San Francisco Fashion Week

ETHNO CULTURE

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Welcome to Shohreh Rahmani

Allow us to welcome our newest designer to San Francisco Fashion Week!  

SFFW 2015 begins on Sept 19 with a week long celebration of SF fashion and technology!

See more info and RSVP to all of our runway shows and events @ www.sanfranciscofashionweek.net

Shohreh Rahmani was born in Iran and began sewing clothes at the age of five. She was self taught and had the skills of a professional tailor in her early childhood. Having the American Dream, Shohreh moved to the United States with the ambition to become a Fashion Designer. 

In 2006, Shohreh started a family and began her line, SHOREH RAHMANI. Shortly after, Shohreh enrolled in the Academy of Art University Masters program in Womenswear Design. In 2012, Shohrehs son passed away due to illness that was untreatable. 

After surviving her loss, Shohreh continued on with her career with the inspiration from her son, to keep her dream alive. Her determination, strength and love for fashion design has allowed her to express her creativity through her garments.

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Spotlight on KEN CHEN

Join us at the 2015 San Francisco Fashion Week!

Purchase tickets and see full calendar of events @  www.sanfranciscofashionweek.net

Describe Ken Chen in three words. Structured, Sophisticated, and Autonomous.

Where are you from? I'm originally from Taipei, Taiwan. However, I traveled around the world for studies since kindergarten. I consider San Francisco as much as a home as Taipei. 

How did you start? When I first started, I didn’t know what the future would hold. I didn’t have resources like some of the young designers do and I didn’t have any family backing as my peers. In fact, my family is very against the idea for me to be in fashion in any way. It took me half a year to decide even to start or not. I finally saved up enough to buy a home sewing machine and pay the lawyers to have KENCHEN set up. Then I started by deconstructing my shirts and jackets to see how things are constructed while taking sewing lessons in FIDM. Just like figure skating and instruments, I learn majority of my traits though observing and youtubing (it’s a great tool to learn new things!) When I finally was ready to construct my first garment, I didn’t have enough extra money to buy all the materials that I need so I made my first garment out of my table cloth. It was a black poly cloth with sateen stripes and it was called the “Three Collar Coat.” I sold it to one of my best friends for $20 and bought more fabrics towards my next garment. Slowly, I’ve built my fabric collection and refined more and more of my skills and built today’s KENCHEN.  It took the help and support of countless people who are still supportive to this day.

What motivated you to become a designer? During my 21st birthday celebration that I made a jacket for myself, I also wore it to my first trip to New York. I was spotted by someone who became my dear friend later and was invited by him to see a fashion show in New York during fashion week.  I was then asked by a stylist for Lady Gaga at the time to have the jacket for her photoshoot. After that I didn't start until I've met a lot of wonderful people and organizations such as Black V, F3, Evo, and SFFAMA, etc. What inspires you? I believe that inspiration is all around us. As a creative person, everything around you will inspire you in even the littlest ways. When inspiration happens unexpectedly, it usually will create something even the designer him/herself will be in awe of. Hence, I would say the “thing” that inspires me the most is the unexpected events and details in our daily life and the adventures we take on a day to day basis. Which designers inspire you and why? Every designer has their own strengths and signatures. Burberry’s business model and branding, Versace’s boldness and liveliness, Armani’s sophistication and the lux of Saint Laurent are all what inspires KENCHEN as a fashion brand.

How did you come about designing for the movie Cherry? I still remember that day when we were contacted by the costume coordinator for “Cherry,” we were all excited yet skeptical – is it a fraud? It’s not until later on we found out that we were referred by one of our dear friends and designer Lauren Kutting, who also designed for the film.

Describe your experience at New York fashion week.

Hectic but satisfying. It was a great leaping point for KENCHEN to the national market as well as the world market.  Right after we gained attention from major magazine such as TeenVogue, Instyle, as well as People’s Style Watch.  We also got offers from other countries for sales opportunities and collaborations.  None of these would have been made possible without all the believers and supporters of KENCHEN and our loyal customers. Where can the public purchase/view your recent collection? For KENCHEN, you can purchase our most recent collection that’s available for sale at “www.kenchensf.com” but to view new and unpublished works, is still best through our social media site such as Instagram and Facebook @kenchensf.As for our diffusion line KC|SF, you can view and purchase at www.kc-sf.com. KC|SF not only offers affordable quality fashion with great styles, but also 3-D custom printed gifts and decorations as well as affordable services such as pattern making, sample sewing, and small quantity productions for young designers and fashion students that have dreams to start their own collections.

What advice would you give designers that are just starting? No matter if you are just starting or thinking of starting, just go ahead and do it.  If you are still in school even better.  You can translate things you learn in class to the actual industry and bring the industry back into your schoolwork. You will find yourself learning much more and much better prepared for the industry when you graduate. There are a lot of services and organizations that are specially dedicated in helping young designers such as SFFAMA and others. Even KC|SF offers product development services where you can find flat rate services such as sewing, pattern making, graphic design and even e-commerce website building that’s cater towards fashion students and young designers at a much more affordable price than other companies in the nation. kc-sf.com/collection/production-services Where do you reside now?Right now I currently travel between Chicago, New York and Miami for the launch of KC|SF. However, KENCHEN is still a San Francisco based company that’s operating in New York.

Any plans on visiting San Francisco? Perhaps showing in SF?Absolutely. San Francisco is my home and I’ll always visit and participate in fashion events whenever I’m in town!

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Designer Scott Ian McFarland

We sat down with designer Scott Ian McFarland to discuss his 2015 Knitwear line.  He uses innovative 3D printing technology to create wearable art.

Purchase tickets to attend the SFFW runway shows @ www.sanfranciscofashionweek.net

View full SFFW Schedule @ http://bit.ly/1i8H7Id

Describe Scott Ian McFarland in three words.  I would describe Scott Ian McFarland Knitwear as innovative, exciting and unique. Where are you from?  I am originally from Arkansas. I moved a lot growing up and as an adult at this point I have lived in 7 states. How did you start?  Where I started from is a complicated question. I guess I started as a sculpture then moved into design. Now I am designing and manufacturing knitted goods. It has been a long journey that will continue to be exciting. What motivated you to become a designer?  Many things motivate me but the underlying thing to all of them is the desire to create. Why 3D knits?  I chose to go in to knits originally since it would be the closet to sculpture and in a lot of ways that has been true. Where can the public purchase/view your collection?  The public can pick up the McFarland fall 2015 at our Indiegogo campaign.https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/scott-ian-mcfarland-knitwear#/story

What advice would you give designers that are just starting?  The best advice to those that are starting out is to just keep going the world of design can be pretty rough but if you stick with it, it can be rewarding. Hope you visit SF soon. Any plans?  I would love to get back out SF soon but I am pretty busy at the moment so no plans to visit anytime soon.

Thank you!

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Stella Carakasi Collection

San Francisco Fashion Week 2015 is launching Sept 19th!  See Stella Carakasi’s gorgeous work up close and personal at the Ready to Wear Designer Showcase on Sept 26th in SF.  RSVP @ bit.ly/1NfSytF

See full list of events for SFFW @ www.sanfranciscofashionweek.net

Stella Carakasi’s preoccupation with mixing fibers and fabrics has given the designer an expansive pallet to play with. And her penchant for natural eco fabrics paired with new advances in techy fabrics has evolved into a series of her own exclusive blends– Natural Lux™ that indulge her loyal contemporary customer.

This season Stella Carakasi raises the bar for luxury and redefines eco by experimenting with fabrics and combinations that have more depth and structure. Duality shines through Carakasi’s overall message: fluid and constructed, delicate and strong. The elevated color pallet has a certain season-less appeal. Cool sophisticated neutrals popped with deep jewel tones, platinum and the softest, whispery barely their color that gives a modern edge and sophisticated ease to the collection.

Clearly this season has an inspired focus on the kind of clothes cool girls want to wear, day in and day out and reflects the fundamental desire to create clothes that are timeless and retain an expressive attitude. Stella Carakasi has a way with romancing well made non-trendy staples, the scale reads modern and chic but with a relaxed mood that the Stella Carakasi customer has come to live in.

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SF Designer Jake Wall

Had the pleasure of meeting Local designer Jake Wall, contestant of this season's Project Runway. I have to say he's such a humble and down to earth individual. After seeing the incredible response from the public and people lining up to meet him, I had to start with by asking him this question.. What's it like to be famous? It's unreal, definitely not use to it. I'm really grateful for all the love and support, specially here in my hometown. Tell us about the brand Jake. Nathan Johnson and myself founded Artful Gentleman focusing on redefining custom suits, then the brand reemerged as JAKE offering clothing for men and women that is classic and modern with a defiant twist. The company is expanding, we have Artful by Jake, a custom clothing line and Jake by JAKE limited edition ready-to-wear. How did you end up auditioning for Project Runway? I was approached by Project Runway last March, and my first thought was "no". They were very encouraging and after discussing with business partner and team "here I am" Where do you currently reside and where can the public purchase your collection? I live in San Francisco and our shop is located on Market st. And JAKE is also available on line. http://www.jake.clothing/ What advice would you give to new designers? Best advice I would give designers that are just starting is to go in as team. For me having the support of a business partner as chief operations officer has been key. I could have not done it without my business partner Nathan Johnson. Sometimes designers want to do it all on their own. So, definitely encourage new designers to seek support.

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Jennifer Schmidt confirmed to showcase at San Francisco Fashion Week [tm] 2015 for the Ready To Wear on Sept. 26th, RSVP Here!

Jennifer Schmidt was born and raised in Salinas, CA.  She attended CSU, Sacramento and majored in Apparel Marketing and Fashion Design.  While attending college, she designed for several local and school fashion shows. Upon graduating from CSU, Sacramento, she knew that she wanted to focus on fashion design, so she decided to go to grad school at the Academy of Art in San Francisco.  Since she graduated from the Academy of Art, she has been doing freelance design while working her own collection.  In March of 2012, she made her runway debut at the ‘Gaultierize Yourself Fashion Show’ produced by SFFAMA at the De Young Museum to celebrate the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit.

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San Francisco Fashion Week™ : #DisruptFashion Sept. 19-27, 2015 [6th Annual] #SFFW2015

#SFFW2015 WEEK SCHEDULE

09/19 - Sat : Fashion Hackathon (Day 01)

09/20 - Sun : Fashion Hackathon (Day 02)

09/20 - Sun : Opening Reception (Evening)

09/21 - Mon : Fashion & Beauty Tech Expo

09/22 - Tues :  Retail Tech Summit: Retail Technology in Fashion

09/23 - Weds : Fashion Bloggers Connect : Style Pop

09/24 - Thurs : DIFFA [Fashion + Design Night]

09/25 - Fri : Emerging Designers Showcase

09/26 - Sat : Fashion Tour (Day)

09/26 - Sat : Ready To Wear Showcase

09/27 - Sun : Fashion Tour (Day)

09/27 - Sun : Avant Garde / Couture Showcase

For sponsorship opportunities and marketing inquiries, please contact

FashionTechPR via email at : [email protected]. 

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San Francisco Fashion Week ® 'FROM STREET TO RUNWAY' #SFFW14

SAN FRANCISCO FASHION WEEK® 2014 "STREET TO RUNWAY" represents the new vanguard in the convergence of fashion, technology and innovation, and is THE most pivotal fashion week platform to watch from the innovation and creative capital of the world – San Francisco.

San Francisco Fashion and Merchants Alliance, Inc. (SFFAMA) is pleased to announce San Francisco Fashion Week ® 2014 : September 22-28, 2014. San Francisco Fashion Week ® 2014 will highlight the convergence of fashion and technology featuring trending fashion startups unique to the San Francisco fashion industry while showcasing emerging designers and student collections.

WEEK SCHEDULE:

09/22/14 Mon : Opening Reception - RSVP HERE

09/23/14 Tues : Fashion Tech Expo - RSVP Here

09/24/14 Weds : Retail Tech Summit - RSVP Here 

09/25/14 Thurs : Fashion Bloggers Connect - RSVP HERE

09/26/14 Fri : Emerging Designers - RSVP HERE

09/27/14 Sat : Ready To Wear / Part 01 - RSVP HERE 

09/28/14 : Sun : Ready To Wear / Part 02 - RSVP HERE

Medias must APPLY to cover any SFFW14 events....For any marketing and sponsorship opportunities, email your inquiry to : [email protected]. 

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San Francisco Fashion Week™: September 22 - 28, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Presented by SFFAMA:

San Francisco Fashion Week™: September 22 - 28, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(San Francisco, CA) - San Francisco Fashion Merchants and Alliance, Inc (SFFAMA) is pleased to announce the schedule for San Francisco Fashion Week 2014™ entitled 'From Street to Runway'. Fast becoming known as the SXSW of fashion weeks, this season’s lineup reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and creative innovation that characterizes San Francisco. As home to numerous tech startups that are changing the way we discover and consume fashion, the Silicon Valley culture plays a vital role in the dialog between fashion and technology. The weeklong program includes fashion shows by emerging designers, tech presentations by emerging technologies and a bloggers gathering featuring international style bloggers as hosts. The opening reception will be held on September 22 at Mercer and will include a Street Style Face-off for the best dressed to show off their walk and compete for a prize!

#SFFW #SFFW14 Week Schedule / RSVP : http://www.sanfranciscofashionweek.net/

For the past five years, SFFAMA has provided a community-building platform that has connected hundreds of entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts. This year, we’re excited to have Le Tote as one of our community partners. Le Tote will be hosting the Fashion Tech Expo on September 23 at their headquarters in the Mission. Demos include Fashion Discovery Labs HandsFreeiPad, LiveLoveModa, ProductPlay, Rogue, StyleBee, Simple Bra and more. The Le Tote team will discuss operational strategies including customer service, merchandising and quality assurance during a panel talk.

Following the Fashion Tech Expo, the focus will shift to ideas and solutions that elevate the digital and offline retail experience. The Retail Tech Summit will be held at Forio on September 24. Representatives of local innovative startups including Threadflip, Fashion Tech Accelerator and Mindspark GAP, Inc. will discuss the latest challenges and developments in retail technology.

On September 25, Caroline Curran of Perfet10SF, Natasha Lo of The Consistency Project, Rafael Cano of Mr. Renaissance, Lena Drozdova of Silk and Brocade, Kelly Huibegtse at A Side of Sweet and Pete Hopkins of Valencia Street Reviw will host Fashion Bloggers Connect with demos by Brigid Ko, California Crown, Mad Capital, StyleBee, and more, to be held at the General Assembly 

The week will conclude with runway shows by A by Anubha, Apoteca, Areah Kolubah, Betabrand, California Crown Clothing, Jeaneen Brunck, Shock Feathers by Mila Hagen, Stella Carakasi and The Menimal. The runway shows will be held from September 26-28 at Eco-System.

San Francisco Fashion And Merchants Alliance, Inc. [SFFAMA] and San Francisco Fashion Week [tm] have won the Best Producer award category in the past four years at Stellar: San Francisco Fashion Awards.  

Official Partner Sponsors:

Blush School of Makeup, Eco-System, e-Models Agency, General Assembly, Pigment Cosmetics

Community Sponsors:

AIGASF, Atelier Emmanuel, Betabrand, diPietro Todd, Enplug, Heart Wave Media, Le Tote, Threadflip, SFEIC/Paul Mitchell School

In Kind Sponsors:

Blue Angel Vodka, Clif Bar, Galaxy Desserts, Hint Water, Jones Soda, JustFab, SFRoomService, Speakeasy

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Demographics

SAN FRANCISCO FASHION WEEK™ attracts a growing worldwide audience of educated, affluent creative professionals and passionate early adopters in the 21 to 55 years old age range who are key influencers in fashion, design, technology and retail industries. Overall event participation is 60% female with male participation growing year-on-year. Typical participants (both female and male) are trend and tech savvy, educated, creative professionals and entrepreneurs from leading startups and organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

  SAN FRANCISCO FASHION WEEK™ generates over 10,000 unique media images with a media reach of over 1.7 million Bay Area adults and numerous national and global sites reporting. Despite a general decline in overall US apparel and manufacturing sectors, San Francisco’s fashion industry, with 120 years of history and innovation, still ranks 3rd in the US and is currently undergoing a major renaissance as the leading strategic development hub for fashion and technology startups, wearable technologies, and retail and brand technology R&D and innovation eco-systems. According to the Americans for the Arts 2012 industry report, San Francisco’s Arts and Culture activities have the highest per capita economic impact in the United States and enjoy broad-based community and industry support and recognition.

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San Francisco Fashion Week ® 2013 #SFFW13

SAN FRANCISCO FASHION WEEK® represents the new vanguard in the convergence of fashion, technology and innovation, and is THE most pivotal fashion week platform to watch from the innovation and creative capital of the world – San Francisco.

San Francisco Fashion and Merchants Alliance, Inc. (SFFAMA) is pleased to announce San Francisco Fashion Week ® 2013 : September 23-29, 2013. San Francisco Fashion Week ® 2013 will highlight the convergence of fashion and technology featuring trending fashion startups unique to the San Francisco fashion industry while showcasing emerging designers and student collections.

/ #SFFW13 2013 WEEK SCHEDULE:

09/24/13-09/29/13 - WEARABLE TECH TALKS - RSVP : http://www.meetup.com/wearabletechnology/

09/23/13 - OPENING RECEPTION [Folsom Street Foundry] RSVP: http://sffw13reception.eventbrite.com/

09/24/13 - DAPPERHOOD MENSWEAR SHOWCASE [Ligne Roset] RSVP: http://sffw13dapperhood.eventbrite.com/

09/25/13 - FASHION TECH EXPO [Shared-SF] RSVP: http://sffw13fashiontechexpo.eventbrite.com/

09/26/13 - RETAIL TECH FORUM [Art Institute San Francisco] RSVP: http://sffw13retailtechforum.eventbrite.com/

09/27/13 - EMERGING DESIGNERS - Runway Showcase [Folsom Street Foundry] RSVP: http://sffw13emergingdesigners.eventbrite.com/

09/28/13 - READY TO WEAR - Runway Showcase [Dzine] RSVP: https://sffw13rtwdesigners.eventbrite.com/

09/29/13 - AVANT GARDE & COUTURE - Runway Showcase [Nissan/Infiniti] RSVP: https://sffw13avantgardecouture.eventbrite.com/

09/29/13 - SFFW13 Official AFTER PARTY - [Qi Ultralounge]  RSVP Required: http://sffw13afterparty.eventbrite.com/

Only approved media with proper credentials are allowed to cover SFFW13 events [Apply Here]... For sponsorship opportunities, send your inquiry via email to: [email protected] or visit fashiontechpr.com. San Francisco Fashion Week ® is a registered trademark property of San Francisco Fashion And Merchants Alliance, Inc. SFFAMA, Inc. is a 501c3 educational and business development non-profit organization.

ABOUT San Francisco Fashion Week ® 2013 is a growing celebration highlighting the strategic convergence of fashion, design and technology unique to the San Francisco fashion industry while showcasing innovative and emerging designers and week-long events and workshops featuring entrepreneurs in fashion, design, wearable technology, startups, retailers and public projects. Runway shows feature Couture, Ready to Wear, Menswear Showcase and Emerging Designers. Fashionistas, Techies, boutiques, buyers, bloggers, design leaders and key industry influencers will descend upon the City by the Bay. This city-wide event will feature multiple locations for seven days and nights of fashion celebrating San Francisco style, spirit and leading innovation.

EVENT BACKGROUND

SFFAMA, Inc. produces the annual SAN FRANCISCO FASHION WEEK®  showcasing innovative and emerging designers, innovative brands and sponsors, and a full schedule of events and workshops featuring fashion, design and technology entrepreneurs, retailers and public projects. SAN FRANCISCO FASHION WEEK®  is the premier representative event for individuals, groups and organizations involved in the development and transformation of the fashion industry business vertical in San Francisco into the innovation and technology global industry leader. SAN FRANCISCO FASHION WEEK®  represents the new vanguard in the convergence of fashion, technology and innovation, and is THE most pivotal fashion week platform to watch from the innovation and creative capital of the world – San Francisco.

DEMOGRAPHICS SAN FRANCISCO FASHION WEEK®  attracts a growing worldwide audience of educated, affluent creative professionals and passionate early adopters in the 21 to 55 years old age range who are key influencers in fashion, design, technology and retail industries. Overall event participation is 60% female with male participation growing year-on-year. Typical participants (both female and male) are trend and tech savvy, educated, creative professionals and entrepreneurs from leading startups and organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley. San Francisco Fashion Week 2012 generated over 10,000 unique media images with a media reach of over 1.7 million Bay Area adults and numerous national and global sites reporting. Despite a general decline in overall US apparel and manufacturing sectors, San Francisco’s fashion industry, with 120 years of history and innovation, still ranks 3rd in the US and is currently undergoing a major renaissance as the leading strategic development hub for fashion and technology startups, wearable technologies, and retail and brand technology R&D and innovation eco-systems. According to the Americans for the Arts 2012 industry report, San Francisco’s Arts and Culture activities have the highest per capita economic impact in the United States and enjoy broad-based community and industry support and recognition. San Francisco Fashion Week®  2013, September 23 -29*

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San Francisco Fashion Week ® 2012 highlighted the convergence of fashion and technology unique to the San Francisco fashion industry while showcasing emerging designers and student collections. Join us for this year's largest networking event for fashion/tech professionals in San Francisco.

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San Francisco Fashion Week ® 2012 highlighted the convergence of fashion and technology unique to the San Francisco fashion industry while showcasing emerging designers and student collections. Join us for this year’s largest networking event for fashion/tech professionals in San Francisco.

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#SFFW12 After Party. 09.30.12. Nissan Infiniti San Francisco. See more photos HERE.

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SFFW12: Future of Fashion Gameference. 09.29.12. Astro Studios. For more photos go HERE. 

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FASHIONSF & SFMADE Presentation by Janet Lees with Sean Peng of Inspirare and Brad Carrick. 

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#SFFW12: DAPPERHOOD Menswear Styling Network Launch Party. 09.26.12. See more photos HERE. @sffama @dapperhood @sffw @owengeronimo #dapperhood #sffw #sffashion #menswear