This second half of October until November 5, 2015 is all about Chinatown International Fashion Week (CIFW) in San Francisco. Lead by beloved fashion designer Monique Zhang, CIFW aims to celebrate East and West fashion and bring people together with style. Photo collage features images by Ed Jay, Simon Fu, and William Lee.
Let’s start with two words: Monique Zhang. You might remember that I did a couple of projects with her around the same time last year. First, I modeled her creations at her Bridal Religion studio. Then a couple months later, I join the runway model squad for her segment in On-Lok Fashion Show.
It’s really wonderful to collaborated with Monique and started getting to know her oriental chic design aesthetics. Her designs have been one of the local staples in San Francisco community. More importantly, however, it’s been tremendous to have her as a friend. Superbly driven, creative, and generous, she’s a great role model and I’m genuinely happy San Francisco fashion community has her energy in it.
Chinatown International Fashion Week
That’s why I’m supporting Monique with her latest initiative, Chinatown International Fashion Week (CIFW). It is “inspired from the enduring fashion history of Chinoiserie, the CIFW focuses on fashion designs that bridge the modern fashion scenes from East to West with a mixture of Eastern and Western global chic.”
CIFW wants to “foster and bring in talents from East West fashion connections, as well as educate women to develop a successful personal style and confidence through attending fashion socials and styling workshops.” The event will kick off with a fashion blogger and designer panel this Thursday, October 15 and concludes with couture fashion show featuring Sheguang Hu on Thursday, November 5.
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After months of preparation, Chinatown International Fashion Week of San Francisco seems poised to be a great success. I’ve been amazed to see Monique’s dedication to bring all the parties together to produce this wonderful event, and hopefully you’ll be able to come to some of the Chinatown International Fashion Week events to support this fashion togetherness.
Fashion Blogger + Designer Panel
When: Thursday, October 15, 2015
Reception 7pm – 8pm, Designer Panel 8pm – 9pm
Where: Restaurant & Bar at Chinatown Hilton 1F, 750 Kearny Street.
Why:
Fashion mixer and panel discussion with fashion couturier Colleen Quen (I still vividly remember her retrospective collection featured in FOTS 2013), fashion blogger and product developer Marissa Louie, inner beauty fashion designer Francesca Ordona, social commerce entrepreneur Stephanie Wong, and myself :) The panel will be moderated by fellow blogger Meileena Bautista and emceed by Monique Zhang and Norma Kropelnicki. Also featuring hair styling demonstration by James Griffin!
What are you waiting for: It’s $20, and you can use promotion code “fashion50” to get $10 off. Get your tickets here! By the way, it’s free for press and fashion bloggers.
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Press Conference & Fashion Preview
When: Monday, October 19, 2015
Press Cocktail 6:30 – 7:30pm, Exhibition & Designer Preview 7:30 – 8:30pm
Where: Mason Room at Chinatown Hilton 2F, 750 Kearny Street.
Why:
This one’s a no-brainer. It’s featuring designs of Fiori Couture (remember her designs from Hello Kitty Con 2014?) and 2015 LA Designer of the Year Adolfo Sanchez.
What are you waiting for: Tickets are $60, and students can use promotion code “student50” to get 50% off ticket price. Get the tickets here!
Chinatown Fashion’s Night Out
Where & When: Thursday, October 22, 2015
Meetup at 645 Grant Avenue, New Window Modeling 5 – 6pm. Shopping, Tours, and Photoshoot 6 – 7pm.
And then after party at Dragon’s Den (Lower level of Utopia Cafe), 139 Waverly Place on 7 – 9pm.
Why: Meet new fashion friends. Mingle. Shopping!
What are you waiting for: Tickets are $10, and you can get your tickets here!
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Chinatown International Fashion Week Red Carpet Gala
When: Tuesday, October 27, 2015
VIP Reception & Designer Tour 5 – 6:30pm
100 Beauty Showcase 7 – 8pm
Designer Showcase 8 – 9pm
Award Ceremony 9 – 10pm
Where: Reception Hall & Boardroom 3F, 750 Kearny Street.
Why: If you can only come to one Chinatown International Fashion Week event. You are highly encouraged to celebrate fashion, and once again Fiori Couture and Adolfo Sanchez will be featured.
What are you waiting for: Tickets are $85 and $155, and you can use promotion code “VIPNOW” to get $30 off. Students can use promotion code “student50” to get 50% off ticket price. Get your tickets here!
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Masquerade Charity Fashion Show
When: Saturday, October 31, 2015
Masquerade Fashion Benefit On-Lok 12 – 3pm, Masquerade Photoshoot 2 – 3pm
Where: Far East Cafe 2F, 631 Grand Avenue
What are you waiting for: Tickets are by invitation only. Please contact On-Lok directly.
Top China Designer Sheguang Hu Fashion Show
When: Thursday, November 5, 2015
Designer VIP reception 1:30 – 2:30pm
Designer Panel 2:30 – 3pm
Fashion Show 3 – 4pm
Where: Ruby Hill Dr, Pleasanton
Why: It’s Sheguang Hu. ‘Nuff said.
What are you waiting for: Tickets are by individual invitation only, however you can still get $250 front row tickets here.
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What if you want to go to all events? Then it would be wise to get the Chinatown International Fashion Week Passbook with VIP Access. It’s $225, it includes the October 15, 19, 22, 27, and November 5 events. Yes, it has $500 value and you will get to see Sheguang Hu Fashion Show! So go get it!
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Much love to Monique Zhang and Chinatown International Fashion Week’s enormous crew. Hopefully it will bring much success and stronger fashion community!
Thanks for reading; until next time,
Musank