SFBayStyle

Haute Couture Meets Haute Cuisine at the Prada Flagship Grand Opening

Tuesday, Prada celebrated the grand opening of the new San Francisco flagship store at 201 Post Street, with a spectacular gala event catered by none other than award-winning Chef Thomas Keller of French Laundry and Per Se acclaim.

The Italian luxury fashion house that is Prada had been planning to open a flagship store, or Epicenter as they like to call it, in the City by the Bay for well over 10 years.  According to Joanne Ramey of Women's Wear Daily, the original plan was to open a 10-story steel-sheathed Prada Epicenter which was to be designed by the influential Dutch architect, Rem Koolhaas (designer of the Los Angeles Prada Epicenter) across the street from what is now the new flagship space.  This was to rival the ones in Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo, but over the course of the decade, this plan fell through for various reasons, strategic and economic.  The current Post Street space housing the new flagship was acquired six years prior to its opening and was left uninhabited in spite of the high rent market of San Francisco to allow for flexibility for its opening.  This location on the corner of Grant Avenue and Post Street is ideal considering it is in the midst of other luxury high fashion houses such as Armani, Dior and Versace.

And so this brings us back to the much anticipated day of the opening.  The event began promptly at 6pm with a crowd of people - city elite, fashion divas and gastronomes alike, standing in line outside of the building within a black velvet-roped, black carpeted sidewalk that was even flanked by a line of men dressed in all black standing guard side-by-side on the corner of Post & Grant.  It was quite the spectacle, with droves of tourists, business folk and city dwellers passing by and wondering what the commotion was all about.

Have local designer wish? Go to the WELL

Among the increasingly interesting array of stores and restaurants lining Telegraph Avenue in the Temescal District of Oakland inhabits one of the most unique and visionary stores I have found in a long time. I don't have a lot of spare time in general, so at this point a store has to capture my interest immediately or I am likely to forget it. In the case of WELL, they had me from the first moment I stepped up to the window.

Dubbed a "resource center for art design and balance, helping to connect independent designers and artists to the Oakland Community and beyond," the WELL carries an array of jewelry, clothing, accessories, art, and natural healing products and services from local and nearby designers such as AC Clothing and Bags, Oaklandish, Small Cynz, Greenbelts, Pretty fun, Cozy Rampage, Sofina, The Weekend Store, Culture Consumer, Mats!?, Super Sugar Ray Ray, Necessary Voodoo, Rx Designs, Cara Lydon Designs, Rag Trader, Field Day Wearables, and more.

Inspirational Tuscan Gem in Hillsborough

Monique Lhuillier is known for her fabulous wedding gowns, interlaced and intricate. What is less commonly known is that her family - one of the wealthiest in the Philippines - had a home here in the Bay Area, in Hillsborough, where they would gather together. Whether the home had any inspirational influence on her as a designer we don't know, but she did spend time there. Since then, the Tuscan villa overlooking a wooded canyon peeking out to the Bay has gone through two owners, the second set of which renovated it entirely and it's breathtaking to see.

When Stephanie and Ray Hood first stumbled on this 6770 square foot Hillsborough home, it contained a wide range of styles, most notably Georgian and Meditteranean. Stephanie, had already managed renovations of five previous homes, so after they bought this one, she began working on her sixth. "Every surface" was redone, including floors, walls, lighting, even bannisters. The project took three months including flying in workers from Texas who the Hoods knew and trusted from their previous homes. The floors have been hand scraped, and antiques were specially purchased to fit into the rooms among other key pieces brought from their previous homes.

Note to Julie Chaiken: Welcome Home

According to a WWD.com article, the time has finally come for Chaiken to relocate to San Francisco where designer, Julie Chaiken, lives. One of the biggest names in fashion from the area, Chaiken is consistently listed along with ESPRIT, Peter Som and others who are either from here, started here, or live here. But due to the proximity of textile and manufacturing facilities, New York has historically been the only place to do serious fashion design in the U.S.. Tired of the commute and still with her heart in San Francisco, Chaiken will be moving some of her operations to Asia where facilities are also available - at a lower cost - to produce her clothes, while moving the base of the company to San Francisco.

Chaiken won't be lonely working in San Francisco - she will be at home amongst the growing community of eco-friendly and couture designers like Lily Achatz and Colleen Quen. Consistently recognized as a host for local fashion events, Chaiken has a real opportunity to help San Francisco become a West Coast hub of fashion as more designers choose to live and work here. For a preview of Chaiken's work and to support her efforts, Chaiken clothes are sold at Macy's in Union Square, as well as Bloomingdales, Saks and Nordstrom. She's reportedly moving her office here next month. Let's give her a warm welcome.

Photo: Julie Chaiken, center in black, applauded by models wearing her designs, during the Junior League of San Francisco annual fashion show luncheon in April.

Nordstrom Designer Preview Pictorial

Because many of the fashion shows in the Bay Area provide substantial amounts of eye candy, occasionally SFBayStyle will split it up. Here's a closer look at some of the great style at the Nordstrom Designer Preview benefit for Raphael House from Wednesday, beginning above with the final view of the final designer, Versace. See yesterday's article for more event details and additional images.

All photographs are by Drew Altizer Photography, unless otherwise specified.

Nordstrom Fall Designer Preview Fashion Show

In true form, the fifth annual Nordstrom Designer Preview impressed fashion friends dressed to the nines from around the Bay Area Wednesday the 9th at the Herbst Pavillion at Fort Mason Center for cocktails and nibbles, shopping, and one of the best fashion shows to take place yet in the Bay Area. With a designer boutique surrounding the show including all garments from the runway as well as others from additional designers, the event provided a close-up look of what I must say is one of the most wearable fall collections I've seen in a while.

Designers in the show included Donna Karan, Peter Som, Stella McCartney, Michael Kors, Bill Blass, Burberry Prorsum, Derek Lam, Valentino, Versace and Vera Wang. Key looks from fall/winter included black, magenta and deep purples, fiery red, luscious fabrics - tweeds, knits, silks, patent leather. These are looks that can translate to real life in a comfortable, classic way not going out of style next month or creating eye sores. Everything in the show and on the racks was beautiful including accessories - smooth gloves, shimmering bloated bags and a wide variety of killer shoes.

Fall - Winter 2008 Fashion Trends List

It's that time again - time to lust after luxurious fall and winter fashion as stores fill their shelves. Here's our annual fall - winter trends list for 2008-2009, compiled from attending Fashion Week, viewing show footage online and studying what other publications have identified as well.

This season, key trends include structured black suits, luscious purple gowns, oversized tweed coats, cartoon dresses, throwback cardigans, rocker booties and gigantic bags. This list is just a start - check out images from shows at style.com and New York magazine to see complete looks, such as the one top left, by Michael Kors.

Themes & Inspiration:
tailored
maturity
rockers
form-fitting
layering
late 50's/early 60's
Tudors
boxy 80's
South America
shag
futuristic
Eastern Europe
cartoons
Western
grunge

Nordstrom Fall Designer Trunk Show Today in SF

Nordstrom at San Francisco Centre today will be featuring a plethora of enticing fall must-haves from key designers shown in last night's Designer Preview at Fort Mason Herbst Pavilion. Shown left is a Missoni ensemble from the show.

If you want a sneak peak, head over to Nordstrom at 5th and Market from 10am-2pm. Designers include Donna Karan, Stella McCartney, Derek Lam, Peter Som, Missoni, Valentino, Versace, Michael Kors, Burberry Prorsum, Vera Wang and more. Look for comfortable knits, tweeds, lots of patent leather, magenta, gray, camel and of course black.

Best Of The City

I have tried to be eco conscious and cut down on my magazine subscriptions. However, I could not resist buying this month's edition of 7x7 featuring the best of the city. I always want to hear what people in the know think are the "best bets". Growing up in the Bay Area, I have my own personal list, and am always over joyed to actually discover some new gems. The June 7x7 was filled with great places to eat, drink, shop, see and enjoy. Now even a suburbanite like me can feel like an "it" girl.

Having severe food allergies restricts my ability to sample many great desserts. Thanks to Julie Supplesa,associate producer of 7X7, I am planning a visit to Holy Gelato on 1392 Ninth Ave.The vegan chocolate chip cookie dough gelato shake sounds like a taste of pure heaven. I will have to see how that compares with Bi-rite creamery sorbet.

Capsule Design Show Sunday in Hayes Valley

Etsy comes to life in Hayes Valley this Sunday, May 25th. One Hundred and sixty designers will come together in Hayes Valley Park for the  Capsule design show. Capsule has become the largest marketer of independent designers in the Bay Area. You will be able to find hand screened, hand thrown and hand made products, while enjoying an afternoon of music. The show is from 11-6, and is between Fell and Hays streets. Be sure to check out the many wonderful boutiques while you are there.

Whitney Artist Tees @ The Gap

It seems like every other day Gap or Target is launching a new designer line or limited edition design. Today, when I walked into the Stanford Gap, I was thrilled to see the latest launch, t-shirts designed by thirteen artists that have been part of the Whitney collection. (I love the Whitney Museum.)  The shirts are available online, in select Gap stores, as well as locally at the SFMOMA. I picked up a Chuck Close shirt for my husband, and I plan to go back and treat myself to one as well.

Great prices and limited designs only mean one thing: get to your local Gap as soon as you can.

Petchitecture Goes Green for PAWS Friday in Union Square

For pet lovers, foodies, and architecture fans, tomorrow night at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in Union Square (SF) from 7-11pm, the Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) organization is hosting a fundraiser, "Petchitecture Goes Green," where "leading architects and designers use the best in renewable resources to create custom pet habitats that are yours for the bidding." Cool. Cocktails, live and silent auction accompany the nibbles. PAWS is a "volunteer-based organization that provides for the comprehensive needs of companion animals for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and other disabling illnesses." Dogs on leashes are welcome at the event, and tickets start at $150/person.

Every Day Can Be Earth Day

With the environment in the forefront of news and 'green' being the new black, eco-friendly being the new trendy, eco fashion is everywhere. From the high end designers like Stella McCartney using organic and natural materials to locals like Cari Borja recycling fabrics, eco is becoming easier every day to adopt in our daily lives. So in celebration of Earth Day (yes, Earth Day is today, although it hasn't been hyped as much as in previous years), we wanted to share some of our favorite local eco fantastic sites. (Please always look to our 'eco style' list on the right column of this site, below 'local style' and 'city style'.)

• ecofabulous - Zem Joaquin and friends showcase great products and services that are eco conscious and fabulously designed
• Heart of Green - Nadine Weil writes about her eco finds including great local events, initiatives and boutiques supporting the environment
• Divine Green - Stefanie Olsen covers a variety of environmentally conscious items and ideas
• Weekly Phil - San Francisco - based locally and focused globally, Tim Gaskin's online publication also has a local site
• Eco Citizen - San Francisco eco boutique on Polk Street (owned by Joslin Van Arsdale) with an online store
• Wildlife Works - another eco boutique in San Francisco (Union Street) that also takes action by creating wildlife sanctuaries

Each of these businesses or organizations provides a service locally and globally to the community, so we applaud all of their efforts, and those of the other sites we show in our links daily. SFBayStyle is committed to covering as much local eco style as we can, so please if there's something not on our sidebar or in our articles that you think is worth mentioning that's local and eco, please let us know. Happy Earth Day!

Photo from Atherton Green Earth Week fashion show last year featuring Wildlife Works tee on child model.

H&M Spring Organic Line

A few weeks ago, my husband had a day to himself in San Francisco and he ended up, as we often do, at H&M shopping for our daughter. It's my fault - I sent him there in search of an inexpensive sparkly headband for her, since she had fallen in love with one her friend had. In addition to the headband, he came home with two darling dresses - one of which was organic cotton.

It turns out that not only does H&M now have an organic cotton children's line, but they have expanded their organic cotton spring line to using 1500 tons of organic cotton - more than the total amount of organic cotton they used during all of last year.

Recycled Couture Discarded to Divine Fashion Show This Coming Saturday

This coming Saturday, April 26th, will be the 3rd annual Discarded to Divine (D2D) show to benefit the St. Vincent DePaul Society, created by Gensler architect, Lisa Bieringer and St. Vincent DePaul's Sally Rosen. The Contra Costa Times has a great article up about the upcoming show as well as some good information about budding eco fashion.

For additional information or tickets to the D2D fashion show, see discardedtodivine.org. The show will be from 7-9:30pm at the Academy of Art tent, 601 Brannan Street (SOMA) in San Francisco.

Ballet San Jose Pirouettes with Style: School Benefit Fashion Show a Sold-Out Success

Last week, the Silicon Valley Capital Club in downtown San Jose hosted arts supporters in a sold-out, dazzling display of couture by San Francisco based couture designer, Max Nugus, to benefit the Ballet San Jose School scholarship program which provides a means for young, talented dancers to follow their dreams.

The school teaches 350 students, ages 4 to 19 with an open and a professional track, 6 regular teachers and 4 accompanists, along with additional guest teachers. Students are given ample opportunities to dance in their own shows as well as in the Ballet San Jose performances, such as the Nutcracker and the upcoming production of The Firebird.

Ballet San Jose Fashion Show Photo Pictorial

This event was so fun, and I was lucky enough to snap some great images that show the flow of the day, so here is a pictorial representation of the cocktail reception, luncheon, fashion show and trunk show.

At left, models Penny Pogue Del Grande and Ballet San Jose principal ballerina, Karen Gabay prepare "back stage" for the hats section of the fashion show.

See the full article for more details and pictures.

Wati Fall/Winter Trunk Shows Wednesday & Thursday

You can be one of the first to see the much anticipated Fall/Winter 2008 collection of Wati Designs. Wati Grossman, a SF Bay Area designer will be at the trunk shows. Come meet Wati, and find out what inspires her enchanted and unique designs. I am waiting for Wati to design an adult line so I can look as hip as my daughter does.

Trunk Shows will be held exclusivley at the San Francisco and Palo Alto locations of Honeys and Heroes. Wati will be at the SF boutique on April 16th, from 12-5. The location is 3366 Sacramento St in SF. Or you can pre-order designs in the Palo Alto boutique on April 17th from 12-5 , in the Town and Country Shopping Center.

Designs by 3.1 Philip Lim For Gap

April 15th is tax day, a day most of us loathe. The 15th is also the day that the limited edition Gap designs by Philip Lim will be available in stores and online. This collection has been inspired by the classic white shirt. The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund collaborates with Gap for a few collections each year. This is the one time I can buy a Gap design and not see others wearing the same pieces everywhere I go. (This just happened to me, as I wore a darling Chambray number that my daughter's teacher was also wearing.) Be sure to get online, or to your local Gap early, quantities are limited.

All This Buzz - Hot Bay Area Fashion Designers

San Francisco and the Bay Area in general is not known for fashion designers. The Golden Gate Bridge, sourdough bread, peace rallies - yes, but fashion - no. Until now. Over the past few years, more names have been connected with the Bay Area and fashion. Peter Som, Derek Lam, Alexander Wang, Erin Fetherston, Benjamin Cho, Lily Samii, Humberto Leon. These are the new names coming from our area. Veterens Colleen Quen and Julie Chaiken get mentioned too as pioneers. I'm not the only one who seems to have noticed this, of course. The news of these hot designers is everywhere and locals are excited.

Nerissa Pacio wrote an interesting piece in 7x7 where she imagines what Fashion Week in San Francisco could become. "This could be the moment... when San Francisco finally stakes out its own fashion territory: local, organic, green, artisanal, ethically produced, sustainable..." like the Bay Area has with food. "Is this the future of San Francisco fashion?" she asks. Names like William Good, Lily Achatz, Margaret O'Leary and Linda Loudermilk are becoming more known every day. Not just for show, these clothes are coveted by savvy customers. Pacio also reminds readers that Esprit, Bebe, Levi's and Gap were all founded here.

Some of the buzz comes from New York Fashion Week. I was impressed by some of the Academy of Art University pieces from their first New York show, particularly those by Sherise Eways. (See photos in this month's Nob Hill Gazette.) They stood up next to other designers presenting shows in New York from all over the world.