June 20, 2013

4 Reasons for Locals to Love New York Fashion Week

Once again Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is fast approaching and come February 9, the usual slew of designers will showcase their fall collections in New York at the Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park. Even if you’re not one of the many Bay Area-ites jet-setting over to New York, keep some champagne on hand, as several local companies are live-streaming fashion week events. Here are 4 reasons San Franciscans can start getting excited for the fury that is NYFW:

1. Independent Fashion Blogger Conference, February 8, 2012 at Milk Studios, NYC

IFB Conference 2012

IFB Con 2012 takes places on Feb. 8 in New York

For evidence that fashion bloggers have become a marketing force to be reckoned with, watch the IFB Conference live. You’ll spot some of the fashion industry’s best and brightest personalities come together to discuss issues, challenges and  trends facing fashion bloggers and the brands they work with, as well as the changing the landscape of fashion and social media today.

2. Polyvore LIVE presented by CoverGirl , February 13, 2012 at La. Venue, NYC

Polyvore LIVE

Polyvore LIVE is being billed as the world's first fashion show by an online fashion community.

Polyvore, an online community that promotes the “democracy of fashion,” is showcasing four alumni collections by graduates of the Fashion Institute of Technology. Instead of a flurry of fashion models strutting down the catwalk, the collections will be modeled by a select group of fashion bloggers, who will be announced one week prior to the show on polyvore.com.

3. Academy of Art MFA Fashion Show,  February 10, 2012 at The Lincoln Center.

AAU MFA fashion show

Models & Designers backstage at 2011 show.

On Feb. 10, San Francisco’s own Academy of Art showcases the collections of its best M.F.A. fashion design graduates. It is the only fashion school to show at NYFW, and, last year, three students took home Council of Fashion Designers of America scholarships. Make sure not to miss these talented up-and-coming designers: the Academy of Art Fashion Show livestream starts at 5 p.m. on Feb. 10.

4. BlacMéra by Yuliana Candra at Couture Fashion Week, February 17, 2012 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. 

http://blacmera.com/

Designers displaying the highest level of American craftsmanship in apparel showcase at Couture Fashion Week, and we are absolutely thrilled that San Francisco based designer Yuliana Candra is showing her brand, BlacMéra. A sight to behold, Candra’s gowns impress with hand embroidery, beading and crystal work, while her silk tunics are hand-painted, layer by layer, with depictions of images Candra’s shot on her travels around the world. While this is the only event on our list that is not streamed live, couture fans can view images from the web that are sure to be uploaded by the fleet of smart phones in attendance.

Now you have something more to look forward to than the usual online blow out of models, celebs and socialites running from show to show in designer duds. Happy #NYFW, San Francisco!

More San Francisco fashion news

We Came, We Saw, We Shopped: Capsule Design Festival

Sunshine, music, and a fashionable spirit filled the air of Hayes Valley on Sunday for the Capsule Design Festival outdoor market, featuring 130 independent and local designers. Thanks to the gorgeous and warm late-summer day, seemingly everyone in the neighborhood was out and about to partake in the fun.

Clothing for men, women, children and pets dominated the majority of the booths, although there were quite a few vendors selling jewelry, accessories, handmade paper products and goods for the home.

The defining factor? Participating sellers are chosen based on their originality in design and sustainability. Below, highlights from the event:

Local musicians convene for park side melody-making.

Danielle "the dressmaker" Pettee poses with her designs.

Colorful collars for our furry friends by Usagi Team

Eco Fashions Recycled Candy Wrappers purses

Pretty vintage-inspired dress by Effie's Heart

"Good grammar is sexy" and other Studio Nico goodies at The Workshop's booth

Hayes street throw pillow by Casa Murriguez

The sun was out and the sky was exceptionally clear in Hayes Valley on Sunday.

Disguise kit for kids at the Kira booth

Kiu Designs' custom made handbags

Free mustache photos, courtesy of Scoutmob

One-of-a-kind pins, totes, accessories and crafts by Random Nicole

Polka-dots and Asian-inspired dresses by Rebe

Brightly-hued socks from Rockn Socks

Ring holder made from vintage teacups by Who Made It

Fun and funny greeting cards by The Workshop

Photography courtesy of Alexandra Naughton

More San Francisco shopping

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Alexandra is a San Francisco writer with a passion for style and creativity. You can find her on Twitter @theTsaritsa

 

“Fashion Fights AIDS” Fashion Show Fundraiser this Friday

Fashion Fights AIDS: AIDS Walk 2010 Benefit Fashion Show is kicking off the annual AIDS Walk San Francisco weekend with a stylish fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.  Occurring on Friday, July 16, 2010 at the Horizon Restaurant and Lounge, an amazing line-up of local designers, models, stylists and fashion event producers have collaborated to raise money and help bring awareness to the fight against AIDS.  This event is a prelude to the AIDS Walk San Francisco, happening on July 18, 2010 at Golden Gate Park.

Since its inception, AIDS Walk San Francisco (AWSF) has raised more than $74 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and dozens of other Bay Area HIV/AIDS service organizations.  AWSF was founded in 1987 by Craig R. Miller and his organization of activists, MZA Events.  Miller is the originator of the AIDS Walk fundraising model, which has raised more than $350 million for leading AIDS charities nationwide.  The world’s first AIDS Walk was created in Los Angeles in 1985 and expanded within a couple years to New York and San Francisco.  The event has become a Bay Area institution, bringing together tens of thousands of participant fundraisers and volunteers; hundreds of corporate, community, and friends and family teams; and hundreds and thousands of donors from the Bay Area and across the country.  The event benefits the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and more than 60 other Bay Area AIDS service organizations.  It’s successful annual turnout demonstrates the community’s enthusiastic support for the Foundation’s goals of radically reducing the number of new HIV infections and promoting the health of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Bay Area.

Everyone involved in the Fashion Fights AIDS event are donating their time and resources, allowing 100% of all event proceeds to go towards the AIDS Walk San Francisco and SF AIDS Foundation.  Participating designers include Rebel Voices Clothing, Serena Hughes Designs, Josepine Resort, Love, Danielle Pettee, Miz B by Leila Radan, Magdalena Trever, Medium Reality, Byanbe, InLush, Fashion Art 4 Humanity, G82 Designs, NK Swim, Jewelry by Christine, Jeremiah Hill, West Coast Leather, Cocoa Jeans, Fashions by Brice and Kitty Andrews Millinery.  The Fashion Show Producer Shannon Hardisty has pulled together a talented staff for the event, including Shaun McClendon of Supreme Network, Shae Lynn of VIP Socialite, Leyina Chen of Leyina Chen Productions, and Charleston Pierce of Charleston Pierce Presents.

Fashion Fights AIDS promises to be a memorable fashion runway event for a worthwhile cause.  Not only is the event showcasing local fashion industry talent, it’s most importantly making an impact by raising awareness and funds for the fight against AIDS.

Fashion Fights Aids is taking place on Friday, July 16, 2010 at the Horizon Restaurant & Lounge, 498 Broadway in San Francisco.  Tickets are $15 pre-sale and $20 at the door.  They can be purchased online at http://fashionfightsaids.eventbrite.com.  Doors open at 8:00 PM and the fashion show starts at 9:00 PM.  For more information on AIDS Walk San Francisco, please visit their website at http://www.aidswalk.net/sanfran/eventinfo/eventinfo.html.

This post originally appeared on Fashionable Fun