1. Designers on Design: Tony Waltonat The Museum of Performance and Design, Monday March 21, 7pm, $15-$30.
The Museum of Performance and Design launches their new conversation series, Designers on Design, tonight, with the legendary costume and set designer, Tony Walton. After a career as a Broadway set designer in NYC and London, Walton hit the big screen in 1964, as the costume designer and visual consultant for Mary Poppins. His detailed costume work was immediately recognized with an Oscar nod, but it wasn't until 1980 that he won an Oscar for his designs in All That Jazz. All of this and more will be discussed when Walton joins Brad Rosenstein, Curator of Exhibitions for the MPD, in an intimate conversation on Walton's life and five decades of work. Photos and footage behind-the-scenes of Broadway and Hollywood will accompany the conversation.
2. Ready to Wear: The Porchlight Fashion Showat The Verdi Club, Monday March 21, 8pm, $15.
The monthly lit series, Porchlight, will stage their first fashion-themed reading tonight, with unabashed stories from five speakers, coming from all walks of fashion. What Not To Wear victim, Pam DeLuco, will speak on Stacy and Clinton laying down the style law when she was on their show. Adelle McElveen, blogger for The Fashionista Lab, asks, "How do you capture an everchanging cloud?". Actor, father and self-proclaimed dandy, Richard Silberg, speaks on looking oh-so good. Lastly, former models Meghan Ward and Paula Williams will tell their tall tales of being beautiful and craving a hot meal.
3. Jill Platner Trunk Show at Barney's,Saturday March 26, 1pm-5 pm, free.
Preview pieces from NYC jewelry designer-surfer Jill Platner's newest handmade, totally wearable collection called Moxie, made up of 19K gold and shapes inspired by medieval armor.
4. Theatre de la Modeat Risque Lounge, Wednesday March 23, 6pm-12am, $15-$45.
Local fashion designers, Monique Zhang, Jill Pilot and Zoë Hong are welcoming Spring this Wednesday with a fancy feast of fashion, theater and art. This special evening, themed "The Earthen Goddess," will start with Fashionable Food and Desserts, followed by a Fashion Theater performance, with both dancers and models. The chi-chi show will close with Zhang's birthday after-party and ART de la Muse, a group art show.
5. Balenciaga and Spain: Exhibit and Gala at the de Young Museum, Saturday March 26, 8pm-12am, $90-$130.
The de Young wowed last year with Yves Saint Laurant and now they present Balenciaga and Spain, an exhibit examining Spain's influence on haute couture legend Cristobal Balenciaga. The exhibit, which opens this Saturday, runs through July 4 and showcases pieces with recurring Spanish themes including Spanish Court, religion and bullfighting. To celebrate the new exhibition, ArtPoint is throwing a lavish, black-tie gala, featuring exhibition tours, Spanish inspired cocktails, tapas style hors d'oeuvres, and dancing to DJ Shissla. It's sure to be the see and be seen event this weekend for SF's fashion elite.
Bonus: Gilt City is selling tickets to ArtPoint's "Balenciaga and Spain" gala on the evening of Saturday, March 26 for only $90 a pop. Get your tickets now.
6. The Factory Capsule Collection Previewat The Factory, Saturday March 26, 12pm-4pm, free.
Do you know where your clothes were made? The clothes sold at The Factory were created right there in The Factory, a local design studio and retail shop. If you haven't been, The Factory is as an absolute must and this Saturday's preview is the perfect reason to stop by. This Saturday, the talented designers of The Factory will show their April Capsule Collection, featuring women's basics, contemporary and custom pieces.
7. Liv Fashion Boutique Grand Opening at Liv Fashion, Saturday March 26, 6pm-8pm, free.
The latest addition to Fillmore St. is the latest Liv Fashion Boutique, a three-store California chain. With the opening of their first SF location, Liv is hosting a grand opening with sparkling pink champagne, scrumptious treats, heaps of raffle prizes, and, of course, fabulous spring styles. The festivities also includes a live performance by The Pat Jordan Band and 20% off your entire purchase with this coupon.
Lily Ko (lily.7x7 @ gmail.com) studied fashion design and merchandising at Central Saint Martins and the Academy of Art University. In addition to writing for 7x7, Lily is an editor at SF Station, works as a freelance stylist and covers food, fashion and fun on her blog, Curated SF.
