Friday, January 27, 2012

SF Fashion Weekend Events

It's going to be a great weekend for shopping and stepping out in style!  Secession Art & Design is having their biggest annual sale of the year and a happy hour for additional shopping pleasure, top International designer Hirooka Naoto will in town to promote his latest collection and the highly anticipated Snow fashion show is bringing hot styles to this cold San Francisco winter.  However you spend your weekend, enjoy it in style!


FRIDAY 
Local designer Wen Guo is going to have a special scarf sale on Fab.com starting Friday.  Make sure to stop by the website for great savings on her fashionable collection!  In addition, check out the Secession Art & Design happy hour sale!

The Gallery of Jewels annual sale continues for this last weekend at each of their store locations in San Francisco!  Save up to 50% off their collection of jewelry, many from local Bay Area designers.

Secession Art & Design's  biggest sale of the year starts Additionally, art at Front Porch is 20% off and select New Skool & Secession wear-ables are 30% to 50% off.  Make sure to stop in for artful shopping and savings!In addition to having their biggest sale of the year, Secession Art & Design hosting a special happy hour with extended shopping hours.  Come for drinks, snacks and a chance to meet the featured artists and designers.  In addition, art, clothing and jewelry are 20% store wide!  Make sure to stop in for artful night of mingling, shopping and savings!

SATURDAY/SUNDAY
The Gallery of Jewels and Secession Art & Design sales continue today through the weekend.  In addition, enjoy these other special fashion events:

Popular Japanese designer Hirooka Naoto is making a special appearance at his SF store in Japantown to promote his new collection and to prepare for his fist U.S. Goth Night Fashion Show on Monday, January 30th at DNA Lounge.  If you make a purchase over $10 at the store on January 28th to 30th, you will receive a free admission and drink ticket for the the fashion show.  If you spend over $100 at the store, you'll receive a signed Polaroid with the designer in an original h.NAOTO card frame.  Come stop by the store and get style tips from the designer himself!
 Treasure Island is the perfect venue to enjoy treasure hunting for the unique items from local Bay Area designers, collectors, makers, artists, crafters, food purveyors and wineries.  While shopping enjoy live entertainment and some of the best specialty foods of the Bay.  Cost to attend is $3.  Free parking.
Get geeked out on style!  Fashion+TechSF is hosting a Pop-up Shop featuring San Francisco designers and jewelers.  Come shop, mingle and enjoy the special fashion and style presentations throughout the evening.  $15 to attend.
SFBA Fashion Network presents the highly anticipated annual event: SNOW - a White Fashion Event 2012.  Come dressed up in your finest, stylish white attire (dress code strictly enforced) and enjoy an evening of inspiring fashion in a runway show featuring the collections of local designers Cana Klebanoff, Cari Borja, Herbert Williamson, Joseph Domingo, Julie Schindler and Violetta Vieux.  This promises to be one of the hottest events of the year!  General admission ticket cost is $20 and front row seating is $40.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

JumFLO: breathing life into tired clothes

Designer Justin Flowers
Justin Flowers is a San Francisco stylist and fashion show producer that is putting his design and sewing skills to the test with a new premier vintage line of men's clothes labelled JumFLO.  Grabbing select vintage pieces from thrift stores throughout the Bay, he has skillfully constructed glamour punk rock masterpieces.  The reconstructed pieces don't look ordinary or obviously upcycled and retread.  With an eye towards fashion and design, he has created unique pieces that reflect every fashion trend for 2012. 

"Your imagination of fashion will cease to exist and  whole new rapture of 'true dark fantasy meets reality' will come into effect." according to JumFLO.  "The pieces are warm, fitting and down right fierce."
JumFLO jacket creation.
The JumFLO collection will be launched at the RAGE! Spring/Summer 2012 fashion show at Submission Lounge on Thursday, January 26, 2012.  This men's trend showcase will feature the one-of-a-kind pieces that will promise to inspire new ideas about the world of vintage clothing and reconstruction for all of us.

Additional information on JumFLO can be found Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/Jumflo an the website http://jflower21.blogspot.com/.  Contact the designer for purchasing inquiries.
The fashion event on Thursday, January 26, 2012 is at Submission Lounge, 2183 Mission Street, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm with no fee to attend.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Fashionable Fun Events of the Week

Upcoming Fashionable Fun Events in the SF Bay Area

Monday, January 23rd through Sunday, January 29th, 2012 

It's all about the fashion this week at the various runway shows occurring Wednesday through Saturday. In between the events, make sure to stop in at one of the pop-up shops or special boutique sales happening in San Francisco. Whatever you do, enjoy your week in style!

 Ongoing

The Gallery of Jewels annual sale continues this week at each of their store locations in San Francisco!  Save up to 50% off their collection of jewelry, many from local Bay Area designers.

WEDNESDAY
Get a sneak peak of the fashion and beauty trends of 2012!  Enjoy a night of fashion, fun and inspiration with your girlfriends as you gear up to rock the runway of 2012.  Evening includes advice from top fashion and beauty experts, product sampling, giveaways, prizes and more.  Sponsored by White House/Black Market, Premier Jewelry Designs, Skinny Girl Water and Mary Kay Cosmetics.  No cost to attend.
 Runway Couturier presents "RUNWAY!", chronicling authentic vintage fashion through the decades with a luxe modern twist.  featuring a runway show, silent and live auction, free cocktails and complimentary catering by Sage restaurant.  All net proceeds go directly to the Harvey Milk Foundation.  No cost to attend, suggested donation of $15.

THURSDAY
Secession Art & Design's  biggest sale of the year starts Thursday, January 26th and continues through Sunday, January 29th.  Art, clothing and jewelry are 20% storewide!  Additionally, art at Front Porch is 20% off and select New Skool & Secession wear-ables are 30% to 50% off.  Make sure to stop in for artful shopping and savings!
The 2012 Fashion Music Conference Week is a showcase held in Berkeley that provides independent artists, record labels, aspiring models, actresses, actors, fashion designers, DJs, athletes and others the opportunity to learn about their industry and network.  The event includes a lineup of special guest speakers, music and dance performances and two runway fashion shows.  Ticket cost ranges from $12 general to $23 VIP.
JUMFLO is hosting their first fashion show - RAGE, a Spring/Summer 2012 Trend fashion show.  Come experience a men's line of vintage pieces reconstructed into glamour punk rock masterpieces.  With crazy DIY looks, JUMFLO hits every fashion trend for 2012 - the collection is a must see!  No cost to attend.
FRIDAY 
Local designer Wen Guo is going to have a special scarf sale on Fab.com starting Friday.  Make sure to stop by the website for great savings on her fashionable collection!  In addition, check out the Secession Art & Design happy hour sale!
 
In addition to having their biggest sale of the year, Secession Art & Design hosting a special happy hour with extended shopping hours.  Come for drinks, snacks and a chance to meet the featured artists and designers.  In addition, art, clothing and jewelry are 20% store wide!  Make sure to stop in for artful night of mingling, shopping and savings!

SATURDAY/SUNDAY
The Gallery of Jewels and Secession Art & Design sales continue today through the weekend.  In addition, enjoy these other special fashion events:

Popular Japanese designer Hirooka Naoto is making a special appearance at his SF store in Japantown to promote his new collection and to prepare for his fist U.S. Goth Night Fashion Show on Monday, January 30th at DNA Lounge.  If you make a purchase over $10 at the store on January 28th to 30th, you will receive a free admission and drink ticket for the the fashion show.  If you spend over $100 at the store, you'll receive a signed Polaroid with the designer in an original h.NAOTO card frame.  Come stop by the store and get style tips from the designer himself!
 Treasure Island is the perfect venue to enjoy treasure hunting for the unique items from local Bay Area designers, collectors, makers, artists, crafters, food purveyors and wineries.  While shopping enjoy live entertainment and some of the best specialty foods of the Bay.  Cost to attend is $3.  Free parking.
Fashion+TechSF is hosting a Pop-up Shop featuring San Francisco designers and jewelers.  Come shop, mingle and enjoy the special fashion and style presentations throughout the evening.  $15 to attend.
SFBA Fashion Network presents the highly anticipated annual event: SNOW - a White Fashion Event 2012.  Come dressed up in your finest, stylish white attire (dress code strictly enforced) and enjoy an evening of inspiring fashion in a runway show featuring the collections of local designers Cana Klebanoff, Cari Borja, Herbert Williamson, Joseph Domingo, Julie Schindler and Violetta Vieux.  This promises to be one of the hottest events of the year!  General admission ticket cost is $20 and front row seating is $40.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Fashion Shows, Sample Sales, Mixers and More

Fashionable Fun Events in the SF Bay Area

Week of Monday, January 16, 2012 to Sunday, January 22, 2012

ONGOING


Lovely boutique BellJar is having their winter sale, 20% to 65% storewide on all apparel.  Peruse the racks for brands such as Eskell, Plastic Island, Amanda Uprichards, Aryn K and much more.  Sale continues through Thursday!
One of the best places in SF to buy jewelry made by local designers is having a sale you won't want to miss.  Great selection on a range of styles.  We recommend stopping in with an outfit to accessorize in mind and let the store associates show you the best styling options.  Sale lasts through the end of the month.

WEDNESDAY
Sip on cocktails, mingle with other Bay Area professionals and meet the staff of Minted Magazine as they launch their new magazine.  This is a quarterly digital publication for the independent and stylish career woman.  They give the readers the resources to succeed at work and still have a social life.  From fab outfits for the office to quick-fix meals after a 12-hour day, to career and relationship tips, they show how you can have it all!  No cost to attend.
 Infusion Lounge is throwing their monthly soiree party with a "Lights, Camera, Action" them.  The event will feature live mannequin models showcasing the designs of Denee Marie.  RSVP to be on the guest list.

THURSDAY
  • Headline Shirts Sample Sale - $1 Tees, Thursday, January 19, 2012, Headline Shirts - 3265 17th Street #104, SF, 5:00 to 8:00 pm
 Headline Shirts is having their first sample sale of 2012, with tees starting at only $1!  Come score some sweet tees and enjoy complimentary beer and snacks.
 Fashion+TechSf is hosting their monthly fashion forum on the topic of "Applying Mobile Tech Strategies to your business."  The guest panel includes co-founders of the companies Stylematic, ShopNear.me and Manpacks.  Cost of admission is $10, payable through Eventbrite or at the event.
Join SFMade as they present a panel discussion with three of the most successful women in manufacturing in San Francisco.  In a highly interactive discussion, we will hear how Sabrina Moyle, owner of Hello!Lucky, Rosemarie Ovian, co-owner of Cut Loose, and Adrienne Wiley, owner of Frolick, have grown and developed their companies.  Come network and learn!  Cost to attend is $25.

FRIDAY
Rogue, the hottest  new men's brand contemporary sportswear store is hosting its Grand Opening Party!   The VIP celebration includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served by models in fashionable Rogue attire.  The new store features a lounge to relax with free WiFi and coffee bar, jeans bar and basketball court - that all alone is worth checking out apart from the Rogue fashion.  Be sure to come by and meet the Rogue team as they open their first retail store.
Come join Mario B. Productions for a photography shoot and model mixer.  Models, designers, stylists, makeup artists and photographers are encouraged to attend.  Admission is $10/$15.
An elegant, whimsical, over-the-top two-day costume extravaganza honoring the eccentric author and illustrator Edward Gorey.  Imagine taking a magnificent, turn-of-the-century excursion where ladies dressed in petticoats and corsets mingle with time-traveling thrill seekers: a world where cabaret meets carnival! the event includes an extensive vendor bazaar where you can purchase authentic fashion, costumes, accessories and jewelry.  Additional details can be found at the Edwardian Ball website.


SATURDAY
If you missed their Friday event, Edwardian World Faire continues on Saturday.  Other fashionable events include:
The Lectures & Symposium of the de Young Museum and the Textile Arts Council presents celebrated Bay Area fiber artist Lia Cook.  One of the first weavers to employ digital photography in her work, her works are in the collections of many institutions and private collections.  Cost to attend is $10.
Learn how to work the runway with confidence and personal style!  Designer R by Reeti and fashion producer Charleston Pierce presents a one-day runway workshop.  Learn how to bring out your best to the modeling world from experienced professionals within the industry.  Cost to attend is $20 (regular workshop cost is $75).
Blending high fashion and style, photography and interior design, Oya Salon presents the Monterey Museum of Art's "Appetite for Art Series: Fierce, Fashion, Artful Circumstance."  The event features fine-art photography throughout the space at individual "pods", showcasing models styled by Bode and Oya Salon and interior design concepts by Homescapes, each inspired by the photography of the Weston Gallery.  Cost to attend is $50.
 Join Chance Productions for an evening of boudoir fashion!  The event includes interactive photo shoots, runway show and after party.  Collections from fashion lines Ronnie Sample McDaniel & Peaches, Cherry Turnover and Jerseys Virago Designs will be showcased.  Cost to attend is $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

SUNDAY
 Get inspired at the San Francisco Wedding Fair!  Experience an afternoon of elegance and romance as you view over 80 exhibits featuring the top tier of Bay Area wedding professionals.  Breathtaking couture gowns will be modeled throughout the day and designer Jin Wang will be on hand to offer styling tips.  Cost to attend is $25 online and $35 at the door.
Post-Mod fashion label  Beaks of Eagles is hosting a fashion dance at the Casanova Lounge in the Mission.  Wear your best Mod fashion and get a limited edition fabulous Mod inspired scooter button plus the opportunity to compete in a fashion competition.  No cost to attend.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Pretty Genius vintage pop-up shop launches in San Francisco


Vintage selection at a Pretty Genius pop-up sale.
      Vintage clothing has grown in popularity, going from "thrift" and "secondhand", to being considered top fashion in its ability to complement contemporary styles to great effect.  This is due in part to the increased visibility of vintage clothing as worn by top models and celebrities, such as Chloe Sevigny, Kate Moss, Tatiana Sorokko and the Olsen twins, Mary Kate and Ashley.  Vintage pieces are also important because they have influenced later designers and continue to inspire current designers.  The increased interest in vintage is also due to its environmental sustainability in terms of reusing rather than throwing things away.
Ashley Olsen in a vintage Calvin Klein dress and accessories. -Getty Images
    The accessibility and ease of shopping vintage has been made easier through vintage pop-up shops that carry a range of clothing that has already been carefully selected for both quality and fashionability.  This weekend, Erin Weinger and Renee Shaab of LA based pop-up shop Pretty Genius is bringing their collection of vintage to San Francisco for a special one-day sale in the Mission.  We had a the opportunity to find out more about the vintage pop-up shop through Erin and what sets them apart from others.

FF:  How did Pretty Genius start?
Erin:  We held our first sale in January of 2011 after a late night conversation about what we wanted to do with our lives. I literally asked Renee (who I had gone to Indiana University
with) "What job wouldn't feel like a job to you?" and she replied, "vintage shopping." And we decided to host a sale right then and there.

FF:  Why the pop-up shop concept versus having a store front?
ErinThe pop-up concept makes more sense for us than a store for a few reasons — low overhead, for one. Plus we both have full time jobs — I'm a journalist who publishes the L.A.-based fashion website StyleSectionLA.com while Renee works as a luxury hotel account manager.  We started this as a fun passion project that, excitingly, has started to take on a life of its own.  Its so great for us to be able to invite our friends and clients to our events once a month and have them see all of the new merchandise we’ve sourced, rather than us having to stand around a shop and wait for business to come in. The excitement that we see in our customers really fuels our own passion for Pretty Genius.
Pretty Genius vintage pop-up shop
FF:  Describe the shopping experience people can expect at the pop-up sale?
Erin:  Our sales are casual, comfortable and cozy and feel like an informal closet-raid at one of your friend's houses. There's no pressure, we have music playing and plenty of food and cocktails.  Even our friends who loathe vintage clothes end up hanging out for the day, drinking our booze and enjoying themselves a lot.

We carry clothes that feel timeless and unique, and we try to source goods that will help our customers feel confident while wearing them.  We like pieces that make us giddy because of a special detail — whether it's a ruffle on a 1970s silk shirt or a piece of fringed velvet on a belt — we like to sell items that can't be found anywhere else. We're both obsessed with dresses, so those who stop by will find those for sure. But we also have some pretty amazing skirts (think leather, silk, suede, etc.) in various lengths, fantastic blazers, caftans, quirky and cozy sweaters and literally a wall of purses.

And yes, there's plenty of expertise here. My partner Renee is amazing when it comes to working with clients and urging them to be daring in the fitting room — 9 out of 10 times she's right on the money when it comes to styling our customers in pieces that they might otherwise overlook. While I have worked in fashion for years, first as an intern for an Indie fashion label in college and later as a fashion writer for the LA Times and a contributor to Elle.com, Style.com, Los Angeles Magazine, Angeleno and of course on my own website, StyleSectionLA.com. I do digital branding consulting for fashion brands, and have also produced photo shoots for my website as well as Entrepreneur magazine and styled the City of Newport Beach 2011 Visitors Guide. My grandmother was a hat designer and my grandfather owned a popular Chicago women's boutique, so I like to think that style is literally in my blood.

FF:  Why the expansion from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
Erin:  We decided to expand for the simple reason that we are both obsessed with San Francisco! No joke. When I'm bored, I look at Victorian houses in Pac Heights that I would die to be able to afford one day.  And I think we both would love to live in the area one day in the future.  Since we both have a lot of friends here that have been really supportive of Pretty Genius, we decided that this was the perfect weekend to take a road trip and test out a new market!

FF:  Thank you for inspiring vintage and we wish you great success and many return visits to San Francisco!

Updates on the Pretty Genius vintage pop-up shop can be found at their twitter handle twitter.com/prettygeniusla or by emailing them at prettygeniusla@gmail.com.
The pop-up sale in San Francisco is taking place on Sunday, January 15, 2012 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Mission at 3551 24th Street, Apartment B (at Guerrero Street) in San Francisco.  

Shop silk blouses, high-waist leather skirts, mesh cocktail dresses, tweed heritage blazers and more.  Most retailing under $50.  Brands include Ungaro, Calvin Klein, Bally, St. John and much more.
Make sure to come early for the best selection and a rule of thumb is vintage shopping is one instance where impulse shopping is ok because every item is one of a kind – if you don’t get it right then and there, it might not be available later!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Fashion Events of the Week

 Fashionable Fun Events in the San Francisco Bay Area
Week of Monday, January 9th thru Sunday, January 15th, 2012

ONGOING
Lovely little boutique BellJar in the Mission is having their Winter Sale of 20% to 60% storewide on all apparel.  Peruse the racks for brands such as Eskell, Plastic Island, Amanda Uprichards, Aryn K, Charlie Jade, Dolce Vita, Hype, Odylyne, Parker and much more.  Sale continues through Thursday, January 19th.
TUESDAY

Future brides, here is your chance to score a gorgeous designer wedding gown for up to 70% off the retail price.  This event only happens twice a year!  In-stock designer sample gowns include Oscar de la Renta, Amsale, Caroline Herrera, Kenneth Pool and many more.  The money saved on the dress can be put towards some of the other wedding expenses, such as the honeymoon!  The sale ends on Friday.
The non-profit SFMade is hosting an orientation of their programs and services.  Find out what their role is in the community and how they are helping local manufacturing companies succeed.  No cost to attend.
 "Ahead of the Fashion" (AF) is a growth accelerating program that provides resources for early stage technology start-ups in the fashion and retail industries.  At this inaugural event, six fashion and tech startups that will present to a panel of investors and industry professionals.  The fashion designers who will be showcasing their works on the runway at the event are BlacMéra, Prima Jiva and Laly Designs.  Due to an overwhelming response, this event is sold out.  Please note the date of their next event on March 6th.
THURSDAY
The Academy of Sciences Nightlife series is teaming up with the experts at Skillshare, Make:SF, The Bike Kitchan and The Distilled Man to host the ultimate how-to workshop evening party.  While enjoying the museum and DJ'd music take some time to learn a range of 'how to' and 'DIY' projects such as creating your own bike, DJ'ing music, beekeeping or some fashionable stuff such as how to spin, knit and felt out of raw wool and recycled CDs.   There's even opportunity to create metal work with designer Raissa Bump or needlefelt with Woolbuddy.  Cost to attend is $12 general admission and $10 for members.  This is a 21 + event.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Verrieres & Sako Annual Sample Sale, Friday, January 13 & Saturday, January 14, 2012, Verrieres & Sako Studio - 319 14th Street, Oakland, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
 Join Verrieres & Sako for their annual sample sale!  Enjoy complimentary drinks as you save up to 75% on their beautiful designs.  This is a two-day sale you won't want to miss!
Black Scale Warehouse Sale, Saturday, January 14, 2012, 330 Ritch, SF, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
This is Black Scale's first ever warehouse sale!  Everything will be up to 80% off and they will be playing the SF 49ers vs New Orleans Saints game so that no one misses the shopping and game action.  Papalote will also be onhand serving up their signature chips and salsa (aka "crack" salsa).
SUNDAY

Eat, drink and shop on a killer selection vintage wear, hosted by LA based pop-up shop Pretty Genius.  Shop silk blouses, high-waist leather skirts, mesh cocktail dresses, tweed heritage blazers and more.  Most retailing under $50!  Some brands include Ungaro, Calvin Klein, Bally and St. John.  No cost to attend, cash only.
An event to celebrate one of the most influential fashion item around the world, the poncho!  Love Me, Love My Poncho is a fashion show for San Francisco and all those who appreciate the subtle art of the poncho.  Anyone wearing a poncho is welcome to participate on the catwalk and get their photo taken by fashion photographers.  No cost to attend.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Fashion Events of the Week

Upcoming Fashionable Fun Events in San Francisco

Monday, October 24th thru Sunday, October 30th, 2011

Wednesday

THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY