SFBayStyle

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!

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."

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.”

SF Ballet Presents Exclusive Michael Kors Fashion Show Next Week

A handful of fashion shows in the Bay Area make the list of the best every year. Sitting at the top of the list is the San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show. Partnered with Saks Fifth Avenue, they always showcase a fall designer collection fresh from the New York runway. This year, Michael Kors was selected.

Wednesday the 28th, the fashion show, previously a luncheon event, will move to cocktail hour at the Westin St. Francis on Union Square. Beginning at 5:30pm, cocktails, live auction and the fashion show (featuring professional models) will show items in the Michael Kors collection that are available for purchase for fall/winter 2010.

In terms of philanthropic bang for your fashion show buck, this is one of the best deals around. Tickets start at $175 and $100 of that is deductible, going straight to the SF Ballet. Limited seats are still available.

Special Jimmy Choo Launch for a Cause

Thursday evening, our friends at Vivanista and Saks Fifth Avenue are hosting a fabulous shopping event with Wine, Women and Shoes. Featuring the new Choo 24:7 collection by Jimmy Choo, a percentage of purchases from the evening's purchases will go to Children of Shelters, a San Francisco based community organization.

Let's be clear: this isn't just any other shoe shopping event. Wine, Women and Shoes was founded by Napa Valley vintner, Elaine Honig with the express purpose of showcasing unique designer collections paired with exquisite wines. Their special events have collectively raised over $4 Million in funds for women's and children's charities.

It's okay to browse too! Just RSVP to events(at)vivanista.com.

One Kings Lane Launches Exclusive Sales With Top Interior Designers

Just across from Washington Square Park sits an elegant pink building that houses some of the best views of San Francisco you could ever see. The fourth floor flat with an $8.5 Million price tag served as an ideal location to host the anniversary celebration and Tastemaker Tag Sales launch party for One Kings Lane. The guest list matched the exclusive sound of the program, but in reality, the idea is to appeal to a broad audience of home owners and connoisseurs.

As founder Alison Pincus put it, "the customers are excited to have access to truly unique pieces you wouldn't find in your neighborhood" and the designers are thrilled to be able to move items that perhaps didn't fit in their homes or that they no longer need. (Pincus, pictured left with Ken Fulk and cofounder Susan Feldman.)

To celebrate the new launch, guests were welcomed by bagpipes, cocktails and luxurious decor. Cocktail chic doesn't even begin to describe this crowd. Beginning April 10, they - and the rest of us - will be able to shop online ever weekend for hand-picked items selected by designers and collectors such as Nathan Turner, Ann Getty, Kimberly Ayers, Suzanne Tucker and Kendall Wilkinson.

Finally, it doesn't cost anything to join. This is a sale not to be missed. There's no harm browsing, right?

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(Photos by Drew Altizer, Sarah Granger)

84 Years of Fashion for Charity

Friday, the Junior League of San Francisco staged two elaborate back-to-back fashion shows as an effort to raise funds for local programs including Compass Community Services, the International Rescue Committee, the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center and Support for Families of Children with Disabilities. These fashion shows have raised millions of dollars over their 84 years, and this year's did not disappoint.

As always, the children stole the show, but the jovial atmosphere between friends lit the room. It was my first time attending the evening dinner gala show; in previous years I always attended the afternoon luncheon. I now see why it's one of the big San Francisco events people talk about all year long. The festive decor brought to life a world of life sized cards and chess pieces, reminiscent of "Alice in Wonderland."

Revelers began the evening in the Penthouse of the Fairmont Hotel (see image of Courtney Bocci, fashion show chair, right) and ended it there, participating in the silent auction before the live auction and dinner fashion show in the ballroom. Double Funk Crunch played on as guests danced following the show.

The League's largest annual fundraiser, some of the city's top volunteers work tirelessly for years to make these events happen. As a result, the organization gives back to those who put in their time and money to providing the community with both memorable philanthropic events and funds for important causes. The past show chairs (shown below) continue to be recognized over the years and there's a camaraderie built between the women who work on these committees.

Partnering with Macy's now for 22 years, the department store has always been an active participant in the show and guests were able to purchase what they saw on the runway. Other major sponsors included Exquisite Cultural and Wildlife Adventures, Epi Center MedSpa, KPMG and SHOPHAUS, but the list of major donor organizations and individuals was a mile long, published in a magazine to showcase how gigantic the project of producing this event is each year.

Next year marks the Junior League of San Francisco's 100 year anniversary, so the expectations will be set high for the show to make another mark on our community.

See also: more of my favorite images from the night. (All photos by Drew Altizer Photography.)

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Sarah Granger is the Founder of SFBayStyle. She is also on the Board of the Junior League of Palo Alto/Mid-Peninsula.

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."

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.  

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.