Perbacco

I went to dinner with a couple of girlfriends at Perbacco in the Financial District and I was quite pleased. As usual, we always over order in attempts to try to taste as much as we can! We first started off with a refreshing peach salad paired with sweet bellini's, and took on the heavier dishes with risotto, pork shoulder, brussel sprouts, and short ribs. To top off the meal, we ended with a warm almond cake--it was the perfect date night!

Breadsticks

Risotto

Pork Shoulder

Short Ribs

Brussel Sprouts

Almond Cake

View of my lovely watch

Saturday Afternoon

I spent a good few hours on Saturday with the roommate shopping in San Francisco. I purchased three pieces from Anthropologie (stay tuned for pics!) and a basic top from Forever 21. It was a rather successful shopping trip and I can't wait to wear all my new purchases! As most of you know, I live in heels, so wearing these flats put a little damper on my mood. I was suffering from shin splints, and couldn't risk wearing heels when I had my big 10 mile race the following day. I'm proud to report that I completed the race! I'm glad I finished, was able to push through, and accomplish all of my goals. Hope you all had a good weekend!

California State Necklace: Maya Brenner

Watch: Michael Kors

Tank: Forever 21

Blazer: Target

Jeans + Belt: Levi's

Shoes: Dolce Vita

Pinch Me...I Met Derek Lam!

As I stepped off the elevator at Saks, the shoe department instantly transformed into a social soiree which served cocktails and little mini hors d'oeuvres to guests. I walked around the various Jimmy Choos, Louboutins, and Manolo Blahnik displays and couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to own every single pair. My day-dream quickly vanished when I spotted Derek Lam surrounded by flocks of people. I noticed that he was dressed simply, yet sharp, donning dark Levi's jeans, black shoes, navy vest, white collared shirt, and a green tie with pink stripes.

When I noticed no one was around him, I nervously approached him, introduced myself, and asked him a couple questions. He was friendly, down to earth, and I felt like there wasn't any "frills" to him, if that makes sense. I asked him if it was really true that he went to St. Ignatius College Prep in the San Francisco (my high school!) and he said that he did indeed attend and graduated in 1984. He said that his mom gave him his yearbook the other day and he was thumbing through it, recounting his high school days. He noted that his English, Social Studies, and Art teachers were the ones that instilled his love for humanities and the arts. From there, he attended Boston College and majored in business. However, he really wanted to move to New York and enrolled at Parsons where he interned with Michael Kors (another one of my faves).

He mentioned that Michael Kors is his mentor and that they are still friends to this day. I asked if I could expect to see him as a guest judge on Project Runway. Lam said that they have asked him, but he has declined because he doesn't think he would be good on television. I think I respectfully disagree, Mr. Lam!

I asked how he maintained such a busy life--designing for his own line and serving as Creative Director for Tod's. He said that he really doesn't think about balancing-it's just something that happens and evolves into the next thing/project.

I wanted to delve into so much more, but our conversation was cut short (I only managed to ask two questions) due to the fact that he had other people to meet. I completely understood the situation, as I am just a fan with a little blog. I wanted to ask him about the prospect of following in the footsteps of other designers such as Michael Kors or Rachel Roy, who have diffusion lines to reach a broader market. I also wish I could have asked about his designing process, how he came about starting his own line, how he separates his own collection from designing for Tod's, and more importantly, what advice he had for those that wanted to either be a designer or to be on the business side of fashion. Nevertheless, I am very grateful to have met Derek Lam. It was really an honor to be in the presence of someone I really admire.

Thanks to Saks, these past two weeks have been truly a dream come true. Who knew that I would meet Christian Siriano, Derek Lam, Yigal Azrouel, and The Sartorialist all within 9 days?

I can not wait to get my pictures developed, frame them, and put them up on my fashion wall! Project for the weekend!

Mr. Photographer...Make Sure You Catch Me From My Good Side

After leaving Saks, I walked a couple blocks down to Paul Smith. I was so busy recounting my experience with Yigal Azrouel (see post below) in my head that I simply lost my direction. I had no clue where Stockton Street was, and asked a couple walking on the street. They told me that they had just landed in the city from the UK. Feeling quite embarrassed, I said "Well, welcome to San Francisco!" and went along my merry way.

I finally located the store and was flabbergasted. The line was long, stretching down the block and around the corner. I took my place in line and waited. and waited. and waited--for 3.5 hours--in heels, mind you! To pass the time, I texted, talked on the phone, went through the book for a third time, and talked to random people in line. The people I talked to were equally surprised with the turnout, and one of the guys said candidly "I mean, San Francisco, isn't the most aesthetically pleasing type of place." However, the people waiting for the Sartorialist proved me wrong and were very well dressed. There were seas of blazers, brogues, tights, sky high heels, and even full on tailored suits. Well done, San Francisco!

When I reached the door, I spoke briefly with the doorman, where he told me that Scott Schuman has to sit a certain way because he likes to be photographed at a certain angle. Well! What a coincidence! I like to be photographed at a certain angle as well (see Christian Siriano post). This was very exciting to know that someone shares the same angles as me, but a dilemma arose--we share the same "good side." What to do?

After several hours, I finally met the Sartorialist himself, Scott Schuman. He wore a simple suit and had tortoise shell round eyeglasses. He was very handsome, debonair, and equally nice and modest. I gave him my book, where he signed the cover, and a photograph that he shot of Carine Roitfeld (editor-in-chief of French Vogue). I asked to take a picture and joked "Scott, you took my good side!" He laughed and said,"It's great to be in this position so I can choose how my pictures are being taken." After that picture, he took my shoulders and twisted them to the right and suggested that we take another picture with our good sides, so that way it was even (picture above!). It was a great experience, and I am glad that I got the opportunity to meet someone that inspires me so much.

These pictures will go up on my fashion wall! Can't wait to frame them!

Yigal Azrouel at Saks!

Fashion designer Yigal Azrouel made a personal appearance at Saks in San Francisco yesterday evening to present his Spring 2010 collection. I knew I couldn't miss this for the world!

When I arrived, I sipped on some wine and went through each piece in the spring and fall collection, and I must say they were far more impressive in person than the pictures on the runway. I gasped in awe at every piece that I recognized from the collection. I was able to see the impeccable detailing of the ruching, beading, and draping, feel the materials of the clothes, and just take it all in.

I took my little notepad out, slowly approached him, and introduced myself. We had a great conversation which lasted for a few minutes. He was very gracious and answered all my questions patiently. Here are some highlights from my interview. A quick note: I didn't have a tape recorder, so I can't quote him word for word. I quickly jotted his answers down, but these answers are paraphrased.

1. What is your designing process? Is everything methodically planned out? Do you have inspirations before you design something?

YZ: Being in New York City is an inspiration enough, but music also plays a major part as well. My designing process first starts at the fabric. I choose my fabric first, then I play around with it. I play around with techniques such as draping and try to form it around the body. After I figure out what I want to do I sketch it.

2. What was your inspiration for the Spring 2010 collection?
YZ: I wanted to do something architectural and graphic, and I wanted to design my own fabric.
I like creating something that looks like it is "worn in." I don't like anything too perfect. To me, imperfection is already perfect.

3. How did you start out?
YZ: I was attracted to fashion at an early age, and just decided to go for it. I was self taught, had no formal training. Nothing happened overnight. There was no "big break." My status as a designer started to grow through word of mouth and as customers liked what they saw, they told other people, and that's how it happened.

4. What other designers do you look up to?
YZ: There are so many! Margiela...Alexander McQueen is always good...on the Japanese side, Yohji (Yamamoto).

5. What advice do you have for people starting out?
YZ: Believe in yourself and be consistent in your work.

Random stuff that came up during the conversation:

• He just came back from visiting his sister in La Jolla, San Diego. While he was there, he went to Blacks Beach and surfed!

• My favorite dress from the Spring 2010 collection (and his as well, coincidentally enough) is the one below. The yellow "lines" are made of tulle and some sort of chiffon (I can't remember, sorry!) and they are gathered and sewn to create some texture.

• He showed me a way to wear the dress-Azrouel paired a lightweight anorak type jacket with the dress to give it more of a sportswear feel.

On the Street: Castro-San Francisco

As I mentioned before, we went to Lime on Sunday. I was in awe at how many well dressed people there were in this little restaurant that housed only 100 people. I spotted this guy and my friend Ashleigh "stealthily" took a picture from her iphone (thanks!). I just wish you could see a better view of the outfit. The hat, the D&G tank, the white hoodie, orange/red shorts, scarf, and tan shoes--the entire ensemble worked for me. Perfect for summertime in San Francisco. What do you think?