What to Shop at Oakland's First Fridays

What to Shop at Oakland's First Fridays

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Pride yourself on your mad Oaklandishness but never heard of Oakland's KoNo District? Here's your chance to see the town's burgeoning Koreatown Northgate neighborhood while perusing local art and merch at the popular First Fridays street fest.


On the first Friday of every month, the stretch of Telegraph Avenue from West Grand to 27th Street comes alive as its galleries swing open their doors and the scents of international cuisines spice up the air. DJs spin, bands play live, and rap battles go down, all while you make your way past the throng of vendors selling everything from palo santo out of bicycle baskets to cool threads from fashion trucks. The insane selection can be tough to parse: Be on the lookout for a few of our favorite things. // Oakland First Fridays, 5-9pm on the first Friday of each month; Telegraph Ave. between West Grand and 27th St., oaklandfirstfridays.org



(Courtesy of CanDid Art)

CanDid Art: Metal Werk It!

Jewelry designer Candice Cox combines "African visual culture, indigenous design vernacular, and cosmic geometry" in her handcrafted accessories that include fierce metal body chains and tribal-style brass earrings. // candidartaccessories.com


(Courtesy of Soldadera)

Soldadera: Accessories That Flatter and Matter

Named for the women of the Mexican Revolution, Soldadera's vibrant, woven textiles celebrate African and Xicano cultures. Maker Julisa Garcia's handmade jewelry and accessories "for freedom fighters, lovers, and creators" include statement-making door-knocker earrings and vintage bags revamped with indigenous prints that speak to the beautiful mashup of Oakland's global style and history of fighting injustice. // soldaderamovement.com


(Courtesy of Bart Bridge)

Bart Bridge: Fan Gear Funkafied

Designer Luke Fraser is reinventing the wheel—at least where sports fan gear is concerned. His brand Bart Bridge reworks vintage clothing pieces with vintage team patches and swaths of screenprinted T-shirts for looks that feel totally original and yet perfectly appropriate for cheering on your Bay Area team of choice. // bartbridge.com


(Courtesy of The Girl & Rhino)

The Girl & Rhino: Your New Favorite Sweatshirt

Sometimes we just need a snuggly sweater emblazoned with something cute. The Girl & Rhino has tees and sweatshirts that show love for all things iconic Oakland—as well as some weird pixelated kittens with attitude problems. // thegirlandrhino.com


(Courtesy of Blackbird Underpinnings)

Blackbird Underpinnings: Something More Comfortable

Marin Camille and Julia Zolinsky's San Francisco-made delicates for Blackbird Underpinnings celebrate strong women in the style of the 1920s and '30s. Shop their classic silhouettes, made of silk charmeuse and crushed velvet in everlasting shades of black and champagne, at their First Fridays pop-up. // blackbirdunderpinnings.com


(Courtesy of Holly Embree)

Moxie Shoes: The Clog That Keeps on Giving

25th Street Collective member Holly Embree set out to create handmade, stylish shoes that would also be, wait for it, wearable! Embree's clogs and sandals are made with FSC-certified sustainable cherry wood, vegetable-tanned leather, and a non-toxic wood finish. And get this: Embree tested her kicks to guarantee that you can literally walk a mile in her Oakland-made shoes. // custommade.com/by/moxieshoes, etsy.com/shop/MoxieShoes


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