SFBayStyle

Win an eBay Gift Card!

One of SFBayStyle's advertising partners, eBay, has a new Mobile Boutique that will be downtown San Francisco at Justin Herman Plaza (1 Market Street) on Tuesday December 15th from 9am-6pm. The Mobile Boutique will have interactive shopping kiosks, holiday merchandise and personal shoppers for assistance.

eBay offered us a great promotion to give away five $25 gift cards, no strings attached! Great holiday gifts for friends or yourself.

If you want one, leave a comment on this post (with your real e-mail address where required) and we'll put the commenter names into a hat and draw five on Tuesday. We will announce the winners next week, contact winners via e-mail for their addresses, and put the cards in the mail ASAP. Comments must be entered by Monday night December 14th at 11:59pm Pacific time. One entry per person.

eBay will also be posting updates on their Facebook and Twitter pages on how to win $50 gift cards at the eBay Mobile Boutique, and we'll send reminders out on the SFBayStyle Twitter feed about our card contest. Happy holidays from SFBayStyle & eBay!

Top Holiday Gifts from the San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design

For those on your holiday list who desire something unique, consider a shopping trip to the fabulous museum store in the San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design. Filled to the brim with hand crafted jewelry and accessories, the museum store has something to please everyone’s particular palate.

Manager Ray McKenzie hand selects each item in the store keeping his customers’ high standards in mind. He says he finds artisans from art shows, craft fairs, and word of mouth. I asked Mr. McKenzie to share some his top Hot and Hip accessory picks for this holiday season:

Meet Curvy Fashionista Marie Denee

Curvy fashionista Marie Denee has a mission – to bring contemporary, sophisticated, edgy fashions to plus size women. This dynamo Oakland resident is doing just that with her plus size blog and her on line plus size boutique.

In 2008 Ms. Denee finished up her MBA and realized she had gathered a lot of specific information about plus size retail. “For my MBA research I focused on the plus size industry,” explains the perky Ms. Denee. “When I finished my degree I realized I have all this valuable information that I need to share.” She began blogging and quickly became a top resource for the plus size community.

New CHANEL Store Opens Friday in SF

Just in time for the holidays, the newly renovated CHANEL boutique reopens this Friday in San Francisco.

In a special event for customers and friends, the opening day will feature sounds of DJ Michael Smith, complimentary make-up sessions, a sneak peak at the '09/'10 "cruise collection" (i.e. gorgeous resort wear) and limited edition jewelry.

Expect the best quality in everything in the store. Opens at 10am, closes at 6pm. 156 Geary Street.

A Smash Hit for the Vintage Clothing & Style Festival

 
Miss Art Deco (Photo by Michele Diane Smith)

It was a fabulous old school happening this past Sunday as vintage enthusiasts gathered at the Alameda Elks Lodge for the very first Vintage Clothing & Style Festival. The historic building was a perfect venue for such an event with ample space and a beautiful stained glass dome adding to the Festival's ambiance. A smash hit with attendees, the Festival offered three floors of vintage hair styling and makeup demonstrations, model touring, music, treasures for sale and lots of food and cocktails.

Highlights included singing by Ann Gibson and Sara Klotz de Aguliar, representatives from the Art Deco Society of California and Mr. Ricks Martini Club, and photos by Michele Diane Smith. Oakland designer Deborah Starks presented her restructured blouses and jackets and San Francisco tailor, Al from Al's Attire, was on hand offering advice. One of a kind vintage inspired hats by Phyllis were a fave as was Theresa LaQuey's original designs.

The Festival organizers are thrilled with the interest and support the event received and are hoping to make this an annual happening, perhaps even biannual. We like that!

Congratulations VCSF! 

SF Fleet Week-Style Elevation Event featuring Innovative Designers

An ongoing tradition since 1981, Fleet Week signifies a celebration to the men and women of the armed forces. This year not only do we have the option of viewing the Blue Angels, but we also have the opportunity to check out San Francisco Bay’s best emerging fashion and accessory designers at Style Elevation's Weekend Pop Up Shops on Grant Avenue in San Francisco's North Beach. 

Multi-talented entrepreneur Karri Ann Frerichs is the woman behind Style Elevation, an online retail shop launching this holiday season. In conjunction with the launch, in October Ms. Frerichs is hosting a series of retail happenings in various San Francisco shopping neighborhoods, highlighting the latest fashion trends from around the bay area. These happenings cater to the business growth of new and upcoming designers as well as the local business communities, using the "pop-up shop"scenario where empty spaces are utilized for retail extravaganzas. 

Twenty designers will present and sell their collections directly to the public in retail spaces around 1418 Grant Ave. on Saturday, October 10, 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 a.m., through Sunday, October 11, 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. If you love art, there will also be a fashion photographers showcase at Live Worms Gallery, 1345 Grant Ave., on Friday, October 9 from 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

See all the designers who have registered here.

Fall Vintage Fashion Expo Show in San Francisco

 

Dealer Deborah Stark's booth at the Vintage Fashion Expo

If you've been perusing the fall mags, you know it's all about shoulder pads this season and the September issue of Vogue has a fabulous spread on 1940s-inspired fashions. Retro is always in and the Vintage Fashion Expo is here just in time to help us style-up for fall 2009, September 19 and 20, at the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco.   

Now in its third decade, the Vintage Fashion Expo is back again at the Concourse allowing more space for more vendors and more goodies for us. Approximately one hundred dealers come from around the country offering vintage clothing and accessories from the 1900s to the 1980s. Oakland designer and seamstress, Deborah Starks is one of the regular dealers at the Expo and is known for her exquisitely decorated booths and vintage ethnic clothing. "To me the Vintage Fashion Expo is the best place to shop," says Ms. Starks, "because it offers such a variety and wealth of vintage that can be mixed and matched and used to create an unusual look."

New York To Celebrate the Commencement of NY Fashion Week with ‘Fashion’s Night Out’

 

Next Thursday, September 10^th, 2009 marks the beginning of the world-renowned New York Fashion Week.  To commemorate this week, NYC & Company and the City of New York have partnered with Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to create an unprecedented citywide initiative called Fashion's Night Out, whose goals are to promote local retail stores, restore consumer confidence and celebrate fashion.

This initiative was announced this past May by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as well as the CEO of NYC & Company George Fertitta, Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Executive Director Steven Kolb, to support local retailers on the first night of Fashion Week.  Participating retail stores across the five boroughs will stay open until 11:00 PM and offer an array of in-store celebrations and promotions such as personal appearances by designers and celebrities, fashion shows, live music, giveaways and charity tie-ins.

Piggy Paint - A Treat For Your Little Diva

Since the beginning of sandals season, my "girly" daughter has been asking for her first pedicure.  But because of the harsh solvents and chemicals found in nail polish, I've felt reluctant to indulge her.  As her birthday rolled around, I was delighted to come across Piggy Paint, a line of nail polishes for kids made of non-toxic ingredients that are "as pure as mud."

Piggy Paint is an odorless, water-based formulation that dries into a natural resin film.  It comes in 14 colors from light pink to sparkly fuschia, classic red, as well as more unusual (and boy-friendly) shades of green, orange, yellow, blue, silver and black.  The birthday girl's favorite was Forever Fancy, a sparkly bright pink.  Girls Rule! was more purple-y and a hit with some of her pals.

Concept Store - Edition

Retail's answer to the recession appears to be concept stores with reasonable price points, like Bebe's 2b and most recently Banana Republic Edition, which opened in May on the second floor of the Westfield San Francisco Centre. Edition’s new lines of limited edition handbags and jewelry include edgy designs like, State of the Art Clutch, a mixed-media look made from Argentinean leather. And artsy designs, like the Cortina Collection, which features handbags made of alligator embossed nubuck leather and smoky hues in graphite and bordeaux.  Even classic handbags are included - something Banana Republic is known for - like the Gstaad Collection, which features brown bags with gold hardware. These supple leather bags are all under $280.

American Craft Council Show

 Wearable art by Kiss of the Wolf will be available at the American Craft Council Show, August 14-16

I've been reading Melissa Leventon's book Artwear: Fashion and Antifashion (Thames & Hudson, 2005). Ms. Leventon is a San Francisco curator and costume historian and in her book she discusses the history and evolution of Wearable Art. Created by artists at the turn of the 20th century and enhanced by hippies of the 1960's, wearable art is a niche market that is on par with couture. Perusing Ms. Leventon's book has put me in the mood for the upcoming American Craft Council Show, August 14-16, Fort Mason, SF.

The ACC show is one stop shopping for one-of-a-kind items hand crafted by artisans from around the country. On offer is jewelry, furniture, clothing, accessories, and home decor - all unique, quality pieces shoppers won't find anywhere else. To mark their 34th year, ACC is also planning extracurricular treats like wine tasting, artists' demonstrations, and a showing of the Faythe Levine film, Handmade Nation, a documentary on the rise of the handmade craft movement in the United States. Get all the details at: http://www.craftcouncil.org/sf/

Back to School with PlanetBox

Is it too early to be thinking about school? My little munchkin will be off to kindergarten this fall, and she asks about it every other day. In her excitement to eat lunch at school, she's already tested out her PlanetBox - a surprisingly fun and "stylish" stainless-steel lunch tray.

PlanetBox couldn't have landed at a better time, as I've been trying to purge plastic from our kitchen due to concerns about BPA and other potentially harmful chemical effects. In addition to being a safe and eco-friendly part of a no-waste lunch, the 'Box has some other nice things going for it.

First, the inside reminds me of a TV dinner tray. (I wonder, do TV dinners even exist anymore?) Since my kids tend to get all bent out of shape when one kind of food touches another food, they like having five separate compartments - and only one latch to open. Extra sidecar containers are great for snacks and can also handle messier foods, such as yogurt, melon chunks, and applesauce.

Summer Soiree with Appel and Frank

August 13 might be a little late for summer clothing in the rest of the country, but here in the Bay Area, we know we can count on being able to wear summer clothes through October. So for those not ready to start setting up fall closets just yet, Appel and Frank are having a girl's night with great discounts from a variety of designers, and the first 300 guests get an eco-friendly gift bag with products from a variety of local companies. Popchips, Nature's Path Organic Foods, StyleChick.com, SF Weekly and Alice and Isa are just a few companies that are helping to fill those gift bags to the brim.

The event happens on August 13, 5-9pm at the Regency Center, Sutter Room, San Francisco. Go to www.appelandfrank.com for a discount of two tickets for $10.

Take the Joey Tote Step Toward the Green Initiative

For those moving forward in the going green initiative, check out Joey Totes. It seems that every company these days is trying to make hip, trendy eco bags - this is true. Joey Totes keep the environment in mind because of its' reusable nature, but the difference is these bags are highly durable. The totes are made out of rip-stop nylon, they hold up to 40 pounds, and they are machine washable.

Monkapaws Jewelry

Besides the wine, fried food and cover bands, why are street fairs so much fun? All the handmade jewelry of course! And I have found my festival favorite, MONKAPAWS.

Renee Berlung, the creator of MONKAPAWS jewelry, designs her pieces out of turn of the century typewriter keys, vintage buttons and antique broken china.  The jewelry resembles a modern design of 1920s pieces with a rough but delicate appeal.  She creates necklaces, rings, bracelets, pendants and earings, all of which are eye catching and original.  The jewlery can fit any occasion, from the "first date wearers" to "everyday accents".

Renee's creations can be purchased online, or if you are a street fair fanatic like me, you can visit these upcoming events to see her collection in person.

August 1-2 Freemot Festival of the Arts Fremont
August 15-16 Los Gatos Fiesta De Artes
September 12-13 Mountian View Art and Wine

Bebe's Concept Store... A Not So Great Concept?

In January, Bebe, the tight-clothes selling retailer with a price range of about $80 to $200, announced it would open a less expensive concept store in the Bay Area called 2b, with a price range of $29 to $79. This new store wouldn’t exactly appeal to the mid-20s to late 30s clientele who shop at Bebe… instead, CEO Greg Scott said it would cater to a younger demographic (late teens to early 20s). But whoever was looking for clothes similar to Bebe’s in this economy would be a fool to at least not check it out. We can always use more stores like H&M.

So…now that it’s July…what do people think of 2b? 

Crossroads Trading Company

The only way I justify shopping is by making room in my closet.  I usually pack up a garbage bag full of clothes that have "expired", and drop it off at Goodwill on my lunch break.  Instead I thought, “why don’t I try to get some cash for them?” I filled two grocery bags full of clothes and took them down to Crossroads Trading Co. consignment store.

Crossroads was created in 1991 by Gerald Block and Chip Gerken, in hopes of offering a great selection of merchandise at reasonable prices for fashion-conscious shoppers.  Now with 24 locations all over the West Coast, fashion-junkies (like me) can buy, “new and recycled clothing and to receive cash or trade credit for the high-quality, fashionable items they sell back to the company."

Express Makes A Fashion Statement: Stop Driving While Texting!

The world is a scary place, and new technology has made it even scarier.  Not only do we need to worry about drunk drivers on the road but there’s a whole new breed of irresponsible drivers – those who drive while texting.

Luckily, an easy way to bring awareness to this new epidemic (you know you know at least one friend who’s texted and driven, don’t lie) is with fashion.  Hey, people check out what everyone else is wearing, so what better way to prove a point?

Renegade Craft Fair

 

Renegade crafts? Ah, yeah, we're there! It's the second annual Renegade Craft Fair this weekend, July 18-19, 11am to 7pm, at Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion in San Francisco.  

Over 200 artists from around the country are settin' up and selling their handcrafted wares. One-of-a-kind goodies like clothing, jewelry, stationary, bath products, ceramics, oh my! Think holiday gifts. Think birthdays. Think unique looks pour vous. Also, for crafty types, there will be DIY workshops -learn how to make stylin' bangles, brooches, and earrings out of old toys. 

Jimmy Choo Coming to H&M San Francisco This Fall

 

In a brilliant move by H&M, they have partnered with Jimmy Choo and founder, Tamara Mellon (pictured left) to provide an inspired and affordable new line of shoes and accessories for women and men, to arrive in H&M U.S. stores on November 14th - including, of course, San Francisco.

“We are privileged to be among the fashion greats who have been affiliated with H&M, to be designing a collection that will appeal to fashion-savvy, street-smart women and to be including some great pieces for men, too,” says Mellon.

A match made in fashion heaven, we look forward to the new arrivals for fall.