May 17, 2012

viv&ingrid Opens First Boutique in Downtown Berkeley

The Oxford Hall building in downtown Berkeley is getting a little more feminine flair, thanks to the opening of the first retail shop from longtime Bay Area accessory company viv&ingrid.

Vivian Wang and Ingrid Chen are the two jewelry designers behind viv& ingrid, known for both everyday and special occasion necklaces and earrings made with semi-precious stones, cute charms and fun, yet unfussy details. The pair  decorated the shop with antique gold and crystal chandeliers to compliment the high ceilings and sky blue walls. Along with their line, they will be selling an array of gift-worthy items, including Famille Summerbelle tote bags, John Robshaw scarves, Jonathan Adler desk accessories and Laughing Elephant notebooks alongside children’s toys, handbags and Mr. Boddington notecards.

Guided by Vivian’s free-spirited flair and Ingrid’s attention to detail, the duo joined forces in 1999 to create their line. Twelve years later, and they’ve been featured in Vogue, Elle, InStyle and many others. Their new line, with prices ranging from $46 to $139, features a variety of island-inspired colors, precious gems and gold accents and is a refreshing summer compliment for the sunny weather attire we’ve been craving lately.

 

Designers Ingrid Chen and Vivian Wang

 

Photography courtesy of Viv&Ingrid.

More Bay Area Shopping

 

 

The Do List: San Francisco Fashion Events July 25-31

If you’re in the mood to celebrate local style, this is your week to shine, thanks to a bouquet of parties in honor of worthy Bay Area fashion and beauty destinations. And as always, the week ahead brings ample opportunity to shop from local sources. You’ll find the details on the SF Indie Fashion Calendar, and we’ve called out a few of our favorite upcoming San Francisco fashion events below.

  • On Tuesday, the self-tanning experts behind Beautisol join forces with Russian Hill’s Beauty Company for a Facebook Fan Appreciation Party. To partake, just “like” both hosts on Facebook, then head over for an evening of food, drink, goodie bags and self-tanning tips from Beautisol’s Sinead Norenius.
  • On Wednesday, longtime local jewelry line viv&ingrid celebrates the opening of its first retail shop with a party at the new Oxford Hall location in Berkeley.
  • SoMa, the Mission and Pacific Heights each play host on Thursday night to oh-so-stylish events with appeal for different crowds. Retail studio and fashion production house The Factory toasts to its first six months with a Warhol-themed shindig on 4th St., while Clary Sage Organics clinks glasses over its three-year anniversary on Fillmore Street. Last but not least, avant garde fashion is on display at the Mission’s Five & Diamond shop during a Pure Vile trunk show, which promises the New York label’s far-out, one-0f-a-kind accessories made using such macabre materials as doll parts, lace and bone.
  • Top the week off with the array of vendors selling local apparel, accessories, food and much, much more during the latest Treasure Island Flea.

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

Call for Designers: Beats for Boobs

A look by Tamo Design from Beats for Boobs 2010, held last October at mezzanine

Beats for Boobs is headed back to San Francisco, and the organizers are currently on the hunt for local designers to participate in the breast cancer fundraiser’s fashion show. For additional details and to request an application, contact the fashion team at the email address below.

Beats for Boobs™  San Francisco 8th Annual Fundraiser: A Call for Fashion Designers

When: Friday, October 14th, 2011 at 6pm-2am

Where: Mezzanine, 444 Jessie Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

What: We are currently recruiting new designers to participate in the 8th annual Beats for Boobs™ Fundraiser and Fashion Show.  Spend the evening in undercover style raising money for local breast cancer non-profits through a collaborative celebration of art, fashion, food and music.  To be considered, please fill out the Fashion Application and return to sffashion@beats4boobs.org by August 15,2011.

Fashion Team Contact: sffashion@beats4boobs.org

More San Francisco fashion news

Photography courtesy of Jim Vetter Photography

Snap Judgment: WorkPlayDate Meet Me At The Bar Ring

Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the vintage flair-meets-rock n’ roll look of the adjustable Meet Me At the Bar Ring, $17, made using a 1930′s bar pin by Alameda-based jewelry line WorkPlayDate.

More snap judgments

Photography courtesy of WorkPlayDate

Summer Style: Natural Instinct

Take a break from fast-paced city life with these easygoing, bohemian pieces from local sources. Just don’t be afraid to liven up hippie-chic hues in classic earth tones with a little sparkle. Rock 1228‘s killer crystal necklace or gold bow earrings to instantly add a modern twist to otherwise simple summer style.

Purple crystal necklace and gold bow earrings, prices upon request, by 1228

Vintage 80′s Brown Butterfly sunglasses, $46, from Elas Vintage Finds

Strapless Farrah dress in nude blush, $180, from LHC Couture

Vintage linen lace blouse, $10, from Cake Shop Vintage

Mini Harlow Bag in taupe by Bryna Nicole, $310, available at Indeeyo

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Full disclosure: samples were gifted to us for use in this post. Though we don’t think that biases our judgment, we think it’s only good, fair reporting to let you know.