May 24, 2012

Introducing SF’s First Fashion Blogger Runway Show

San Francisco will see it’s very first fashion show featuring fashion bloggers instead of models this weekend during the 3rd annual Beauty Expo, a competitive showcase of Bay Area styling and beauty talent produced by the San Francisco Fashion and Merchants Alliance. Read on for more detes and how to win tickets to this local fashion event.

Hosted by Charleston Pierce, the evening derives its main drama from a style-off featuring competing teams made up of hair and makeup pros culled from Bay Area salons and beauty schools. A judges panel made up of Celebrity Stylist Antonio Venegas, former model Joyce Hu of The Bookr, Stylist Dario Smith of Bellwether Project and Gwendolyn Wright of The Wright Consultants will decide the winners.

The evening will be capped off by a fashion show with bloggers as models, including Jules Vasic of The Green Stylist, Alison Messinger of Eclectic à la Mode and Lona Duncan of Lux Resale – each in apparel by designer Jennifer Ly.

Other reasons to go: A chance to mingle with participating designers and folks from sponsor companies such as Styletag, Fizz Marketing, Punchtab, Shopience, Intern Sushi, Wella, AskASalon.com, The Brush Guard, Pigment Cosmetics, Rodan+Fields, Seacret SF, WorkPlayDate, Bachman’s Sparrow and Chloe+Isabel.

Want in? We’ll be giving away tickets later this week, so follow us on Twitter @sfindiefashion or visit our Facebook page. That’s where it will all go down.

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SF Indie Fashion is a Beauty Expo media sponsor

Runway Recap: California College of the Arts Spring Fashion Show

The California College of the Arts Spring Fashion Show sent a diverse grouping of apparel by its student talents down the runway on a mid-May Friday evening. Each year, the show stands out for presenting fashion that showcases students’ arts-minded, creative approaches to traditional structure, materials and styling. This year was no exception. Read on to see what went down the runway.

You’ll find one piece from each presenting designer shown below. For a full look at the collections, check out our jam-packed CCA Spring 2012 Facebook Album.

Annie McCourt

Ashley Eva Brock

Brooke M. Wright

Chelsea Hughs

Rachel Gant's "Run Free" ensemble for the Fashioning Functional Gear Class

Gabrielle Stiles

Jackilyn Hsin Roberts

James Zormeir

Jean Saung

Lauren Biggs

Lauren Levin

Rashad Omar Brown

Steve Soundara

Vishaka Sachi Henrietta

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Runway Recap: Black V 2012

Showcasing eight local designers, the Black V fashion show took place over the weekend. Originally produced to bring the San Francisco fashion community together, this year’s event saw a great mix of who’s who in the local blogger, photographer and editors’ circles. Each year, Black V features apparel that’s edgy and designed to accentuate fashion’s dark side. This year’s show was no exception. A fashionably late start added to the pre-show buzz and excitement in the audience. Read on for our highlights from the runway:

http://www.astonishworld.com/2012/black-v-fashion-show-acta-non-verba/

A slow playing violinist introduced Acta Non Verba's collection. Inspired by "New World royalty," models paraded down the runway in dark lace and bold colors.

http://www.astonishworld.com/2012/black-v-fashion-show-acta-non-verba/

Hector Manuel, the designer behind Acta Non Verba, mixes a classic silhouette with youthful materials.

http://www.danielsudar.com/

A strong, tailored look from Daniel Sudar. The designer debuted his new line of sterling silver jewelry using bare-chested male models, a highlight for those in the front row.

http://www.cariborja.com/Home.html

Cari Borja showed a romantic line of evening dresses inspired by Francis Ford Coppola's movie Dracula. Borja's dresses stood out for their beautiful shapes and movement on the runway.

http://www.cariborja.com/Home.html

A feminine Cari Borja overcoat displays Victorian edge using a mix of satin and silk.

http://www.facebook.com/kateknuvelderbrand

Accessory designer Kate Knuvelder crafted bold looks with her handmade chain, leather and beaded headpieces and neckwear.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/GB-Shrive-Designs/135663344359

The London club scene spurred GB Shrive's collection "London Calling." Shrive used dramatically detailed leather to create a feminine shape.

http://www.facebook.com/kenchensf

This fluid piece by recent Academy of Art grad Ken Chen floated beautifully on the runway.

http://www.zoehong.com/

Fusing constructed leather and free-form tulle, Zoe Hong formed this darkly sensual look.

http://www.zoehong.com/

Zoe Hong produced one of the more sexually-charged collections of the evening, thanks to leather, corsetry and S&M touches like the neck collar above.

http://www.facebook.com/kateknuvelderbrand

A favorite look of the evening: Kate Knuvelder's imaginative chain mesh butterfly accessory.

Photography by Jennymay Villarete for SF Indie Fashion

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Runway Recap: SF State Runway 2012 Defined Fashion Show

Amid flashing cameras and an overall impressive production, San Francisco State University senior design students recently showcased final collections during a spring fashion show called Defined. Held in the SF Design Center in early May, the show drew friends, family and press to view the 22 collections shown. Read on to find out which designers stood out and who won The Designer’s Choice Awards for 2012:

Careful construction and great execution shows in Monavie Tutop's voluminous dress.

Bold prints and excellent styling from designer Pearl Regalado

Associate Professor and Student Mentor Connie Ulasewicz helps Fashion Network Association President Stephanie Starr present scholarship awards to senior design students.

The show commenced with a welcome by SFSU’s Fashion Network Association. Previous organizers bestowed their blessings and new organizers welcomed the show’s guest collaborator, Goodwill Industries. Noting the popularity of thrift store finds, some students upcycled designs from Goodwill donations and used donated accessories with their creations.

In general, students stayed up-to-date with current trends and used natural elements found in nature (water, minerals, flora, fauna, etc.) to inspire their final looks. Designers Sultana Lodin and  Monavie Tutop stood out by choosing textures and prints based on travel experiences and their urban environment.

While many eye-catching garments went down the runway, only two student designers took home Choice awards. Regan Heath’s “Twig” collection was awarded “Most Marketable,” while design duo Angela Wolverton and Jonathan Cheung of Love Force won “Most Unique.”

Menswear was prevalent throughout the show, but Regan Heath's male model made her garments stand out.

Show-stopping children walking in Regan Heath's romantic "Twig" collection.

Brilliant on stage, this flowing ombre fabric added to the feeling and energy of designer Monavie Tutop's African-inspired dress.

Designer Angela Woverton (one half of Love Force) salutes the audience, furthering the Love Force inspiration that "The end may be near, but the garment cycle lives on."

Model exudes attitude & energy in one of Love Force's military-inspired looks. Seventy percent of their collection was sourced from Goodwill donations.

Designer Alexandra Ogburm used a variety of fabrics to create a very wearable and colorful collection that relied on a modern use of traditional prints.

Designer Rebecca Cahua presented a nostalgic line of ready-to-wear dresses.

Whimsical and created to emulate the movement of a butterfly, this dress by designer Sultana Lodin was one of the standout garments on the runway.

Nature as a theme was clear in this creative display of crafted skirts, dresses and outerwear from designer Dormisha Ellison.

Photography by Jenny Villarete

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Runway Recap: Bianca Starr Spring Forward Fashion Show

Want to know what went down the runway at the recent Bianca Starr Presents: Spring Forward Fashion Show held recently at the Clift Hotel? We’ve rounded up a few pics from the night below.

Chris Hess wearing a dress from Top Shelf, the mobile fashion truck boutique

Emily Sauce wearing apparel from Density

Chris Hess in a gown from Wonderland SF

Faith Garcia in apparel from Wonderland SF

Gown available at Wonderland SF

Photographer Christophe Tomatis at the event with Metallica's Kirk Hammett

Photography by Christophe Tomatis

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