Fancy That: Gold & Citrus Jewelry
There’s nothing like your first crush. And if you’re anything like us, you crush hard and often. This is where we pay homage to all things worthy of lusting after.
Sara fancies luxurious and inventive jewelry by Gold & Citrus. Just as the name suggests, their pieces are a little sweet and a little tart with designs that combine traditional elements—gold chains, gemstones, and beads—with more daring and unusual ones—feathers, studs, and antique wooden sequins. The collection offers something for every taste from simple and elegant, to sleek and sexy, to richly textured and exotic.
Gold & Citrus is a collaboration of local artists Sara Rossbach and Richard Combs. They work together on the jewelry designs, then Sara meticulously created each piece by hand with beads, sewing machine, and metalwork, while Rich makes sure the whole experience of their jewelry is equally beautiful with his packaging and website design.
Everything in their three unique jewelry lines—We’re Golden, Body & Soul, and Everyday, Everyway—represents the brand’s philosophy that luxury does not have to be so serious. Many pieces are asymmetrical, and some, such as the scarf-like Clementine necklace shown above, are designed to be worn several ways, giving the owner a chance to have fun and be comfortable wearing an eye-catching and made-to-order piece of jewelry.
The Gold & Citrus online shop is having a holiday sale! Use coupon code GOLDEN20 at checkout to SAVE 20% on the entire site, today through Monday, Nov. 30th.
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Fancy That: Ateliers Ruby Helmets
There’s nothing like your first crush. And if you’re anything like us, you crush hard and often. This is where we pay homage to all things worthy of lusting after.
Michael fancies the lux line of jet helmets from Les Ateliers Ruby. Their sleek carbon fiber shell and crimson nappa lambskin lining bring together the best in material science and retro styling. The result— the ultimate status symbol for, as Ruby puts it, “everyday heroes and heroines.”
The Pavillon is Ruby’s flagship, open-faced model and is currently offered in three distinct colorways— Shibuya (peppermint), Concorde (black) and St. Honore (white). The Belvedere model builds on the classic form with the added feature benefit of a full-face visor, showing a clear homage to American and Japanese science fiction.
It’s no surprise that founder Jerome Coste drew his inspiration from the legendary speed racer himself Steve McQueen. It doesn’t get much cooler than that.
Ateliers Ruby helmets are available in the Bay Area at either Vespa of Walnut Creek (2780 Camino Diablo) or Rockridge Two Wheels in Oakland (5291 College Avenue).
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Fancy That: Gaga for Kitty-chan
There’s nothing like your first crush. And if you’re anything like us, you crush hard and often. This is where we pay homage to all things worthy of lusting after.
Michael fancies character reinvention and none seem to manage it quite as proficiently as the enigmatic shape-shifter Lady Gaga. No stranger to risky wardrobe choices and her affinity for Muppets, Gaga revels in her skillfully-orchestrated ex-club kid persona and proves that pop culture relevance is as closely tied to a playful appearance as it is to catchy tunes.
To mark the 35th anniversary of Hello Kitty or (as she’s known in Japan) Kitty-chan on November 1st, Lady Gaga posed as the Sanrio leading lady for celebri-photogs Markus Klinko & Indrani. She even got into character for a recent appearance on a morning talk show in Japan, where donning a bit of cosplay evidently ensures you unlimited pokes and prods from your band of interviewers.
Still debating how to dress this Halloween? Take a cue from Lady Gaga— go big and go glam.
Lady Gaga kicks off her world tour The Monster Ball in November. She performs at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on December 13th.
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Culturshock: a seismic event celebrating the best of Bay Area art & design
On November 5th, Culturcosm will host its first event benefiting its carefully-curated roster of local talent. Held at the acclaimed Space Gallery, the event will feature a bevy of independent artists and vendors showcased over a 2-level 1600 square foot venue, with full bar service.
Participating Artists include:
ReMade USA Handbags
Litter Jewelry
Kurt Manley Photography
Quando Belts by Genaro Vergoglini
Tomgirl Jewelry by Taryn McCabe
Cuong Ta Ceramics
Artwork by Hilary Williams
Artwork by John Wood
Vanessa Gade Jewelry
Spray Can Artworks by FuryOne
My Dutch Bike
Nate1 of New Skool
Shop our recommended best in Bay Area art and fashion, boogie down with DJ ExtraLars and marvel at surprise live entertainment planned throughout the evening.
Join us from 6 o’clock on and support the movers and shakers of the Bay Area!
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Style Genus: Jacques
As fashion has evolved, so has the public’s ability to reinterpret it and make it our own. The classes aren’t as clear-cut as jock vs. nerd anymore. Style genus is where we finally make some sense of our biodiversity in dress. Think of us as cultural anthropologists— for the fashion-conscious. Clothes, after all, do make the man as well as the woman.
— Michael
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A Hot-Tranny Press
Remember when reality talent shows were in limited supply and Project Runway was television worth demanding? When Michael Kors made more than cameos and Heidi Klum had not just cleavage but clout? When “fierce” was a but a glimmer in the gay lexicon? It feels like a lifetime ago, pun intended.
For anyone hoping to relive past PR glory in perpetuity, treat yourself to season 4 on DVD and feast your style on former winner Christian Siriano’s new book, Fierce Style: How to be Your Most Fabulous Self. If you can wait until Tuesday, Oct. 13, even better—because from 2-3 p.m., Mr. Siriano himself will be on hand to put his John Hancock on your very own copy at Saks Fifth Avenue in Union Square (floor Two).
All attendees are encouraged to read the first paragraph of the book aloud to Siriano while using their best Tim Gunn impersonation. OK, so we made that last part up. But we can’t help it; we’re dying for drama à la the old days. Bring it!
For more information about the book signing, visit Saks.com. Saks Fifth Avenue is located at 384 Post Street in Union Square, San Francisco. The signing will take place on floor Two. Space is limited so please RSVP to 415.438.5411.
— Kay
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Fancy That: Tautou No. 5
There’s nothing like your first crush. And if you’re anything like us, you crush hard and often. This is where we pay homage to all things worthy of lusting after.
Watch the Chanel No. 5 commercial with Audrey Tautou here.
Sara fancies The City of Light and all things quintessentially Parisian. And nobody manifests impressions of Paris better than Coco Chanel and the French actress we fell in love with as quirky and charming Amelie, Audrey Tautou. Every time the new Chanel No. 5 commercial comes on, I feel transported to a fairytale land where the scent of a woman and the romance of a train ride have the power to make lovers out of strangers.
Of course it’s no coincidence that Ms. Tautou is gracing the small screen with her presence in association with Chanel. She is the reincarnation of the legendary mistress of fashion design in the feature film Coco Before Chanel, directed by Anne Fontaine and released just last week in the U.S. Give yourself a spritz on the wrist, catch the flick, and remember “fashion fades, only style remains the same.”
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Just Say “Yes” to Asian Fast Fashion
San Francisco’s fast-fashion scene has gone full-on fusion with the launch of YesStyle boutique in Stonestown Galleria. The store’s grand opening marks the first exclusively Asian retail concept to set up shop in a mainstream mall location in the United States. This is thrilling new territory for mass fashion in the Bay. Not only is YesStyle’s presence furthering global fashion consciousness, now we plain-Jane and yawn-John U.S.A.s can get our Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong fashion on, without having to leave the mainland.
Some of the store’s more notable brands include Googims, colorful T-shirts and hoodies with cuddly Korean cartoon illustrations; the multi-layered femme-eclectic drapery of Dodostyle; Osaka’s Buden Akindo, offering what the Japanese do best—”churning” contemporary urban style and Japanese culture; and Namitatsu, evolving the East-meets-West tradition by combining ancient Japanese art with modern surfer culture. YesStyle also offers designer fashion collaborations from the likes of Dirk Lui, Koogi, and Dean Clau.
Even better, any American shopper who’s died a little each time she’s attempted to wedge into diminutive Asian fashions will be pleasantly surprised; while the store itself may be small, many of YesStyle’s fits are a generous “one size,” accommodating a wider variety of … well, to put it delicately, wider body types.
Then there’s the price. Yours truly brought home a pair of men’s football-inspired trousers with origami-fold pockets for under $30 (like the white ones on the gentleman pictured above, only in black). And I’m already craving my next steal, a faux-fur cardigan best described as a streamlined version of a real fur chubby, for the lean price of $55.
YesStyle is located on the upper level of Stonestown Galleria, 3251 20th Ave, in San Francisco, 415.661.8390. You can also shop the store online. For more YesStyle flavor, check out some of the store’s fan compilations over at Polyvore.
— Kay
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Fancy That: A Fistfull of Phi
There’s nothing like your first crush. And if you’re anything like us, you crush hard and often. This is where we pay homage to all things worthy of lusting after.
Kay fancies Phi’s studded denim leggings (and more) for Spring/Summer 2010.
While several of the S/S collections have left buyers feeling a little bit “meh,” Andreas Melbostadt’s latest lineup for Phi offers not just closet fillers but, rather, full-blown wardrobe defibrillators—in the form of sheer boyfriend sweaters, subtle bondage dresses, and these lovely stud-encrusted denim leggings. In an industry embattled by the continual tug-of-war between polarizing extremes, it’s refreshing to see a designer balance commercialism and creativity in a way that fits the here and now.
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Fancy That: Lekker Necklines
There’s nothing like your first crush. And if you’re anything like us, you crush hard and often. This is where we pay homage to all things worthy of lusting after.
Sara fancies vintage scarf ascots from Lekker. Sported as a fresh alternative to a necklace, they’re sure to turn heads and sass-up any outfit, from jeans and a t-shirt to a cocktail dress, even adding some warmth on a cool night.
Lekker founder and Bay Area designer, Catherine Weis has been collecting vintage scarves at shops and flea markets for years, drawn by their vibrant patterns. With a life-long interest in fashion design, and a professional career in graphic design, Catherine began applying her artistic eye and creative know-how to her scarf collection. The result is a totally unique and modern twist on the classic woman’s ascot.
“I’ve always been interested in the play between shapes, textures and color, between the old and the new. I’m inspired and reassured to know that classic design never goes out of style.”
Each hand-selected scarf is put through a professional pleating process and hand-sewn to a lace collar fitted with an adjustable gold-plated chain and lobster claw clasp. Choose from the “Chrysler” or “A Line” design, available in a variety of lengths, or go extra-glam in black lace. There are so many delicious designs, you’ll want more than one!
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About
Culturcosm is your online authority on the climate of trend throughout the Bay Area. Your roving reporters are taking to the streets and chasing down the real story. Be it stormy or serene, torrid or just plain tragic, we will break it down before you hit it up. Stay tuned. There's a new trend breaking every minute.
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General Inquiriesinfo@culturcosm.com
Michael, founder / editor-in-chiefmichael@culturcosm.com
Kay, founder / contributing editorkay@culturcosm.com
Sara, trendcaster / managing editorsara@culturcosm.com
Heather, social commentatorheather@culturcosm.com
Taylor, music trendcastertaylor@culturcosm.com
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