News: New Collections, Fashionable Folks, Deals and More…

You know what “they” always say, when God gives you lemons, make lemonade. But what if you don’t happen to *like* lemonade? Huh? What then?

In other news…

We were oh-so-happy to hear from gr.dano that the fall 2009 collection (pictured above) is now available at 440 Brannan Studio.

After his appearance last week at San Francisco’s Paul Smith store in Union Square, Scott Schuman, a.k.a. famed fashion blogger The Sartorialist, posted about the experience and his pick for the best-dressed San Franciscan he encountered during his time in the City.

GAMA-GO is having a costume contest in the SoMa store this weekend. Stop by today or tomorrow in costume for 15 percent off your purchases and a chance to win the $75 gift card, awarded to the best costume.

Made Jewelry is going to extremes with its new collection, aptly dubbed Love + Hate.

We couldn’t resist how (surprisingly) lovable Ghostface Killah looked while signing merch and hanging out with fans during a recent appearance at the Shoebiz Adidas Concept Shop.

SFist’s Bag Lady goes under the seams for its interview with PACT underwear, makers of eco-friendly skivvies.

The Seventh Heart is not afraid to pair black socks and pale legs.

We are digging the fabulosity of the new Epice scarves now in at Metier.

Azalea has the coveted (by some more in a visual way than an I’d actually wear that way, but no matter…) Ksubi tie-dye jeans in limited sizes.

Bare (by UC Berkeley folks) has sealed the fate of several less-than-perfect t-shirts in our drawers this weekend. We’ll be slashing sleeves in no-time with the site’s how-to on D.I.Y. shoulder slashed tees.

We agree with Bell Jar that the shop’s new dresses by Carmalita, sold exclusively at the Mission boutique, are worthy of a twirl on the dance floor.

Lettuce now say that The Finer Dandy never fails to make us chuckle, especially when it comes to enlightening IM chats about salads.

Nooworks has posted some new shop pics to remind you not to be a stranger.

RED Jewelry by Alison Rutherfurd is now 20 percent off (for more about this local designer, check out our previous coverage of her work). Peruse designs on Flickr, then email Alison (at) redforliving (dot) com to order.

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D.I.Y., Together: Workshop Opens

Just because you like to do-it-yourself shouldn’t have to mean doing it all by yourself. That’s the idea behind Workshop, a creative arts space opening on Saturday in San Francisco’s Western Addition from the founder of the widely-attended Indie Mart events.

“I wanted something really interactive. Indie Mart is really fun and people love to come out to it, but it’s not a place people can come on the regular,” Workshop co-owner and Indie Mart founder Kelly Malone tells us.

Inside the 800-square-foot space, what Malone dubs an “inspiration library” beckons artists and designers with a collection of books and reading materials meant to spark new ideas and projects. Ten sewing machines and screen-printing equipment are on hand for use in upcoming workshops, which will range from single sessions to multi-day classes on a wide variety of topics such as starting your own t-shirt line, container gardening, wine tasting for beer guzzlers and – Malone’s personal favorite – Rock ‘n Roll Sewing for Dudes.

“I wanted a place where even my completely craft challenged guy friends could come hang out,” says Malone.

To that end, beyond-the-crafty reasons to visit the space abound. There’s a ping pong table, a projector for movie nights and even a multipurpose bar for use during parties that doubles as a sewing storage unit and a place for turntables.

Almost everything in the place, save a few items scored from IKEA, was designed and built by Malone and her dad, a skilled carpenter, using reclaimed, recycled or donated materials. Chairs for use during group classes sit perched on a shelf when floor space is needed for events, while a sculpture incorporating over 1,000 recycled light bulbs offers a constant reminder that ah-ha moments are just waiting to happen.

To get in on the action in person, stop by the space on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 7 to 11 p.m. for an opening party featuring music and live silk-screening demonstrations, or visit the web site next week for a calendar of upcoming classes starting the week of Sept. 28.

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SF Indie Fashion News Roundup

A sudden, unexplained Deeper Shade of Soul craving led us to wonder, what ever happened to these guys? In other news….

- Ampersand Designs has launched two new collections for fall: Angelic Violence and Curiouser and Curiouser. Check ‘em out.

- Light Vision has added items from local designer Nikki Garcia’s Totem line (also available at Shotwell).

- Today is the last, final, zip, zilch, zero, end of the line day to nominate yourself or one you fancy for 7×7 magazine’s 2009 Style Council.

- SF Gate says what many of us already know (but are completely happy to hear again): that the Divisadero corridor (notice we didn’t take sides on the name debate) is full of fresh fashion by independent local designers (and lots of other cool stuff, to boot).

- Distilled does what we wish more designers would do and introduces us to the woman sewing the local label’s garments.

- Bell Jar now carries boot-enhancing accessories we love from the 2 Bandits.

- Don’t miss a chance to shop for a good cause during the Shop for Breast Cancer event at Vanity Beauty Lounge tomorrow in the Embarcadero Center.

- Fashion Orbit astounds us, as usual, with its incredibly comprehensive roundup of online discount codes.

- The romper debate is in full effect. While Tobi makes us want to suit up in a one-piece, The Cut gives us pause with a post proving the challenges of the adult onesie (cumbersome pee break, anyone?).

- Refinery 29 makes us want to drop everything and get our D.I.Y. on today thanks to a recent post detailing New York-based designer Caitlin Mociun’s potato printing method.

- And last but not least, please would you could you should you (yes, you should!) become an SF Indie Fashion fan on Facebook.

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Indie Mart Rides Again

The Indie Mart does its thang again this weekend at The Independent. You’ll find a bunch of new-the-mart designers in the mix, as well as shops like CC Rider and Shotwell on the scene. Along with cool stuff and adult beverages you can buy with your recessionary cash, D.I.Y. stations, live sewing and DJs will be on hand for your observational entertainment. Go on, twist our arms….just don’t spill our drinks in the process.

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See Handmade Nation on the Big Screen Tonight

We’ve been waiting to see Faythe Levine’s Handmade Nation ever since we saw her talk at last spring’s Craft Con 2008 in San Francisco.

We loved the film’s behind-the-scenes approach to the indie craft and D.I.Y. movement that has swept across the nation over the last decade. (For background, check out the story the New York Times did on Levine last fall.)

Tonight, San Francisco crafters, indie fans and D.I.Y.-ers will congregate en masse at mezzanine to watch the film, presented by the San Francisco Film Society.

After the screening, such local art and design mavens as Lisa Congdon of Rare Device and Natalie Zee Drieu of Craft Magazine will lead a discussion about the film and the D.I.Y. craft movement.

And because it wouldn’t be a true indie event without handcrafted wares for sale, there will be local vendors selling work. Keep your eyes peeled for:

- Mittenmaker

- Nous Savon

- Sharon Spain

- Needles & Pens

- Cara Lyndon

- Little Otsu

- Rare Device

- Miss Natalie

- Woolly Hoodwinks

- Zum

- The Curiosity Shoppe

- Dutch Door Press

- Diana Fayt

For more upcoming local indie fashion events, visit the SF Indie Fashion Calendar.

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