Alyssa continues her discourse from her work on the Sara Shepherd fashion show a couple of weeks ago….

Here we are the day of the show. We all have not slept more than a couple hours the past few days and look like a bus ran us over. Coffee, cigarettes, and junk food fuel over diet. Yet, when I wake up this morning I am overly excited about the day’s events and anxious to see the final product.

This morning I finish up a couple of last minute hems and buttons. We also have to get everything ready and packed for transportation of the collection-outfits in garment bags, tags labeled, shoes in their proper places, and making sure we have all the necessary supplies for backstage. The truck to transport the collection arrives a couple hours before the show to pick up the collection, we have a 1:30 p.m. call time for the 4 p.m. show. One of my jobs of the day is to go with the collection and make sure it gets into and out of the truck and to the correct location.

Once at the venue, we unpack the collection putting each outfit on a rack to their assigned model. This is where the cards we made for each model come into play. There is a dresser allocated to each model to help her change, put shoes on, zip & button her up during the show. We go over each outfit with the dressers to answer questions and make sure everything is alright. Also, each garment needs to be pressed or steamed before the show. While I am pressing, the models prepare for the show in hair and makeup.

Before I even realize it, it is 10 minutes before the show. Read more…

Don’t get too excited. He’s not really single – but he does have a new movie that’s creating some buzz.

Tom Ford directs actor Colin Firth in ‘A Single Man’

It seems as though Tom Ford has decided to take a crack at being a fancy movie director with A Single Man:

Based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood, Ford does his best to cinematically illustrate a story about a gay college professor (Colin Firth) and the death of his lover.

The trailer makes the movie look like a huge Gucci commercial (sensual close ups, no dialog, haunting music) and it is apparent that Ford dressed well while directing – but that’s all secondary compared to what the real question is: Does Ford have the wherewithal to take the reigns of a feature film?

Well, Firth and co-star Julianne Moore have been getting some attention (and even some Oscar buzz) for their performance in the film. Ford may be on to something here.

The folks from the popular handbag company, Kipling, are opening their Color Jam Pop-Up Storein San Francisco on Friday, October 2. The pop up store will be here until January 31 and will have limited-edition Kipling accessories. The store will also feature artists creating in-store pieces of art and will be there to chat with customers.

They will also be launching a “Color Crawl” treasure hunt throughout San Francisco, strategically placing 100 Kipling gifts at secret locations state-wide. Clues about each location will be posted on the Kipling Facebook page. On the grand opening weekend of October 10-11, customers can spin the Kipling Color Jam Wheel to win some cool prizes.

The Kipling Color Jam Pop-Up Store will be located at 170 Post Street, between Grant and Robert Kirk Lane. Visit Kipling’s Facebook page for more info

1.) The back of all your boxers are shredded from sitting on grip tape.

2.) You go to a taqueria and it takes five of you to buy one burrito.

3.) You consider showering optional.

4.) You consider your black Vans as formal footwear.

5.) You feel oppressed, but you’re from Glen Park.

6.) You claim to be an artist, but your work is shown exclusively on the No. 14 bus.

7.) You wear tight (really tight) skinny jeans below your butt, despite wearing a belt.

8.) You consider Doritos and Arizona Ice Tea part of the basic food groups.

9.) Your girlfriend always pays for lunch and dinner because you refuse to work for the man.

10.) You get a cup of water everywhere you can, not because you’re healthy, but because it’s free.

Written by: Ana Cepeda

Well, you won’t be on TV per se – but you will be in a live studio audience.

The folks at the local TV show, The View From the Bay on ABC sent an invitation to us looking for some fashion students to be in their studio audience for a series of fashion-centric episodes.

Here are the upcoming dates and topics:

Tuesday Oct. 6th: CLIFF HOUSE Celebrating 100 years of history, food, and fashion.

Wednesday Oct. 7th: This Old Bag Fashion Show.

Thursday Oct. 8th: Keeping your favorite jeans looking their best, plus a look to the past for tomorrow’s hottest jean styles.

So if you want to be in a live studio audience and meet co-hosts, Spencer Christian and Janelle Wang here’s all the deets:

- The show is live from 3-4pm Monday-Friday. Our audience doors open at 2:15pm with a cut-off of 2:30pm.

- Tickets must be requested in advanced and groups are welcome. To reserve your seats please call the ticket request line at 415-954-7733 or visit www.viewfromthebay.com and click on “be in our audience” and fill out a ticket request form. Or click here for a ticket request form.

Hopefully it will be as exciting as this:

And P.S. – Make sure this doesn’t interfere with class time.

It seems as though Alexander McQueen (a past guest and honoree of the School of Fashion) isn’t shying away from this whole fashion-meets-web phenomenon. First off, he has a place in the Twitter universe (I refuse to use the term, ‘Twitterverse’). Secondly, he (or someone who works for the house) announced on said Twitter account that they have partnered with the popular fashion website, SHOWstudio.com to stream his S/S 2010 show live from Paris at 8:15 p.m. (Parisian time, of course) on Oct. 6.

“My shows have always been a big part of my work, what has taken me three months to develop is shown in just 15 minutes to a very small audience,” said McQueen in a statement. “I wanted to create a sense of inclusion for all those in the world who are interested in my work and the world of Fashion. This is just the first step towards revolutionising the ‘show system’ as we know it.”

The online show is the perfect case of fashion embracing the world of digital marketing – not to mention social media.

If you want to sit by your computer and anxiously await for McQueen’s show until Oct. 6, you can access it at alexandermcqueenlive.showstudio.com. And for all of you Twitter folks, you can follow Mr. McQueen at twitter.com/McQueenWorld.

Alyssa documented her days in New York leading up to Sara’s show…

It is my first working day in New York with Sara. I arrived at the hotel at 9am to go over our list of jobs to accomplish for the day. Today is mostly a waiting game. I have a few errands: buying hangers & lint rollers, coffee runs, getting organizing supplies (it’s easier and more cost effective to buy some things here in NY instead of bringing them with us), but it is mostly down time for me today taking notes, shooting photos, and watching as we roll through appointments. I guess you could say it is the calm before the storm. Even though I have confidence that Sara and I are very prepared, after everything is settled and resolved tonight, the ball will be running in the morning and we will be running around trying to get things finished.

The first appointment of the day was the stylist. We have been sending her photos during the whole collection process, so she already has a good idea of the inspiration and what Sara is looking for in terms of styling. The stylist went through all of the looks putting garments together to make complete outfits. She also talked with Sara about other pieces she thinks we would need. Read more…

Ya-Ling Hou, creator of flowie home accessories will have her textile goods available at the 79 New Montgomery retail store starting Sept. 25. Join her and some stylish folks for the grand opening of her pop up store from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday. Stop by and snag some scarves, bags, totes and tees while enjoying some refreshments.

Visit www.flowiestyle.com for more info on Ya-Ling and flowie.

FSD correspondent, Claudia Paolinelli attended Macy’s Passport last week and she had a couple of things to say about the event – 10 things to be exact.

Macy’s is known for hosting big events. Huge events. Gigantic events.

I mean, who doesn’t like the Thanksgiving Day parade before engorging on traditional fares.

Last Thursday, Macy’s pulled out all the stops during their 27th annual Passport benefit at the Fort Mason Center. The largest and longest-running HIV/AIDS event of its kind has collected over $28 million for services, prevention, and research since it started as a fashion show in Macy’s employee cafeteria. Not your typical lunch, right?

Taking a cue from David Letterman, here are the top ten most memorable moments of that fine evening. Drum roll please….

10.) Overloading on free SOYJOY bars.

9.) Amazed how kids can dance so well alongside the Harajuku Girls.

8.) Being unaware “glampire” was a term they used in fashion to describe a look.

7.) Calvin Klein can imitate their ads on the runway by dressing models in jeans and a bra.

6.) Rachel Roy bringing back the 50’s style high-waist bikini.

5.) Hugo Boss has now jumped on the cocoon sweater trend with a black and white checkered number for men.

Read more…

From counter-culture street fairs to races for a cure, there’s bound to be something for you to this upcoming week:

SEE…

Contemporary Japanese Avant-Garde Cinema Screening at SFMOMA, 7 p.m. Sept. 24. Cinematic art collides with traditional filmmaking at San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art. The event features experiments in animation, sound and compositional structure by Takashi Ishida, Makino Takashi and Yo Ota. 151 Third St., 415-357-4000, www.sfmoma.org.

Folsom Street Fair 2009, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 27. Whether you’re a hard core exhibitionist or merely leather-curious, Folsom Street Fair is the place to be. Come join in and celebrate the 26th annual FSF; the world’s largest leather event! Folsom Street between 7th and 12th. www.folsomstreetfairevents.org.

Other Suns (A Trilogy), 8 p.m., Sept. 24-26. Attention modern dance lovers, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts will be hosting the world premiere of “Other Suns (A Trilogy)”, a joint performance of the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company and Guangdong Modern Dance Company. Jenkins, a Bay Area resident, choreographed the show, an exploration of symmetry and asymmetry, balance and imbalance in American and Chinese cultures. $30. YBCA Novellus Theater 701 Mission Street, San Francisco, 415-978-2787, www.ybca.org.

TASTE…

San Francisco Chocolate and Wine Tour, 3:30 p.m., Sept. 25. During the tour you will learn history of chocolate and its production as well as taste wine varieties paired with the chocolate. $72 plus tax and ticketing. Justin Herman Plaza, Exact meeting location details will be provided upon ticket purchase. 415-312-1119, www.gourmetwalks.com.

HEAR…

Jazz at the Razz, continues through Oct. 4. Legendary jazz vocalist Dame Cleo Lane and her husband Sir John Dankworth will be gracing San Francisco with their talent. If you’ve any interest in jazz at all you’re already familiar with these two mega-talents and if you’re not there’s no time like the present to expand your musical interests. The Razz Room at Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. 415-394-1189, www.therazzroom.com.

Art Jam 2009, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Wednesday Sept. 30. Jam out with finger painting, body art, cocktails and San Francisco’s finest DJs. All money raised at the event will benefit ArtSeed’s artist/youth apprenticeship program. $10 – $20 (sliding scale) 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna. 415-974-1719, www.artseed.org.

Summerland at Mint Plaza, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 26. Chillin’ productions presents an afternoon featuring 70 Bay Area fashion designers, art, and live painting. Live music, DJ sets, munchies, and cocktails will be available and best of all…it’s free!! 5th St. between Market & Mission Streets. www.chillinproductions.com

Wallpaper Record Release Party, 9 p.m., Sept. 26. Wallpaper celebrates the frelease of their debut album Doodoo Face. $10-$15. Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St. 415-861-2011, www.rickshawstop.com

GIVE…

The Komen San Francisco Race for the Cure, 9 a.m., Sept. 27. San Francisco is hosting the 19th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure benefiting breast cancer. A 5K Walk/Run will start at Justin Herman Plaza at the Ferry Building continuing along the Embarcadero. Sign up to donate on their website and walk/run for a good cause. Justin Herman Plaza across from the Ferry Building. www.komensf.org.

SPEND…

The City’s Biggest 3-Day Designer Sale Fundraiser, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sept. 24-26. The perfect sample sale! Over 5,000 new items from designers like Via Spiga, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Joan Vass and Ann Taylor are marked 80% below retail prices. 100% of the proceeds benefit A Miner Miracle. 441 Sutter St. www.aminermiracle.org.

iB Crafty, noon to 6 p.m., Sept. 26. Shop handmade designs from over 25 local craftmasters and artists. Indulge Your style with fashion and accessories or snazz up your nest with the craftiest home furnishings. 2150 Folsom btwn 17th and 18th www.market-sf.com.

Compiled by Ana Cepeda, Mignon Gould, Brian Kennedy, Claudia Paolinelli and Sata Schramm