Sameunderneath is returning to Portland Fashion Week on October 10th to premiere their very hush-hush Spring ’09 line. According to Creative Director Amy Christensen, their look for ’09 is inspired by the socio-political revolution of 1970′s Cuba. Bright whites and fuschias are juxtaposed against darker blues and military greens in linen crochet, bamboo, and organic cotton twill. Graphic tees will espouse quotes from the greatest revolutionaries of the 60′s and 70′s.

Company founder, Ryan D. Christensen has always made education and activism central goals of his line. Emphasizing equal rights and cultural harmony through the medium of fashion, “We evoke the enlightened rebel.” Sameunderneath continues to do just that for Spring 2009, reflecting the hope and excitement of the current election season by invoking the spirits of last century’s greatest cultural heroes.  ¡Vivá Revolución! 

“Despite our race, religious and political differences, we’re all the same underneath.” As a person of mixed heritage, Ryan Christensen understands intimately the concept that, beyond cultural details- people are people. This philosophy of Christensen’s is the drive behind his eco clothing label Sameunderneath. He teamed up with his wife Amy and their friend Jamal Qutub to launch the label in the late 90′s, while all three of the entrepreneuers were still attending Portland State University. The brand made its debut out of the back of Ryan’s trunk, selling the shirts at school and music venues around town.

Since then, the Samunderneath brand has grown exponentially. The Christensens now sell their expansive line of urban chic ready-to-wear in two of their own stores in Portland, as well as boutiques from Decatur, Georgia to Anchorage, Alaska. The bamboo and cashmere garments are sold internationally as well, as far away as Iceland and Australia. As it turns out, there’s no place on earth that this label’s message doesn’t fit right in.

As Hillary, Barack, and John pose for cameras, raise more cash and try to convince the disenchanted citizens of America to vote for them, eco fashion is taking its own stance. It seems, sadly, that none of the three candidates seem like they have their environmental positioning totally on point. McCain seems to think nuclear energy is the most viable strategy for fulfilling our growing energy demands-darn that toxic nuclear waste with a million year half life! Barack flip flops regularly on coal, depending on who he’s talking to, even though coal is made up of about 60-80% carbon and guess what is produced when you burn it? Carbon dioxide! Hillary gets incredible scores from The League of Conservation Voters, but she’s in on the “clean coal” smokescreen as well. The environmental politics of the winning candidate will make a massive difference in the survival of America’s wildlife and natural beauty, as well as the health of our citizenry. How do we make sense of these candidates’ policies on the environment?

Sameunderneath is one eco fashion brand that reminds us that, regardless of who our political party is, we must take the entire planet into consideration at the polls: Vote Global. This bamboo t-shirt is super soft and definitely crosses the aisle when it comes to the environment.

Your calendar is chock full of cocktail parties, work parties and general holiday festivities. As you stare into the depths (or shallows, for some us) of your closet staring at your fall back black dress, you soon realize that the one you have long depended on, like an old friend, is just not going to cut it anymore. Perhaps the hemline is just a tad high at this stage in the game, despite your fabulous gams, or maybe it is showing the good times you have had in it just a little too much. It’s time to retire your stand by and slip into a little black dress that’s green to boot. Here are a few of my faves:
1. Edun Fleur Spaghetti Strap Dress – This flattering, empire cut slip style dress features a subtle constellation print on the lightweight, shimmering silk. Elegant, simple, but far from boring, this little number will take you through the new year and beyond, and the cut even leaves room for a little over indulgence.
2. Habitude Double V Tie Back Dress – For those of you out there that dare to bare a little more, yet tastefully so, this elegant drawstring dress is a hemp/silk blend with substance, featuring a deep v front and back and empire waist for a little forgiveness through the midsection. If you are not quite ready to take the plunge, pair it with a complimentary camisole underneath, and even jeans to take it from soiree to shopping.
3. SameUnderneath Bamboo Cowl Neck – A perfect little black dress in a sumptuous bamboo and cotton blend this, this three-quarter length sleeve, cowled V-neck dress hugs in all the right places with a panel waist band and graceful A skirt, you can wear this anywhere, anytime, dressed up or down. Bamboo wicks moisture away from the skin too, so if things get a little steamy under the mistletoe, you’re all set (no sweat).
4. Edun Luna Shift Dress – What can I say….Edun gets double kudos here on the little black dress. A gorgeous shift dress that screams chic, with silver pin striping and velvet detail straps, and fully lined, this shift dress is the pinnacle of style for this holiday season. Easy to wear on just about any body style, and once again, forgiving when you choose to sample all 10 of those holiday desserts so temptingly arrayed before you. I think I would even take it casual and wear over a snug long sleeve with boots and leggings too.

So part with that security blanket of a frock you’ve got stowed, pass it on to another or recycle it if its just not got another life left to live, and jump into one of this season’s newest, best, little black dresses.

The Sameunderneath crowd came out on Saturday night showing support for the brand by wearing their favorite bamboo hoodies and colorful graphic prints. The tone was a little more hip and urban than the previous night, with slightly mellower numbers. Before the show Ryan Christenson, head honcho at Sameunderneath, was seen chilling out and socializing with friends and strangers alike, betraying no notion of the chaos that was going on backstage. The shows got under way about 45 minutes late (pretty good actually), and the night opened with Seattle’s Lizzie Parker. Continuing with the bamboo jersey trend, she showcased a very north-west sensibility, but in fun punchy colors. Layers over layers of leggings, tanks, and hoodies in coral, butter yellow, and white were punctuated with darling cropped jackets in a big butterfly print. The showstopper at the end was a coral tee layered under a white tube dress decked out in frothy feathers.
Up next was Duchess, a custom suit company for the gentlemen in our lives. A parade of handsome male models dressed in perfectly constructed suits ranging in inspiration from 40′s gangsters to 70′s James Bond films left us all wishing for something a little more dapper in our day to day lives.
Nike Considered opened their show with bike-friendly looks in various shades of taupe, black, blue and surprisingly enough deep purple. Simple clean lines were the focus, and details were kept low key and functional. Harlequin-style stitching was seen on several jackets, but the most interesting detail was a detachable drawstring hood that opens in the back for ventilation.
Next up was Seattle-based brand Alula, showing paper bag waist trousers and lots of pleats. The color palate was similar to Lizzie Parker with shades of coral, yellow, and white along with blush pink and a light sky blue.
After the intermission the real show began. Now everyone loves a good gimmick, and Sameunderneath had the best. Lining up five models sitting in school desks, Ryan Christenson was the professor of Sameunderneath 101. When asked the question “What is Sameunderneath?” the models each shot up their hand and were called on one at a time to proceed down the runway. The usual elements were all there, with bamboo tees and hoodies in great colors and graphics. But something was different this season; a greater knowledge of fit and function that only comes with experience. The collection was generally more polished but still retained that certain urban vibe that makes it a favorite of so many. The show was finished off by celebrity guest Stana Katic (from the new film, Feast of Love) sashaying down the runway in a custom blue, ‘red-carpet’ dress winking for the cameras as if to say, “Are there any more questions?”

Photography Credit: Nina Sage – Click here to see the whole show