Double Trunk Shows Last month we hosted our first Double Trunk Show, featuring one artist at Collage Gallery, and another great artist next-door at Collage Clothing. Thanks to everyone who made it. The feedback has been overwhelming; we’re glad to hear that you loved it as much as we did.

For the foreseeable future, we’re going to host a Double Trunk Show every month. This month, we have two more great designers: FLEECE-A-NISTA and Topi Hats for men and women.

Come on down to 1345 18th Street on March 18th from 6-9pm, for a glass of champagne and a double-dose of Collage.

FLEECE-A-NISTA is a contemporary, first-in-category fashion line of upscale women’s fleece. Founder Jeanne Feldkamp (a Potrero Hill resident) thought something was missing: Fleece wasn’t sexy, so she created FLEECE-A-NISTA as a modern alternative to sports-focused fleece and casual sportswear. Her designs showcase high-quality fabrics and flattering silhouettes. They also feel fantastic to wear. Jeanne also acts as creative director for The 615 Project, which takes couture commissions for red carpet gowns.

Topi Hats was founded by Erin Cowan in 1996. Originally from Calistoga, Erin started selling hats in a local arts market when he was 19. Combining high quality yarns and craftsmanship with a unique style and skill, Erin was soon off of an exclusive top ramen diet.

Topi hats and scarves are stylishly crocheted, from simple and versatile to crazy and colorful. New lightweight spring hats have just arrived, for men and women.

Come meet these fabulous designers, and spend a nice evening on The Hill.

We also have an update on the Collage Workshops. We’re full through April, but have a couple of spots left in May. Check the schedule, you can even register online via paypal.

Thanks for shopping local,
Delisa

Trunk Show with Molly Cruit and Monique Zhang
February 25th, 6-9pm

Happy Valentines Day! (And guys, it’s not too late, you’ve still got a few days to show your sweetie how much you care.) If you’re in the neighborhood, we’ve got something in stock that your Valentine will love.

We wanted to thank you for all of your fabulous feedback on the New Store. Things are really coming together and going well; we have new clothes coming in on a daily basis. So, if you haven’t been in yet, or haven’t been in lately, stop by and check out our new arrivals.

Now that we have two stores next door to each other, we figured we can host a Double Trunk Show for two amazing designers on the same night. So, on February 25th, we’re giving it a try.

Molly Cruit is a local San Francisco accessories designer who uses leather remnants, vintage charms and organic metal shapes. She incorporates hand-hammered elements that make the hard metal appear liquid to the eye. Each piece is one of a kind, hand-crafted, hand-cut and a real work of art.

Monique Zhang creates her own lines of clothing and is also a runway producer and fashion stylist for the past ten years. She worked for top Department stores such as Bergdrof Goodman of NYC and Far Eastern of Taiwan before running her own CICADA brand boutiques in San Francisco, Santa Fe and Shanghai.

Come on down to 1345 18th Street on February 25th from 6-9pm, for a glass of champagne and a double-dose of Collage.

We also have an update on the Collage Workshops. Thanks to the generous plug from the kind people at Sunset Magazine in January, we’ve added six additional workshops to the schedule. So check the new dates and you can even register online via paypal.

Hope to see you soon,
Delisa

Liza Sonia

For some extra holiday cheer, we’re hosting a trunk show event with one of our favorite jewelry designers, Liza Sonia. Come on down to 1345 18th Street December 17th from 6-9pm, it should be a lot of fun. In addition to her amazing jewelry, we’ll have chocolates, champagne and hot cider.

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Liza has done it all. She’s traveled solo around the world and run an international company, before she found her true passion. “I want to do what I love,” she says. “I want to design pieces that are beautiful and that people like to wear. I want to stretch their idea of what is possible; a design concept that makes them look at things in a new way.”

Liza Sonia’s design philosophy is simple: Start with the best quality materials, listen to its simplest design, then add elements of surprise.

So come meet this fabulous local designer, and enjoy an evening on The Hill. She also makes cuff links and rings for men. You can do your holiday shopping (we still do free gift wrapping).

Hope to see you there,
Delisa

Thank you everyone for making the opening so successful–what a blast! It was so wonderful seeing so many of you. And I so appreciated all the love and support in your emails.

Check out the gorgeous photography by the talented Mercedes McAndrew:

Bucking The Trend

Big news!
Collage is expanding.
I think I’m like all of you, feeling the heaviness of the economy the last few years. When I listen to all the nay-sayers, telling me to feel contracted, small and fearful, it goes against my usual way of being. In fact, I’m really tired of it. You probably are too.

My belief has always been, to feel creative, expansive and full of possibilities. That’s why I’m really excited to venture into the whole new world of clothing.

Collage was started in the recession of 1991. Some people said I was a bit crazy to open a store, but here we are 18 years later, still going strong. And it’s all thanks to you, the incredible people of the Bay Area, shopping local, and always willing to buck the trend. So, we’re doing it again.

We’re opening up a clothing store right next door to Collage Gallery.

The concept is new, used, vintage and accessories from local designers. You’ll be able to mix and match. We’ll have high-end, low-end, women’s, men’s, kid’s, in a wide range of sizes. Best of all, like Collage, it will be a treasure hunt, and we’ll constantly have new things coming in.

Just for fun, the mannequin in the window will get a brand new outfit every day.

Come for our Grand Opening on Saturday, November 14th. We’ll be open 11am – 7pm, every day through Christmas.

The address is 1331 18th Street, right next door to Collage Gallery.

I really hope you’ll join us.

See you soon,
Delisa