Let’s be honest, San Francisco is not a style-conscious haute couture city. It is a city ever-obsessed with relaxed, neutral comfort wear which can be pushed into active wear if the need arises. T-shirts and hoodies are not only the daily dress code in the tech dominant Bay Area but hoodies and T’s have often made the stretch to evening wear (yes, I have seen this happen).
So, when designer Erdem Moralioglu teamed with San Francisco Opera Guild and Saks Fifth Avenue to present Fashion Forward: An Evening with Erdem on March 25 at Pier 27, I was curious about whether the clothes could lure San Franciscans.
Photos courtesy of Drew Altizer. Fashion Forward: An Evening with Erdem presented by SF Opera Guild and Saks Fifth Avenue
The functional, comfy style of San Francisco can hit the high fashion note if it’s layered and softened. The neutral tan jacket coupled with edgy black boots shown on the runway is perfect for an S.F’s relaxed un-styled style. Using a flat leather boot is a good way to dress down a lace dress. This look says, I care just enough.
Photos courtesy of Drew Altizer. Fashion Forward: An Evening with Erdem presented by SF Opera Guild and Saks Fifth Avenue
Photos courtesy of Drew Altizer. Fashion Forward: An Evening with Erdem presented by SF Opera Guild and Saks Fifth Avenue
I love the patchwork botanics popping off the dresses of the Spring RTW 2015. I can picture this dress paired with an oversized thick scarf and a light sweater for those chilly but not freezing nights so typical of San Francisco. Again, the low healed leather bootie gives the dress a casual look.
If I had to choose my favorite dress from the show, it would be this incredible purple and red number. I love the lace color blocking with the high neck and long sleeves. The unexpected high slit adds a little sexy to this fully covered number.
Photos courtesy of Drew Altizer. Fashion Forward: An Evening with Erdem presented by SF Opera Guild and Saks Fifth Avenue
It’s not certain that Erdem’s gorgeous collection will immediately shift the minds of the comfort obsessed in S.F. After all, we are talking about the city that birthed Levi’s. As as city not known for it’s fashion, it’s great to see heavy weights like the Saks and SF Opera Guild teaming with designers to add a little diversity to the city. The good thing is there are a growing number of female founders and executives who refuse to wear traditional tech attire. And who can blame them? Hoodies are not the most flattering thing a woman can wear.