This week in Bay Area fashion, beauty and retail news.
Erica Tanov Gets Into the Furniture Game
Is there anything textile goddess Erica Tanov can't do? The adored Berkeley designer has recently expanded her namesake clothing and lifestyle brand to include furniture. This time around, though, she brings a friend along for the ride: master craftsman and woodworker Russell Fong. "Working together with Russell was a natural effort since our aesthetics are so aligned. I suggested silhouettes and shapes that I loved, and he shared his expertise in wood and technical skills, and we quickly arrived at a modern and enduring design," says Tanov.
The debut collection includes two pieces handcrafted from American black walnut: the Ciervo sofa and armchair. Simple, sturdy and chic, each piece is made to order and ready in six to eight weeks. Cushions have removable covers in a variety of textural fabrics (raw silk, mixed wools and cotton canvas) similar to those used in Tanov's clothing. The furniture is available at Erica Tanov stores in Berkeley and Larkspur, and online (with white-glove delivery). Prices start at $4,950. // ericatanov.com
(Courtesy of Meg Smith for Forty Five Ten)
Napa Valley Welcomes Fashion Player Forty Five Ten
A chic slice of Texas just landed in the 415 707. Forty Five Ten, a Dallas-based retailer with major fashion cred, has opened its first outpost outside the Lone Star State in Yountville, steps from The French Laundry and Bouchon. The vibrant 865-square-foot boutique features an easy-to-shop selection of men's and women's clothing—with an emphasis on cool emerging designers (Jacquemus, Khaite, Kalita and Tome) and more established labels à la Celine and Derek Lam. A banner beauty department (including Napa's own Vintner's Daughter), unique gifts and home items add to the shopping fun. We can't wait to get our paws on Forty Five Ten x Diptyque candles. Nowthis is our kind of Texas. // Open daily 11am to 6pm, 6540 Washington St. (Yountville), fortyfiveten.com
(Courtesy of Bryr)
Bryr's Sample Sale Is Coming
Time to go clog wild: San Francisco's favorite Dogpatch cobbler, Bryr, is holding its second annual sample sale on Saturday, August 19th. This is going to be a goodie if ever there was one. (We're still smitten with the awesome nubuck peep-toes we scored at last year's event.) The handcrafted clogs and sandals, made of American leather on solid wood bases, will be available for up to 70 percent off regular prices, which hover around $250. Styles will include regular inventory, real samples and production seconds. Along with the fab footwear, treats from Neighbor Bakehouse and libations from Fort Point Brewery and a couple of wineries will be served. Like, who doesn't love a clog party? // 11am to 3pm, 2419 3rd St. (Dogpatch), bryrstudio.com
(Courtesy of Warby Parker)
But First Warby Parker (Then the Solar Eclipse)
Total-solar-eclipse fever is everywhere…totes understandable, as 99 years have passed since the last one. Monday, August 21st is the day it will travel across the country from west to east. Eyewear retailer Warby Parker is celebrating by helping all the eyes out there take in the celestial spectacle safely and clearly: Right now (and through the event), every Warby Parker store is giving away free (no catch!) eclipse-viewing, NASA-certified glasses. Happy eclipsing! // The Bay Area is home to four locations in San Francisco, Berkeley, Palo Alto and San Jose; warbyparker.com
A concrete bowl from Umé Studio.(Courtesy of Umé Studio)
Meet the New Objects of Our Affection…
The debut collection of Oakland-based Umé Studio, from founders-slash-designers Mei-Lan Tan and Victor Lefebvre, is all about artful (and useful) items for the home. These include amazing three-dimensional soaps (they look like they belong in a museum) and stunning bowls that, though made of concrete, appear so utterly delicate. Of course, there are more esoteric (read: expensive) items like the limited-edition draped flowers curtain ($3,800) with 100-plus pockets made for inserting fresh stems. Prices for most items range from $35 to $400. // Shop online at ume-studio.com.
The Can't-Miss Trunk Show
Next week, plan for a stylish happy hour at the Valencia Street boutique Le Point, where Veda will be showing off its fall collection of delicious knits and crave-worthy—we'd call them essential—leather jackets. Grab a glass of vino and say hello to the party's hostess, fashion photographer Anna-Alexia Basile, who will be debuting her latest project: a Veda fashion shoot inside the ever-so-magical Color Factory. // 5-9pm, Thursday, Aug. 17th at Le Point, 301 Valencia St. (Mission), shoplepoint.com
