If the shoe fits

It has really been awhile since our last post and I am glad to be back. We've spent a crazy summer and we are having fun! Our family vacation in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and camping trip in the Oregon shores were exciting. While we have been vacationing we have accumulated a few pairs of shoes for the ladies out there who are looking for pre-owned but well cared-for pairs of luxury designer shoes.

A few are listed in our eBay store and are waiting for the right Cinderella out there. Please check these out:

(1) Gucci Black Leather Slingbacks

(2) Joseph Azagury Flats in Dark Taupe

(3) Jimmy Choo Gold Slingbacks

These are only a few of the high-end designer labels that we have acquired since my last post. We also have a pair of vintage Paloma Picasso beige Mary Janes, Michael Kors chartreuse patent leather slippers,  vintage Celines with gold buckles, black Prada canvas mules and a few more, so please check them out. For men, we also have a great pair of vintage Frye cowboys boots. As you know, we can always entertain offers if the shoe really fits.

Sadly, we did not do a good job of shopping in Colorado, but we visited a local merchant, Annie, in Steamboat who gave us some great possible sources if we ever go to Aspen. The stores along the coast of Oregon are also not that exciting, so we were glad to be back home.  Nevertheless, we enjoyed the visit and the time we spent with family. I hope your summer has been fun as well.

Labels, Labels, Labels

Sometimes, I spend hours rummaging through rows and rows of garments at my local sources only to come home empty handed. The last two weeks was a hit or miss. I found my Peeps an almost brand new Costume National sandals for the summer and myself another black Yohji Yamamoto jacket.

Here are a few of the other great finds in the last two weeks that are currently available in our eBay store:

(1) Rag & Bone Tuxedo Style Blouse, Size 8 (sometimes a minimal white blouse is all you need) SOLD!

(2) Phillip Lim 3.1 Knitted Top with Sequins and Crystals, Medium (or a bit of subtle bling)  SOLD!!!!!!

(3) agnes b Minimal Black Overcoat, Size 2 (or simple yet tres chic Parisian coat) SOLD!

I was about to add a Rodarte Wrap Style Dress (but it was made for Target so I guess that does not count, right? or a Vintage Krizia Honey Overcoat and that was more than two weeks ago.

I can never keep up with these labels. But the thrill of the hunt is just what I need to spark more interest in keeping up with great inventory. I still wonder what treasure can I find this weekend? Perhaps a Margiela. Seriously, I have not found one.  And do you remember about my Andre Courreges vintage 60s A-Line skirt? It got sold last week to a Parisian PR firm at a great price!  But the best thing about shopping came when the clerk complimented me for having a good eye in finding these treasures!

To my mentors with love

Two of my fashion mentors are renowned in the fashion world: (1) Ike Rust, a beloved friend and former flatmate who taught me the basics of design and aesthetics; and (2) Simon Ungless, a dear friend who taught me much of my knowledge in printmaking and applied textiles. They are not your average fashion designers who have established labels in the fashion world, but their impact is seen through the skills and techniques that they bring to fashion in the academic world. Both are academic teachers who day-by-day have taught thousands of students from San Francisco to London. Ike (also known as Ivan) is the head of menswear at the Royal College in London, and Simon is the Director of the Graduate Program (M.A.) in Fashion at the Academy of Art University. Both were graduates of the famous Central St. Martins in London, England, whose graduates include the likes of John Galliano and the late Alexander McQueen—to name a few.


When I first moved to San Francisco in the mid-90s I first worked at the School of Advertising at the Academy of Art University (then Academy of Art College), where Ike was a recent transplant from New York City after working at Calvin Klein and Simon was recruited from London to teach applied textiles. The Academy had a small fashion and merchandising department. With the help of other transplants from England, the Academy has since devolved into a major player in the fashion world and now shows its students' work at New York Fashion Weeks. Every now and then, I come across graduates who are now professionals in the field and work in big fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren and Burberry. Much of their knowledge and skills could easily be traceable to both Simon and Ike and other teachers who unselfishly lent their own skills and knowledge for them to succeed in this world. My skills have been honed by both Ike and Simon. At the Academy, I met many a great friend and artist whose friendship remains until today. 


One thing that I know for sure, if and ever I will have a fashion crisis, I can always call either of them for their frankness and assistance. And forever, I am grateful.


I digress. The reason why I thought of Si and Ike today was because I also learned something new and I thought I would share it with you. I went thrift shopping the other day and came across a few labels that were unknown to me, but the design was very good and the fabrics were exceptionally tasteful. They are currently in our store.  One is a mod minidress from Karla Colletto, and the other is a cocktail dress from a label called Komorov. I thought the cut on the Colletto dress was very chic, and the embellished dress from Romanov reminded me of my lab days with Simon at the Academy, where I learned fabric-embossing techniques.  Well, who knew that both Colletto and Romanov are actually well known in the fashion world? We all learn something new every day. 


Here are photos of these two dresses (1) the mod dress in blue by Karl Colletto and (2) the python embossed cocktail dress by Shelley Komorov.  Both are in great shape and form and are ready for bidding in our store.

Eggshell, Ecru, Bone, Ivory, Cream: It's All White to Me

All Points Bulletin from the Fashion Police


Among the new fashion trends that came out of the recent New York Fashion Week is minimal white. White, ivory or eggshell colors in trousers, tops, blouses, and jackets require no accessories (yes, to remain minimal) with one simple rule--don't mix it with other colors. It does look fresh from the runway and everyone seems to be keeping it clean this season. 


I know some of you will find it difficult not to wear any colors, considering winter has just left us. The snow has not even melted in some places, and here we are thinking of wearing white again. Either you are a follower of trends or not, white is always fresh and clean. But for those of you who are strict interpreters of fashion, we have some items on stock that may be of interest without breaking the bank or your budget:


(1) Bruno Magli white open toe sandals, (2) a Trina Turk white blazer with ribbon closure, (3) an Oscar dela Renta Ikat patterned Ivory blazer, (4) a NWT double breasted military style blazer from Hawksley & Wright, and (5) a gorgeous vintage Moschino Cheap & Chic blazer, in linen circa 1980s for him.  


These are only a few of items and we sure have a lot more white items in stock. Whatever your size, style, and budget, our store has something for everyone.


Here are the photos of those lovely spring Bruno Magli shoes and the Trina Turk blazer:

What about Montana?

Cathy Horn in today's New York Times reviewed the collection for Thierry Mugler - a remake of some sort with the help of the artist Lady Gaga. Susan Menkes did a video interview with Gaga along with fashion designer Nicola Formichetti about his first women's collection for Thierry Mugler at Paris Fashion Week. Gaga and Mr. Formichetti were probably not even born at the height of Mugler's career in the 1980s. Collaboration or not, the show is about the resurrection of Thierry Mugler from the dead. Gaga as inspiration is a stretch, I think. The show obviously got a lot of press, and who knows if the Mugler brand will again be sellable for the masses. But what I remember about the Mugler brand in its heyday was his perfume and the muscle shirts that gay boys were wearing everywhere in the '80s.

Mugler was an '80s icon, but the enfant terrible who truly deserves a second look is my favorite fashion icon, Claude Montana.  Claude Montana ruled the '80s along with Mugler. He founded his own fashion house, the House of Montana, in 1979 but went bankrupt in 1997. He also ruled the House of Lanvin in the early '90s. Claude Montana is still alive and lives somewhere in Spain.

I am lucky to have two Montana garments in the store. One is a vintage '80s black blazer with big shoulder pads and gold buttons, and the other one is a gorgeous gold silk top with square shoulders. It was the '80s after all. Here is a photo of the latter item. Please visit our store for additional information on these two garments.

So with the help of Gaga and Mr. Formichetti, we can say that the '80s fashions are being revived to the fullest. But back in the day, Montana ruled!

Kenzo for Spring

Spring is just in the air; I can smell it when I pass by the cherry trees in my neighborhood where the buds are about to burst in colors of pink and lilac. It is also the moment when you can finally shed all the winter clothes--the heavy wools, scarves, gloves, the layered cotton and cashmere--and show some skin.

And I have just the perfect spring frock for you--a Kenzo original from his boutique in Paris waiting to be snatched by the lucky fashionista at our eBay store. Rich sumptuous chocolate brown, with an aubergine lining, evokes the richness of the earth at this time of year, just ready to burst with life. I know these are not your typical colors for spring, but why go with the rest of group when you can stand out in the crowd in a great looking dress. Get yourself a beautiful spring bud and pin it on the breast, and you're set.

Kenzo Takada, founder of the fashion house, retired in the late 1990s and left the Kenzo name and a thriving brand. It is currently owned by the fashion house LVMH, the same company who owns Dior. Here's a rare chance to own a NWT (new with tags) Kenzo dress for your upcoming spring soirees. Here are a few details:

• Size 38
• NWT
• Tags are written in Japanese characters
• Garment is chocolate brown and would look good with any type of skin tone - particularly red heads!
• It is lined
• The accent color underneath the arms and neck is a gorgeous aubergine/eggplant
• There are seven gorgeous buttons or closures in the front
• Extra button intact and attached with tag
• There are no pockets

And if you happen to wear this at La Perle in the springtime and some nasty fashion designer starts to sneer at you, blabbing incoherent racists remarks, tell him to stuff it!

Untouched by Time: Vintage Gucci

Snow or not, we ventured out shopping yesterday to stock up on more fabulous finds. We were lucky to find a few here and there, but the best one was, voila, a vintage Gucci 100% silk blouse, circa 1970s, way way probably before Tom Ford was even born. He is actually a few months older than me!


Although the media has spoken highly of Tom Ford's reign over Gucci, the glamour was already there to begin with. He just made it a bit sexier by Hollywood standards and then later, the masses came in full support because of the hype. Pre- or Post-Tom Ford, Gucci has been in business for decades will endure several hundreds more. It has survived the test of time and has dressed the rich and famous, and yes the masses alike since 1921.

I am very intrigued by the collar and the width of the sleeves (almost balloon-like) on this item, and the fabric really feels nothing less than luxurious. Here are a few descriptions of this gorgeous item:

Circa 70s-80s

Made in Italy

100% Silk

Size 42

Blouse with stripes of dark navy, green,  gray and purple

Single front pocket

Square cut on the bottom hem

Long sleeves with single button closure

Soft shoulder pads

Very unique, asymmetrical details on the collar (half pointed and half chinese style)

Front button closures

Slits on the side - 2.5"

Check it out at our store.

The Perfect Summer Dress

Although our local forecast today says a bit of flurry would be falling from the sky in San Francisco, it has been a bright and beautiful blue day. For sure everyone got excited; plans have been made from snowshoeing to sledding, the kids were especially disappointed. We locals have to laugh that news off. Was it Mark Twain who said the coldest winter he ever experienced was a summer in San Francisco?

As the days are becoming more pleasant we locals have to look forward to our short lived spring time and then summer.  Summer in the City by the Bay comes late but when it does, the city's parks are packed with people and barbecues and beer-busts are in full bloom. We do have the best Indian Summers!

I have been planning ahead for spring and summer merchandise and came across the this gorgeous dress. Shopping for spring and summer outfits for my loyal customers on our eBay store is not easy, for there are still loads of sweaters and coats in the stores, but yesterday I came across the Perfect Summer Dress.  And believe it or not it is Canadian. Made by Citrine of Canada, it is canary yellow with splashes of blue, pink, and green at the bottom. It has sexy cap cap sleeves and is midcentury/1960s inspired.  De-gorgeous! Here's some more information:

• Size 6 US, 36 French, 8 UK
• Lined
• Zipper back
• Cotton fabric

Check it out, it is one and only and it may go fast. It happened to my Catherine Malandrino yesterday.

Catherine Malandrino = Chic (SOLD!)

The worst thing that can happen happened today; that is I broke my digital camera to take photos of my recent acquisition--an authentic Catherine Malandrino bermuda shorts (which btw is my best find for today) and is now ready for you to wear by Springtime.


Nothing but absolute chicness comes to mind when you think about Catherine Malandrino. Just look at her personal style. Here are a few tid bits about Catherine that you may find interesting (courtesy of Wikipedia):



"Born in the French Alps, Catherine Malandrino knew she wanted to be a designer from a very young age. After graduating from Esmod she worked in the Paris couture houses of Dorothée Bis, Louis Féraud, Emanuel Ungaro, and in the 90’s was the creative force at the French label ‘Et Vous’ in Paris. In 1998 she met Bernard Aidan, her partner of love and life and followed her heart to New York City.


She began her love story with America when she presented the iconic “Flag” collection in 2001. Her irresistible combination of patriotism, audacity, and femininity was acclaimed by the media."

*****************


And if you have not been at Manhattan store, you should check it out next time you visit the Big City.


This bermuda short with cuffs is available now at our store. Please check it out, and if you know it fits, place you bid.  Here are the details:

• Size 4
• Cuffed on the bottom
• Two front buttons on the waist for closure
• Zipper front
• Two side pockets
• Fabric is bordering black and dark grey and is not by no means fade
• Item is in very good shape and condition
• Lined
• (Tag) Shell is 65% wool, 29% polyamide, 7% silk and  1% elastene
• Lining is 100% acetate
• Made in USA
• Dry clean only

Just got sold! But thanks for looking.

Marc Jacobs In Blue

There are a lot of Marc Jacobs loyal fans our there.  I do not know about being loyal but I am certainly one of them. But I do like Marc when he was a still rising star--before he opened the endless stores a la Gap all over the village. His clothes were a little more conservative and wearable; reserved but chic. I sure hope his clothes does not become as ubiquitous as Donna Karan in the next decade or so.

We certainly cannot call previous Marc Jacobs designs as vintage--it will take more decades to claim and use the word. For now, let us hope that Marc remains to be at the top of his game and hopes he brings us all more beautiful and wearable clothes.

Here is an example of a tweed jacket from a previous collection that is very wearable and is rather quite chic. It is contemporary and yes, affordable at our store.

Please check out this tweed jacket with ribbon accents and you will not be disappointed. It is nothing short of a perfect jacket to wear and lunch with the ladies. And if it does not fit, there is a similar jacket by Rene Lezard (in magenta) that is very similar to this that you may also find at sanfranciscobooty.

Mad About Courreges

Perfect skirt for the summer. A great treasure now available on our eBay store, sanfranciscobooty.

Some background about Courreges courtesy of Wikipedia:

André Courrèges (born 9 March 1923 in Pau) is a French fashion designer, known for his ultra-modern designs. At the age of 25, after studying to be a civil engineer, he went to Paris to work at Geanne Lafaurie fashion design house.^[1] A few months later he went over to Balenciaga, the renowned Spanish designer.
Both Courrèges and Mary Quant lay claim to the invention of the miniskirt.


In 1961 Courrèges opened his Maison de Couture with his little white dress and a trouser suit.

Space Age

He launched his 'Space Age' collection in 1964. He built his dresses rather than designed them. The shapes of his clothes were geometric: squares, trapezoids, triangles. The look included boots, goggles, and hems three inches above the knees. The main features of his boxy, uncluttered look spread quickly throughout the fashion world, especially the miniskirt, which he introduced to France.
The materials included plastic and metal. He uses PVC clothing in his collections. Colours were primary: metallic, white, red, yellow... From the perspective of publicity, the collection was an absolute sensation. However, it is worth remembering that fashion houses have always made their sales mostly from mature and older women. Skirts above knee length in bright colours and geometric shapes made from unyielding fabrics may look fine on a young model. They are less ideal for the clientele of most fashion houses.

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Now, that is HOT!

And we've got two available at our store. Check it out!  THIS ONE WAS SOLD!!!!!!!!! TO A PARISIAN PR FIRM

The other one comes in Peach and there is an overlapping detail on the waist.  Both are equally gorgeous. Check it out.