Just What the Doctor Ordered: Lovesick III

Where will you be as Valentine’s Day 2010 draws to its inevitable conclusion? If you’re in love with local fashion, then true romance awaits at Sunday’s Lovesick III, a fashion event showcasing the work of local designers alongside musical entertainment a la DJ Irene Hernandez-Feiks and a live set by The Goldenhearts (get there at 7:30 p.m. for that), an art installation, a trunk sale, raffle goodness and even a kissing booth.

Launched by San Francisco designer Alexandria von Bromssen three years ago, the annual event draws together the City’s edgier, underground creators of apparel, lingerie and accessories. Sidling down the runway this year will be looks from Alexandria von Bromssen, Miss Velvet Cream, Richard Hallmarq, Miranda Caroligne, Kayo, Medium Reality, My Dirty Dishes, Jasmin Zorlu, Ghetto Goldilocks, Tamo Design, Gallerah and Invisible Hero, among others.

For a show held each year on the day devoted to love, it’s altogether fitting that the show itself is largely a labor of love.

“Everything that we’re doing is out of pocket. It’s our passion. It’s all that we have, and we don’t have big budgets,” says von Bromssen of the participants’ efforts to make the show a success.

As for the event name, it sums up a part of von Bromssen’s own experiences in matters of the heart.

“I love hard, and I tend to be lovesick,” she tells us.

Lovesick isn’t the only big event in von Bromssen’s world this week. She also just launched her label’s online store. Below, we offer you a visual sampling of what you’ll find in store with images culled from her past and current collections.

[Photography courtesy Alexandria von Bromssen]

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Good Looks: Spring Comes Early to Golden Gate Park

While we’re waiting for spring to come along and brighten up our days, what better to tide us over than a showcase of spring 2010 looks from San Francisco designers? We have just that from local fashion and beauty photographer Liz Caruana, who produced this shoot featuring choice pieces from the spring collections of Christopher Collins, Dylan Perrigo, odileodette and Joy Vintage.

“I’ve been going to San Francisco independent events for a long time trying to suss out who is trying to do good work in the San Francisco fashion industry, and I really found pieces and designers that are accessible to everyone,” Caruana tells us.

Set in Golden Gate Park (while a wedding was in full swing just a few feet away), the shoot features an all-local cast and crew, including styling by Mary Dyann Kees and hair and makeup by Tacha Scott. On model Phebe Standley, the looks you see are Caruana’s own interpretation of spring trends spotted on the runways last fall, among them nude and beige hues, big prints and gold accents.

“I think it’s really important to support the local industry, it’s not going to go anywhere unless you’re supporting them,” says Caruana.

We concur. Now feast your eyes on what’s ahead for spring.

From top: purple dress, Christopher Collins; cape, Dylan Perrigo; lace dress, Christopher Collins; long dress, Dylan Perrigo; shirt, Christopher Collins; headpiece, Joy Vintage; striped dress, odileodette; gloves, Joy Vintage; blue dress, Joy Vintage; in remaining close-up shots, headpieces by Joy Vintage.

Credits: All photography by Liz Caruana. Styling by Mary Dyann Kees. Hair and Makeup by Tacha Scott. Modeling by Phebe Standley of Passport Models.

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Shoulder Season: New Adornments by Dame

When it comes to shouldering responsibility, we’re betting you won’t mind bearing the weight of the latest accessories from local company Dame.

Made to adorn shoulders in mixed metal chains, fringe and feathers, each piece in the new Shrug collection released this month slips on for an asymmetrical effect ready to dress up bare skin, basic tops, jackets and blazers.

Each one-of-kind piece is handmade in San Francisco and available exclusively through the label’s online shop.

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Daisy’s Vintage Sunglasses Collection Launches

It may not feel like there are many reasons these days to break out the sunglasses, what with all the dreariness the city’s been experiencing lately. But don’t think we didn’t notice the sun peeking out today for a few good hours this afternoon. We’d like to think it was an occurrence in honor of the new sunglasses collection from local label Daisy’s Vintage.

Debuting today at Collective boutique (local headquarters for Taxi CDC) on Valencia, the collection includes plastic and metal vintage frames for both women and men (guys’ styles will be dubbed Eddy’s, to make the boys feel more butch) from designers such as Pierre Cardin, Ray Ban, Diane Von Furstenberg, Lacoste and Christian Dior.

Daisy’s Vintage founder Nancy Sepaher hunts down the choicest frames she can find from her vintage sources and works with a local optometrist to replace and update the lenses.

“I find that vintage sunglasses were mostly made with great quality materials, and produced in USA, France, Austria or Italy. They are all authentic vintage frames from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and then I work with my optometrist, who puts in brand new UV lens. I sometimes choose black lenses or colors such as yellow or pink to make them more funky,” Sepaher tells us.

We hear prices range from $45 to $150, and the higher end frames will be available for purchase in the Daisy’s Vintage online shop in early March. Until then, you’ll have to scoot on over to Collective (1453 Valencia St.) to peep them in person.

We’d recommend going before the rains return. Which means you should go, like, right now.

More San Francisco vintage fashion….

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Good Looks: Rainy Day Woman

Fans of rain, we are not. But in life, there’s always a silver lining. When it comes to El Nino, it’s having a near-daily excuse to don deliciously cute rainboots like the ones worn here by SF Indie Fashion’s Michelle, who stepped out recently as part of our ongoing San Francisco style series (during a break in the stormy weather, of course) suited up in a pair of Zanzibar Rainboots ($48) by Marin-based company Toss Designs.

As you can see, she didn’t let the drab weather dictate her style. Yes, we admit sequins and animal print in the same outfit can be a risky move, but paired with an over-sized cardigan, minimal makeup and the right attitude, the combination may be just the thing to chase away the rainy day blues.

Shown here: rainboots, Toss Designs; brown wool cardigan and vintage cuff, thrifted from Goodwill; dress, Silence + Noise; Golf Faith necklace by San Francisco’s Ana Sergio, available at DeNovo boutique.

Photography by Franky Lee

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