Fashion Powers, Unite!

Jennifer Shelnutt, Chief Development Officer, St. Vincent de Paul Society, SF


Yetunde Schuhmann, president, IFCSF

Photos courtesy of Warren Difranco Hsu / after5media.com

There’s plenty going on in SF fashion circles—you just have to know where to find it. Last night at Muse Studio on 6th Street was proof positive. I was there to check out the inaugural event of the Innovative Fashion Council of San Francisco, a new non-profit umbrella organization for the city’s fashion industry. It’s a valiant effort on the part of Yetunde Schuhmann, the Council’s president, who said its goals are to unite the local fashion community, bill SF as an eco-fashion epicenter and eventually create a fashion district in SoMa.

By the looks of the packed crowd—comprised of media, industry recruiters, students, designers, make-up artists and event producers—who turned out for drinks and networking despite the rainy weather, there was definitely a strong interest in creating a more cohesive fashion circle in the city. It’ll be interesting to keep an eye on where this group goes; the Council plans to host monthly events, so check out its website periodically (it’s still under construction) for updates.

Jen Shelnutt of the St. Vincent de Paul Society was also there to recruit designers for the annual sustainable fashion fundraiser for the homeless Discarded to Divine (a sort of local Project Runway competition for charity). Entry deadlines are January 31 so if you’re a designer dying to create couture out of recycled goods, now’s your chance. As a side note, I’ve been asked to serve as one of the judges for the contest so I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve got!