2011 April | sfindiefashion.com

Big Buys: Local Sources for Plus-Size Fashion

April 25, 2011 By Jessica Velez 2 Comments

IGIGI Boulangerie Wrap Dress in Merlot Grape

As providers of local fashion content in a town that’s seven square miles and packs a population of over 800,000, we realize that not every person in this diverse city will look the same—let alone share the same body type. For those seeking sizes 12 and up, we offer this list of independent Bay Area-based retailers that focus on fashion for plus-sized urbanites.

First up, San Francisco’s Eliza Parker makes shopping for plus-size threads as easy as possible. And we mean easy. As an online retailer that sells everything from dresses, skirts, tops and accessories with curvier frames in mind—ranging from size 10 to 28— Eliza Parker doesn’t just focus on one body type. Click on the “Perfect Fit” category to find a selection of five different frames, select yours, and violà: a shopping experience tailored just for your individual shape. Making online shopping even more practical, the site offers a video of a model wearing each piece, free shipping and free returns with their “Try and Buy” feature. Peruse the website for designs starting at $34 up to $229.
Shopping for a dress to wear to a wedding (or even one for your own wedding, for that matter) is a difficult task for anyone. Throw in serious curves and the task can become even more daunting. A solution comes from San Francisco-based IGIGI, a plus-size retailer recently named About.com’s Readers’ Choice Best Plus Designer for 2011. The site offers dresses in categories such as Bridal Party and Wedding Collection, that features gowns with lace, beading and sheer fabric alongside matching earrings, clutches and scarves. IGIGI also offers suits to wear to the office and casual garments for strolling around town – all in sizes 12 to 32. Prices range from $48 to $295.
For those who prefer to snuggle up in a comfy sweater or cruise around the city in a casual top, there’s Harper Greer. The San Francisco boutique recently closed its location’s doors to instead focus exclusively on selling through its online shop, where you can find knitted pullovers, LBDs and Not Your Daughters blue jeans, all priced between $89 to $228.
Lastly, take a trip across the bridge to Oakland’s Isha Couture to find celebrity-inspired “skinny” designs that are translated into sizes XL to 5XL. From an off-shoulder charcoal polyester dress ($19.50) to a pair of white lace leggings ($23.00), the on-trend designs bring contemporary, youthful style to the plus-size market.

For more local retailers, visit our San Francisco shopping section.

Filed Under: Indie Fashion, Indie-friendly stores, Local designers, Plus size, san francisco shopping, Weddings and bridal Tagged With: Eliza Parker, Harper's Greer, Igigi, Isha Couture, Plus Size, Plus size san francisco, san francisco shopping

Internship with Oakland Jewelry Designer

April 24, 2011 By SF Indie Fashion Leave a Comment

Local jewelry designer Megan Reelitz of Bright Light Designs, whose work I’m a big fan of, is looking for a summer intern. See details below and respond directly to her if you’re interested.

I am looking for help in my jewelry production studio. All of my pieces are made by hand, finished in the studio and sent out directly from my workshop. I have a collection I produce and also do a lot of custom work. I am looking for someone to help with the administrative portion of my business. Tasks will include: answering emails, writing letters, preparing shipments, creating line sheets, keeping track of retail locations and merchandise, lightweight bookkeeping (I will teach you how to use Quickbooks, if you’re not already familiar). I work with a MacBook Pro, so familiarity with how a Mac operates in necessary. My studio is located on the border of West Oakland/Emeryville. If you have an interest in learning how to make jewelry, you will have the opportunity. You will learn first-hand how to run a jewelry business. Requires 5-10 hours/week, days are flexible. Reply to meagan@brightlightdesigns.com or call 415-690-9213.

Filed Under: Lowdown from Lorraine, San Francisco Fashion News Tagged With: oakland fashion internship, san francisco fashion internship, san francisco internship

The Do List: San Francisco Fashion Events April 25-May 1

April 24, 2011 By SF Indie Fashion 1 Comment

San Francisco fashion fans, look out. This week the SF Indie Fashion Calendar is p-p-packed with worthy fashion and style events, including one of the year’s most popular charitable fashion happenings, a longstanding and well-attended Hayes Valley shopping festival and a shopping-driven launch extravaganza for a major fashion web site’s Bay Area arrival.

On Tuesday, the week starts off with the launch party for already-much-talked-about local label Pladra, whose plaid shirts for men and women feature contrasting cuffs printed with outdoorsy scenes that’ll make you want to hop a ride to Tahoe. And pronto.

Once Thursday rolls around, there’s a little something for everyone. Discarded to Divine is sure to draw many a local fashion fan to St. Mary’s Cathedral for its annual display of garments, accessories and items for the home made by local artists and designers using cast-off textiles and materials. Proceeds from the event and its accompanying silent and live auction benefit the St. Vincent de Paul San Francisco Society’s many programs for people in need.

Also on Thursday, two other style-minded events compete for locals’ love. You can get your shop on in honor of Refinery29′s recent San Francisco launch during a Shop Crawl event to lots of notable San Francisco boutiques, including Anica, BellJar and Grave & Gold. A private party for local fashion folks follows. Who knows, maybe we’ll see you there. And if viewing fashion from a handful of up-and-coming local designers is more your speed, you’ll want to head to 111 Minna for Constituent Parts, a show featuring the latest from designers Autie Carlisle, Justin Jamison, Rachel Poulos and Cameron Stewart.

Come Sunday, the ever-popular Capsule Design Festival takes over Hayes Valley with 130 independent designers and artists showing off all manner of apparel and accessories for men, women and children, as well as home decor. Free and family-friendly, the event is an excellent excuse to spend a few hours meandering up and down Hayes and Octavia Streets in search of special finds.

You can find details on all of these events and more happening this week on the SF Indie Fashion Calendar.

Filed Under: Benefits & Charitable Events, fashion events, Indie fashion happenings Tagged With: 111 minna, capsule, capsule design festival, capsule sf, d2d, discarded to divine, hayes valley shopping, pladra, refinery29, San Francisco boutiques, san francisco fashion, san francisco fashion events, san francisco fashion show, san francisco launch party, san francisco shopping

Snap Judgment: Pladra Peregrine Flannel Shirt

April 22, 2011 By SF Indie Fashion Leave a Comment

Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the Peregrine shirt in redwood brown, $89, made of 100 percent cotton flannel by new San Francisco label Pladra, whose easygoing button downs convey a Tahoe-loving kind of NorCal cool with contrasting prints of snowy outdoor scenes inside the cuffs and collar.

More snap judgments…

P.S. Want more Pladra? The company is having a sweet launch party on April 26 at 111 Minna.

Filed Under: Indie Fashion, Local designers Tagged With: hip flannel, pladra, san francisco flannel shirt, san francisco labels

Runway Recap: Project Ethos

April 21, 2011 By Christophe Tomatis Leave a Comment

The first Project ETHOS show to hit the Bay Area inspired and entertained over 600 attendees at Ruby Skye earlier this month. The evening merged art, independent and established fashion brands and music performances featuring Bay Area artists and included a live performance by Geographer. But the highlight of the night had to be the fashion show, presenting work by locals Zoë Hong, Danielle Pettee, Menk designer Mansha Khithani, Lucy Bea Swimwear and Kristina Michelle on a 50-foot white runway alongside Fredrick’s of Hollywood Swimwear.

Adding to the evening’s excitement, Lucy Bea’s design team took home a $3,000 prize after the audience texted in their votes during the evening’s vitaminwater zero™ Flavor Fashionista Challenge.