Just breathe, and make some room in your closet.
Starting today, more than 2,500 items from iconic British designer and official Dame Vivienne Westwood are available for purchase at the Jules Maeght Gallery in Hayes Valley. For six glorious days, through Sunday, May 20th, Anglophiles and punk-fashion fans, Sex and the City devotees (hello, Carrie's wedding dress) and wide-eyed style students will engage in the hunt, sharp elbows at the ready.
Everything is discounted from 30 percent to 80 percent, with prices ranging from $15 to $1,500. "It will definitely be Christmas in May for the Vivienne lover," says Barbara Rosin, the brand's president of retail in North America.
The large inventory includes pieces from the Spring and Fall 2017 collections, and from the designer's Red Label, Gold Label, and Anglomania collections. "Over the last decade, Vivienne's designs have provided some noticeable fashion statements in pop culture, cinema, and the U.S. mainstream media, so to have these pieces available is huge for any fashion lover," Rosin says.
"Accessories that were once only available to store buyers and VW clients are now available to the public. Truly beautiful pieces that buyers can pick from—shoes, jewelry, watches, bags, wallets and scarves, etc. All of these collections will be available for both men and women," she adds.
Spring 2017 Menswear collection.
No doubt, the fashion illuminati will be out in force, flocking to the pop-up every day. (We suggest arriving early and steeling yourself for queues.) Ever since the inimitable designer's retrospective at the de Young Museum (Vivienne Westwood: 36 Years in Fashion) in 2007, there's been a mutual and abiding love between Westwood and San Francisco.
Along with Westwood's strong connection to the city, which actually dates back to the '60s, there's another more strategic reason for the pop-up: The label is exploring the possibility of opening another permanent boutique stateside, and SF is a top contender.
"The pop-up'ssuccess will definitely be a variable in whether we consider coming to San Francisco. We love this city and we believe unique tastemakers exist in this city, so it's a place we'd like to be," Rosin explains. Translation: Yes, this is a test—so let's all shop our mad-for-plaid hearts out, people. And in case you're wondering, there are currently VW stores in NYC and L.A.
One more thing: Don't get your hopes up for a Vivienne sighting/selfie. The 77-year-old designer won't be in town to celebrate. Bollocks.
// Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 8pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm, May 15-20; Jules Maeght Gallery, 149 Gough St. (Hayes Valley) julesmaeghtgallery, viviennewestwood.com.
