Welcome to Racked SF, where local fashion blogger Kristen Philipkoski reports on retail comings and goings around San Francisco. Philipkoski has been living and shopping in San Francisco for 20 years, and she blogs about it over at Stylenik.com. Seen a store open, close, or otherwise claim your attention? Hit the tipline, s'il vous plait
[Photo via Mayhem]
We've got lots of sales, parties, swaps, marts, shows, and more for you this week. And technically this is still before the mad holiday rush. Rest up children! It's going to be a crazy season.
1. Castro: One of the littlest but awesomest shops in the city, Fiat Lux, created a lookbook to show off its favorite 2012 merchandise. And it such an excellent lookbook—each image depicts a famous album cover—that they're throwing a party to celebrate. Be there on Friday October 19 at 218 Church Street (at Market) for their signature lavender champagne cocktail, where you can also buy a lookbook for $5 (get there early, they have limited supplies). Bonus: they've marked down some clothing items by 50 percent. See you there!
Fiat Lux on Facebook
2. Union Square: This Saturday, footwear force to be reckoned with Vince Camuto, co-founder of Nine West and current CEO of his own lifestyle brand dynasty, will be at the Union Square Nordstrom (865 Market Street at 5th) to visit with fans and shoppers from 10am until 2pm. Not only did Camuto co-found one of the most recognizable brands ever, but he also launched an eponymous line in 2005, and the Camuto Group has its fingers in plenty of brands you're likely familiar with: Tory Burch, Arturo Chiang, Jessica Simpson Collection, BCBGeneration, BCBG Max Azria, Lucky Brand and kensiegirl. Camuto recently branched out into apparel and accessories, partnering with Sanctuary and Banana Republic as well as launching an eponymous line of apparel.
He'll make the rounds at Nordstrom to talk fall and winter trends, stopping in fragrance from 10-11am, footwear from 11am to 1pm (both on the first floor), and he'll hit ready-to-wear on level three from 1-2pm. Love 'em or hate 'em, it's your chance to meet the individual responsible for those ubiquitous Tory Burch flats. They were born out of a 2006 Burch-Camuto collab. Bonus: Camuto strongly resembles The Most Interesting Man in the World.
3. Western Addition: Target has shared a few deets about its second city location at Geary and Masonic. Construction is already underway at the 119,000 square-foot space, it will employ 250, and it will house a Starbucks and a pharmacy. [San Francisco Business Journal]
4. Potrero HIll: The last Indie Mart of the season is happening this Sunday October 21 from 12 to 6pm. They're wrapping things up with an after party from 6-12pm. Both events will be at Thee Parkside and Wisconsin Street between 16th and 17th Streets. Five live bands—a new one every hour—will serenade you all day as you shop for handmade wares and enjoy beverages. They ask a $3 donation to cover costs. [Indie Mart on Facebook]
5. Castro: If you had, by any chance, dreamt of purchasing Red Wing Pecos boots in Oro Russet, style number 8866, be glad that you live in San Francisco. Because Unionmade in the Castro is the only place in the United States where you can buy them. They're typically available only in Japan, and Unionmade has just 48 pairs on offer. Apparently the Unionmade team has been working hard on the deal for almost a year, so they're celebrating at the shop (493 Sanchez Street at 18th) tonight from 6 to 9pm with hotter than hot (but ice cold) beer from Linden Street Brewery. And if you buy a pair, which will run you $300, you'll get a complimentary tin of Red Wing leather conditioner and a Made in the USA Unionmade and Red Wing tote. RSVP for the fete at info@unionmadegoods.com. And while you're there, check out their newly-arrived Indigo Collection. [Unionmade blog]
6. Fort Mason: The 31st annual San Francisco Fall Antiques Show is coming to Fort Mason next Thursday, October 25. The theme this year is "Sea Worthy," so get ready to shop for best-in-class decorative and fine art objects with a nautical theme. Look for everything from from detailed ship models to seashell jewelry designs, antique brass telescopes, booty from shipwrecks, Impressionist boating paintings, Art Deco silver once used on luxury liners and 1930s nautical-themed clothing. The event benefits Enterprise for High School Students, and runs through Sunday October 28. See the antique show's website for a lecture series schedule and details for a preview blowout gala on Wednesday October 24.
7. Union Square: Gump's is one of the oldest, most steadfast names in San Francisco retail. It's always there on Post Street to fulfill your handblown glass Christmas ornament or baby sea otter figurine desires. And now it also carries an exclusive collection of baubles by local fine jewelry brand Ashley Morgan. Designer Ashley Berman (her husband's first name is Morgan) has seen major success with her blingy creations, which incorporate precious and semi-precious stones in unexpected shapes wrapped in a rough-hewn precious-metal finish. She'll be on hand at Gump's on tonight from 4pm until 7pm to introduce the Gump's collection, which will be available only at the San Francisco store. Keep checking back, new pieces will continue to arrive throughout December.
8. Hayes Valley: Menswear wonderland Welcome Stranger is hosting a launch party for its Fall 2012 collection, where you can enter to win $500 is said clothing. Enough said! Get yourself to 460 Gough Street (at Hayes) tonight between 6 and 9. [Welcome Stranger on Facebook]
9. Fillmore: Zinc Details furniture store is co-hosting with Anthology magazine a celebration of print publishing as well as the magazine's second anniversary tonight from 6 to 9pm at 1905 Fillmore Street between Bush and Pine. There will be a panel discussion with folks from Anthology plus Chronicle Books and Radio Silence magazine, and the first 25 guests get a gift bag. There will also be a pop up with items hand picked by the Anthology eds as well as back issues of the mag. [Facebook]
10. Financial District: Saffron Rare Threads is hosing a fall party on Friday evening at their One Embarcadero Center (street level) digs from 6-9pm. There will be cocktails, a fashion show, and much fun to be had. [Saffron Rare Threads blog]
11. Sunset: Clothing Swap Alert! Local blogger Angie Paglino wants to help her fellow fashionistas be more aware of where their money is going, (she suspects much of it is in our closets—hmm she may have a point). With that in mind she's organizing a clothing swap with the theme "The Bradshaw Effect," named for famed fictional clothes horse Carrie Bradshaw. Paglino is inviting women to bring their gently used clothing to Celia's Near the Beach at 4019 Judah Street for some swapping fun, bevvies and bites this Saturday from 3:30 until 5pm. $10 donation requested, leftover clothing will go to The Princess Project. RSVP here.