May 24, 2012

SF Street Style: Dip-Dyes, Brights & Prints

Spring and early summer trends generally consist of floral, prints and bright colors being expunged from the back of our closets after the dreary days of winter. This season we’ve seen an explosion of pastels, a nostalgic return of Hawaiian prints and gradient dressing (i.e. wearing two different color blues in one outfit, or dip-dyed denims), to name a few. We spotted several San Franciscans strutting around town in this season’s brights, dip-dyes and prints:

Christina Pacelli wears an American Apparel bodysuit (underneath) & sheer black top, Rachel Roy shirt, Urban Outfitters shoes, and Marc by Marc Jacobs purse.

Spring Trend: Christina looks stunning in a 1920′s-inspired look. A drop waist skirt or pleating hint at the roaring era, and Christina’s skirt has both. A bright bag and lots of texture balance out the black.

Brad Thornton wears Old Navy polo shirt, Marni for H&M shorts, Polo by Ralph Lauren watch, sunglasses he picked up at a souvenir shop and L.A.M.B. shoes.

Spring Trend: Brad is busy coloring blocking in Golden Gate park. This stylish guy caught our eye with his bright yellow shorts.

Ines Almeida Alves wears Zara T-shirt, Forever 21 shorts, Zara boots, Mulberry satchel and Bimba & Lola sunglasses.

Spring Trend: Gradient dressing. Ines’s ultra-casual look includes two different hues of pink and shorts that incorporate a timeless San Francisco classic – tie dye.

Photography by Sara Iravani

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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SF Street Style: Spring in the City

Spring is in the air! Meaning park fashion at its peak. It seems like half the city is migrating to Dolores Park these days for some serious chilling out a la music, friends, a few cold bevs and maybe some Bi-Rite ice cream thrown in there. Check out the fashionable friends we found paired up and trolling the streets in and around Dolores Park on a recent weekend day:

Jaz & Erica

Spotted: Photographers on their way from work to park transition.

What is the best thing about spring in the city?

Jaz: My favorite part about spring is usually the rain…..I do enjoy bringing out the light and bright colors to wear. 

Erica: The best part of spring is the variety. Sometimes I wear one thing, but it’s easy to layer, and I can wear all of my wardrobe. 

Allison & Toni

Spotted: Heading to pick up burritos on 16th Street.

Allison wears Lush studded-neck blouse, vintage skirt, Doc Marten boots.

Toni wears Calvin Klein shirt, Levi’s jeans, Chie Mahari shoes.

http://sfindiefashion.com/

Erin & Maura

 Spotted: 1970s & 1950s inspired looks trekking thru the masses en route to meet friends.

What is your favorite thing to do when it’s this hot?

Erin & Maura: We love to bring our dog to Dolores Park.

Photography by Sara Iravani

Snap Judgment: Ragabond High-Low Hemline Dress

http://www.ragabond.com/

Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: Prepare yourself for an afternoon in the park with this  green high-low dress, $58, refashioned by the vintage and upcycled fashion collectors of Ragabond, whose etsy shop is stocked with re-fashioned floral frocks, tribal prints and sheer vintage maxi dresses.

Photography courtesy of Ragabond

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