If it's a fashionable way to spend, and happening in the Bay Area, we're talking about it on Shop Talk.
The girls of Les Méchantes—the SF-based women's lifestyle brand that focuses on putting the value back in ladies' closets with the help of local designers and ethically made goods—are back, and setting up shop in Ghirardelli Square. Join them for a festive launch party this Saturday, July 18, from 11am-6pm. Browse their line of locally-made, Elizabeth Taylor-inspired caftans, sip craft beer, and peruse offerings from other SFMade designers such as SanFranpsycho, Weston, and Reclamation Etchworks during this chic fete. Bad (méchant) never looked so good. // 900 North Point, Suite E101, lesmechantes.com
The 35th Annual Big Time Festival (on Saturday, July 18 from 10am-4pm) celebrates the traditional style of the Coast Miwok and other local American Indian tribes. Learn about the original Californians as the Intertribal Pomo and Dry Creek perform traditional dances, and watch in awe as basketry, flint knapping, and clamshell bead-making skills are demonstrated throughout the dat. Vendors will be offering crafts for sale, and booths will offer information about tribe culture. // Kule Loklo (0.4-mile hike from Bear Valley Rd., Point Reyes Station, ptreyes.org
The Renegade Craft Fair is taking over both the Herbst Pavilion and the Festival Pavilion of Fort Mason this weekend, July 18-19, for a go-big-or-go-home craft extravaganza, featuring tons of indie artists, DIY workshops, and more. Grab a bite, learn some crafts, and even ship those great finds with the on-site FedEx One Rate Shipping Station. Now that's some instant gratification. // 12-5pm, 2 Marina Blvd., renegadecraft.com
CFDA member and eyewear designer Blake Kuwahara has collaborated on eyewear collections for such notable names as John Varvatos, Carolina Herrera, Isaac Mizrahi, Behnaz Sarapfour, Hanae Mori, Coach, and more. This is your chance to meet the stylish designer in the flesh and shop his limited-edition eyewear collection, Kuwahara, at the launch party this Saturday, July 18, from 11am-6pm at Invision Optometry. Each handmade frame is named after a noted architect and individually crafted out of richly-colored Italian and Japanese acetates in Japan. Basically, it's the chicest way to shield your eyes this summer. // 1907 Fillmore St., invisionopto.com
Nothing bonds fashionistas like, well, fashion. A Naked Lady Soirée, this Sunday July 19, from 6-8pm, is the perfect place to make some friends, while scoring a new find. Bring a bag of goodies to swap at the bi-monthly clothing swap at Halmoni Vintage, and feel good knowing that anything remaining from the evening will go to a domestic violence shelter for women. Drinks and hor d'oeuvres will be served, and all attendees will receive 15 percent off all Halmoni merchandise and double stamps on your Frequent Buyer Card. // $15, Get tickets here. 1601 2nd Ave, Oakland, halmoni.net
The W San Francisco has always been synonymous with sleek, modern style, and the upcoming one-night-only Summer Fashion Pop-Up, on Wednesday, July 22, from 6-9pm, will not disappoint. San Francisco fashion expert Caroline Rooney will be your stylist godmother, as you check out pieces by M Dot Design Studio, Svelte Metals, Elodie K. Melrose Place, Leoluca Handbags, and Knockout LA. Taschen Books and Robert Siegel will have something for home decor fans, and Bounce Blow Dry Bar will provide a unique braid bar in honor of the launch of their new pop-up salon on the sixth floor of the hotel. Jams by DJ Junkyard Dog, sips and bites, and sweets from Sift Dessert Bar, round out the fashionable evening. // 181 3rd St., UPSTAIRS Bar (2nd floor); locals can RSVP at wsfmdotsummerpopup.splashthat.com.
Gather is turning one, and they want to celebrate with you this Thursday, July 23, from 6-8pm! Goodie bags will be available for the early birds, save 15 percent on all purchases, and Mary from Spirit Speak Tarot will be giving free tarot card readings to reveal your fashionable future. Sounds like a birthday party to us! // 541 Octavia St., gathersf.com
