The room swirled around ceramist Erin Hupp as she bent over her pottery wheel, spinning the clay that would become her vessels of sculptural magic. Eggshell clay splashed the hem of her poplin dress but she didn't mind: This was her happy place, and it was all part of the performance.
That dress, a modern-summery design crafted in the nearby Jackson Square atelier of Lan Jaenicke, was morphing into a different kind of art piece—an ode to creative spontaneity and collaboration.
Ceramic artist Erin Hupp and fashion designer Lan Jaenicke, surrounded by their own designs at 7x7 Social Club's Jackson Square pop-up. (Senay Inanci)
Hupp and Jaenicke were just two of the stars in a constellation of artists, designers, curators, chefs, and cultural influencers who gathered for the late-June VIP opening of 7x7 Social Club's pop-up, which was designed to showcase the diverse range of talents here in San Francisco, beginning with our fabulous interior designer, Jon de la Cruz.
DJ Sami Fink and dramatic designs by Wallflower set the scene while briny, delicious bumps from California Caviar Co. and cocktails by Bar Agricole set the mood for easy connection.
Caroline Lizarraga, who painted our interior's jaw-dropping gilded mural, and the perfumer/clairvoyant Yosh Han became fast friends, hatching plans for a future collab in color. Ayca Kilicoglu, who was chic in all black despite being loved for her colorful scarf designs, caught up with friend Jen Yeager, the new director of cultural programming at Transamerica Pyramid across the street. Interiors darling Noz Nozawa turned up repping for Martha Stewart, and the Truffle Man promised to return with treats.
(Photography by Senay Inanci)
Hoffman Hardware founder Krista Hoffman, designer Noz Nozawa, 7x7 editor Chloé Hennen, and ceramic artist Linda Fahey.
Various Social Club contributing artists were in the house to see their works displayed, including Mimi Plumb, Linda Fahey, Daria Davydova, Christopher Stark, Krista Hoffman, Jason Stropko, and Amy Nathan; along with gallery mavens Robert Koch and David Carmona, Sierra Nguyen of Dolby Chadwick, and Aimee Friberg of CULT Exhibitions. Malia Landis' porcelain blooms were scooped up by one admirer, while Joanne Bradford eyed Keira Kotler's marvelous diptychs Between the Sea & Sky.
But as is often the case, some real stars of the show worked behind in the scenes: Turning out gorgeous hors d'oeuvres and luscious cakes were Nightbird's Kim Alter, 7 Adams' Serena Chow Fisher and David Fisher, and Hi Neighbor Hospitality's Ryan Cole who orchestrated it all.
Thank you to everyone who has made this space and opening night feel absolutely brilliant.
Look out for more special events to be announced on 7x7's Instagram.
(Photography by Senay Inanci)
Decorative painter Caroline Lizarraga has a drink with photographer Christopher Stark.
