t stop an abundance of ladies from showing up ready to look—and put in their orders. Tracey Forrest, sales representative for the line, attributes that to the cult-like following that Prairie Underground has been building in northern California and Seattle.
She describes the line, made by best friends Camilla Eckersley and Davora Lindner, as clothes for everyone not in New York or Los Angeles. With an earth toned color palette, and “greener” fabric choices than many (most of the clothes are made in either hemp or organic cotton), you really see the mid-West influence of the line, offered by two native Nebraskans. With hooded sweaters that look like they can be worn camping or to the office, with a pair of Louboutins or L.L.Bean hunting boots, it’s a no-brainer why the line is attracting a Northwest following.
Throughout the night Forrest wore several of the pieces, showing customers the many options for rocking a sweater, jacket, or even dress (they offer a tube dress that can be transformed into a cowl-neck top with dolman sleeves). But she didn’t have to convince me—she had me at Romp Around the Clock, a pea soup—yes pea soup, romper with string belt: $181. Any designer that can make something in pea soup fashionable should be on everyone’s radar. My other favorites—a hemp feather dress: $242, flame skirt: $142, and double layer hoodie: $264. Pricey for some I acknowledge. But anything that feels like sweats but looks classy and can be thrown in the washer and dryer (it’s the dryer that always gets you) is a great investment.
Sorry guys, no menswear line yet but Tracey said she wouldn’t count it out in the long-term. Spring ship dates are January 30, February 28 and March 30. Previous looks can also be seen at prairieunderground.com.