Admired: Patty Merrill

I’ve had the honor to peek inside her closet, not as her stylist, but as her friend and it’s incredibly varied and eccentric… just like her gorgeous home and studio where she’s had thought-leaders like Tibetan Monks, famous Artists & Authors, and heart-centered Entrepreneurs gather to connect. I admire her courageous and memorable personal style, especially for Portland, where she blends second hand scores with fabulous shoes and impeccably tailored pieces she finds abroad. Her statement accessory: those round glasses! She’s got multiple pairs. She’s bold and she really doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, she dresses for herself. Love it!

How do you like to stay in shape?
I do Pilates once a week. Pilates was designed for injured dancers and at 67 I feel like an injured dancer. I also walk the dog everyday, I can never say no to his face! I walk a lot in general.

How would you describe your style?
I dress like a tomboy. I live in pants, boots, and jackets. When I put a skirt on anymore I feel overdressed.

You always have your signature accessories, tell us about them…
Diana Vreeland once said women in their 60s should always wear round glasses. So I do. And I love bracelets. I have a huge collection. It’s the one thing I’m willing to pay a lot of money for if I love it.

Who are your style icons?
Bob Dylan. But early Bob Dylan before he went electric. He wore great suit jackets and pants and white shirts.

Where do you look for style inspiration?
Strangers. I like to watch the older crowds in airports who look like they have something to say.

You spend a lot of time in China and Japan, how would you describe their style?
Japanese people love Langlitz! They have these motorcycle clubs and they spend a gazillion dollars on these incredible leather outfits. When I was in Japan we found a store that was selling nothing but Pendleton and Woolrich. I’ve never seen such a great stock of these brands- Carhartt too! They have figured out what’s going on in the rest of the world and they adapt it. The Japanese are really interesting that way. They have these people that dress up like Little Bow Peep and there is a diversity without anyone moving into their culture. Some Chinese send their kids to school here and they see the fashion and bring it back. My agent there is sending her son to high school here because he will learn great English skills, which is a big deal for their college acceptance, and he’s the hippest kid I’ve ever seen! The kids there are changing their culture in fashion really rapidly.

When we get things that are “Made In China” they often have a bad wrap, and aren’t necessarily well made. What is your take on that?
I think it’s the customer. The quality of the things we buy is an indicator of us as consumers not them as craftsmen. The Chinese have figured out how to do it the cheapest, and that speaks more to our culture than theirs. We’re comfortable with the throw-aways. We don’t have the European sensibility that we should buy things to last. They make amazing things, it’s just not what our market is asking for.

Whether you’re shopping second hand or new, do you always pay attention to how things are made?
Yeah! That’s why I love thrift stores, because you can buy quality items inexpensively. I’ve been buying old Ralph Lauren jackets. I seem to have a knack for finding them. His jackets are phenomenal and I’ve probably got 12 or more… probably more. They are timeless. Things like that that are basic yet cost $8 dollars each.

When you do buy second hand, do you often have it tailored?
I’ve done a little bit of that. Mostly with pants for length.

Tell us about your store.
Old or new?

New if you can!
The new building is in the central east side, across from Clark Lewis restaurant. It’s 30,000 sq ft. Cargo is taking up about 18,000 of it, so double the space we have now! And we will have free parking!