Welcome to Racked SF, where local fashion blogger Kristen Philipkoski reports on retail comings and goings around San Francisco. Phiipkoski 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.
Goodness is it ever an exciting week for shopping this week in San Francisco. We have the palpitation-inducing Renegade Art Fair, a small pomeranian (who's not Boo) signing his book at Neiman's, and last-call summer sales galore. There's some girly urban art thrown in there for good measure as well. How awesome is it to live here you guys?!
1. Marina: The Renegade Craft Fair is back! This is the kind of thing that makes folks who love locally-made, handmade, one-of-a-kind, jewelry, accessories, clothing, and home-goods (like ourselves) hopelessly giddy. There's enough at this sprawling fair to keep you going all day, plus there's lots of food and drink available to fuel you for the many hours it will take to scour the booths at Fort Mason Center. It's on from 11am-7pm this weekend, July 21 and 22. [Renegade Craft Fair]
2. Union Square: Fashion and celebrity stylist Danielle Nachmani is bringing eBay's "Selling Style Tour" to San Francisco this weekend, July 20 and 21. Nachmani's clients include Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and is part of eBay's Chic Squad, which is the company's effort to lure the fashion-y set to the mega auction site's selling masses. She'll offer selling tips at 333 Post St. [eBay's Chic Squad]
3. Mission: The women of Femme Cartel are curating a art show called Fashionably Drawn, featuring fashion illustration on the theme of style as a means of self expression, which is really what it's all about, no? The collection of girly-urban illustrations, drawings and paintings kicks off tomorrow, July 20, with a fete from 6 to 9pm at Roll Up Gallery at Public Works, 161 Erie St. [Public Works]
4. Union Square: Our local Neiman Marcus is throwing a fete tonight to celebrate its newest shop, Cusp. A shiny new boutique with the latest fashions and designers is all well and good. But we have buried the lede. The real draw here is the host: Gentleman Norman, a tiny pomeranian who wears a bow tie and has authored the tome How To Be a Man. You'll find him this evening on Neiman's fourth floor at 150 Stockton Street at Geary from 6 to 8pm. He'll be signing your copies of his book with his cute little paws! [Gentleman Norman]
5. Pacific Heights: Kaftans are one of our all-time favorite things, and any celebration of them gets our undivided attention. So we're thrilled that March, which typically is our go-to for chic pieces for the home, is hosting a trunk show and reception featuring feather-weight, beach-ready caftans by two. The pieces are constructed using hand-loomed Indian saris and artisanal textiles by Bay Area native and Prada veteran Monica Patel-Cohn. Check it out at 3075 Sacramento Street on Monday, July 23 from 3 to 7pm. Or if you're in Berkeley, you can find two at another local favorite, Erica Tanov, at 1827 Fourth St. on Saturday, July 21 from 2 to 7pm. [two]
6. Mission: Ultra-awesome women's clothing boutique Mira Mira is wrapping up its summer sale, which kicked off last week. So hurry in for your last chance at hard-to-find (and up to half off!) brands including Eighteenth, Gat Rimon, Shakuhachi, and TBA. [Mira Mira]
7. Richmond: Seedstore carries the kinds of things you won't find at the mall, like accessories by The Ropes, which are constructed by hand using marine ropes and hardware. You'll also find coveted brands like Brooklyn's Ace & Jig, Gant and The Furies. And right now, select spring and summer styles are half off! Join the fun at 212 Clement St. [Seedstore]
8. North Beach and Hayes Valley: Hit up ACRE/SF (301 Union Street) and Acrimony (333 Hayes) this weekend for final summer sale markdowns on brands like Funktional, Something Else, Ann-Sofie Back and Wings & Horn (for the fashionable gentlemen in the house) reduced up to 60 percent, which really does not happen often enough. You can also shop online! [Acrimony]
9. Palo Alto: Reminder! Crimson Mim in Palo Alto will be schooling everyone on how to not become a stress case when packing for your summer vacation. Listen, learn and take a deep, calm breath at 855 El Camino Real, Suite 35, in Palo Alto's Town & Country Village from 6-7pm (not in Los Altos like we erroneously stated last week!). Also stay tuned for their future talks on topics from jewelry curation to becoming your own personal stylist. [Crimson Mim]
10. Hayes Valley: It's not too late to snap up Nida's sleek pieces from the likes of IRO and Leenoy for up to half off. The store is extending its giant summer sale for your shopping pleasure. But hurry up, Nida's elusive European brands won't last! Shop at 544 Hayes Street between Laguna and Octavia streets. [Refinery 29]