Remember that little event I mentioned a while back called Fashion Week Live? Click here for yet another refresher.

Well San Francisco designers Colleen Quen and Lily Samii showed a taste of their latest collections at the event and they give the fashion scene in the Bay Area a good name.

I got a chance to visit Lily Samii showroom in San Francisco and I was in awe at the magical beauty her collection had. It was very classic and modern at the same time - and it epitomized this charm of organic beauty:

When chatting with Lily Samii, she was a delightful lady with much insight into the world of fashion. She knows what she likes and she knows what she doesn’t like.

“I want people to get away from tummy sticking out and belly buttons showing,” points out Samii. “Maybe one out of a million have a fabulous perfect flat stomach, but other than that it’s horrible.”

It’s nice to see that someone else shares my point of view on this whole, “let me show my tummy even though I dont need to” look.

As I sat there in her illuminated showroom (located in SF’s Union Square), the purity of her space and the classic beauty her pieces had would suggest that she has a glamorous wardrobe in her closet - but I was proven wrong.

“If you see a picture of me 30 years ago, I still have a black shirt on and a pair of pants at this time of the year,” says Samii.

This goes with her philosophy of fashion in general. “Be yourself, do what you feel comfortable in,” she quips. “Don’t try to wear something that happens to be a fad that looks and feels awful. I’ve always had my basics. A good closet is like a good kitchen, you should pull things out of your closet and be able to mix and match with things.” - and what she says was true. She was wearing a simple black shirt with slacks.

Samii is amazed with the fashion today (besides all those tummies sticking out). She gets a lot of inspiration from the street culture. She enjoys it when younger people have an eye for style and put things together in their own unique way. She even complimented Bailey Locke’s outfit (she was one of the PR divas behind Fashion Week Live!, she was there with me during the interview) - it was quite stylish. She was wearing a quaint shirt dress belted with a beige belt with some matching heels. It may sound plain, but the way she put it together enhanced the style.

The MOST intriguing thing that Samii shared with me was her theory on Bay Area style. In regards to what part of the Bay Area people are from, she pretty much broke it down and explained, in general, the looks people have in the East Bay, North Bay, South Bay and in the city:

East Bay: “They have a little bit more flair – but it’s nothing like Chanel – but it’s their own. It’s very interesting.”

North Bay: “They are very classic, sporty. There is no flair in what they are wearing.”

South Bay: “They are very label conscious – even with their sportswear.”

The City: “When you go out to restaurants in SOMA, you see people dressed in a modern way.”

That said, take a look at yourself and how you dress - in what category do you fall into?

With so much talent under her belt and an eye for flawless constructed style (she said she would be an architect in a heartbeat if she wasn’t a fashion designer), you’d think she would venture off into menswear…

“Actually I have, but I probably won’t,” she says. “It’s a challenge because your limited.”

Aw shucks. Well at least I tried to convince her.

For more info on Lily Samii visit www.lilysamii.com.

Unfortunately, due to schedule conflicts I wasn’t able to visit Colleen Quen’s ateleir- but don’t fret! You’ll definitely here more about her later. Here’s more of our conversation when I interviewed her:

Was there a sense of intimidation when you showed your work alongside world-renowned designers at Fashion Week Live?

No intimidation - it’s more like excitement!!! I (was) honored to be one of the local designers to represent San Francisco’s fashion.

Among the designers who showcased, whose pieces did you want to see?

It was all inspiring to me. Although if Christian LaCroix or Viktor & Rolf (were) showing pieces that evening. I think I would just
faint!

Do you think the industry is becoming oversaturated with both talented and non-talented designers?

Every city will have designers of different calibers, and everyone will always have a bias opinion about talent. Some people will gravitate to my work and some people will turn away from it. I guess the most important intention for all San Francisco fashion industry designers is that every designer whom has a business is successfully survive in selling their own expression of their designs to their clientele, which is a challenge and a reward to substain a fashion business here!

From a personal and professional perspectives, What is your fashion philosophy?

When I design, it is to be true and pure with what my intention is.

For more information on Colleen Quen, visit her site: www.colleenquencouture.com

I really do suggest you browse through her pieces, they are remarkable and exquisitely curious!

Honestly, the whole event was a sartorial blur - I was too excited to see everything and a bit overwhelmed. Too many people in one crowded room with free alcohol makes me nervous - in both good and bad ways…

The 35-minute (give or take a couple of minutes) show was split up into categories: Day, Color, San Francisco (local designers Lily Samii and Colleen Quen showed), Men, Peter Som, Cocktail, Evening…and I think that’s about it.

To make things easier for everyone, each garment that hit the runway was accompanied by the designer’s name on the big screen in the background.

Many of the pieces I saw were favorites that I saw in Fashion Week coverage from February - I especially loved John Varvatos and Marc Jacobs…but that is what the problem was for me.

With the exception of Peter Som, the handful of designers showed only two or three pieces in the respected categories. After they were done, I was just craving more. It made me feel incomplete. I wanted to see each of the designer’s entire collection - story and all. It would’ve been nice to have 2 or 3 designers show their entire collections rather than a potpourri of bits and pieces.

But who am I to complain?

There is a major difference in seeing these garments in a picture and live on the runway. There’s a whole other level of admiration: the movement, the detail, the color and of course, the beautiful (and a tad bit “realistic”) faces of the models.

There were clearly crowd favorites. Of course, headlining models, Naomi Campbell and Gemma Ward caused an uproar of applause, but when Alek Wek came out in Nanette Lepore the audience clapped until their hands fell off and when Wek flashed a smile, people started screaming uncontrollably.

But the most hoots and hollers went to Tyson Beckford when he came out in the sporty gray get up by John Varvatos, his bedroom eyes pierced every woman (and some men) in the audience to the point of tantric enlightment. When he came out in the Zegna, women started to scream at the top of their lungs until their heads were about to explode.

SF designers, Samii and Quen got to show great pieces and proved they can hang with the best of them. Samii gave a line of fantasy-like forest gowns, while Quen pushed the envelope with unique detailings - especially with the golden emperor-like gown.

So - you might ask: Do I have any picutres? Even though my camera ran out of juice, I managed to get three from the runway:

Once again, I must reiterate: I AM NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER - I AM A JOURNALIST.

I’ve seen many of the pieces showcased online - but it was a treat to see them embodied with life. The trends were all apparent: autumnal colors, wide-leg trousers, wispy fabrics in solid colors, dresses with pockets, etc…etc…

In a way it was a dream come true. In another way, it was a dream that was incomplete. Hopefully this September I will get to see more of this fabulousity at NYC’s Spring Fashion Week 2007.

Meanwhile, enjoy these pictures…

I must preface this post by saying that my camera ran out of juice in the midde of my evening - which made me very upset.

Nonetheless…

I met up with my fellow fashion maven, Jessica Yadegaran of the our sister paper, Contra Costa Times for an evening that I have been anticipating since Naomi Campbell and I became lifelong friends (click here and/or here to refresh your memory).

I am talking about none other than FASHION WEEK LIVE!. Fresh out of Houston, TX, the style spectacle finally brought it’s New York Fashion Week charm to SF - and I was all smitten.

Since Kari wasn’t able to go due to last minute obligations, Jessica’s fabulous friend Farnoosh came along and we were just a trio of fabulous fashionites.

When we got to the Fort Mason Center, we followed the trail of finely dressed patrons to the Festival Pavilion where we got to take a peek backstage. We saw racks of clothes awaiting to see the light of the runway, models grazing the food table, other media professionals, steamers ridding all garments of any wrinkles and some other people who were fancy enough just to hang out and look pretty. And before my camera completely died on me - I got to take some pics:

Then to my surprise, I caught a glimpse of a famous male model - someone who I didn’t expect to be there. Apparently, he may have been a last minute addition…

If you don’t recognize him - it’s the one and only oily variety bohunk, Tyson Beckford. He looks as surprised to see me as I am to see him.

Then of course, I saw my dear Naomi. She looked like she was in a makeup zone, so I didn’t want to disturb her. Then again, I don’t even think she would’ve remembered me:

And then, I got another pleasant surprise. Although I knew Alek Wek was going to be there, she just popped in out of no where and I got all giddy:

Her striking features are much more admirable in person than in any photo. A still image does not do any justice to her adorable beauty whatsoever.

To add even more delight to my backstage experience, I got to chat briefly with the featured designer of the evening, San Francisco native, Peter Som.

Originally, Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein was supposed to showcase, but due to an emergency, Som was willing to transport his special guest stardom in Houston to SF - and I thought it was more fitting since he’s from here.

He said he was very excited to show a generous amount of his fall 2007 collection that night - as was I. Som, much like many designers, played it simple in what he was wearing - a gray glen plaid blazer, white button down shirt and black slacks. As he was talking to Jessica and I, he was extremely modest about his work and he was excited about the Fashion Week Live! show in general and how it brings NY Fashion Week to people who can’t be there for it.

Most of all, he was clearly excited to be in his hometown of SF (he currently lives in NY, family in the Bay Area). The one place he HAS to go every time he is here?

“I have to go to R & G Lounge in Chinatown,” he laughs. “I just have to!”

He also goes beyond the Bay Bridge and hangs out in Berkeley with his sister. It’s nice to know that he isn’t solely about SF - not that that’s a bad thing.

After we left backstage and went into the main entrance, the Festival Pavilion was about to bust at the seams with some of SF’s most fashionable people. We were elbow to elbow in a potpourri of style: jeans, ball gowns, cocktail dresses, evening shorts, business suits, hoodies and there were even Abercrombie and Fitch-esque guys in yellow DHL delivery uniforms. This was clearly a gratuitous attempt at shameless hot-bodied advertising.

The champagne was being poured, finger foods were being served and thousands of mile-a-minute conversations filling the air.

I, on the other hand, lost Jessica and Farnoosh in the sea of Chanel and was staying put after trying to swim through the sea to find them - I’d knew we’d reunite in the stands at the show - something that I will give you more of later….so STAY TUNED!

Oh dear me..the Fort Mason center in San Francisco will be busting at the seams come March 15. Fashion Week Live! announced even more designers and models that will make an appearance on the runway in addition the the ones posted here.

Models:

Alek Wek
Hilary Rhoda
Jessica Gomes
Jessica Stam
Nicole Trunfio
Trish Goff

Designers:

Adam + Eve
Alexandre Herchcovitch
Anne Klein
Badgley Mischka
David Chu
Heatherette
John Bartlett
John Varvatos
Jovovich Hawk
Naeem Khan
Nicole Miller
Tracy Reese
Tuleh

For more info visit www.FashionWeekLive.com.

I’ll see ya there!

They already announced it last week at NY Fashion Week, but here is the complete list of designers and models that are going to be appearing at the Fashion Week Live! event in San Francisco, March 15!

I’m WAY excited - you can’t see it from this blog post, but I am jumping up and down in my little cubicle.

Models:

Naomi Campbell
Gemma Ward
Caroline Winberg
Erin Wasson
Lily Donaldson
Marija
Luca Gadjus

Designers:

Bill Blass
Calvin Klein
Chado Ralph Rucci
Chaiken
Charles Nolan
Doo. Ri
Ellen Tracy
Luca Luca
Michael Kors
Nanette Lepore
Oscar de la Renta
Peter Som
Zac Posen

Website and tickets: www.FashionWeekLive.com and 866-840-8822

Ticket prices: $500.00 to $3500.00

Sponsors: FashionWeekLive is presented by Sephora, and sponsored by Swarovski, Mercedes-Benz, LYCRA®, Cingular Wireless, part of the new AT&T, DHL
and Moët & Chandon

…so where was I?

Oh yeah. Naomi Campbell. (don’t remember? click here or read my new “Dressed” column which started today)

As Naomi and I were chattin’ like old girlfriends, I REALLY wanted to bring up my own thoughts on modeling today, but I held back because…well, you know. But she had an interesting point of view:

“It’s become more corporate, more of a business,” it seemed like when I mentioned this, she shifted gears from Glamazon to professional woman. “When I first started modeling, there wasn’t an agency like IMG where they plan your career – we would go job by job. Now, you have to have a strategy, you don’t want to be going job by job.”

Well put Miss Campbell. Now if I could just figure out what happened to that herd America’s Next Top Model winners, all my modeling questions will be answered.

There will never be another Naomi, but I wanted to know from an insider’s perspective who the next “big thing” was in modeling.

Kevin Krier chimed in on this one, “I think everyone is looking at Freja [Beha] right now. She’s gorgeous.”

I admit, I had no idea who this was. As a fashion writer, I felt humilated, but I didn’t admit this out loud. But now I know…

Freja the Fierce!

And I know I already said this, but I’m just going to say it again. Naomi complimented my hat. When I got up, she caught sight of the Fred Perry trade mark laurels on my hat and she asked in her utmost regal accent, “Is that Fred Perry?”

I said with a smile, “Why yes, it is.”

With nostalgic glee, she answered “I used to wear Fred Perry all the time when I was younger!”

“I got it at a boutique called Jeremy’s off second street,” I smiled again.

“I know Jeremy’s!” she exclaimed. “So the hat’s vintage, yeah?”

I know she didn’t directly say she shopped there, but I assumed, so now I can say I shopped at a store that a supermodel icon has shopped at. I feel so chic. I wonder if she shops at Target as well.

After our enlightening conversation, doing each other’s nails and making some Rice Krispy treats, I went downstairs into a press conference where kids from San Francisco City College would have the opportunity to ask Naomi and Kevin some questions.

It was a joy to see these young aspiring designers so enthusiastic and passionate about the industry. One of them was so enthusiastic about Naomi being there that he bought her a scratch and sniff book. Damn. I wish he hadn’t stole my idea.

Questions were asked, laughs were shared and there were no signs of aerial communicative hardware. Everyone was having a grand ol’ time…but before she left, someone requested that she do her runway walk:

Yeah, I know. The picture is terrible. I should’ve taken video of it. It was absolutely fabulous. But most of all, it was for the children:

Ladies and gentleman…the one and only…Naomi Campbell

The legendary fashion icon, along with producer, Kevin Krier stopped in San Francisco to promote Fashion Week Live!, a tour that will feature some of the best collections of New York Fashion Week which starts on Feb. 2 and runs through Feb. 9. The city will be the final stop on March 15 in a four city tour which also includes Chicago, Dallas and Houston. Along with model Gemma Ward, Miss Campbell is the headlining the tour - as if I needed to say that.

I was lucky enough to get an exclusive interview with Naomi and Kevin. Aren’t you jealous? Ok, that was a little snooty of me, but please allow me just this one moment of pretentious journalism.

The dynamic duo of Naomi Campbell and Kevin Krier

I was escorted up to Miss Campbell’s hotel room at San Francisco’s posh W Hotel and there she was - in all her fabulousness.

Sure, we chatted about all the Fashion Week Live! stuff amongst her room full of entourage busy bodies, but the one thing that shocked me the most was that Naomi does not like to shop! Isn’t that crazy? She says she can’t shop for more than 20 minutes because she’s impatient.

GASP!

However, the more I think about it - it just makes sense. She’s around these fabulous clothes all the time, so the shopping is brought to her. But still, not loving shopping? That’s like a chef not loving cooking - but since she’s Naomi, I’ll let this one slide.

It was quite difficult to pay attention during the interview because of the elegance of her voice and the distraction of her distinct beauty, but I managed.

And no…there were no instances of phone-throwing and I did not ask any information about it. For one, that’s just tabloid business, and that’s not me. Everyone jokingly kept on asking if I mentioned it in my interview. So many, mainly my friends, inquired about wieding phones that it just became so uninteresting and unfunny. Plus, throwing phones is so last season.

Contrary to popular belief, she was a delightful, well-mannered lady. There wasn’t even a scant amount of diva in the air. She also complimented my hat, which gives her extra points.

I knew my dapper charm would win her over.

Still to come:

Read more of the interview on Jan. 30 in my new “Dressed” column in the newspaper and a continuation on my Naomi Adventures on the blog - complete with visual stimuli!

I know you’re waiting in anticipation!