With the Bay Area being the epicenter of technology and all, it's little surprise that our petite local fashion world often gloms onto big tech in Silicon Valley for headline-grabbing collaborations. This year's San Francisco Fashion Week, sponsored by San Francisco Fashion and Merchants Alliance, Inc., is billing itself as the SXSW of Fashion, with the hashtag #DisruptFashion.
This dubious epithet notwithstanding, the week (from Sept. 19th through 27th), brings a lineup of sartorial events worth your notice. Here are a few for your calendars.
#DisruptFashion Hackathon
In this two-day creative collaboration workshop, participants will tackle real problems facing the fashion industry, including digitization, real-time retail tracking, closet monetization, and e-commerce. Pick the minds of industry experts, maybe even win cool prizes. // Saturday, Sept. 19, noon to 9 pm; Sunday, Sept. 20, noon to 4 pm; at Startup House, 934 Howard St (SoMa)
Opening Night
Fashion mavens and start-up types unite for drinks and designer appearances at SF Fashion Week's opening night reception with technology and fashion at the center of attention. Be sure to R.S.V.P., and dress to impress. // Sunday, Sept. 20, 6-9 pm, at Hue SF, 447 Broadway (Jackson Square)
Fashion Tech Expo
Learn how start-ups, entrepreneurs, developers, and designers are incorporating technology into fashion via live presentations and demos on everything from video applications to merchandising to fabric technology and manufacturing. Plus, discover featured products and brands including Fashion Stash, Tinsel, and Practice Happy. // Monday, Sept. 21, 6-9 p.m, at The Commons, 225 Bush St, 5th Floor (SoMa)
Retail Tech Summit
Explore fashion and retail innovation at this panel discussion amongst brands from Westfield SF Centre's Bespoke incubator, and participate in live demonstrations from retail start-ups including AstraFit, Boggs Systems, Chicly, Heisel, ToWearWith, and more. // Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6-9 pm, at Bespoke, 845 Market St, #450 (SoMa); tickets are available at eventbrite.com.
#STLYEPOP - Fashion Bloggers Connect
Connect with up-and-coming style bloggers at this collaborative showcase, featuring bloggers as models, in looks curated by Ambiance San Francisco. Fashion Bloggers Connect is a talent collective bringing together enthusiasts and writers from Britt+Whit, Cocoa Centric, DoubleMinted, Haute in Cali, Obebe Organics, and more. // Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6-9 pm, at Frank Lloyd Wright Building, 140 Maiden Ln (Union Square); tickets are available at eventbrite.com.
Emerging Designers Show
Get to know the aesthetics of a pair of emerging designers, along with collections from Saks Fifth Avenue. Carinna Lau will show her feminine, sexy style through non-traditional silhouettes. In contrast, Lisa Oliveras’ looks are chic and sleek, in a palette of black and white. // Friday, Sept. 25, 7-9 pm, at Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, 901 Market St. (Mid-Market)
Fashion Tours
Take a sartorial walking tour or two with a guided walk through SoMa's technical maker movement—with stops at TechShop and 440 Brannan, where emerging designers both create and sell their garments under one roof—as well as a tour of Made in SF brands, including Timbuk2 and Basil Racuk. // Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27, noon to 5 pm.
Ready to Wear Show
Halyna Hosteler of Zelenco will show off her Slavic embroidery skills and modern European style in her new collection, Harmony; while Stella Carakasi demonstrates her unique approach to figure-flattering silhouettes with delicate feminine details. // Saturday, Sept. 26, 7-9 pm, at DZINE, 128 Utah St (Potrero); tickets available at eventbrite.com.
High Fashion Show
High tech and fashion merge in this exhibition starring designers Jennifer Schmidt and Mila Hagen. Schmidt, an Academy of Art alum, creates structured looks with feminine touches that are flattering to the body. Hagen shows her new collection, Pushing Daisies, followed by the V.I.P. Closing Party. // Sunday, Sept. 27, 7-11 pm, at Frank Lloyd Wright Building, 140 Maiden Ln (Union Square); tickets available at eventbrite.com.
// For the full schedule of events, visit sanfranciscofashionweek.net.
