San Francisco’s most dedicated fashion fans took to the streets on the evening of September 8th to enjoy an assortment of Fashion’s Night Out events happening throughout the city. At Two Birds in Noe Valley, independent designer Ali Golden showed her new fall line, local designers’ jewelry hung on the walls and labels such as Parker, Halston Heritage and Elizabeth & James beckoned from the racks.
Audrey of Two Birds in an Ali Golden dress that, amazingly enough, can be thrown in the wash and air-dried.
While many were downtown browsing through the offerings of Neiman Marcus, AllSaints, Gucci, Saks Fifth Avenue and others dotting Union Square and Maiden Lane, SF Indie Fashion partied it up at the Noe Valley shop, nestled on a quiet part of Castro street near the main 24th Street shopping drag. DJ Ry Toast kept the fun pumping on the ones and twos, spinning hip-hop classics intermixed with party anthems, while wine and bubbles were offered for refreshment.
Mika (left) of Lookaroo and Susanna of Two Birds mug for the cam in versatile wool coats in camel.
On display in the middle of the store was a rack featuring the Fall 2011 collection from local designer Ali Golden, who used to run the Bull & the Bear in Hayes Valley but recently headed for Oakland to set up a new studio. Royal blue, a smattering of polka dots, luxurious camel, pumpkin orange and other rich autumn hues composed the color palette. Flowing cropped blouses and voluminous sheer maxis were standouts, as were the oversized, one-size-fits-all wool coats. Sipping, sampling and a sale on Golden’s pieces made a good time for all.
The author wearing an oversized wool kimono sleeve coat by Ali Golden
Party-goers taking in the FNO atmosphere
DJ Ry Toast impresses us with her 'do, her earrings and her beats.
Fashion’s Night Out originated in New York, but the festivities have spread to other cities across the country in recent years. Prior years saw mostly mainstream stores participating, but this year a number of small boutiques featuring independent designers were on the FNO roster.
A pair of newspaper-covered birds adorn the checkout counter at Two Birds
No matter what your take on style, few would argue that San Francisco doggies are among the most fashionable in the world.
Photography courtesy of SF Indie Fashion (1, 2, 5) and Alexandra Naughton (all remaining images)
