San Francisco Independent Fashion
A margarita glass falls to the floor smashing into dark wooden panels and Doretta vibrantly shouts from behind the dressing doors, “It’s a Party Now.” Perhaps the glass was somewhat of a christening for Bettina’s new location along Grant Avenue in the heart of North Beach.
I keep such a close watch on shopping deals in San Francisco that I’m hard-pressed to ever pay full price. Usually when I do, it’s for a piece by a local designer that I have been eyeing for quite some time.
But really, with so many sales, discounts and giveaways happening these days from so many web sites (just counting the number of Groupon-esque deals sites out there right now makes my head spin), it’s easier than ever to get what you need for a little bit less.
One tip I’ll throw out there based on experience from both sides of the situation: blog giveaways are a great way to win free stuff. I don’t obsessively enter them, but I occasionally do, and you’d be surprised how many there are out there. I think my most fabulous win to date was a $170 Emma Carroll necklace from StyleBite. And on the other side of the coin, while we tend to get a good number of entries in our newsletter giveaways, the odds of winning often remain in the 1:20 or 1:25 realm. Not bad odds at all, especially if all you have to do is send a quick email to enter.
One such promotion I’d recommend getting in on this week: the Lia Kes top silent auction. Her clothes are gorgeous, and the proceeds go to a great cause, the Special Olympics.
As for other deals this week, check out the sales and promotions in the What’s the Deal roundup I put together today for 7×7:
What’s the Deal: Union Street Sidewalk Sale, Napoleon Perdis, aha yoga + More
More San Francisco deals…
Hayes Valley boutique Acrimony recently released the first issue of its new magazine, Anathema. We caught up with owner and local fashion maven Jenny Chung to chat about the inaugural issue, its name and what’s extra-enticing at Acrimony right now.
Why did Acrimony decide to publish a magazine?
We love to do editorial shoots featuring not only new product, but fresh faces as well. We wanted to create something that inspires our readers and shoppers. We do so by seeking out new locations, playing with lighting, hair, makeup and any other element that helps us convey a particular perspective. Soon the magazine will evolve into a larger spread, including interviews, articles and other goodies.
What was the concept behind the magazine’s look and feel? What kind of vibe were you hoping to create with the imagery?
The concept of the magazine is really split into three stories, as it’s laid out. For the launch, we took it easy. Not the most exciting angle, but the most indicative of what we like to do with fashion. Take a really cool piece and make it feel easy, unfussy, put it in a raw space and make it look amazing. But it’s not overdone, unrealistic or overly styled. As Anathema evolves and we release new issues, we’ll continually change the concept to include whatever feelings we have at the moment. Right now, it’s the Easy Life.
Why did you name it Anathema?
We didn’t want to call the magazine Acrimony, but we wanted the magazine to share a name similar to that of Acrimony. The dictionary definition of Anathema is, “someone or something intensely disliked or loathed.” Just because something is liked by many doesn’t really mean it’s good. We all know that by watching modern television and listening to pop radio. Sometimes the things that are hated or loathed are actually creating the best content. That’s for everyone to decide on their own.
Can you give me three reasons San Franciscans should visit Acrimony right now?
It’s hard to keep it to three reasons, but one, we’re having a huge summer sale where everything is 40-70 percent off. Two, we have an amazing “summer bug” display up in the window. Huge paper mache bugs with human hands and feet are suspended from the ceiling. Three, all the new fall merchandise is slowly starting to trickle in. You don’t want to miss the first pieces of the season. Leather jackets from Veda, chambray shirts from Gitman Brothers Vintage, new jewels from Lady Grey and Odyn Vovk tees in soft materials.
More San Francisco shopping…
Looking for a guide to Mission shops and boutiques in San Francisco’s most indie-minded neighborhood? Et voila.
A story I’d been working on for several weeks ran in yesterday’s San Francisco Chronicle Style section, complete with a map to guide you to some of the Mission’s newest and most intriguing shops for apparel and accessories from vintage and local, independent sources. If you missed it in print, you can check it out online:
Mission District shops share a fierce focus on the unique
Also, anyone who appreciates vintage and work by local folks will get a kick out of all the hateraid-laced comments following the article. It constantly astounds me how quick people are to vilify anything to do with shopping, fashion or style. Last time I checked, most of us were pretty attached to wearing clothes. So if you’re going to put something on your body when you leave the house in the morning, isn’t buying something interesting, unique, eco-friendly and local preferable to just throwing money at fast fashion? Regardless, I never see such harsh comments when it comes to local stories about food, cocktails or cars.
Every week, I collect as many San Francisco shopping deals and sales and promotions that I can and include them in the Friday What’s the Deal roundup on 7×7.com’s Glamwatch. Here’s this week’s roundup, packed with sales and deals good over the 4th of July holiday weekend and beyond, among them the first sale I’ve heard of from La Boutique in Jackson Square (pictured).
What’s the Deal: Agent Provocateur, La Boutique, Ambiance + More
Note that this roundup is not limited to independent fashion sources.
Putting this weekly list together for well over a year now has led me to develop a serious aversion to paying full-price on anything non-indie. Not that I think one should be bound by the sales cycle. It’s more important to buy exactly what you need when you need it and have the item remain in your closet for a long time. But there’s clearly a thrill to paying less just because you’re on top of the sales and deals happening all around us.
Another list of current San Francisco shopping deals can be found on SF Unzipped this week. Check it out:
Photo courtesy La Boutique
