Student shows and local events kick off Summer season

Despite the decidedly gloomy June that seems to be on the forecast, fashion is warming up in the San Francisco Bay Area as a variety of presentations and events kick off the summer season including:

Friday June 17th 

Savvy style mavens on a budget are already familiar with Cary Lane, the Hayes Valley boutique that carries designer styles at a fraction of retail prices. Now, the man behind the great shopping steps into the limelight as Cary Lane owner, Cary Lascala is set to launch his own private label line. Come celebrate with Lascala and friends at The Return of Summer, an in-store launch party  from 8-10pm.

Autie Carlisle's convertible dress won raves at the 2010 AI Fashion Show/Image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde 

Saturday, June 18th

A major highlight of the student show season, The Art Institute of California, San Francisco's annual Student Show and Competition returns to the San Francisco Design Center. Part runway and part fashion competition the show will feature "A panel of industry professionals [who] will judge the designs as the models saunter down the runway. The judges will then decide whose designs received top marks for various categories, including “Most Creative” and “Best Design.” Students with the highest scores will be acknowledged at the show and awarded with special prizes." 

Last year's show featured several designers who became major forces on the local scene including Autie Carlisle and Cameron Stewart both of whom went on to show at many events throughout 2010 and early 2011. Don't miss your chance to catch a glimpse of tomorrow's fashion stars.

Tickets are available by calling 415-276-1011 or 415-276-6786 Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm. Tickets are $20 for advance purchase or $25 at the door. Student tickets are $15 with student I.D. V.I.P. all access passes are available for $50.

Designer/ Film maker Tom Ford/Image:Style.com

Not exactly local, but airing locally

No month long style rundown would be complete without at least a mention of Visionaries: Tom Ford, the up, close, and personal documentary airing on the OWN network June 24th.

A truly self-made man, Tom Ford began his career as a low-level assistant in the press office of the iconic French fashion house Chloe. Over the next decade Ford rose through the ranks first at Perry Ellis and then on to Gucci where he reinvented the concept of American style with a sharp eye and a talent for executing European style glamour with a fresh perspective.  Since his meteoric rise, Ford has consistently reinvented his business and image through taking the helm as creative director at Yves Saint Laurent, then launching his eponomously named line, and finally by directing an academy award nominated film A Single Man. 

Throughout his impressive career Ford has remained intensely private with his personal life while always being intensely popular with the fashion public, a feat that makes him almost an oddity in an industry where over exposure is common place.  With the creation of this documentary it appears that Ford is finally ready to give his fans a little more insight into the real man behind the fashion genius image.

According to a recent story on Racked.com "Visionaries: Tom Ford changes things entirely—Ford opens up to the audience in a way that we never imagined possible, revealing his own struggles with depression, mid-life crisis, and professional reinvention. He also reveals that he takes between three and five baths a day, a fact which, somehow, makes us really like him."

For more on the Visionaries: Tom Ford, or to locate the OWN network channel in your area visit the official website.

Saturday, June 25th

San Francisco Fashion and Merchant's Alliance presents the second annual Pret-a-Porter, a runway show case featuring local designers Anya Tatarenko, Carol Wang, Kajan Padraig, LHC Couture, Saga Swimwear, Sonas Denim, and students from the UC Davis Runway Designers Club. For more information visit SF FAMA online.