Dazzling Post-Covid Social Events Call for ‘Revenge Glamour’

A lifestyle story: Portland, OR. We’re approaching the year-and-a-half mark of the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Brown has rolled out a plan to reopen the state in June if 70% of residents aged 16 and older have had at least one dose of vaccine. Many people are champing at the bit to dress up, get out, and socialize. Nonprofit leaders are hoping they will soon be able to have in-person galas! Town & Country magazine is calling it the season of revenge glamour as people tell the virus, enough is enough! Tiffany & Co. at 330 SW Taylor is ready for shoppers who want to splurge. Anya Taylor-Joy (above) admires jewels from the iconic brand. Economic recovery is key because researchers say foot traffic plummeted last year in Portland. During the height of the holiday season, foot traffic was down more than 80% from the previous year. Now, with more Americans vaccinated, retailers have a rosier outlook for a brick-and-mortar recovery.

Gucci has opened a new 6,500-square-foot store at Pioneer Place. The boutique is the luxury fashion brand’s first store in Oregon and features a wide range of men’s and women’s shoes, handbags, luggage, jewelry, and other products. The store officially opened on Feb. 12th.

Mario’s at 833 SW Broadway in Portland, and Mario’s 3.10 at Bridgeport Village, has Manolo Blahnik shoes ready to roll.

Mario’s features Prada, Lanvin, Brunello Cucinelli, Ermenegildo Zegna, Isaia, The Row, Kiton, Vince, Rag & Bone, Helmut Lang and more.

Mercantile Portland is at 729 SW Alder St. and has high-end clothing for women. Mercantile recently held an Elaine Kim trunk show. @elainekimcollection

Sharon Chuter (pictured above) is making a name for herself at Nordstrom. She founded UOMA Beauty. Chuter speaks to building Black wealth, facing down Western beauty standards in Nigeria, and building a global community.

Nordstrom is featuring a debut collection from Givenchy creative director Matthew M. Williams. It’s a lineup of “bold, gender-fluid designs evoke effortless, raw energy—signaling a new era at the Parisian house.”

Charlotte Tilbury (pictured with her niece Sofia Tilbury on the right) is a hot make-up line at Nordstrom. Managers are hoping to have an uptick in sales as the country reopens.

Counselor Jane Webber says people should be excited to get out into the world again, no matter what they wear. She explains, “Because we are human beings who thrive only with social connections, and because our life is full and fresh when we’re with other people. Isolation was not in any way fun; we survived it, but we still don’t feel human. It’s just scary to take that first step.” She adds, “I’m grateful for the people in my life, even if we haven’t reconnected in so long and I’m a little embarrassed about how that’s going to go. When I finally see them, I’m going to take a breath; I’m going to smile and I’m going say “Glad to see you again.”

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.