With a price point starting at just $14 for tights and accessories reaching just under $130 for outerwear, the one-time collection will likely be flying off store shelves.  W Magazine went behind the scenes of the marketing campaign shoot for Stella’s views on the new venture.  While WWD ran the photos, by Ryan McGinley, and Gap has never seen clothes so fashion forward on an adult  much less a child.

So why, you ask, am I, FemaleFace, so thrilled?  Because I am a visual associate, specialized in kids, baby, and maternity at our SF flagship on Powell, and this Stella McCartney collection means that our department finally gets to have its moment in the spotlight.  We are going to be doing some amazing in-store and in-window displays and promotions to kick off our holiday season in the beginning of November, so keep an eye out for the window change.  Or just glance, you won’t be able to miss it.

The Academy of Art University’s latest venture in media is their fashion department’s  soon-to-be student driven blog, fashionschooldaily.com.

The idea behind the blog is to showcase all the accomplishments of the school’s students, while creating a go-to source for the latest in department and industry news (local and global), as well as a place to showcase the San Francisco arts and culture scene.

A team of students help to create the content, from a working model/student reporting from shoots to inspiration hunters and  interns.  They are the future of fashion.  A prime example of the melting pot the industry has become, these young minds will be the leaders of the pack.

A graduate of Central St. Martin’s College, Reid Peppard, a vegetarian and jeweler turned taxidermist, presented her latest creations during London Fashion Week.  Inspired in the beauty and nature of death, Peppard’s pieces use a variety of metals, stones, and taxidermy, to create some not so traditional accessories.

From Hermes messenger-to-the-gods-inspired, pigeon-wing headdresses and a coinpurse made from a street rat to emerald-eyed mouse head cuff links, Peppard’s jewelry could be considered an acquired taste.

Though present society may deem this woman’s work vulgar, Reid does not see it that way, nor do her fashion forward fans.

“Most of my vermin are actually caught by my cat, Panasonic. Or they’re road kill.  I get friends calling me ‘Reid, I found a mouse in the street what should I do with it,’” she told CNN’s Becky Anderson in a webcam interview from inside her London studio.

However groundbreaking this idea of wearable taxidermy may appear in a culture that fights death to the last beat of each heart, the craft goes back over half a millennium, to the Dark Ages and the Black Plague.  Called ‘memento mori,’ the first taxidermy jewelry were meant to remind people of their mortality.

What began with metalwork skeletons, soon incorporated hair, then bone, teeth, skin, feathers and fur; taking on a more gentle and romantic aesthetic.  Hummingbird head brooches, mink stoles, and bird embellished hats became a way to convey wealth, and taste, the tradition has remained in the upper crust of the global community.

Putting a twist on recycled fashion, Reid Peppard has separated herself from the remainder of the accessories market, supplying open minded fashion lovers with jewels, and vermin, that have been given second life.

Images courtesy reidpeppard.blogspot.com and rpencore.com.

After class, I went to dinner with a classmate and as we walked to my house, half delirious from the long week, half from the delicious Indian food we had chowed down moments prior, I spotted something on the ground in the shadows up ahead.  Normally for the Tenderloin, things lurking in the shadows are not uncommon, but I had a feeling.  As we got closer, I could make out the shape of a pair of wedges, then a glint of metal.  Imagine my awestricken surprise when I look down and saw those shiny gold letters D-I-O-R.  I did a double take and could have thrown up.  I wasn’t imagining things, two perfect blue, floral-embroidered, leather t-strap wedges with a C on the bridge of one strap and a D on the other.

I can’t say for certain that they are authentic, because I can’t find any thing like them in the collections I’ve gone through.  But I know they have been taken care of by their previous owner.  Just thought I would share my latest find.  If anyone can verify their authenticity or at least remember which season they are from, it would be very much appreciated.  Personally, I’m thinking mid to late nineties.

So imagine my delight at flipping through this month’s Elle, Victoria Beckham gracing the cover, only to stumble upon a watch by Nixon that seemed to meet all the criteria, but unfortunately is intended to be worn by women.  Not to fear, Nixon maintains a complete line of men’s and women’s timepieces in materials that range from fine metals to rubber, and most styles come in several colors.  These are a few of my favorites:

I shared an experience about hiking with my family in the hills of Oklahoma, finding a huge bolder that was flat on top and covered with a blanket of moss.  We sat in the moss and ate lunch and relaxed and napped.  I recall feeling so lucky to be able to experience something like that.  I was probably seven or eight and had realized for the first time that nature is something so complex and should be appreciated.

Moving on, a girl in my class recommended I look into this photographer Allison Trentelman.  A Maine based artist, she captures some of the most amazing close-up shots of flora and fauna of every variety, and the colors are so refreshing to my eyes.  Thought I would pass on the word.

AllisonTrentelman.com - Purchase prints, find out more about Allison, and view the rest of her work!

From Fashion’s Night Out, to some of the most interesting CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists yet, this year New York Fashion Week is full of fresh talent and ideas.  One designer with novel ideas is second time finalist Natalie “Alabama” Chanin, of Alabama Chanin, whose environmentally pristine collection was unveiled Saturday at a salon in New York City.

The company, based where else but Alabama, is rooted in the traditional textile craft culture of the American south.  Employing former mill workers to construct materials and salvaging fabric from old quilts to decrease their environmental footprint.

A costume designer, stylist, and film maker, Chanin’s background is present in her designs, conveyed with great restraint and precision.

Though the designs are often simple jackets, vests, and blouses wrapped high on the waist, the craftsmanship is in the details.  Long prairie dresses dusted in quilt stitched floral.  Smart skirts fell just below the knee, a single rich burgundy party dress, and a range of soft taupe and cobalt shaped the A-line silhouette.

A team of thirty local Alabamians made up of weavers, stitchers and craftspeople purchase raw materials from Alabama Chanin, then Alabama Chanin buys finished goods back from these artisans.  None of these pieces ever meets a sewing machine, each artist giving the hand-sewn folk craft new life through embroidery, applique, quilting, plaiting and weaving.

Honored for the dedication and innovation she has afforded a cottage industry that is so plentifully mechanized in the foreign markets, Chanin will have to wait until November 16th to know the results of the competition.

Other finalists this season include: Patrik Ervell of Patrik Ervell, Flora Gil and Alexa Adams of Ohne Titel, Monique Péan of Monique Péan and Simon Spurr of Spurr.

Rogan Gregory, Doo-Ri Chung, and Alexander Wang have all been awarded the top prize for their contributions in seasons past.

Photos from www.style.com

I would start with the most normal, but I mean…

Note the surprising resemblance to a certain cave-dwelling cretin we all know and love.

I could just die about it.

Several weeks ago, I posted about Bay Area book shops, and the need for people to visit them and buy their books to keep them in business through this recession.  Apparently no one heeded my warning, and as a result one of those books shops will be closing it’s doors June 18th. 

Babylon Falling, at 1017 Bush St., is hosting its final event/party, in store, Thursday, May 21st, and anyone is welcome to attend.  They have a lot of really interesting subject matter to offer to those who consider themselves thinkers, plus everything in the entire store is 50% off!  Bibliophiles throughout the Bay Area ought to check it out and see what they can get their hands on.  They also sell work by various local artists, figurines, and really unique graphic t’s.