Fashion Events in San Francisco
Find out more about upcoming fashion events taking place in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side with Atelier Minyon at Gallery of Jewels
12 years ago
Atelier Minyon is making quiet a roar in the fashion world with his avant gard designs featuring daggers, spiderwebs, skulls, shield and dragons. Each design is considered by many, a unique piece of art. The eye catching pieces are a favorite of accessory editors and celebs like Katy Perry, Russell Brandt and Brooke Shields. With all the articles on Aterlier Minyon and celebrity endorsements, it’s no surprise the pieces have been has been flying out jewelry stores and boutiques here in SF.
This is extremely short noticed…but this weekend, the designer behind Atelier Minyon will be making a special trunk show appearance at Gallery of Jewels on Fillmore. The trunk show will be open to the public 2/17-2/19. Please swing by the store and meet this eccentric designer, and perhaps buy a few items while you’re there!
Holiday Flannel from SF’s Pladra
12 years ago
Here’s one for the woodsy crowd: San Francisco’s Pladra just unveiled a new batch of their trademark pattern-lined flannels, including this holiday-colored shirt and, of course, a blackwatch model.
Roll up the cuffs on either one, and you’ll get a splash of Eisenhower-era forestry lining.
Join the Pladra team for their Holiday Party tonight at 111 Minna. Details can be found here.
Adidas and the Need for Speed
12 years ago
My love for shoes runs deep. Whenever I buy new shoes, I always find the most bored, willing soul to let me show off my new footwear and do a little modeling. I even come prepared with an awesome ringtone that makes an appearance as my runway music. Adidas, evidently, thinks the same way. On October 27, Adidas and EA held a party at the Adidas Market Place location in San Francisco in honor of the release of EA’s new video game Need for Speed: The Run, which just so happens to feature an Adidas shoe called Originals Need for Speed Top X.
There was music, free food and bar (always a plus in my book) and, of course, plenty of TVs to practice the video game. The crowd, from what I could see, was predominantly gamers, so this wasn’t the typical fashion launch event I was used to. Being one of the few fashion bloggers at the event, I quickly realized that I was probably the only person in the room actually interested in trying the shoe on. At first glance, it really didn’t seem like much more than a black patent leather high top gym shoe, but once I slipped it on, surprisingly it looked really good, which just goes to show that you can’t judge a shoe by its display stand. One of the event photographers even took pictures of me trying it on, which was fine with me until I remembered that my other foot was flaunting a 4 week-old pedicure in a sandal. This fashion hybrid event was fun and I look forward to attending more of these types of events, but for any worried (i.e., skeptical) fashion blogger who finds him/herself as a newbie at a gamer event, here are a few points I learned from this evening: EA employees will bust out the break dancing, completely disregarding the fact that they are thrusting their bodies near pointy metal clothing racks, playing video games is always more fun while under the influence of complimentary booze, and don’t bother to get an answer for why there is a group of guys dressed up as The Misfits.
Gallery of Jewels’ New Union Square Store
12 years ago
Gallery of Jewels is a small local chain of stores that opened 21 years ago, with three locations. Each store is a little gallery filled with artful jewelry. has had eight locations in its history. Gallery of Jewels just opened its newest store at 427 Post St, in the city’s main shopping district of Union Square.
The stores carry over 150 different designers. About half of the pieces sold is made by local designers. Whether you’re looking for bangles, wedding band, modern silver cufflinks for your man, or unique twists on staples like studs and hoop earrings, Gallery of Jewels has something for you. Prices range from $40 to $5,000, with plenty in the $200-$450 range.
Last week, I was treated to a tour of Gallery of Jewels’ new Union Square space, and I must say that the manager Melissa Segura and Diana were very lovely to meet with. Not only are they passionate about jewelry and bringing their customers the best pieces, they’re also great at sharing jewelry information with customers.
Here are some of my favorite pieces from the store:
Stackable rings (that also look fabulous on their own).
Silver bangles.
Beautiful silver lockets.
Unique gold engagement ring.
Silver ring designed and shaped liked succulents.
Last but not least, a stack of the most unusual gold rings you can find in Union Square.
Unfortunately I missed the opening party this past Saturday, but my pal Joanna Riedel (who happens to be Gallery of Jewels publicist) was able to send me some great photos that I thought I’d share with you!
All photos are courtesy of Gallery of Jewels.
Define: Beauty Fashion Show – A Socially Responsible Event
12 years ago
Groundwork Opportunities (GO) is a nonprofit organization that funds income generating projects in the developing world. GO hosts a handful of philanthropic events each year, and last month I had the pleasure of attending their event: Define: Beauty at Madrone Studios in San Francisco. The show featured Bay Area up-and-coming designers Dallas Parke and Sarah Liller along with established fashion names: Retrofit Republic, Cari Borja, Ken Chen, MENK, Kajan Padraig and Daniel Sudar. The collections were gorgeous, and the show (produced by Clarissa Nicosia) was entertaining, but the evening’s goal was much more serious: to raise enough money to fund a sustainable clean water well for over 4,000 people in Tanzania.
The runway show began promptly at 7:30 after cocktail hour with wines from Rock Wall Wine Company, and hors d’oeuvres by Beast and the Hare. The collections looked stunning against the venue’s white interiors. Trendy dresses by Kajan Padraig, chic and girly silhouettes by Sarah Liller, urprisingly interesting gender-bending ensembles from Retrofit Republic and menswear from Daniel Sudar were stand-outs of the evening.
Here are some of our favorite looks from the show. Photography by Jayson Carpenter.
Kajan Padraig
MENK
Retrofit Republic
Sarah Liller
Ken Chen
Daniel Sudar
Cari Borja
Dallas Parke
Inspiration for Define: Beauty came to the GO team while working with residents in Moshi, Tanzania to build a sustainable source of clean drinking water. While there, the team was met with unparalleled levels of hospitality and selflessness from a community that existed without everyday resources like clean water. The women of Moshi did not attribute beauty to the latest styles but rather inner strength and contributions to better the community. This experience lead to the concept and creation of first annual event to help impact an insurmountable global water crisis.
Not only was the fashion show itself amazing, Define: Beauty partnered with local sponsors and entrepreneurs that are actively engaged in generating awareness and solutions to environmental issues around the world. Some companies at the event were: Falling Whistles, which fuels awareness for violence in the Congo, and Hydros Bottles, who reduce the amount of plastic in landfills by producing reusable BPA-free water bottles that can filter on the go. Hydros Bottles also shares Groundwork Opportunities’ mission to combat the global water crisis in developing nations and has partnered with Engineers Without Borders to create Operation Hydros, where purchase proceeds go towards providing clean drinking water abroad. Fashion partner, Gilt City San Francisco, has an exclusive e-commerce site where members can access trendy local deals and services. The goodie bags for Press were stocked with all sorts of goodies including a bottle of California white wine from Rock Wall Wine Company, $100 work for hair treatment at CODE Salon!
Mira Mira Fashion Show at Pretty Pretty Collective
12 years ago
Last Thursday was a great night for fashion in San Francisco. There were two great fashion shows taking place at different ends of the Mission. I didn’t get to attend the Mira Mira lookbook show, but I got access to some great pictures thanks to my friend of fashion Joanna Riedl.
Mira Mira is a boutique in the Mission (next door to Pretty Pretty Collective). They specialize in high-end independent designs from around the world. It’s no surprise that the lookbook they put together for last weeks fashion show had some really compelling looks, and an uber fashionable crowd of local bloggers for the viewing. In addition to real models, the show featured three of my favorite local fashion bloggers as models: Blair from Atlantic-Pacific, Jennie from Going West, and Laura from ontheracks.
Take a look at some of the great pieces that came down the runway.
Photos courtesy of Kurt Manley and Dan Zaslavsky.
Not Your Grandmother’s Crochet
12 years ago
Seductive, crochet cocktail dresses. Intricately textured wedding gowns. Face framing shrugs and shawls, pleated and laced.
If you want a statement couture dress, you want Violetta Vieux.
The Fabulous Ms. Vieux. Photo: Wild Plum Photography
We sat down for a chat over lattes, just days before her debut in the Couture runway show of the all new San Francisco Fashion Week. Serious Excitement!!
I first met Violetta at FIDM: me as a lowly fashion design student, she as the new draping instructor from Moldova by way of Paris, where she earned her Masters in Couture and Creative Patternmaking from ESMOD International Fashion University. Frankly, I was intimidated. I knew she spoke 5 languages, had stacks of awards, worked in couture houses, and probably dreamed up more amazing designs in her sleep than I could in a year. She also turned out to be one of the nicest people alive. I consider it serious good fortune that I got to be under her tutelage. ( She was also amazingly patient with my borderline seamstress skills.)
Fast forward to a sunny morning in downtown SF, where I got the lowdown on her company VioGemini and the upcoming shows.
Textured mermaid gown in satin from VioGemini. Photo: Wild Plum Photography
Violetta is flush with triumph at finding the music for the show just that morning- an ethereal, haunting piece that perfectly evokes the themes of the new bridal collection: winter, ice, the intricacy of snowflakes and clouds.
Embellished satin gown from VioGemini. Photo: Wild Plum Photography.
” I wanted to present something fresh and original for every bride, as well as continue to explore singular textures” she says – a hallmark of her previous award-winning crochet work. She has a wonderful approach that any modern bride can appreciate; a “design-it-yourself” concept that is realized through several functional pieces that can either be worn together or separately, depending on the occasion. Adding to the customizable nature of the collection, each piece is offered in a variety of colors( yow color!), fabrics, silhouettes, and lengths, with several options for detailing. Rounding out the collection is a full complement of accessories including shrugs, boleros, ring pillows, veils, corsage flowers, shoe-clips, hairpins,and garters—made with matching fabrics and rhinestones.
Crochet wedding gown from VioGemini. Photo: Wild Plum Photography.
I say, “Brides- to- be, get on this like white on rice!” Don’t miss the full collection being shown during San Francisco Fashion Week: Runway #3, Couture/Avant Garde.
Having already been down the aisle, I think I’ll go for the cocktail version
Crochet, fur and metal cocktail dress by VioGemini. Photo: Wild Plum Photography
No wall flowers in LBD’s here! The craftsmanship and creativity continue to amaze. This, my lovelies, is fashion.
For more on Violetta, check out her interview in San Francisco’s 7X7
Need a fresh look at fashion? Come say hello at Downright Red!
cari borja/clothesmaker Exhibition at Lireille Gallery
12 years ago
Berkeley-based designer under the brand “cari borja / clothesmaker” has created a Summer 2011 Collection inspired by her prep-cook internship at Chez Panisse Restaurant and Cafe. The collection is currently on display through the end of July 2011 at Lireille Gallery in Oakland, CA. A reception will take place on Friday July 1st from 4-8pm followed by a trunkshow of ready-to-wear and classic pieces on Saturday July 2nd from 12-6pm.
Cari Borja’s new collection is influenced by both the techniques and processes she learned to prepare seasonal vegetables for dishes at Chez Panisse. From asparagus, artichokes and calamari to carrots, beets and cauliflower, the colors, shapes and forms of the vegetables, fish and herbs are echoed throughout the collection.
The collection is a mixture of the organic, asymmetric and fluid. It is both bold and ethereal, sophisticated yet fun, classic yet whimsical. Using fabrics that range from Borja’s signature fabrics such as fleece and novelty wovens, satins and brocades, Cari moves into a more dramatic direction with layering techniques and fabric manipulations of pleated “artichoke petals” and gathered “cauliflower florettes.” The result is one of a subtle gradation of textured fabrics that culminate in wearable sculpture.
Highlights from the Summer 2011 Collection include a burgundy and gold chinese printed silk ruffle top and layered ruffle skirt – the colors of which evoke the gold and red beets that Borja spent time removing the skins from. A green brocade halter gown gets its texture from the layered pleated artichoke petals that are overlapped and tiered. An orange silk gown with golden godet inserts and ruffle details is reminiscent of the various hues of carrots that Borja peeled for carrot soup and cafe salads. A lavender brocaded satin skirt and top with asymmetric pleated artichoke petals that cascade down the front and sides of the bodice is completed by a crinkle chiffon hoodie jacket. Cauliflower florettes made from white fleece articulate the seams of a tiered coat. Finally those same florettes are crafted in tulle, jersey knit, a burnout chiffon and silk organza to form the silhouette of an off-white summer dress.
Photography by Harber Photography.