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
It seems like almost every event on our roster this week is tonight. So get ready to make some difficult decisions. Not to worry though, there's plenty more action coming up this weekend and, of course, on Black Friday! Cue the holiday shopping Musak...
1. Union Square: Levi's new exhibition, "The Biker with Oil and Leather" is a collection of 21 amazing hand-painted leather jackets commissioned by Levi's--because what goes better with a pair of classic jeans than a leather jacket? Get a close-up look at these beauties starting tomorrow at Levi's, 333 Post Street. The San Francisco exhibit runs through November 25, and will move on to New York and Tokyo later this year. [Refinery 29]
2. Ocean Beach and The Mission: Surfbreak Rentals is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a whole slew of events at two locations on Saturday. If last year's launch party is any indication, there will be copious bikinis and handsome lads. If you're an early bird, hit their surfing contest on Saturday at 7am at Kelly's Cove Ocean Beach (to enter email here). If poker is more in line with your competitive leanings, email here to enter the poker contest happening later that evening. If fashion and music are your thing, head over to Public Works where a beachwear fashion show featuring Quicksilver, Roxy, RVCA, San Franpsycho and more is happening at 10:30pm (the party goes from 8pm until 2am). Plus Chris Clouse will spin with Ryan Lucero live on the drums, check out what that sounds like here! [San Franpsycho on Facebook]
3. Mission: Sad times: Candystore Collective is closing its doors after eight years on 16th Street. But as is often the case, sad times come with happy times: the shop's owner, Jennifer Jones, is throwing a farewell bash on Friday Nov. 16 from 7:30 to 9:30pm featuring cupcakes by Mission Minis, Cocktails by Matty, and of course giant discounts. You'll get up to 75 percent off the boutique's remaining stock of fashion-forward, indie-leaning clothing and accessories. And if you like them on Facebook, you'll get an additional 10 percent off in the shop during the party (they're practically giving it away at that point). And don't dispair too much about the brick and mortar store shutting down. Candystore Collective will continue to sell its stylish wares online, and is also taking its show on the road, with pop ups around the country planned starting next year in Portland, Oregon. Check out the party at 3153 16th Street. [Candystore Collective on Facebook]
4. Jackson Square: Carrots held its first Urban Zen by Donna Karan trunk show in the Spring, and we can't wait to check out the Fall collection of the do-gooder line, which benefits Karan's Urban Zen foundation. You can ogle the duds tonight while enjoying nibbles and sips from 6 to 10pm at Carrots, 843 Montgomery Street. [Carrots]
5. Mission: The cute clothing purveyors at Dema are celebrating 15 years in business on Valencia Street with 20 percent off, Mission Mini's cupcakes (busy folks this week!), bubbly, and live music! Considering how drastically Valencia Street has chanced in the past 15 years, this is an event to celebrate indeed. Be there on Saturday, November 17 from 6 to 10pm at Dema, 1038 Valencia Street. [Refinery 29]
6. South Bay: Black Friday is lurking just around the corner, and lots of shops will offer extended hours and discounts to lure shoppers into the throngs of crowds sure to be filling up stores. If you are one of these crazy people, you can begin shopping at The Great Mall in Milpitas starting at 10pm on Thanksgiving night and shop their Black Friday sale for the next 24 hours straight. The Great Mall's stores are of the outlet ilk, including Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Coach Factory Store, Forever 21, Abercrombie & Fitch Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, BCBG MAXAZRIA, Hollister Outlet, G by GUESS and Nike Factory Store, so the prices MIGHT be worth shopping in the middle of the night. During more sane hours, Sam and Lissa of 94.5 KBAY will broadcast live from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, and they'll be doling out freebie holiday CD to the first 1,000 shoppers who visit their booth. Carolers in Victorian garb will also through the mall serenading everyone. It's a bit much to process, but die-hard shoppers will certainly embrace the madness. [The Great Mall]
7. Online: 'Tis the season for dinner parties, which are fun to attend, but sometimes a tad stressful to plan. Local online pub The Bold Italic has a solution: Dinner Party in a Box! For $50 you can get everything you need to throw a dinner party, including a bottle opener, recipe cards from a slew of local chefs including the folks from flour + water, State Bird Provisions, and Beast and the Hare, a coffee towel screen printed with brewing accoutrement, chocolates with tasting notes, foodie bingo, after-dinner prophecy cookies, and an "Emergency Preparedness Hook-Up Kit" for those amorous dinner parties, one presumes. O.K. you might need a few other things, like a main course and beverages. But this is a good start! [The Bold Italic]
8. Mission: Artspace is hosting an all-star exhibition for the holidays, "The Best of Everything," featuring the online art curator and seller's favorite prints. The opening reception is Friday, November 16 from 6 to 8pm at Electric Works, 1360 Mission Street. Featured artists include Kara Maria, David Salle, Lawrence Weiner and lots more. The exhibition runs through December 22. [Electric Works]
9. SOMA: Yves Saint Laurent's lavish '70s lifestyle will come to life at a fashion party tonight at The Factory. Factory designers will debut their Spring 2013 collection with a Moroccan-themed party tonight from 6 to 10pm at their warehouse-slash retail space at 370 4th Street, Suite 1. [Refinery 29]