American Living Ruffled Surplice Sheath Retro Emerald Green Cabochon Brooch (similar here) 24kt Gold Vintage Gold Leaf -Life Earrings (similar here) Vintage Fur Muff (similar in white here) Ted Baker London patent Pumps
In fashion, as Heidi Klum declares to contestants in her intro monologue for the hit Lifetime reality show, Project Runway “As you know in fashion, one day you’re in and the next day, you’re out”. I find the truth of this to be perceived from the individual rather than the viewer. Coming from an artistic upbringing which consisted of both literature and fine arts an entelechy came forth with my novice venture into fashion merchandising nearly fifteen years ago.
Now at the age of 33, I’ve been given a number of occasions to interview industry leaders, modeling bespoke design’s on a number of social media platforms spanning from an editorial perspective. A recent opportunity in juxtaposition with Westfield San Francisco Centre, the tech epicenter of Bespoke alongside Marybeth La Motte of Red Carpet Bay Area brought me to an exclusive one-on-one interview with Jake Wall Co-Founder of JAKE and season 14 contestant of Project Runway. Session among the 37,000 square foot hub which consists of, retail and high-tech, Jake’s kindred spirit is exposed during our private interview. Enlightened as we converse on a wide spread of topics that surrounded his tailored experience on Project Runway along his contemporary offerings as an entrepreneur.
Aside from our one-on-one, I’ve had the chance to connect with Jake and his entrusted business partner Nathan Johnson on a personal level as an upcoming client and friend. Standing atop Market Street, a boundary of two grids, which separates the garnishing of the cities clatter, Artful Gentleman by JAKE resides. A tailored yet defiant twist with the development of design might come to mind with Jake’s sensible approach to the industry.
View this exclusive interview online at VRAI Magazine where you will discover an array of images taken by Jim Norrena of ACT OUT Photography during a previously attended private party in sponsorship with Celebrity Cruise’s and Project Runway while dinning at one of San Francisco’s premier restaurants, Tap 415. In addition, stay updated as a forthcoming bespoke partnership with Artful Gentleman by JAKE debuts along with a behind-the-scenes interview with Blake Patterson of Project Runway.
A dated garment of worn materials held together with fabric and stiches confines such a beatify story of the life of two sisters, Annie & Lucy Sandoval. What better way than to capture this beauty than to transport oneself to a historic place which they once stood, 244 Lakeside Drive.
Custom Vintage Bow Accented Dress (similar here) Vintage Samsonite Luggage (similar here) Antique Pearl & Floral Earrings (similar here) Brain Atwood Pumps (similar here)
Standing adjacent from The Gold Coast, a historic neighborhood within the Lakeside Apartment District resides a pillar of historic measure. In the context of historic implementation a day wear dress such as this holds such a label of love from the journey it originally set upon nearly seventy-four years ago. A crown jewel of the Gold Coast is 244 Lakeside Drive where an eleven story Beaux Art inspired monument being built in 1924 and owned by Stephen D. Bechtel. While an invitation is required to get inside, visitors will stand upon the lawn of the curved driveway where a lion’s head foundation steadily pours water positioned outside the main entrance. A building with a novel of history which originated in the 1890’s as the estate of Adolph Schilling providing such an enrichment of character to the lakeside of Oakland and today’s panache.
From a extemporize collection of exquisite vintage hats wrapped within aged rust colored tissue paper concealed within an array of brittle boxes displaying designers of the past generation, Harman San Francisco and Gene Doris. Horsehair headpieces embellished with the overlay of a soft touch of velvet and subtly worn veils caught a mellifluous emotion from my initial glimpse. A gifted wardrobe including authentic vintage garments and accouterments came to pass with a visit to a house built in 1908.
I find the best things in life are free; a much spirited play on words by Lew Brown comes to mind with the assembling of a label less dress from an era of day wear poise. Time-to-time you may have heard someone express that it’s not the labels you wear but how one stylizes their self; I find a truth behind such a laconic phrase.
Tatyana Secretary Pencil Dress (similar here) Vintage Cartwheel Hat (similar here) Rope Pearl Necklace & Double Drop Earrings (Vintage Heirloom, Theresa Fisher, similar here & here) Vintage Gloves (similar here) Vintage Leather Clutch (similar here) Kate Spade Black Patent ‘Licorice Too’ Pumps
As the heat of the day radiates through the afternoon and summer slowly becoming a memory, I find this the perfect time to embrace the 1940’s with a Cartwheel designed hat. For those not familiar with the term Cartwheel, these hats were typically manufactured using straw and an over-sized stiff brim. While this particular style of hat was proven to slim ones silhouette, it was designed to balance a narrow hip.
From bespoke designs to quality craftsmanship I’ve grown fond of millinery designs of the 1940’s. Details of which defined an era having possessed a presence of wealth, class and panache. For example, utilized from the late 1940’s these wide brimmed hat’s had been designed with an inner cap or platform which sat atop the head, which in return held the brim up above ones forehead. While many designs of this era where fitted to sit straight across I personally find a sixty percent degree angle to clepe the curve of the brim to meet ones taste, rather than being worn at the rear of one’s head in the manner of a Halo Hat. These hats unfortunately are no longer an essential accessory for daily wear, they have become vintage collectibles.
I have written multiple times in the past of my ambitious desire regarding Dior’s “New Look” of 1947, which became the new form for a woman’s ensemble. Once again, the Cartwheel hat in the autumn of 1955 particularly found itself associated with Dior’s Y-line Collection. A trademark of Dior’s sumptuous Y-Collection can be viewed as I’ve reinvented such a look utilizing the vintage Cartwheel hat, heirloom roped pearls and a broad shoulder pencil dress garnished with a causal pair of daywear gloves.
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