SFBayStyle

Stylish Holiday Cookies by Felix the Cook

Got upcoming parties? Need to mail a gift? Time to thank the teachers? No worries, we have a stylish holiday tip for you - Felix the Cook.

Barbara Felix is the cookie artist behind Felix the Cook. She creates delicious sugar cookies in fabulously artistic shapes like autumn leaves, pine cones, snowmen, dreidels, stars, even dresses. Barbara does seasonal collections, holiday themes and custom-made for special occasions such as baby showers, birthdays, and weddings. Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan and Ashley Judd says Barbara's cookies are "... the most dazzling to look at and delicious to eat."

You said it, Ashley!

Holiday Happenings with Rocket Dog Rescue

WHO: Rocket Dog Rescue

WHAT: An evening of holiday shopping and cheer - 5% of the proceeds go to helping RRR find forever homes for abandoned dogs.

WHEN: Saturday, December 4, 4pm to 9pm

WHERE: Design Quarter, 1478 Church Street, @ 27th Street, San Francisco.

What's more stylish than turning out for a good cause? And what better a cause than Rocket Dog Rescue? The hard working volunteers with RRR save our canine friends from death at overcrowded shelters. RRR provides each dog with all needed medical care and a foster home until a forever home is found. Since 2001 RRR has rescued over 4000 dogs. Way to go!

The evening will include cocktails, food, a raffle and shopping the fabulous home wares of Design Quarter (5% of all sales go to the dogs).

 

Change Starts With I: Local Jewelry Designer Stacey Lorinczi Designs The Irma Bracelet

When San Francisco jewelry designer Stacey Lorinczi was asked to create a bracelet as a fundraiser for the documentary film, Recovering Irma, she immediately thought of the yellow Lance Armstrong  bracelets. Although Stacey is not a fan of the ubiquitous rubber bands she recognizes the positive impact they have made. "I started wondering how can we design something that is an essential marketing tool and make it fantastic piece of jewelry."

Fantastic it is. A simple black band of leather with a sterling silver "I" stylishly says, I take a stand against domestic violence.

Stay in Season with SeeZenn.com

 
This past Saturday local fashion company SeeZenn.com celebrated the opening of their first pop-up shop in the Westfield Mall on Market Street in downtown San Francisco. Primarily an on-line women's clothing outlet, SeeZenn is popping up for real to help spread the word on their new and unique lines of clothing.

SeeZenn offers itself to a select few international designers as a venue for the US market. Currently they house the Asian line LILY and their in-house line, Sorrce. Both lines are particularly appropriate for San Francisco style with an array of 

• short jackets
• cardis
• sweater tunics
• vintage-inspired floral blouses
• loose dresses 
• cotton-stretch tees with vintage graphics
• tweed jumpers
• and trench coats.

Fabrics are lightweight, mostly polyester blends for easy care.

Levi's Curve ID: It's About Shape Not Size

 

 

When it comes to jeans:

FACT: Most women wish they could find jeans that fit better than what they own.

FACT: Most women believe that jeans are designed for women with “ideal” figures.

FACT: Very few women believe that jeans are designed to fit their bodies.

 

We know these facts don’t we, ladies? Levi’s knows too, thanks to a global survey they took to get to the nitty-gritty of women and their jeans. The result is now, finally, we have jeans that fit!

Mireille Schwartz Appointed to Board of Directors of FAAN

Congratulations to San Francisco philanthropist Mireille Schwartz who was recently was appointed to the board of directors of FAAN: The Food Allergy Anaphylaxis Network.

To celebrate Mireille’s appointment, friends and supporters gathered last week at Caldwell Snyder Gallery in downtown San Francisco. Among the guests were Joel Goodrich, Karen Tamblyn, Wilkes Bashford, and Charleston Pierce. Damion Matthews and Cameron Noble were honored with appreciation awards and Senator Mark Leno dropped in to present Mireille with a special award for all her hard works on behalf of those who suffer from food allergies. The event was hosted by Karen Caldwell and Susan Snyder.

(Photo: Mireille Schwartz with Senator Mark Leno. Photo by Drew Altizer)

Vintage Fashion Expo

With vintage being all the rage this season, the upcoming Vintage Fashion Expo is on everyone's mind. We can't wait to hit the San Francisco Concourse on Saturday September 18th and Sunday September 19th and start checking off our fall must-have shopping list.

• Camel hair coats
• Structured handbags
• Tailored jackets
• Shirtwaist dresses
• Kitten heel shoes
• Animal Prints
• Gloves
• Cuff and bangle bracelets - lots of ‘em!

Vintage Vogue with Barbara Grigg

Flip through this season's fashion magazines and you will see vintage silhouettes reflected in the designs of Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana, and Dries Van Noten. The July issue of Vogue featured French actress Marion Cotillard looking tres chic in 50s inspired dresses, and Elle magazine has just launched PremiumVintage, a web-video series tracking current vintage-inspired trends. None of this surprises Barbara Grigg, proprietor of the shop Vintage Vogue in Calistoga. As a dealer in authentic vintage clothing and accessories, Barbara works with Los Angeles based designers, stylists, and celebrities helping them achieve the perfect camera-ready look in vintage.  

Barbara's affection for vintage began in high school in the early 1970s. This Livermore teenager stood out among the crowd sporting 40s jackets paired jeans and platform shoes. With a passion for Lilli Ann suits and everything Art Deco, she saved her pennies working as a waitress and built her collection. In the early 80s, Art Deco jeweler Gail Gum hired Barbara as a picker (one who scouts out prize pieces at thrift stores and garage sales). Before long, Gail told Barbara she had an eye and should start her own business. "So I did," says the spirited redhead, "and I've never looked back."

Gatsby Summer Afternoon

"Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!" Jay Gatsby, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Repeating the past is what it's all about for the enthusiastic attendees of the Gatsby Summer Afternoon, coming up on Sunday, September 12th at the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate in the Oakland Hills. This annual event is sponsored by the Art Deco Society of California and is in its 26th year.

 

Click here to see a slide show of past Gatsby afternoons

Several hundred people each year gather on the lovely front lawns of Dunsmuir Hellman House and recreate the 1920s by dressing the part and setting up picnic sites. Adding to the ambiance are classic cars and live jazz music. Some people take months to plan elaborate table decorations including china and crystal champagne flutes while others go simple with a blanket and tea sandwiches. Everyone is encouraged to use vintage furnishings, keeping the day as authentic as possible. For those new to the concept, The Art Deco Society provides a detailed guide on their website offering tips from food to fashion.

Juice Beauty with Jennifer Siebel Newsom

There's no denying that San Francisco's First Lady, Jennifer Siebel Newsom has beautiful and seemingly flawless skin. Would you like to know her secret? Ms. Siebel Newsom is happy to share and did so on July 14th at Hotel Vitale where guests gathered to view her premiere commercial spot for Juice Beauty, an organic skincare line.

Ms. Siebel Newsom has long been an advocate for green causes and after becoming a mother last year, she was alerted to the importance of using pure products on her daughter and herself. "I'm so excited to have found Juice Beauty," says Ms. Siebel Newsom, "and it is up to all of us to choose products that are great for us, our families and the environment."

(Photo: Jennifer Siebel Newsom & Karen Behnke. Drew Altizer.)

Fashion on the Square

It's Stylish ... It's Hot ... It's Local

It's Fashion on the Square, the biggest runway show on the West Coast, coming up this Saturday, August 14, noon-5pm at the Westfield Center Dome, 865 Market Street, San Francisco. Now celebrating seven years, Fashion on the Square features designers of adult and children's clothing from around the Bay Area. Show Producer Y'Anad Burrell is pleased to be back for another year, "We are very passionate about keeping fashion alive in San Francisco," says Y'Anad, "and felt committed to making sure we contributed to that effort."

Don't miss this opportunity to view the unique fashions of ten designers and see in the flesh show hosts Bre from America's Next Top Model and Project Runway's Jay Nicolas Sario. It's all happening at Fashion on the Square.

Click here for tickets.

Shopping at the American Craft Council Show in San Francisco

This year’s American Craft Council show, August 13-15, marks the group’s 35th year showing in the Bay Area and to celebrate, they’re shaking things up. In addition to showcasing 250 of the best artisans in the country, the ACC is offering AltCraft – 14 local and visiting artists who create one-of-a-kind objects often made from recycled materials and including jewelry, clothing, hats, shoes, lamps, and greeting cards. Among the chosen is Oakland artist Susan Eastman.

Susan is right on trend with her colorful silk scarves. In the SF Bay Area, scarves are a year round accessory and we ladies can never have too many. Susan hand sews and dyes her richly-colored scarves and she sometimes incorporates pieces of vintage fabric. She finds inspiration everywhere. “I am constantly intrigued by the possibilities of color, texture and form,” says Susan. “I’m usually thrilled by peeling paint or old walls or billboards, rust, grease, graffiti – it all interests me.”

Vintage Clothing & Style Festival

Readers, save the date: The Vintage Clothing & Style Festival is coming up Saturday evening, August 14 and Sunday, August 15 at the Elks Lodge in Alameda. Last year’s premiere event was a big success and this year promises even more vintage fun.

What’s new this time are themes. Saturday evening has two – lingerie and Gatsby. Co-producer Kimberly Manning Aker has organized vignettes with models donning lovely vintage lingerie. “Bring your husbands,” suggests Kimberly. In anticipation of the upcoming Art Deco Society's Gatsby Summer Afternoon, the ADSC will give a presentation, Getting Ready for Gatsby, offering tips on the best places to shop for appropriate gear, how to put together outfits, and how to arrange a picnic site. This in-depth presentation is guaranteed to inform and inspire.

Fashion in San Francisco

Do San Franciscans have style and if so, what is it?

A panel of local fashion professionals discuss San Francisco's sense of style with Chris Shafer on KQED's radio show, Forum.

The panel includes:

Bacca Da Silva, fashion designer of Bacca Da Silva in downtown San Francisco
Ben Ospital, partner of Modern Appealing Clothing (MAC) in Hayes Valley
Elisabeth Laurence, host of "Lives of Style" on KRON 4 TV
Jay Nicolas Sario, fashion designer and contestant on Season 7 of "Project Runway"
Jennifer Jones, owner of Candy Store Collective, with stores in the Mission and Pacific Heights

Click here to listen.

Levi's Offers Printmaking Workshops in San Francisco

 
Photo Provided by Levi's

As part of their Go Forth marketing campaign, Levi's invites you to get to work with their series of print workshops happening now through August 28th. Located in a pop-up storefront in San Francisco's Mission district, the workshops offer opportunities for visitors to use old-school printing presses, create zines, design t-shirts, and talk with local print artists. 

Book artist and printer Taylor Reid works at Center for the Book and was hired by Levi's to demonstrate one of the on-site presses.  She thinks these workshops are a great opportunity for the community. "I've noticed a growing appreciation for hand letter press," she comments. "It's not often people get to see printing in progress and do it themselves."

 

United Streets of Fashion: The Art Institute of California Fashion Show

The Art Institute of California had much to be proud of last Saturday evening at their annual fashion show held in the spacious San Francisco Design Center Galleria. Twenty fashion design students showed their wares to an enthusiastic crowd, which included Oakland Museum of California's Marketing Manager Adam Rozan, Rock and Roll designer Jeanne Rose, and stylist Tyese Cooper. Art Institute faculty member Amy Kweskin was seated in the front row cheering on her students as was Fashion on the Square Producer Y'Anad Burelle, seeking talent for her upcoming show on August 14th.    

Showing muted colors and layers, students were inspired by San Francisco's diverse neighborhoods from Union Square to The Haight. Exposed zippers were a theme as were corset style tops, harem pants, super short skirts, and playful patch pockets. The look for men was comfortable in loose knits, shorts, and layers.  

San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design: FourSite Installation Exhibit

WHO: San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design

WHAT: FourSite: 4 Artists, 4 Materials, 4 Sites.

Installations by four top California artists - Tanya Aguiniga, Paul Hayes, Thomas Hill, and Christine Lee. Using paper, fiber, metal, and wood these artists have created unique visual experiences that prompt viewers to rethink the uses of everyday materials.  

WHEN: Now through September 18, 2010

WHERE: San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design, 550 Sutter St., SF, Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm. Admission $5.

Click here to see more images of the exhibit.

Stylin': Bay Area Rock Fashion 1963-73 at the Museum of Performance & Design

 
  
Designer Jeanne Rose in the middle with models sporting Jeanne's original 1960s designs.

Photo byTony Bravo

For more photos click here

It was a rockin’ time last Thursday evening for the attendees of the multimedia panel, Stylin’: Bay Area Rock Fashion 1963-73 at San Francisco’s Museum of Performance & Design. Designer Jeanne Rose, boutique owner Helene Robertson, and musicians Peter Kaukonen and George Hunter each spoke about their personal experiences with 60s fashions influenced by Rock and Roll music and the youth culture in San Francisco.

The multimedia panel was a special event in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibition, Somethin’s Happening Here: Bay Area Rock ‘n’ Roll 1963-1973. Attendees, outfitted in their finest retro duds, perused the exhibit which includes stage costumes worn by Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, Sly Stone and Peter Albin as well as photos, posters, and other artifacts from the era. Moderated by exhibition co-curator Melissa Leventon, the lively discussion provided a glimpse into the importance of clothing in the San Francisco rock music scene.

San Francisco Hosts Book Launch Party for Derek Blasberg's Classy

It is good to know I’m not a tramp, as confirmed by Derek Blasberg, New York City’s favorite guy-about-town and author of Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady. At his recent San Francisco book launch party co-hosted by model Maggie Rizer and Gilt Groupe, Mr. Blasberg briefly addressed the crowd saying there was not a tramp to be found among us, “… so give my book to your trampy friends.”

Tramp or not, there’s something to learn from Mr. Blasberg’s primer on how to be a lady. A fashion reporter and NYC society party-hopper, Mr. Blasberg has observed many a faux pas, including the certain trend among young women to go bare under their skirts. (Oh dear, I have nightmares about that.) With his mid-western sensibilities and good manners he has taken on the tramps, determined to help them change their ways. In his book marketed to young adults, Mr. Blasberg offers advice on how to be a lady in every possible situation from traveling to hosting a party to falling in love. He also offers tips in how to dress like a lady; BTW, undergarments are a must.

Pictured right Maggie Rizer, Derek Blasberg, and Gilt Groupe's Alexis Maybank. Photo by: Drew Altizer 

Actress and Animal Rights Activist Tippi Hedren Visits San Francisco

An excited crowd recently gathered at the Barry Barsamian Hollywood Legends Exhibit in the Metreon waiting for the arrival of movie star Tippi Hedren. Known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic films The Birds and Marnie, Ms. Hedren has more recently turned her attentions to animal rights legislation and her wild cat sanctuary, Shambala.

Click here for slide show

Local notables such as Wilkes Bashford, Natalie Wood’s older sister, Olga and Kathy Garver (co-star in the 60s television show Family Affair) were among the crowd of 100 who toured the exhibit while enjoying champagne. Ms. Hedren arrived donning a long black gown with a short Edith Head jacket accessorized with a birds-in-flight brooch made of seed pearls set in gold. Petite and still a stunner, Ms. Hedren addressed the crowd sharing stories of how she was cast in The Birds and her passion for wild animals.

(Pictured above: Tippi Hedren with Barry Barasamian. Photo by Carole Chang)