SFBayStyle

Union Square Ice Rink Opens Wednesday with Olympic Skaters

2009-11-09T12:11:54-08:00

Wednesday, the Union Square ice rink opens again to entertain skaters throughout the season. This year is special since it's the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, so the U.S. Figure Skating Association, in conjunction with local skating clubs like the Skating Club of San Francisco, is putting together a series of events to highlight the opening this Wednesday, beginning at 10 a.m.

There will be a show at noon and another exhibition at 5 p.m. Guests can skate at other times of day, and the daytime event has a requested donation of $20.

Then at 6 p.m., there will be a special reception featuring Olympic Gold Medalist (and Dancing with the Stars champion) Kristi Yamaguchi and U.S. national champion Rudy Galindo across the street at the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Tickets for that are $100 and the money goes to the U.S. Olympic skaters.

To RSVP or ask questions, contact Susan Bonn (susanbonn(at)gmail(dot)com) or Stacey Marsh (smarsh(at)usfigureskating(dot)org).

A Traveler's Passport to Etiquette

2009-11-09T04:00:00-08:00

Photo: Drew Altizer

Etiquette is a must, particularly while traveling. Certified etiquette consultant Lisa Grotts tells us what's proper and what's not in her new book, A Traveler's Passport to Etiquette.

To celebrate Ms. Grotts' first published book a soiree was held in her honor on October 15 at Montblanc in downtown San Francisco. Attendees had the opportunity to visit with the author, purchase advanced copies of the book and have their copy signed by Ms. Grott. Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown made an appearance commenting that he never knew so much about packing for a trip until he read this book. Intended for the well-traveled and novice alike, A Traveler's Passport to Etiquette emphasizes the golden rule - do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Photo: Drew Altizer

Ms. Grott conducts seminars in the areas of business and social etiquette and is the founder and director of The AML Group, a certified protocol and etiquette consultancy. She believes the world is separated by two kinds of people - those who exhibit good manners and those who don't. By expanding her expertise into a book, Ms. Grott hopes to teach good manners to travelers around the world. And we all thank her for that!

Q&A With 944 Magazine Editor & Oakland Resident Laurel May

2009-11-04T04:00:00-08:00

Laurel May relocated to Oakland from Scottsdale, Arizona in summer 2008 to launch the San Francisco edition of 944 magazine. This sassy chic editor shares what she enjoys about living in Oakland. (Photo by Loren Earle-Cruickshanks)

As a new Oakland resident, what's your take on Oakland's sense of style?

Oakland’s the ultimate melting pot. There’s so much variety here! Hippity-hoppers, hippies, hookers, hipsters . . . I feel there’s a real sense of freedom here, everyone is doing their own thing and there aren’t any Marina chicks standing around keeping score on what brand of sunglasses everyone’s wearing.

Visitors are coming to town - what's on your Oakland to-show list?

Well, if they were visiting from Scottsdale, I’d take them on a late night drive down International Ave and then out for a few hands of poker at the Oakes Card Room. If they were from anywhere else, we’d spend the day at the Rose Garden, have dinner at Flora and then go to Yoshi’s to check out a show.

Sunday afternoon and you're hangin' in Oakland - what are you doing?

For most of the day, I’m standing in line for brunch at Brown Sugar Kitchen. It’s worth it. After that, there has to be a long sunshiney walk down San Pablo Avenue with Manchester my bulldog, followed by a nap.

What's your favorite Oakland shopping spot and why?

College Avenue. For clothing there’s Iniam, it’s a nice, airy space and they carry great lines like Tory Burch, Ernest Sewn, Marc Jacobs and everything else a person would think they’d have to go to the City to find. I also like to pop into the Boss Robot Hobby Shop from time to time to pick up a blind-box Dunny for my collection or a balsa wood airplane to crash in an empty parking lot.

Oakland has some stylish neighborhoods what's your favorite?

I’m crazy about Uptown Oakland’s architecture – I Magnin, the Fox, the old Sears building. Coming from Scottsdale where historic buildings aren’t valued at all, I just love to see grand old structures and imagine what the city was like back in the day when the men wore hats and women wore gloves.

If you were to design a drink for Oakland what would be the key ingredient and what would you call it?

It would be a delicious seasonally-appropriate farmer’s market fruit punch served in a 40oz beer bottle wrapped in a paper bag. I would call it the “I Hella Love Oakland.”

Ginnifer Goodwin Wears Art Students' Design to EMA Awards

2009-11-03T17:42:42-08:00

Talk about luck - Ginnifer Goodwin wore students' design to the 20th Anniversary Environmental Media Association Awards, and now those students can add celebrity stylist to their resumes. A group of Academy of Art University students, Priscilla Guimarais, Kumiko Haruyama, Nui Tanapornwattana, Audrey Wang and Tramaine Tillman, designed a collection of sustainable dresses for a class project. To them it was just another project for school, and a fun one at best.

Little did they know one of their sustainable designs -- a strapless dress made from hospital scrubs with three front ruffled tiers that fell just above the knee and a black sash -- would be worn by an actress. And not just worn anywhere, but to a red carpet event. The students created an entire collection for their project, so maybe, after the press from Goodwin, they'll have requests for orders. All of the outfits in 1Oak (which stands for one of a kind) are made from start to finish with sustainable practices. The hospital scrubs used to make Goodwin's dress were treated, dyed and pleated using sustainable practices.

So for the students out there, this just goes to show that some homework assignments shouldn't be blown off...you never know who you might impress.

Mummies and Medicine: A Ghoulish Halloween Gala

2009-11-01T18:55:00-08:00

It was a perfect night for a ghoul-li-cious event in San Francisco. The fog was eerily rolling over the chilly streets and there was an ominous feeling in the air. This year's most-buzzed-about Halloween event was held at the palatial Legion of Honor.  Upon entering the gates, we were greeted with ghostly music that echoed in the column-enclosed courtyard.  The creatures and characters of the night made our way up to the grand entrance, where The Thinker, a sculpture by Auguste Rodin, acted as gatekeeper. He seemed to ponder the hellish fate of those beneath him. I wondered if it was an honor or a curse that he had let me pass.

Time knew no boundaries as Romans, flappers, cowboys, and cheerleaders intermingled in the rooms lit with violet lights.  Heading toward the room with the delicious aroma, I encountered a bountiful feast of delectable hors d'oeuvres: cheese, fruit, mini-hot dogs, assorted sushi, dim sum, egg rolls, shrimp cocktails, and more.  There were several open bars stocked with complimentary potions and spine-chilling elixirs. Two of my favorite specialty drinks of the night were Pernod Absinthe Sour and the Zombie Killer; the latter was made with vodka and pomegranate liquor. Wicked!



Drinky-poos in hand, we headed to the dance floor. The cover band, Pop Rocks, played all of our favorite 80s and 90s hits. Even the zombies had to stop, pop, and roll. I could have danced 'til dawn, but I still had one more important task to complete. I had to meet the man of the hour, our very-well-preserved host.  We left the jovial crowd behind, and headed to a more somber part of the museum.

There was a respectful silence as we approached the chamber were he lay. As we entered, I noticed on my left a statuesque Anthony and Cleopatra. Had they also come to pay tribute to a 2,500-year-old mummy, known as Irethorrou?

The exhibition Very Post Postmortem: Mummies and Medicine, which opened on October 31, 2009, explores the modern scientific examination of Irethorrou the mummy.  Who was he, what was his life like, when did he die, how did he die?  These questions are all answered by using state of the art technology. The CT scans done by scientists at Stanford Medical School reveal Irethorrou's long held secrets. A three-dimensional "fly-through" of the mummy takes you on an incredible journey inside his mortal remains.  I stared at the plaster forensic reconstruction of his small round head. It was produced using CT scan data through a process know as rapid phototyping, or 3-D printing.  Although he died thousands of years ago, he achieved immortality as new generations learn his story.

The exhibition also includes a variety of ancient artifacts.  It continues through until August of 2010 at the Legion of Honor.

A Smash Hit for the Vintage Clothing & Style Festival

2009-10-29T11:26:36-07:00

Miss Art Deco (Photo by Michele Diane Smith)

It was a fabulous old school happening this past Sunday as vintage enthusiasts gathered at the Alameda Elks Lodge for the very first Vintage Clothing & Style Festival. The historic building was a perfect venue for such an event with ample space and a beautiful stained glass dome adding to the Festival's ambiance. A smash hit with attendees, the Festival offered three floors of vintage hair styling and makeup demonstrations, model touring, music, treasures for sale and lots of food and cocktails.

Highlights included singing by Ann Gibson and Sara Klotz de Aguliar, representatives from the Art Deco Society of California and Mr. Ricks Martini Club, and photos by Michele Diane Smith. Oakland designer Deborah Starks presented her restructured blouses and jackets and San Francisco tailor, Al from Al's Attire, was on hand offering advice. One of a kind vintage inspired hats by Phyllis were a fave as was Theresa LaQuey's original designs.

The Festival organizers are thrilled with the interest and support the event received and are hoping to make this an annual happening, perhaps even biannual. We like that!

Congratulations VCSF!

Vintage Clothing & Style Festival

2009-10-19T04:00:00-07:00



Hold on to your hats fashionistas, I’ve got exciting news! Sunday, October 25 is the big day for some yesteryear thrills at the Vintage Clothing & Style Festival. This all day event happening at the Alameda Elks Lodge is not just about vintage fashion but also about living a vintage lifestyle.

Two years ago vintage enthusiasts Kimberly Manning and her business partners Roberto and Jula Isola decided they wanted to broaden the scope of a typical vintage show. Their desire is to offer not just retail but also an opportunity to socialize, interact and discuss all things vintage. “We want this Festival to celebrate vintage in a way that all ages, sizes, races and sexes feel they too can wear vintage,” explains Ms. Manning, looking tres chic in a 1940s pale pink knit dress embellished with red dragonflies at the shoulder. “Vintage can be for everyone.”

An interior designer, Ms. Manning claims fashion is her hobby. She wears vintage and vintage inspired clothing full time and gives lectures and demonstrations on how to carry it off successfully. Her love for past eras started with Edwardian frocks she found while antiquing as a child with her mother in Connecticut. “Nineteen forties is my preferred style, but my husband wears 50s,” says Ms. Manning who sports a fetching Lauren Bacall hairdo. Her partners Roberto and Jula Isola have been dealing in vintage for years and do big business providing Hollywood movie studios with costumes. Most recently they worked on the film Public Enemy starring Johnny Depp.

The partners hope that the Festival will help educate people on how to make vintage work for them as well as create a comfortable place to learn. “If you’re new to vintage and want out of the box,” says Ms. Manning, “we are providing a safe environment to be experimental.” Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite vintage - all eras and styles welcome.

Included at the Festival will be:

• Fifty vendors selling men’s and women’s clothing, textiles, and furnishings.
• Music by Sara Klotz de Aguilar, Ricky Quizol, Raul Castro and singer Ann Gibson.
• Men and women touring models, allowing for attendees to see prime vintage pieces up close.
• Tailors and seamstresses available to discuss custom made pieces.
• Demonstrations of hair and makeup techniques.
• Two no-host bars.
• Reasonably priced lunches.
• Dancing.

Additionally a website has been set up with the intention of continuing the discussion and creating a one-stop spot for information, tips, and referrals:

http://www.vintageclothingstylefestival.com/index.html

The Vintage Clothing & Style Festival, Sunday, October 25, 11AM-6PM, Elks Lodge 2255 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda. Cost is a mere $5 and there will be plenty of free parking.

No excuses, folks. Be there or be square!



Celebrating the first African American Cover Girl Katiti Kironde

2009-10-14T09:10:27-07:00

We were all very excited earlier this year to see our lovely First Lady Michelle Obama on the cover of Vogue. But back in the day an African American woman gracing the cover of a top fashion magazine was just not done. That is until Glamour magazine broke with convention by putting Katiti Kironde on their August 1968 College Issue.

On Friday October 9th, Ms. Kironde’s daughter Mireille Schwartz hosted a reception to honor her mother and celebrate the 41st anniversary of that landmark issue in fashion magazine history. Local chic elites gathered in the garden of Ms. Schwartz’s San Francisco home sipping cocktails and chatting with Ms. Kironde who hails from Connecticut.

"I keep fine company," Ms. Kironde said in a brief speech referring to the earlier announcement of President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. "It's me and Obama."

The daughter of the Ambassador to the United Nations, Ms. Kironde was a college student in 1968. A beautiful and tall young woman, she was encouraged by family friend and editor-in-chief of Mademoiselle magazine to apply for Glamour’s Top Ten Best Dressed College Girls. No one was more surprised than Ms. Kironde when she won and was placed on the cover of Glamour. “That was the single biggest selling issue at the time and since,” she shared. “I received a lot of nasty notes.”

Mireille Schwartz and her mother Katiti Kironde (Photo by Drew Altizer)

Ms. Schwartz says she’s touched by people’s interest and support of her mother and this momentous occasion. San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris called earlier in the day congratulating Ms. Schwartz and her mother and thanking them for celebrating such a milestone event for African-Americans. Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown stopped by, looking dapper as usual. Other stylish attendees included Joy Venturini Bianchi, Merla Zellerbach, Karen Tamblyn, and Joel Goodrich.

Congratulations Ms. Kironde. You’ll always be our favorite cover girl!

To view more photos of this event go to: http://www.examiner.com/x-20624-Oakland-Fashion-Examiner~y2009m10d15-Celebrating-the-first-African-American-cover-girl-Katiti-Kironde

Discussion with Helen Thomas and Barbara Lee at Mills College in Oakland

2009-10-09T04:00:00-07:00

Listen up, Bay Area! Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet White House Reporter Helen Thomas and Congresswoman and Mills College alumna Barbara Lee, appearing at Mills College in Oakland, October 12, 7-9. These two stylish ladies of politics will read from their new books and join in a conversation with Mills College President Janet Holmgren.

For over 50 years Ms. Thomas has been sitting in the front row at White House Press Conferences politely but firmly asking pertinent questions of presidents from Kennedy to Obama. She’s always well dressed in a simple suit with pearls and she’s always a lady, closing her list of questions with, “Thank you, Mr. President.” In her latest book, co-written with Washington journalist Craig Crawford, Listen Up Mr. President: Everything You Wanted Your President to Know and Do (Scribner, 2009) Ms. Thomas draws on her years of experience as a political journalist and offers valuable lessons to future presidents and you, the voters!

Congresswoman Barbara Lee has been representing California’s 9th district since 1998. She received much local praise when in 2001 she was the lone "No" vote for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists and again in 2005 when she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In her memoir, Renegade for Peace and Justice (Rowman & Littlefield, 2008), Ms. Lee shares her childhood stories and the challenges she faced on the path from single motherhood to Congresswoman.

Copies of both books will be available for purchase and signing after the discussion.

Helen Thomas and Barbara Lee appearing October 12, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Mills College Littlefield Concert Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Free to the public.

SF Fleet Week-Style Elevation Event featuring Innovative Designers

2009-10-02T04:00:00-07:00

An ongoing tradition since 1981, Fleet Week signifies a celebration to the men and women of the armed forces. This year not only do we have the option of viewing the Blue Angels, but we also have the opportunity to check out San Francisco Bay’s best emerging fashion and accessory designers at Style Elevation's Weekend Pop Up Shops on Grant Avenue in San Francisco's North Beach.
Multi-talented entrepreneur Karri Ann Frerichs is the woman behind Style Elevation, an online retail shop launching this holiday season. In conjunction with the launch, in October Ms. Frerichs is hosting a series of retail happenings in various San Francisco shopping neighborhoods, highlighting the latest fashion trends from around the bay area. These happenings cater to the business growth of new and upcoming designers as well as the local business communities, using the "pop-up shop"scenario where empty spaces are utilized for retail extravaganzas.

Twenty designers will present and sell their collections directly to the public in retail spaces around 1418 Grant Ave. on Saturday, October 10, 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 a.m., through Sunday, October 11, 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. If you love art, there will also be a fashion photographers showcase at Live Worms Gallery, 1345 Grant Ave., on Friday, October 9 from 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

See all the designers who have registered here.