May 24, 2012

The Do List: SF Fashion Events Feb. 29-March 4

Leap year babies celebrate, and then it’s on to March and more than a few style happenings on the horizon. The week revs up tonight with Poshmark’s first San Francisco Live Posh Party, where you can don a party dress and hope to sell it before the evening’s through. Thursday packs a slew of events into one night. Head to Cow Hollow for the Sasha Maks Vintage E-Boutique Launch Party, to the FiDi for a Refinery29 shindig at Bastille and to SoMa for the darkly edgy Supreme Beings Fashion Show featuring new work by San Francisco designers IIMUAHII and Ilanio. Next, try stripping down to your skivvies for free clothing on Friday at Union Square’s Desigual before stepping back into your sophisticated self for a Saturday Camilla Olson presentation on the Peninsula.

See you out and about!

You can find details on all of these events and more happening this week on the SF Indie Fashion Calendar.

Jewelry Sale at Conifer

Through Nov. 5, Cow Hollow boutique Conifer is offering 30 percent off its collection of jewelry by independent designers such as Wendy Nichol, Katie Diamond, Wendy Mink, Ishi and DLC Brooklyn.

More San Francisco shopping deals

Party Seen: Chloe Rose Boutique 1st Anniversary Party

Chloe Rose owner Marissa Olson and Britt of Britt + Whit

Style-hungry bloggers, shoppers and fashion enthusiasts gathered at Cow Hollow’s Chloe Rose boutique last week to celebrate the shop’s first anniversary. We stopped by to find a party in full swing, as guests perused merch, noshed on mini red velvet cupcakes and rose water-infused bubbly.

A native of Lake Tahoe with a noticeably sweet and disarming demeanor, Chloe Rose owner Marissa Olson got her start in the retail fashion industry about five years ago during a stint in Hawaii, when the allure of a 40 percent discount on all Juicy Couture merchandise at a local boutique was just too good to pass up. But after that first fateful opportunity, Olson fell madly in love with the industry and went on to pursue her dream: attending fashion school at FIDM in Los Angeles.

Now she stocks her sweet little Cow Hollow shop with labels such as Cynthia Steffe, Myne, Gold Hawk, Left on Houston, Rebecca Minkoff and local names such as jewelry designer Erin Hakansson.

Another perk of the event? Erin of Apartment34 and Caitlin of Sacramento street donning their favorite Chloe Rose looks and offering up personal styling tips and advice to party guests.

Last but not least, tucked away at the back of the boutique was a photo booth complete with an array of fun accessories (you know, because everyone needs a Viking helmet fix every now and again).

Below, more pics from the night:

Host Caitlin of the Sacramento Street blog and Lindsay Stevens

The party in full swing

Whit of Britt+Whit, Natalie of Like Fresh Laundry, Host for the evening Erin of Apartment34, and Britt of Britt+Whit

Bloggers Jackie of The Hourglass & Tara of Wonder Girl

Fashion bloggers having fun with the photobooth. Clockwise from bottom: Natalie Goel of Like Fresh Laundry, Britt & Whitt and Jeanne of Shop Sweet Things

The author and host Erin of Apartment34

Photography courtesy of Rachel Kemp (and the power of Instagram)

Town & Country: New Looks from Amy Mautz

black_lace_web_11When local designer Amy Mautz, owner of recently-opened Conifer boutique in Cow Hollow, tells us she’s creating for the urban girl with a soft spot for country living, we know we’re talking to a girl after our own hearts – not to mention someone who has just the kind of versatile pieces ready for a fashion gathering one night and drive to Bodega Bay the next.

“I’m always thinking about what I would wear and, as an extension, what 20- to 40-somethings that live in the city but love the country would want to wear,” says Mautz.

The longtime Built By Wendy alum’s latest ($74-$194) ranges from a retro-minded butterfly blouse and easy-going drawstring skirt to a short, flirty gold linen skirt and demure puff-sleeve blouse.

“I am typically inspired by vintage images and styles. Lately I have been in love with old 70’s pictures and designs. However, I want the pieces to feel updated and fresh. I have a soft spot for fine fabrics and details that make the silhouettes feel new,” she tells us.

Each piece save the butterfly top, due to arrive in the coming weeks, is currently available at Conifer, where you’ll find labels such as Built By Wendy and Organic by John Patrick hanging from the racks.

A great time to check out Mautz’s designs for yourself: today and tomorrow, when all clothing, jewelry and accessories are 20 percent off.

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Photography by John Michaels; hair and makeup by Hilary Sutherland

Video: Spread on Marmalade’s San Francisco Style

For our very first (be gentle, please) SF Indie Fashion style video, we tapped Marmalade boutique owner Hope Schaffer-Colling to show us quick, easy tips for turning the basic jeans-and-tank uniform into cute, casual outfits worthy of work or play.

“This is the basic stuff everybody has in their closets,” Schaffer-Colling told us before the shoot at the Union Street shop.

The laid-back style shown here reflects what you’ll find in-store at this Cow Hollow go-to for current looks at affordable prices (almost everything in the shop is under $100).

Credits: video production, SF Indie Fashion; model, Lauren Forbes

More San Francisco fashion videos