Sister Cities Unite Around Fashion
Independent designers from Shanghai and San Francisco will celebrate the 30-year sister city relationship between the two cities at a trunk show on December 12th organized by Asia Society Northern California's Young Professionals Group (YPG). The event aims to foster and strengthen relationships between the two design communities and individual brands, and to encourage further conversation and collaboration.
Hosted by B. Mori & Co. at their design show space in the Design District of San Francisco, the event will feature new and established designers from two opposite shores of the Pacific. The event is supported by the San Francisco Shanghai Sister City Committee and ChinaSF.
Guests will be able to browse through selections from dozens of indie Shanghai and SF designers against the backdrop of B. Mori's direct-from-Shanghai textiles and furniture gallery. Designers include Kaileeni, LuRu Home, Finch, Lawless, Abandon, Madame Pure, Cukimber, Unique Indie, Peony Rice, NuoMi and Orange Caterpillar. Home furnishings, women's ready-to-wear apparel and accessories and select men's and children’s items will be available.
"I love the idea of indie designers and shops coming together to celebrate creativity during the holidays in collaboration with an organization that promotes young professional talent,” says Cairn Wu, Creative Director of Shanghai-based, vintage-inspired women's apparel brand Kaileeni, who is co-hosting the event.
Aside from the latest looks from Shanghai and San Francisco, the event will also feature a photo booth sponsored by Unique Indie, small bites from NomNom food truck and a cash wine bar.
"This is a way for people to get exposed to looks and designs that they would otherwise have to travel to Shanghai to experience," said Kate Ryge, Co-Chair of the Asia Society Young Professionals Group, "It’s also an opportunity for learning and collaboration on both sides, and a way to bring the 30-year-old Sister City relationship to a younger generation."
"There's a unifying theme of creativity all around the world. We're able to showcase this by introducing designers from Shanghai and seamlessly blending them with San Fran designers," said Wu.
Proceeds from the trunk show will benefit the Pentok Institute which supports leadership development and English literacy for women from Tibetan nomadic villages in Qinghai, Western China.
The event will take place on Wednesday, December 12, 6-9 p.m. at 450 9th St. near Bryant. For more information and tickets, click here.