San Francisco Independent Fashion
Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the pleasantly minimalist, but seriously more-than-meets-the-eye Sugi sandal, $320, by Martha Davis and available at The Workshop Residence. Rotate the reclaimed wood heel and lock into place to transform this shoe’s heel height from two inches to three inches.
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Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the perfect-for-spring hue of the Stella Clutch, $152, by San Francisco designer Lisa Davey’s Holly Scott line of leather goods. Available for pre-order now, this streamlined carry-all ships at the end of May.
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Fashion Incubator SF designers Bethany Meuleners, Paloma Von Broadley, Sabah Mansoor Husain, Justin Jamison, Tony Sananikone and Tamara Jaric.
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown stopped by the opening celebration to chat with designers and view the space.
SF Board of Supervisors President David Chiu helps Fashion Incubator SF's inaugural group unzip its ribbon, instead of the traditional cutting.
Spotted at last week’s launch event for Fashion Incubator SF: everyone from Former Mayor Willie Brown to designers such as Zoe Hong, Joseph Domingo and the gr.dano team to media notables such as 7×7 President Todd Sotkiewicz and the San Francisco Chronicle‘s Anastasia Hendrix.
While much has been written about the new initiative that now calls the 7th floor of the Macy’s Union Square men’s building home (including coverage by yours truly), the launch event gave the considerable crowd that gathered a first look at the space, which includes offices for each designer, a classroom and a communal workroom with cutting tables, dressforms and machines.
“Fashion is an industry that used to be very significant here in San Francisco. In fact, beside tourism, it used to be the number two industry here in the City. And it’s my hope that the work that we are doing with Fashion SF and the work that these young people will be doing will help to make sure that we bring that business for the future,” Board of Supervisors President David Chiu told the crowd.
The program, a non-profit modeled after similar incubators in Toronto and Chicago, offers six emerging designers 12 months of workspace, classes, networking and career development opportunities. Designers tapped for the program’s inaugural year in San Francisco are Bethany Meuleners, Paloma Von Broadley, Sabah Mansoor Husain, Justin Jamison, Tony Sananikone and Tamara Jaric.
Photography courtesy Fashion Incubator SF
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Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: Revitalized and making a statement, artist Claire Hummel‘s glamorous crystal and gold chain costume necklace, $275, was locally-designed using found and vintage jewelry. P.S. You’ll find Claire’s jewelry at Bell Jar in the Mission District.
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Free Dirt apparel on display for guests and newly anointed "Dirt Heads."
Party guest Michael Wasserman hams it up with the "Dirty Sanchez" T-shirt.
Local favorite Tnt Deejays helped the Dirt Heads shut the party down.
Party guests show off their Free Dirt hats on the dance floor.
This past Saturday North Beach played host as “dirtheads” flooded in for the launch of Free Dirt, a local brand with a healthy dose of in-your-face attitude celebrating the arrival of a new online store and men’s clothing line featuring brightly-colored jackets, hats and (it’s true) a t-shirt dubbed the Dirty Sanchez*. On the scene: friends, bloggers and photographers hitting the dance floor and downing mini tacos.
The Free Dirt Twitter feed was highlighted on the dance floor so partygoers could look for cues to throw up drawn-on finger mustaches for chances to win Free Dirt apparel. I tracked down designer Peter Vandendriesse to gain some additional insight into his dirt-y world:
Your clothing fits the high energy of your launch party. How do you describe the Free Dirt aesthetic?
All of our apparel features bright and clean designs influenced by the rural, gritty lifestyle. This matchup- rad meets rural – sets us apart from other brands and attracts the type of guy we hope to dress.
How did you come up with the name Free Dirt?
I founded the company a little over a year ago as a side project for my dirthead friends in Davis. These friends, who love to cause a ruckus, have a knack for making good natured people feel very uncomfortable. Their actions, and the sight of a “free dirt” sign on a long drive back from Vegas, are what sparked the brands creation.
Friends join Free Dirt designer and founder Peter Vandendriesse, who was sporting the Windsnapper jacket.
View the complete Free Dirt’s collection in the online shop.
Photography by Sara Iravani
*If we end up ranking in Google for this phrase, well, I guess that’s just gonna have to happen. A whole new readership awaits!
