San Francisco Independent Fashion
Scene, Not Herd's Oh Snap Necklace
Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the shutterfly-friendly hand-stamped charm and antique brass chain of the Oh Snap Camera Necklace, $27, from San Francisco designer Holly Doden’s Scene, Not Herd line. She’ll even personalize a charm just for you.
The charm's flip side calls out a familiar phrase.
Photography courtesy of Scene, Not Herd
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…
After peeping her pieces during a recent visit to Ver Unica boutique in Hayes Valley, we were immediately intrigued and had to know more about this new local designer and her marvelous metals. Behravan is a born and bred San Franciscan raised in the heart of Russian Hill, and, like any seasoned city gal, she knows these city streets like the back of her hand.
After high school Behravan escaped to Upstate New York for a change of climate and scenery where she attended Bard College. But four years later, she soon found the City by the Bay calling her name.
What inspired you to start your own jewelry line?
I began making pieces that I wanted to wear because I wasn’t finding jewelry that felt natural and right for me out in the world. So I created pieces that I would want to wear everyday, not to go with an outfit but to make me feel a certain way. I quickly realized I wanted to share the jewelry I was creating.
What types of designs are you drawn to when creating your pieces?
I look to architecture, vintage pieces from my personal collection, and nature for inspiration. Shadows and empty space often play a big role in my design process.
What materials are your favorite to work with?
I love working with all types of metal. I love to see it do unexpected things and transform into something new. I’ve never worked with anything quite like it before; it’s amazing to create jewelry from something so strong with your hands.
When you’re not designing jewelry, what else do you do?
I hangout with my dog, Dirt. I also love going to thrift stores and antique shops to seek out hidden treasures.
What are your favorite shops or destinations in SF? Where are your go-to places to find independent, local apparel and jewelry designers?
My perfect day in San Francisco would start at Sight Glass Coffee, because it is such a beautiful place, where – if I could have a work bench in their loft – I could honestly work for hours upon hours a day. Then I’d take the N Judah to General Store, which has a beautifully curated collection of things. I’d finish the day with a walk with Dirt down to Union Made to check out their beautiful textiles. It is rare to see a shop with such perfectly selected pieces, particularly in men’s.
What is the one accessory you cannot live without?
My sunglasses. They’re circular frame 1960’s Christian Dior. I think that whoever owned them before me changed one of the lenses because they’re two different colors. One lens is a little more rosy and the other is a little more yellowy. When I wear them, anything that’s red looks totally psychedelic!
What is next for Metal Smith?
Metalsmith.com! And I am very excited about stones right now. I have some pieces in mind that will involve new colored and textured stones that will complement the metal work I’ve been designing.
To check out Metal Smith’s first collection stop by Ver Unica boutique for the Metal Smith Trunk Show this Friday, October 14th from 6-9pm.
Photography courtesy of Metal Smith
The runway at Pretty Pretty Collective
Last Thursday style-crazed bloggers and fashionistas flocked to Pretty Pretty Collective Salon and Art Gallery for the much-talked-about debut of the new look book from Mission boutique Mira Mira. Together with PPC’s Georgia Rew, Mira Mira’s Mira Pickett threw a killer runway party featuring local style bloggers as models to celebrate her shop’s latest looks for fall.
Mira Pickett (left) and Georgia Rew
The dynamic duo, who have created quite the buzz on 22nd Street of late, worked with the rest of the PPC Productions crew to transform the venue into a style-heavy space complete with luminous light installations by Aleksandra Zee and a runway flanked by two rows of numbered seats, each with festive gift bag stuffed with goodies.
Guests Amber of Amber's Notebook, Natalie of Like Fresh laundry, media gal Joanna Reidl, Kristen of Stylenik, and Katie of Refinery29 strike a pose for the camera
As guests awaited the lookbook presentation, they ventured to the bar in back of the room for a silver bowl brimming with champagne cocktails and a spread of Sea Bells mini cupcakes. After quenching their thirst, snapping photos and catching up with friends, guests took their seats as the models in an upstairs dressing room dealt slipped into their first runway look.
A model wearing the first lookbook look.
The fashion show featured 15 looks ranging from feminine to romantic, bold, bohemian and vintage-inspired. Designs by To Be Adored, Annabelle, Mink Pink, Clover Canyon, Audrey 3+1 and Shakuhachi made their way down the runway modeled by a few of San Francisco’s favorite style bloggers: Blair of Atlantic Pacific, Jennie of Going West, Laura of On the Racks.
Laura of On the Racks strikes a pose at the end of the runway
Jennie of Going West works a killer red coat on the runway
Blair of Atlantic Pacific wears a romantic blouse by to be adored
After the runway show wrapped, the models slipped out of their runway looks to join the party. We grabbed the host herself for a quick Q&A.
When asked what kind of woman shops at Mira Mira, Pickett said, ” Women who love fashion and like to have fun with it and take risks.”
What sets her store apart from the rest? Mira says, “I try to carry unique styles that aren’t available all over SF at affordable price-points.”
Not only does the Mira Mira girl love fashion, but she loves a girls night, which Mira holds once a month at her the boutique.
Blair and Jennie post-show.
Laura post-show
A glowing Mira
As the party began to wind down and it was time to close up shop, the crowd switched it up and scooted next door to the Latin America Club to continue the celebration with pinatas and a few rounds of round of ice-cold brews.
More on the San Francisco style scene...
Photography courtesy of SF Indie Fashion (1, 3, 8, 9, 10) and Mira Mira
A male model looks cool in a blue Fillmore Windbreaker, South of Market Dress Shirt and plaid tie.
A line wrapped around the block at Horizon Ultra Lounge in North Beach on Saturday night for the official launch of San Francisco-based men’s clothing line Prolific 54 Apparel, a company that offers stylish (yet affordable) clothing for sophistication-seeking men.
A female model sporting the Laurel Heights Long Sleeve Plaid Shirt and little else.
“We love our Gucci loafers, but we also love our Vans. That’s what makes it so important for us to have our wardrobe be versatile enough,” says Prolific 54 co-founder John Wang.
Prolific 54 Apparel was started by friends John Wang, Jonathan Tam, Alvin Chan and Nick Pham, all of whom say they share a passion for style and design. Inspired by San Francisco and the fast-paced “work hard, play hard” lifestyle of city dwellers, the designers searched high and low to find just the right fabrics to make socially-responsible clothing that guys really want to wear.
“All of our clothes in various combinations could be would be worn for a wide variety of occasions,” Wang says of the label’s style. “They were designed for the young professional in mind. For instance, if one of our customers wanted to wear our our Fillmore jacket to work, the hood could be rolled into the collar and worn over a dress shirt with one of our ties, and one of our white crew necks as an under shirt. Once they were off work, meeting a few buddies at their favorite bar, they could easily throw on a snap back cap, take off the dress shirt and tie, roll out the hood and wear it with our white crew neck. This look instantly goes from work to play within a couple of seconds.”
The South of Market Dress Shirt meets the Tenderloin Jacket.
For the launch event, the velvet ropes of Studio 54 came to mind as men and women stood dressed to the nines outside, waiting to get the party started. Inside, DJs A-Plus and B-Simple were warming up the atmosphere with fun early-90s club jams and Top 40 hits while event-goers sipped champagne in exclusive VIP booths.
Hey, a little Jersey-minded style has its place, as with the Marina Short Sleeve Plaid Shirt shown here.
The fashion show was an exciting mix of modern shapes and patterns, with looks ranging from ultra-light windbreakers to raw denim and colorful plaid button-up shirts. Male models strutted on the makeshift catwalk that coursed through the club and were joined by lingerie-clad female models wearing Prolific 54 button downs and jackets and not much else. Bright colors, sharp patterns, partial nudity, slick jackets, fun neckties, classic button-ups, big Jersey-style hair and feather earrings all added up to create an exciting show in line with the Saturday night club vibe.
More San Francisco men’s fashion
Photography courtesy of Mike Borja
