Sfdoubletake's Blog

Hey, all you Upper East-Sider’s

sfdoubletake — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:30:12 +0000

IT’S HERE! IT’S HERE! IT’S HERE!

Anna Sui has collaborated with none other than Target to release her Gossip Girl inspired collection starting as low as $20. As if the fashion hype of “Gossip Girl” isn’t enough to tickle your fancy, all of us “normal” people can now afford to look just like our favorite characters (Blair Waldorf, welcome to my closet).

There has been a lot of talk over Anna Sui basing a line off of “Gossip Girl.” Some people were upset because they thought the show was risque & didn’t want it to have any connection to a family-based store, where others were excited because the clothes seen on the show make us want to go into debt for a $700 pair of leggings (if you couldn’t figure it out, I’m in agreement with the latter). Despite the criticism she & Target were receiving, they made the right & wonderful decision to move forward with the collection. & thank our mighty Father that they did!

Look at these clothes! They are beautiful, & they are about to be mine, all mine- yours too!

: Serena Van Der Woodson Collection

: Blair Waldorf Collection

: Jenny Humphfrey Collection

: Vanessa Abrams Collection

Items are flying off the racks (so much for us fashionista’s trying to save our money during a recession), so get to your local Target or Target.com/AnnaSui soon!

[ all photos courtesy of target.com ]

- Ann R.

Chrome Shoes Launch Party

slimzainy — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:19:38 +0000

Friday was chalk full of beautiful weather downtown, a lot of bikes strolling through the city streets, a great way to kick off the launch of Chrome’s Fall shoe line. The party began around 7pm and kicked off with some live music and beer, how could you go wrong? Lots of talk about bikes and long weeks, and some were trying on shoes. Although the shoes have been on sale for a bit now, this two part celebration included all sorts of fun, one of which was the custom merchandise Chrome auction. The auction consists of Chrome messenger bags with custom designs painted on, along with hats and other apparel. You can simply sign your name and the amount you would like to bid, and keep checking back all night to make sure you’re the winning bidder. I put my luck in on a cycling hat but someone outbid me in the very end. The party wrapped up quickly when the police were called for noise complaints by the restaurant owner next door, guess he wasn’t an avid cyclist?

Do you like yoga?

sfdoubletake — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:33:08 +0000

If you like Yoga there is a little boutique on lower Haight called P-Kok that has some very unique yoga pants. The ambiance of the store is very bohemian/burner/hippy and they have a lot of unique accessories. My favorite being the feather headpieces that are made in store and are reasonably priced at $16-$24.

-Lucia Velazquez

The Swacket!

sfdoubletake — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:14:19 +0000

I am a big fan of garments that can be worn in multiple ways. The swacket is a sweater and a jacket with a lot of versatility. It has four sets of snaps that allow it to be worn over 16 different ways. Instead of buying one coat this fall invest in a swacket. The swacket can be found at Harputs Market which is located at 1525 Fillmore st, San Francisco.

-Lucia Velazquez

Fashion a la Haight/Ashbury

sfdoubletake — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:21 +0000

By: Ariel Rhodus

There are so many marvelous nooks and crannies in this city. You may think you know every fantastic boutique or cafe in San Francisco, but there’s simply no way. I would like to highlight one especially fantastic and historic area: the Haight and Ashbury neighborhood. This area offers so much in the way of relaxing, dining, satisfying your sweet tooth, finding a good book, drinking or best of all, shopping! I live in the area and just recently set aside enough time to actually walk down Haight St and get to know my area well. I was surprised to find just how many adorable boutiques, thrift and vintage stores and shoe stores there were along the street. I started at Masonic and walked all the way down to the park (heading west) and had to have come across about 25 different little stores. To highlight a few:

-Aaardvark’s Odd Ark (1501 Haight Street – 415-621-3141): just one of many fantastic vintage shops on the famous street

-Ambience (1458 Haight Street – 415-552-5095): all new apperal, ideal for the uptown romantic

-Buffalo Exchange (1555 Haight Street – 415-431-7733): a resale shop where you can sell your old swag and get new (used) things in return

-Crossroads (1519 Haight Street – 415-355-0555): another place to buy, sell and trade

-Villains Vault (1653 Haight Street 415-864-7727): amazing designer clothing from all around the globe

-Wasteland (1660 Haight Street 415-863-3150): the perfect mix of vintage and new apperal

Photo courtesy of jrsfilm.com

Thanks for Littering

sfdoubletake — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:12:36 +0000

San Francisco based up in coming jewelry design team/sister duo, Litter, creates amazing and unexpected jewelry from found, used, and vintage materials. Litter specializes in jewelry from your shoes, shoulders, thighs, backs and overall atypical jewelry placement. Reasonably priced and all one of a kind pieces, don’t miss out on some Litter in your life!

Check out some of our personal favorites below or find your own at www.littersf.com

-Rayna Basta

SUST’s a Must

sfdoubletake — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:30:37 +0000

The name given to SUST’s clothing line is a perfect description of the clothes. A combination of sustainable & cool, SUST is just that: very cool, very sustainable clothes.

Photo c/o arniandkinski.com

But gorgeous, 100% organic US cotton, ethically made in California clothes aside—what’s even more striking about this line are the people behind it. Childhood BFFs Marion McKee, a jewelry designer, & Tristan Gribbin, an actress were joined by Kevin Baum, a twenty-year veteran of the clothing industry. These fashionable forces all grew up in Palo Alto, just south of San Francisco– & they continue to base their line out of the Bay Area today.

The vision of SUST is what differentiates it from others. Rather than letting the entire focus be on the clothes—which, FYI, are absolutely amazing—SUST’s vision is something more compelling.

Working with the highest quality US organic cotton, & collaborating closely alongside local manufacturers, SUST guarantees that fair trade principles are carefully incorporated into every aspect of the process. SUST also believes in a larger definition of corporate responsibility–choosing environmental causes that are supported through a portion of profits from every purchase.

Ann R.

Celebrate Fall with Indie Mart

sfdoubletake — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:17:16 +0000

Workshop is finally here to kick of this Fall with SF’s Indie Mart! Located on Baker and McAllister, Workshop is a true place for the DIY’ers of the Bay Area. First and foremost the facility is outfitted with silk screen rooms, various sewing machines and even a library that is offers volumes of ‘How-To’ books to get your inspiration in motion.

And as if that wasn’t enough Workshop will be utilized as a open studio and teaching space that will offer affordable daily classes to the public. Kelly Malone, the Indie Mart Guru, along with other local fashion designers will be on hand teaching the day classes and also hosting movie nights (beer and popcorn included!)

In honor of workshop and all its coolness, Kelly and the creative folks over at Indie Mart will be hosting the Workshop Opening Party this Saturday the 19th from 7p-11p at 1798 McAllister St @ Baker. There’s going to be live silk screen printing, drinks and the beautiful people of SF.

Workshop Opening Party

Jamie T.

Eco Friendly boutique opening

sfdoubletake — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:07:18 +0000

Three local female designers, Jessica Summers, Larissa Verdussen, and Andrea Lamadora, has come together to open Loft 1513, a boutique in Noe Valley of San Francicso. What do these three have in common other than fashion? A passion for eco friendly materials, an eye for texture and detail, and an understandng of true craftmanship.

Loft 1513 showcases an ecletic mix of women’s, men’s, children’s clothing, hand crafted jewelry and accessories from local and eco friendly designers such as I-kohl, House of Mamas, Arara, Sea Pony, Celestial, RFD Eco Couture, & Audrey Acosta Designs. Like Shotwell, the boutique helps many independent designers to get started as they constantly house new designers weekly. With such a variety, it would be impossible not to find an original one-of-a-kind treat at Loft 1513. From exquisite Brazilian jewelries to unique dresses and custom made leather belts and holster bags. You will find wearable art for any occasion with reasonable prices.

Loft 1513 is having their first store party this Saturday, September 19th from 3pm to 9pm at the boutique. Many of the local designers will be there so stop by to shop, drink and socialize. They will be holding a fashion show, FREEDOM FIBERS, revealing their latest collections at 7pm.

Here’s a Utility belt made of leather and a semi precious stone by Arara. A perfectly stylish piece to put your phone, camera, and wallet. The belt is $190 and you can buy at www.ararasf.com or at the boutique. You can also get yours custom made! Just ask one of the designers.

Photos Courtesy of www.ararasf.com/

Loft 1513 Boutique, www.loft1513.com, 1513 Church St. San Francisco, CA 94131, 415-695-0201, Store Hours: Mon – Fri 11 to 7pm, Sat 11 to 7pm, Sun 12 to 6pm.

- Maureen Clemente

Sssshhhh It’s a Secret.

sfdoubletake — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:02:30 +0000

We all know how crazy the economy has gotten to be in the last year. People are on the hunt for a bargain and when they find it, it becomes a well kept secret in hopes that this special treasure last. In the past year there has been a great increase in online “secret” shopping. Websites that are based on an exclusive membership that you must “apply” to get. It takes days, weeks, or even months until you get excepted into the holy grail of discounted designer merch. Many of the websites feature pieces that were taken from the sale racks at Bloomies, Barney’s and any where else that didn’t have 100% sell through. It’s tough for retailers to make plan and achieve LY figures so when an e-tailer offers a small price for their last season merch. (which is sitting in a warehouse) they jump at the opportunity. Welcome to the community of “secret” online shopping.

As far as secrets go, I am not one for keeping them, so lucky for you I know some really good websites that can save you a tone when shopping.

1.) Gilt Groupe

This has gained popularity in the last few months or so, but it’s still a great place to go to get some good designer merch. (apparell, shoes, watches, home, etc.) up to 70% off of what you paid for in their boutiques. They have been so successful that they launched a sister website called Gilt Fuse, which is only for women (at the moment) but it feature even CHEAPER DESIGNER CLOTHING.

2.) Beyond the Rack

This is not as designer driven as Gilt is. Although they do feature designers they are more based on department store designers rather than specialty boutiques. They have a mixture of apparel and accessory items at any given sale but their prices are pretty cheap for what they offer, plus just for signing up you get a $10 credit to use towards your first purchase.

3.) The Fairest

This website has the beauty conscious shopper in mind. It is all driven by beauty, from hair care, skin care and makeup this website has a great designer selection of beauty products. Caring brands like: Clarks Botanicals, Bodyography and Panpuri may seem a little strange to the average shopper, but all the products that are featured are professional choices and are used in the industry everyday in photo shoots and t.v. appearances. Bottom line, this website is great to go into if you are really into beauty, they have a great selection and great brands featured.They even have a blog where real people go to post their favorite brands and talk about their purchases.

4. Shop it to me

Ok so this last one is not an e-tailer but they are a great resource to use to know when an e-tailer puts your favorite designer on sale. There are so many customizable aspects about this website, from the days you want to receive mail and which designer you want to know about, to the shoe, shirt and pants sizes you specifically are looking for. This is a great resource to know when major department stores (Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomies) is marking things down because out of all the 150+ designers/brands featured on the website many of them pull the sales from those major websites. Just call this site your free personal shopper.

So now you have an idea of the hundreds of “secret” online shops out there just waiting to be discovered. Hopefully now you really will think twice before you pay full price again.

-Chris C.