It’s a Wrap: Ali Golden Wrap Vests

Yesterday afternoon, I happened to stop by Shotwell in Union Square and discover these wonderfully unique, versatile and cozy reversible wrap vests by Ali Golden. (Thanks much to owner Holly for pointing them out to me!) I was immediately taken with them and couldn’t wait to post them on SF Indie Fashion and feature them on the 7×7 Glamwatch blog. By a funny twist of fate, Golden herself turned up at the store minutes later, so I got the chance to meet her in person and chat for a few minutes.

A local designer and FIDM student, Golden makes these vests using 100 percent wool. Each is handmade, one-of-a-kind and can be worn on either side and with the dramatic, drapey hoods up or down. As for what to pair them with, the sky’s the limit. Golden says she’s donned them over cocktail dresses to holiday parties, on top of baggy tees during the daytime and with baby doll dresses and boots for venturing around town.

Just don’t let the preppy plaid fool you. When I asked Golden how she landed on this design, she surprised me by saying she’d actually derived the idea from science fiction.

In her words:

“These vests were initially inspired by some of the most fantastic dystopian science fiction artistic endeavors (which i can never get enough of) and my very own post-apocalyptic ideas… When I first started designing them, I liked the idea of a huge protective hood (very post-apocalyptic), but it was obviously extremely important that the vests were as wearable and flattering as they were conceptually interesting. So after experimenting with different ideas, I decided to create a reversible wrap vest with a gigantic hood that also acted as a large collar/lapel.”

Golden is currently at work on her first collection and blogs about her endeavors on her site Creativity Killed the Cat. Be on the lookout for more high drama hoods, as well as knit and woven dresses, come spring. Right now, the only place you can view these beauties in person (unless, of course, you happen to have an in with the designer) is at Shotwell.

The artistic photos are all Golden’s own - she’s also a graphic designer who loves to play with things in Photoshop. The two at the bottom featuring the green vest are ones I took yesterday - thanks to sis-in-law Heather’s willingness to be a guinea pig (you rock!).

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SF Indie Fashion News Roundup

After all the hullabaloo of the holidays and ringing in the New Year, we’ve been kinda tired. Like, can’t move, please speak softly, give me back the remote, sleeping 10 hours in a row tired. But at least we have the weekend ahead of us. Come Monday, expect your usual dose of Bay Area independent fashion news, tidbits and features. Until then, content yourself with these nuggets…

- Attention local designers: On Jan. 14-15, 2009 in New York, Showroom New York is holding an open call for contemporary RTW and accessory designers. If you’re interested in learning more about the open call, check the Showroom New York web site.

- Have a bunch of fabric scraps you can donate to a great cause? Then bag ‘em up and take them to R.A.G. starting tomorrow through Jan. 12. They’ll be given to the Children’s Home at UC Davis, UCSF and in Sacramento and made into quilts for hospitalized children.

- The Firm starts its End of Season sale today. Pop by for up to 60 percent off fall and winter merch.

- Ladita is in the midst of its first annual winter clearance sale. While inventory lasts, women’s apparel and accessories are up to 70 percent off, and children’s clothing is marked down 50 percent.

- At all three Ambiance locations (Haight, Noe, Cow Hollow/Marina), sale items are marked down an additional 20 percent throughout the month of January.

- doe is offering 30 to 60 percent off its stock of Ananas handbags this week. Stop by the Lower Haight to check ‘em out in person or buy online.

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Haight to Say Goodbye…

We were sad to learn over the weekend that two of our favorite Upper Haight boutiques, Chrissy Bee and Kweejibo, will close in the coming weeks. We’ve been fans of both stores for sometime now.

We realize that retail businesses come and go, especially in a down economy like the one we’re currently experiencing. But we also realize that stores - especially those that support independent designers and artists - are much more than places to just acquire new stuff. Stores like these are the products of creative minds and countless hours of hard work - we wish the owners well and thank them for the unique businesses they brought to our city.

After 16 years making men’s shirts, pants and handwoven scarves, Kweejibo is shutting down operations in January 2009. I happened to be in the store yesterday and asked whether any of the company’s merchandise will be available online - the answer I got was an unequivocal “no.” So if you want anything from this local label, now’s the time. Right now everything in the store is marked down at least 50 percent, and sale items are reduced by another 75 percent.

At Chrissy Bee, everything in the store and gallery is marked down by 50 to 75 percent. The store will remain open until the merch is gone. The fixtures are also for sale.

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Happy New Year From Homeroom

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A Gift from My Roommate’s Closet

A post-holiday gift from My Roommate’s Closet….

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Year-End Sales? Yes, Please!

Looking for post-holiday sales in San Francisco? Well, we’re pretty sure all you’ll have to do is walk outside to find them. But I’ve had my eye on a few choice sales starting up today at some of my favorite San Francisco retailers - both landbased and online.

I put together a list for the 7×7 Glamwatch blog today. Check it out:

• Where to Shop this Weekend: Year-End Sales

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Merry Christmas From SF Indie Fashion!

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Bye, Bye Built By Wendy

Only a few days left to peruse Built By Wendy styles in person. The store closes up its West Coast locations for good on the 28th. Until then (or until the racks are bare), the shop is offering up to 70 percent off men’s and women’s apparel and accessories.

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$10 off at Ecologique

Here’s a little gift for everyone from earth-friendly Hayes Valley boutique EcoLogiQue. Use the coupon for $10 off your next purchase through Jan. 30, 2009.

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Tab into This: Jewelry by Sarah Hirsch

Last night, I had the chance to see work by California jewelry designer Sarah Hirsch, who has quite a knack for creative reuse. Look closely at the pair of earrings above, and you’ll see that she’s cleverly incorporated soda tabs in the design. I love how versatile these earrings are. I can see them working with a slew of different styles and looks, from street to hippie-chic, industrial to crafty cute.

This pair is quite large, but she also makes smaller versions, as well as necklaces. In true indie, underground fashion, Hirsch doesn’t have a web site. Nor does she sell her wares on the local indie shopping circuit. In fact, there’s only one place you can even see her work at the moment, and that’s at Frankee Uno Salon & Gallery.

We hear from Frankee, a longtime SF Indie Fashion friend, that Hirsch walked into the salon one day as a client and left as the salon’s featured jewelry designer. That’s what can happen when you wear your own creations out and about. Frankee was smitten with the unique look of the jewelry, which now hangs in the salon’s front window, and so are we.

To see more of Hirsch’s work, visit the salon at 1221 Divisadero St. or call 415-409-1221.

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