Monday, April 26, 2010 at 9:36PM By: Cynthia Anderson Local fashion takes the stage at Manor West
Models pose in Eel and Ermine dresses with Kitty Andrews Hats/Image: Style Wylde/S. Whittle
A large, stylish crowd gathered at Manor West in San Francisco's SOMA neighborhood on Monday night for Violet Hour, the newest local style party, featuring a refreshingly well executed runway show featuring Eel and Ermine and Kitty Andrews Millinery.
Models walk the runway at Violet Hour/ Image: Style Wylde/ S. Whittle
The show itself, which started promptly at 7:30 showcased a bevy of well crafted, super wearable vintage inspired dresses, which flattered the models with a soft springy color palette and pretty 1940's with a twist silhouettes.
As if pre-designed to match the vibe of the clothing perfectly, Kitty Andrews Millinery produced whimsical, couture-quality hats that left us wishing we had more places to wear them.
Image: Style Wylde/S.Whittle
Speaking with the designers of Eel and Ermine, Elinor JD Diamond, and Evelyn Aikman, after the show we learned the two met while working together as cake decorators and found a way to get back to their true calling as designers by creating their Eel and Ermine line.
Image: Style Wylde: S.Whittle
Finding your true calling seemed to be the theme of the night as Melissa A. Bolin, Creative Director of Kitty Andrews Millinery, told us that although hats, and the art of millinery have been a life long love, she only recently decided to dedicate her time to the craft after years in an unfullfilling career as an investment banker.
Violet Hour is the brain child of local style makers Allie Kwok, Brandi Moore, Kim Turner, Maiko Tsunemine, Maria Choung, Michelle Musial and Rykk Martinez. Music was provided by DJ Michelle La Belle.
In addition to the Violet Hour show, Eel and Ermine will celebrate the grand opening of their Laurel Heights boutique this Thursday. The boutique will feature off the rack and custom made to order dresses by Eel and Ermine, and one of kind hats by Kitty Andrews Millinery.
For more images from the Eel and Ermine/Kitty Andrews Millinery show visit the Style Wylde Galleries.
Reader Comments (6)
LOVE that black dress, I am so gonna check that shop out!
My friends and I had a blast at this event last night, much better than some of the other SF events we've been too. Can't wait until the next one!!!
Love, love, love the hats! Violet Hour was the coolest thing in quite a while!!
Awesome article! I loved the event!
This event was coordinated by some students for free!!! and let me tell you... it was better than most events that are out there. They should organize more of these events!!!
As a member of the group who coordinated this fashion show, I really wanted to thank Diane Green, our instructor who allowed us to have this as our final project for the semester..to COORDINATE A SHOW in as little as 2 months!! Thank you Manor West for the Venue, Eel and Ermine for allowing us to use your designs, Kitty Andrews for your hats, all of the models who came to the casting calls for our show, the photographers and videographers for their time and everyone else who may have helped us put this show together! It was amazing! :)