Working 9 to 5

So you’re working 9 to 5 and not exactly loving it. Might as well add a touch of irony to your day at the office. Because isn’t everything just a little bit better when there’s irony involved? The IX to V pendant (that’s 9 to 5 for the Roman Numeral-averse) by Office Tramp is just one of this jewelry designer’s cheeky, wearable responses to the daily grind. For up close and personal inspection, check out this designer at the Indie Mart Street Fair this Sunday.

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SF Indie Fashion News Roundup

Phew. The week is almost done-zo, except, of course, for the best part. The weekend part. Wish me luck as I try to sell my 13-year-old car that’s crusted in birdie poop to some brave citizen. In the meantime, do check out all this lovely indie fashion news:

- Designers: feelin’ a last minute vending oppie? Get in touch with Kelly of Still Life and Indie Mart fame. The first outdoor Indie Mart Street Fair event goes down next weekend in Potrero Hill, and they’ve got a few outdoor spaces left. Contact missionindiemart (at) gmail (dot) com if you’re down.

- Bernal Heights boutique Ladita is marking down the sale racks and adding new stuff to ‘em to make room for fall shiznit, so bargains abound.

- Online jewelry shop LittlePretty is having a sale on lovely items by Gorjana, Saylor Sage, Milara Designs, Juliet Ross and more.

- GAMA-GO wants to be your friend with benefits. Hence its new Friends with Benefits Membership Tiers, which are available through July 31 only. Basically, fork over some cash ($80 and up) for membership benefits like limited edition art, a two-year merchandise discount and your name on the window of the flagship store once it opens. All proceeds go toward the opening of the flagship store.

- My Roommate’s Closet just got new merch from Raven denim, Catherine Malandrino and Milly (love!!).

- HeidiSays is finishing its summer sale off with a bang. All sale items in the three Pacific Heights boutiques are now 50 to 75 percent off.

- Hayes Valley’s travelicious boutique Flight 001 is getting its summer sale on from July 22 to Aug. 9, so pop in before your next jaunt and save on this shop’s rad travel gear.

- Want 10 to 20 percent off at Ambiance locations through the end of the month? Check out this flier. Print it and take it into the store for your discount.

- Designers: Wanna be in the November 2008 Bazaar Bizarre show? Applications are being accepted through July 29, so get to it.

- Local plus-size women’s apparel label Harper Greer reports that it will not be losing its Berkeley store, after all. To celebrate, both the San Francisco and Berkeley stores will be offering 20 percent off all sale merchandise through the end of the month.

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Gade Outta Here

I fell in love with the juxtaposition of industrial metal shapes and delicate chains in Vanessa Gade’s work when I first spotted it at The Mission Statement some weeks ago. And while Gade describes this design as abstract in her etsy shop, me thinks I see a little anarchy A in there. And who doesn’t need a little anarchy every once in a while (well, except for the crazy dudes outside my window, who clearly could use a little law and order)? But I digress.

This necklace is practically rioting for a sharp V-neck and a kick-ass pair of boots. Oh yes, and pants. ‘Cause you wouldn’t want to go out without those. Unless, of course, you’re one of the outside-my-window dudes I mentioned before, because, as we all know, pantlessness goes hand-in-hand with the whole crazy ethos.

Gade’s work is lovely to look at online, but should you happen to be bouncing around the Mission, I’d recommend stopping into The Mission Statement to ogle them in person.

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SF Indie Fashion News Roundup

Super quickie news round-up, ’cause my head hurts and I don’t wanna type anymore. But these things are good enough to make me want to do it anyway:

- It’s the LAST CALL for Carrots‘ summer sale. We’re talking 70 percent off Stella McCartney, Sari Gueron, Rag & Bone and Narciso Rodriguez.

- As the Stitch blog reminded us, there’s a new craft and music street festival gearing up for a major outdoor throwdown in August. Here’s the Rock Make Street Festival myspace page.

- Stefanie Wolf and When Modern Was (one of my fave fave fave spots for antiques and funky, restored furniture) are teaming up this Thursday night from 5pm-7:30pm with a little summer soiree trunk show featuring Wolf’s latest baubles.

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Mom’s the Word

We have a very exciting deal for SF Indie Fashion readers from local artist, designer and mom-preneur Tedda Hughes. Use the code SFINDIE to save 20 percent on her kidswear, which ranges from basics like rainbow striped baby leggings, t-shirts and hoodies to imagination-sparking pettiskirts and handmade dolls. The collection hits stores this fall, but SF Indie Fashion readers can get it on the cheap - before anyone else.

Tedda is definitely one local mom who’s down with the indie ethos (and by down, we mean all about it). When we were corresponding recently, she explained her devotion to indie kids products like this:

Indie fashion (as well as gear and toys) makes kids smarter and more physically fit. Licensed anything leads to less creative play and limited/scripted activity. Mass marketed, non-local clothing and toys lead to children being dull in every sense. Anyway, I am curing type 2 diabetes in children with my work. That may be an exaggeration, but not as much as it sounds. 

We hear you on that sentiment miss Tedda! Long live dress-up boxes, popscicle stick picture frames and the fine art of climbing trees.

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SF Locals in Fred Flare Contest

I was psyched to discover several familiar Bay Area names as finalists in Fred Flare’s Next Big Thing 2008 contest. The annual design competition features funky indie items from artists and designers around the world. Voting is open through July 16.

Hailing from the Bay Area, Jennifer D’Angelo’s Nooworks made the list, along with artist Mati Rose McDonough. Congrats to both for making the list and good luck in the competition!

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SF’s Friday Night Lights

Say goodbye to resident artist Lara Grant and welcome work from Marco Mejia at this Friday’s Pandora’s Trunk. As always, music, stuff to put in your mouth and bundles of cool, occasionally outlandish and always thought-provoking gear from local clothing, jewelry and accessories designers.

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Brown Baggin’ It

I love the mention of brown bag glamor at the bottom of this flier. This will be a fun event - Please Dress Up is known for edgy, one-of-a-kind looks - all of which are designed and constructed in San Francisco’s Western Addition. This event marks the debut of the local label’s latest, limited collection, which will be available at Still Life all month.

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Nice Knockers!

When I first checked out San Ramon jewelry designer Jean Jackson’s designs on her site Double J Jewelry, I immediately fell for her collection of lariats - and the creative names she’s given them (bet you’ve never heard of a necklace called creamed corn before…). One of my favorites? The Round Copper Knockers style shown here. And at $20, this copper and crystal adornment certainly occupies indie fashion deal territory.

Jean has been designing earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings for the last two years. You can catch her latest work on her site, in her etsy shop or in person at East Bay craft shows and fairs happening throughout the summer (schedule available in her etsy shop).

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Feeling Shifty

I happened by the Mission Statement earlier this week to gather a few details about the shop for Citysearch.com, and I spotted the Cotton Shift Dress by local designer Amanda Archer hanging in the racks. I’m in a summery mood these days (wonder why), and this dress just calls out for warm, breezy days, bare feet, itty bitty finger sandwiches and a rocking tan (not that I’ll ever have one, but I can always dream). If you like what you see, Amanda can whip up a custom version for you through her etsy shop.

After working for Lily Samii for several years, Amanda struck out on her own - and we’re certainly thrilled with the results. You can learn more about Amanda and the work she’s done (including a custom piece for me) in her 2007 interview with SF Indie Fashion: Indie Interview: Amanda Archer.

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