Fashion lands on San Francisco's Union Square

A model wears a piece by J'aire at the 5th Annual
Fashion on the Square. Photos by: Dino-Ray Ramos

Last weekend, designers from all over the nation (and world) invaded San Francisco’s Union Square at the fifth annual Fashion on the Square event.

Amidst the brisk weather, Los Angeles radio personality, Nessa and actress/model Neketia Brown emceed alongside FOTS founder and creative director, Y’Anad Burrell as they presented fashions at the “largest outdoor fashion extravaganza on the West Coast.”

The show, which served as a fundraiser for the Fashion Group Foundation of San Francisco, included popular fashion labels like Apple Bottom Jeans (sans boots with the fur) as well as a quaint children’s fashion that garnered lots of  “awwwwws” with clothing from Wal-Mart.  Other labels included Indigo Red, Tamika Sheri’ for Tashe and the Bay Area’s own B. Vaughn for B. Wear.

An organically made gamrnet by RØØK.

Stand outs from this year’s event (besides the special guests designers, which I’ll get to later) included San Francisco resident and Academy of Art University graduate, Jonathan David Baker for his label RØØK. Using tire rubber, organic fiber, organic wool and paper fiber, the wunderkind worked magic with sleek looks that defined contemporary eco-elegance. His “EcoWarrior” collection was one of the most visionary designers of the day with a quirky mink stole fashioned out of rubber and a chic dress flowing with sunburst pleats in a seaweed/organic cotton blend matched with a black waist coat made of recycled nylon.

From L.A., Ja’ire and Nekia Hattley gave us “Dare 2 Be Seen” looks from Ja’ire International Couture. From tattered-chic clothing and hieroglyphic-esque prints, the duo’s collection gave a mix of crafty sass and urban appeal. But it was their yellow corseted kimono that stole the show.
 

Nessa (from left), Y'Anad Burrell, "Project Runway" alum, Chris March
and Neketia Brown.

FOTS got their first taste of international flair with an appearance by Zambia native Verona Jane Gordon and her label peg á leg. Her Afro-centric designs gleamed on the runway with colorful prints and cultural silhouettes.

Premiere designer, Virgil Ortiz from New Mexico brought a taste of Native American flair to the runway with Pueblo-inspired prints, fine leather work, pottery-like sensibility and a dash of Earthy rockstar charm.

“Project Runway” fans were treated with the day’s title designer, Chris March. The designer with the infectious laugh gave us softer, feminine looks with sex appeal. The lighter ladylike fare that walked down the runway was a huge departure from his human hair creations on the show (which I liked, by the way).

 As a Bay Area native and a former wig guru for Beach Blanket Babylon, March was honored with a proclamation from Mayor Gavin Newsom, naming July 19, 2008 Chris March day.

Sure, the day may have been all about the fashion, but I have to say that I enjoyed Y’Anad’s tongue-in-cheek commentary as models walked down the runway. She jokingly referred to some of the male athlete models as arrogant, had a field day with the Apple Bottom Jeans segment and constantly referred to herself as “fluffy.”

Don’t worry Y’Anad, just because you’re fluffy, doesn’t mean you aren’t fabulous.