SFBayStyle

The Fashion Event of the Year - Discarded to Divine

One of the most popular Bay Area fashion events of the year, Discarded to Divine is coming up this Thursday, April 29 at Saint Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco. Guest designer is Project Runway contestant, Jay Nicolas Sario.

A major fundraiser for the San Francisco St. Vincent De Paul, Discarded to Divine invites local designers and fashion design students to reconstruct discarded clothing into one-of-a-kind pieces for fashion and home decor worthy of bringing in big bucks. This year's lineup of designers includes East Bay artist Anandamayi Arnold. Ms. Arnold usually works with paper, creating paper dresses and small paper sculptures available in the Berkeley store, Tail of the Yak. For this year's Discarded to Divine, Ms. Arnold is working with her mother, a professional dressmaker. The mother-daughter team are keeping their design top secret until the day of the event, but word is it will include handmade ribbon pansies.

Discarded to Divine, Thursday April 29, Saint Mary's Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street, SF. VIP reception at 5pm. General reception and silent auction at 6pm. Live auction and runway show at 8pm. For more information call 415-977-1270.

Save the Date - Meet Actress Tippi Hedren and Support The Roar Foundation

Join Hollywood memorabilia collector Barry Barsamian in welcoming actress Tippi Hedren to San Francisco's Metreon on Thursday, April 29, 6pm. Ms. Hedren will attend the exhibit Hollywood Legends: The Barry Barsamian Collection and unveil from her own personal wardrobe an original Edith Head gown.

View Barry's collection of some of the most famous fashions from motion pictures and the personal wardrobes of the worlds greatest stars, including:

Judy Garland
Audrey Hepburn
Elizabeth Taylor
Marilyn Monroe
Clark Gable
Cary Grant

Meet Ms. Hedren and view her fabulous Edith Head original gown up close.

Enjoy special performances by Linda Bulgo as Judy Garland
and Doug Wilson, the Singing Cop.

(A Portion of the Proceeds Will Benefit The Roar Foundation through Barry Barsamian)

Thursday, April 29th, 2010
6:00 - 8:30 pm
Champagne and Appetizers

Metreon
101 Fourth Street, Ground Level
San Francisco, CA 94103

$60.00 Movie Star
$100.00 Silent Film Star
$150.00 Academy Award Winner

Please make your check payable to: Barry Barsamian & mail to:
4326 Detroit Avenue,
Oakland, CA 94619
All checks must be mailed by April 25th, 2010

 

 

 

 

Fashion and Student Trends Host Spring Fashion Show at UC Berkeley

Berkeley is not known for its sense of high fashion. But that is of no consequence to 100 UC Berkeley students who belong to the campus fashion club, Fashion and Student Trends (FAST). By producing a fashion show each semester, FAST offers interested students hands-on experience in many aspects of the fashion industry from design to photography to promotion. Currently the UC Berkeley fashionistas are busy bees getting ready for the spring 2010 fashion show coming up this Sunday, April 25. 

FAST co-president Helene Truong says the club is completely student run and in their fifth year, they are growing in popularity. UC Berkeley has no fashion design or merchandising program, so club members come from various unrelated disciplines. “FAST gives students an opportunity to explore fashion as a hobby,” says Ms. Truong, “and an entrance to a possible future career.” Ms. Truong, a junior majoring in Media Studies, is in her third year working with FAST. She explains that students interested in fashion design present their ideas to a committee and if chosen to present in the semester-end fashion show, they must commit to designing 5-7 pieces each. The progress of the designers is monitored with various deadlines and meetings. Students wanting to model are given training sessions and throughout the semester FAST sponsors various workshops and guests speakers on all aspects of the industry. Other club members volunteer for photographing the show, mixing the music, promoting, backstage managing and all the other necessary tasks of putting on a fashion show. The club also works with local fashion industry businesses, like Paul Mitchell Beauty School who provide some of their students to style hair for the show.

Raphael House is Puttin’ on the Ritz: One Home, Many Hearts 2010 Benefit Gala

The Raphael House One Home, Many Hearts 2010 Benefit Gala is set for April 17 and promises to be the cat’s pajamas with a 1920s themed affair at San Francisco’s historic Bimbo's 365 Club in North Beach. Since 1971 Raphael House has been helping at risk families find stable housing and achieve financial independence. In the past 39 years of service to the San Francisco community, Raphael House has sheltered more than 17,000 children and their parents with help and support from foundations, corporations, businesses, civic groups, churches and synagogues, and individuals like you.

“Now more than ever, there will be a need to support our families in crisis and we hope to continue to successfully raise the vital funds in order to do just that,” says Claudia Ross, Chairman of the Board. “The Gala is our single most important fund-raiser for the year – the revenue generated from this event is critical to our programs and services for our families.”

Included in this year’s swanky Gala are gambling tables, plenty of hooch, dinner prepared by Taste Catering, tunes provided by The Richard Olsen Orchestra and some swell vocals by jazz singer and former Raphael House resident Amanda King. A silent auction and a live auction will offer ample opportunities to part with your dough - for a good cause. And this is no baloney - complimentary valet parking for your jalopy.

So get a wiggle on and plan your flapper and dapper glad rags (black tie) for Raphael House One Home, Many Hearts 2010 Benefit Gala, Saturday, April 17, 2010, 6PM, Bimbo’s 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco. For tickets contact Flavia Henrique, fhenrique@raphaelhouse.org or 415.345.7262

Hollywood Legends: The Barry Barsamian Collection at the Metreon

 

Click here to see images of the exhibit

Back in the day, Easter for most kids meant a visit from The Bunny, colored hard boiled eggs and perhaps a basket of jelly beans. But for Hollywood memorabilia collector Barry Barsamian, Easter was the one opportunity he had to watch his favorite movie on television – The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland. “There were no videos or DVDs in those days,” Barry explains. Every year he watched the 1938 classic film, every year becoming more and more intrigued with Hollywood, movies and movie stars. When in 1976 Barry had the chance to purchase one of the dresses Judy Garland wore in the film, he jumped right on it and he’s been collecting Hollywood memorabilia ever since. Now through May, Barry has opened up his collection of over 100 items for a public exhibit at the Metreon in San Francisco.

Among Barry’s Hollywood treasures are:

• Fur trimmed coat belonging to Marilyn Monroe circa 1950s.
• Youthful dress worn by Judy Garland in a dance scene with Fred Astaire in the 1947 film Easter Parade.
• Joan Crawford’s costume jewelry and Lucy Ball’s dyed wig from the movie Yours Mine and Ours.
• One-of-a-kind Donna Karan black dress specially made for Barbra Streisand.
• Blue chiffon dress worn by Elizabeth Taylor.
• Phyllis Diller’s 1960s chandelier dress.

Mireille Schwartz dons her own Creation at the Mid-Winter Gala

This year’s Mid-Winter Gala, hosted by the Fine Arts Museums' Junior Committee was a smash hit, raising a record $400,000 for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and attracting an array of well-clad attendees. Alexis Swanson Traina was spotted in Dolce & Gabbana, Committe Chairman Allison Speer was wearing Oscar de la Renta, and Committee Benefactor Mireille Schwartz was looking tres chic in … Mireille Schwartz.

Mireille has become part of the hot new DIY design trend. Inspired by her good friend Karen Caldwell, who just started her own line, Karen Caldwell Design, Mireille decided this year she would create her own look. “The process began when I was shopping for the Gala and couldn't find the "right" dress,” explains Mireille. “I kept identifying a beautiful gown, but not in my size, or a fabulous fit but the gown wasn't my style.” Mireille soon realized that she didn’t have to sacrifice a thing; she could have exactly what she was looking for by designing her own gown. Why not? She sketched some ideas, keeping in mind jewel-tones, classic lines, and glamour Hollywood draping. Her daughter helped choose the fabric and color and a local seamstress, whom Mireille calls her new Fairy Godmother, whipped it all up.

The result is a lovely red silk chiffon one-shoulder gown with rosette accents. “The seven hand-tooled rosettes on my dress signify life, vitality, and most of all whimsical fun,” says Mireille. “I try and not take myself too seriously; there are festive moments in fashion if you're willing to have a giggle with or at yourself.”

Well done, Mireille. We hope to see more of your designs in the future.

(Photo by Drew Altizer)

Vintage Fashion Expo

 

Stylish Bay Area locals know the score - vintage clothing is hot. In LA, vintage is on fire with celebrities, stylists, costumers, fashion students, designers, pretty much everyone who's fashionable. They all know to hit the Vintage Fashion Expo when it comes to town and this weekend - March 20-21 - it's our turn, when the fun comes to San Francisco's Concourse.

The Vintage Fashion Expo hosts 100 dealers from around the country, including Oakland dealer Ardis Taylor. Mr. Taylor is known for providing Hollywood with some of their more stylish vintage gear. Most recently he outfitted Christian Bale and Johnny Depp in the film Public Enemies. He also deals in women's clothing and fabulous 40s platform shoes.  When it comes to vintage, Mr. Taylor says what people want is something special. "Overall it's always the most unique  pieces within a decade that people seek out." As for what's new and hot in vintage this season, it's dresses for women and separates for men. "There's also a demand right now among young men for 60s suits," says Mr. Taylor. "That continental look with the tapered pant leg and slim jacket."

Bulgari Store Grand Opening in San Franicsco

 

Enjoying the scene at Bulgari are Mark Rhoades, Mireille Schwartz (sporting a Karen Caldwell original coat), Karen Caldwell, Oliver Caldwell Photo: Drew Altizer

A city buzz for months, the evening finally arrived on Tuesday March 2 for the grand opening of the fabulous Bulgari store in Union Square. Six hundred guests meandered around the new three story Bulgari boutique, sipping cocktails and admiring the bold and colorful Bulgari wares. At 13,000 square feet, the Bulgari SF boutique is the largest in the United States. 

The Bulgari story begins in 1884 when Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari moved to Rome, Italy and opened his first shop, which offered handcrafted silver objects. In the early 20th century Sotirio's sons, Costantino and Giorgio took over the family business and incorporated watches and jewelry with precious stones into the line.  After WWII, the business shifted focus to what would become their signature style -  a large and dramatic look inspired by Greco-Roman classicism. By the 1950s and 60s, distinctive Bulgari caught the attention of American celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor. Today Bulgari is a diverse luxury brand offering jewelry, watches, leather goods, fragrances, skin-care, and spas/resorts. 

Cartier and America: Exhibit at the Legion of Honor Museum

Cartier Tutti Frutti Necklace 

Photo: Legion of Honor Museum

To see more photos from the Cartier exhibit visit:

http://www.examiner.com/examinerslideshow.html?entryid=1014233

The Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco certainly knows what thrills the ladies – jewelry. The museum’s latest exhibit, Cartier and America is a retrospective of the famous French jeweler from the 1899 to the 1970s and runs now through April 18, 2010. Curated by Martin Chapman this exhibit is an exclusive treat to San Francisco.

The House of Cartier illustrious background -

The House of Cartier was established in Paris in 1847 by jeweler and watch maker Louis-Francois Cartier. Many years later his grandsons Louis, Pierre, and Jacques took over the business and developed it into a notable brand by creating extravagant pieces for European royalty and wealthy Americans such as the Vanderbilts and the Astors. In addition to jewelry, the Cartier brothers are known for designing the first wristwatch in 1904 and later the tank style watch in 1917. In the early 20th century Cartier opened shops across Europe and New York in 1909. The current NYC location on Fifth Avenue is the former mansion owned by railroad tycoon Henry Plant. The story goes that Cartier purchased the mansion in 1917 for $100 and a double strand necklace of natural pearls. In 1964 the family sold the business to a group of investors. Cartier still carries on today as a luxury brand.

Kiss the Curves Rocks Uptown Oakland

 
Photo: Ron Fulcher

Pantsuit by Ashley Stewart

It was a rockin’ Saturday night on February 6th when several hundred enthusiastic fashionistas gathered at Historic Sweets Ballroom in updown Oakland for Kiss the Curves: The First Ever Plus-Size Fashion Gala in the Bay Area. The evening included a VIP champagne reception, a runway show featuring seven plus-size designers, standard tunes sung by local artists, and an opportunity to purchase goods designed and made by local artisans.

A mere four months ago, Oakland based actor and plus-size model Tracie Collins had a dream to produce the first ever fashion show for plus-size women. Concerned about the lack of quality, chic designs for full figured women as well as the messages mainstream fashion is sending to young girls, Ms. Collins set about creating an evening where full-figured women were the stars. With the help of dozens of industry professionals, Ms. Collins made her dream come true. Women from across the Bay Area showed up ready to hoot and holler and celebrate, finally designs for them. (Photo: Ron Fulcher)

Valentine's Day Gifts from San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design

 

The big heart holiday is just around the corner and what better way to honor your true love than with something unique.

For an assortment of the unusual, skip the mall and head straight to San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design. The museum shop offers artisan-made jewelry, accessories, and gift items of all kinds to suit all tastes. Stop by and while you're there check out the current exhibit, Designers on Jewelry: Twelve Years of Jewelry Production by Chi ha paura.

San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design, 550 Sutter St., San Francisco. Shop on-line or in the store.  

Kiss the Curves: The First Ever Plus-Size Fashion Gala

On Saturday February 6, 2010 at Historic Sweets Ballroom, Oakland will step into the runway spotlight as the city-of-choice for Kiss the Curves: The First Ever Plus-Size Fashion Gala. Highlighting some of the top plus-size designers in the fashion industry, Kiss the Curves ultimately wants to encourage positive awareness of the plus-size community as well as send the message to mainstream outlets that fashion is not limited by size.

The Gala’s Executive Producer is local actress and model, Tracie Collins. A Bay Area native, Ms. Collins attended Actors Conservatory Theater as a child. She went on to start a successful acting career, landing roles in Dreamgirls and Misery Loves Company. Eventually she set her sights on modeling, hoping to show young women a realistic image of beauty. Ms. Collins has modeled for Ashley Stewart, Mocha Bridge Magazine and Orisa Wear Fashions.

Mr. Rick's Martini Club rings in the New Year at Oakland's Lake Merritt Hotel

On Saturday January 9th close to 200 guests of Mr. Rick’s Martini Club arrived at Oakland’s Lake Merritt Hotel ready to ring in the New Year all over again. The question was – what year? The stylish crowd, donning their vintage finest, had entered a time warp and every year from 1930 to 1950 was up for celebration.

Since 1990 Laurie Gordon and Richard Fishman of Mr. Rick’s Martini Club have specialized in presenting 1930s to 1950s swing dance supper club events at various venues around the Bay Area. With themed events such as Casablanca and the Rat Pack in Las Vegas, Mr. Rick's offers attendees a chance to experience true glamour only seen in movies today.

(Photo Credit: Michele Smith)

Gorgeous & Green at Five

 

Gorgeous & Green event co-chairs Zem Joaquin and Nadine Weil

The San Francisco Committee of Global Green USA hosted their fifth annual Gorgeous & Green benefit dinner and fashion show December 8th, 2009. Held this year at the W Hotel in San Francisco's SoMa district, the event celebrated Global Green's smart climate solutions just as the Copenhagen Climate Conference commenced.  

Global Green USA was founded in 1993 and is the American affiliate of President Gorbachev's Green Cross International. Their mission is to support projects that address stemming global climate change, specifically by the development of green buildings in cities around the country. Proceeds from the event went to Global Green's initiatives, including works to rebuild New Orleans with zero-energy homes, advancing the Green Schools Initiative in California and New Orleans, and launching a pilot program to recycle Starbucks cups.

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.

Merla Zellerbach's Latest Novel - Mystery of the Mermaid

Everyone loves a good mystery. Everyone loves a good romance. Lucky for us, San Francisco author Merla Zellerbach has intertwined the two in her latest novel - Mystery of the Mermaid.

Set in contemporary San Francisco, Mystery of the Mermaid tells the story of Hallie Marsh, an attractive 30-something businesswoman working in public relations. Hallie lives a modern life full of blind dates (courtesy of her socialite mother), best-friend chats, high-power meetings, and late night visits from her lover. When confronted with breast cancer and then a double mastectomy, Hallie embarks on a luxury cruise ship to South America for little R&R, but instead she finds mystery, mayhem and romance.

Celebrating the New Look of CHANEL

San Francisco's Maiden Lane was ablaze with activity last Thursday evening November 19th, when several hundred devotees of CHANEL turned out to celebrate the boutique's reopening. A destination store on the Lane since 1988, CHANEL relocated earlier this year while the original boutique was completely redesigned.

The redesign was headed by New York architect and long time CHANEL collaborator Peter Marino. Sleek and tres moderne, the new boutique is a spacious two stories, highlighted by a 25-foot glass wall lining the stairs to the second floor. The wall is created from black metal and glass and backed with sheer gold laser cut fabric. Suspended from the wall are white lacquer shelves showcasing must-have handbags, shoes, and costume jewelry. To provide a bit of respite and comfort for shoppers, each floor has lovely tweed slipper chairs and sofas. The new space is both elegant and classic, with much attention paid to nuance and detail, offering customers a distinctively CHANEL experience.

Hopalong Animal Rescue Fur Ball

It's always stylish to turn out for a good cause and this Sunday, November 15 is one such occasion. It's Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue's 5th Annual Fur Ball.

Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue has been saving abandoned pets since 1993. With dozens of volunteers, this local organization has found permanent loving homes for over 16,000 animals - some from other areas including New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In addition, Hopalong provides spay and neuter services, animal advocacy and humane education in schools and after school programs. 

This year's Fur Ball will debut Hopalong's new digs in Emeryville. The afternoon festivities promise to be a hoot with live music, wine tasting, food, and a silent auction. All proceeds benefit Hopalong so mark your calendars for Hopalong & Second Chance 5th Annual Fur Ball, Sunday November 15, 1-5pm, 5749 Doyle St., Emeryville. Tickets: $35 in advance, $40 at the door.  Visit: hopalong.org

Be there or be square!

A Masked Ball for Survivor Corps

 
Cleo Streets, Pamela Joyner, Russell Gatewood (Photo: Drew Altizer) 

In true festive spirit, guests of Pamela Joyner and Fred Giuffrida arrived bedecked and bejeweled for the third annual Masked Ball. Held on October 24 at Ms. Joyner's lovely Presidio Heights home, this popular event is a fundraiser for Survivor Corps.

Over $750,000 was raised to support Survivor Corps, an organization working to help survivors of armed conflict around the world. The gold and white theme sparked imaginative attire of flowing Grecian ball gowns, elegant wraps, and masks accented with jewels and feathers. Three other cities - Santa Monica, New York, and London joined the festivities in a simulcast.

 Rosalina Lydster, Deepa Pakianathan (Photo: Drew Altizer)