The New Club Kids on the Block by Moanalani Jeffrey

After MTV’s lame move to pull Lady Gaga’s Telephone video I’m happy I was able to bare witness to Saturday night’s Miss Honey Party. It was an utter indulgence in people not afraid to push the envelope and a light at the end of the tunnel of America’s prude media regulations. The stars of the night were Dj Errol, repeat Clique focus, Domonique Echeverria, Terry T. and Mani Motarjemi as laid out in the mock cover of their Vogue magazine spread | flyer.

The crews bat signal went out “calling all voguers…calling all divas…calling all fashionistas and beautiful people!!!” and they responded. Finally a place where all the time and effort I spend on my eyebrows could truly be appreciated! It is clear after being around these art school honor students that the underground San Francisco movement is going strong.

The Wall Street Journal recently interviewed the luxury brand husband and wife team of Muccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli for the papers glossy fashion insert. Patrizio was quoted as saying “You have to watch young people, because if you’re not updated with the world of today, then you might as well get the hell out of fashion.” Thank god someone gets it, none of those people being the MTV execs to afraid to stick their neck out for something remotely “risqué”. Quite frankly given the recent attention I thought the video could have been way more controversial than it was, not that it needed to be. Which then makes me question if this was a PR ploy to drive video web traffic.

Whatever the real story behind the Gaga video, she would’ve been proud to be among the creative creatures of the night at Miss Honey. My only regret is not staying longer as my hectic schedule and pep toe oxford patent leather platforms wouldn’t allow. A special shout out to Michael Anthony of Supperclub where the event took place for the champagne and VIP parking. Most importantly a special thank you to Mani, who ran into me at Aldo the day before and insisted I come through. I’m looking forward to planning ahead and staying longer for the next event these kids are a part of.

Before you jump to the photos, and please do. Take a moment to leave a comment or subscribe to Clique ;o)

-XXLxoxo

Clique here for all the photos from the event

Inside Out | Baby be Mine | by Moanalani Jeffrey

Charleston Pierce didn’t have to think twice about what to give people for Valentines Day. Everyone who turned out for Baby be Mine devoured a room full of EYE CANDY.

The pre Valentines Day fashion show was filled with leather, lingerie, lots of skin and plenty of attitude on the runway. Not only was this treat delicious, fat and calorie free but there was no guilt involved. Proceeds of the show went to support the

Haitian Earthquake relief fund.

Charleston and I have worked together on many projects since meeting over five years ago while members at the San Francisco Bay Club. In fact my first Inside Out coverage was the YB Timepieces fashion show he produced. Charleston’s background has been woven deep into the fashion industry over the past twenty plus years. Of his many different capacities he has long been the runway coach for the Junior League’s Fashion show and model coach to many other notable organizations and productions such as Macy’s Passport. This was evedn’t when you surveyed the crowd. I met many “new faces” from the local agencies and reunited with other industry professionals I’ve come to know and love over the past years.

Marybeth Lamonte founder of RedCarpetSF.com was on hand getting video coverage for her new fashion based television show RedCarpet Bay Area.

Catch the debut on KRON in March. Also on hand was Marsha Monro, former Editor-In-Chief of the Nob Hill Gazette and current model of this years 84th Annual Junior League Fashion Show Gala. She was there to support Charleston

and study the moves he helped fine tune.

It was a feeding frenzy for photographers but ask anyone who knows me well and you could find me backstage. I’ve always had a fascination with “behind the scenes”. I get a rush when I go into store stock rooms in search of the restroom. Exploring abandoned buildings and creating unexpected scenarios backstage at fashion shows. I’ve done it in the banquet table storage of the Fairmont Hotel and the elevator shaft at City Models just to name a few. It’s a MacGyver-esc quality I take pride pride in and find exhilarating.

Check out my “Inside Out” coverage of the Baby be Mine Fashion Show.

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People I Don’t Know and Love | 2 | by Moanalani Jeffrey

We were all wearing mustaches and silly get ups. The occasion was Shakti Kennedy’s birthday. Everyone was having a blast and letting their guard down. It was an outrageous environment worthy enough of Domonique Echeverria’s presence. Full of charisma and confidence she filled the room with a theatrical rainbow of light. One glance at her skillfully drawn on mustache and I could tell there was something special about her. The whimsical swirls that graced her face were echos of the calligraphy on her upper left thigh. The tattoo shown through her dark stockings with a flirty feminine style that read “Gypsy”. More ink adorns her shoulder in a sprinkle of stars accompanied by a black widow.

Even her birthday commands drama. Noted on Facebook as 9.11, I imagine she came into this world showered with confetti and applause. Costume Designer, illustrator, creative mind, aspiring rockstar, you name it. Domonique Echeverria is a voluptuous amazon vixen drinking up every drop of life with wild abandon.

Clique here for more photos from the event

Adorning Fans | by Moanalani Jeffrey

I photographed Sasha Maksutenko at a couple events before we finally exchanged contact information. Sasha is a former stylist and vintage furniture dealer who launched her love child “Sahsa Maks Vintage” in January of last year.  She sells “…designer and unsigned costume jewelry from the 50′s through the 80′s with a focus on mod, pop art and modernist styles.”

The jewelry is brilliant in design and intention, featuring large statement pieces with lines reminiscent of mid century furniture. A purchase from her collection is easily justifiable. An addition to your wardrobe will make even the simplest outfit memorable. It’s easy to wear no matter what your comfort level and will increase your style clout if you are a novice.

Sasha Maks Vintage is basically my taste embodied. These are items I would treasure and look forward to pass down to deserving descendants. You can view select pieces through her website but I would highly suggest seeing them in person or at a trunk show as I did this past Thursday at the Mike Page Style Lab.

Clique here for more photos from the event.

People I Don’t Know and Love | by Moanalani Jeffrey

Inspiration is everywhere, my favorite source is the muse. As a photographer I have the unique opportunity to approach people with an excuse to explore what inspires me in them. That is how I got to know Ellis Ott, the first person in my ongoing feature. A striking 6’5+” tall when I first met him, he was delicate in stature and features. Yet through the veil of politeness I could sense a dominant presence.

His 3 3/4 heeled boots added to his already statuesque 6’2″ frame. You can’t help but notice him for his style and artfully constructed image. But what I loved most, was his lack of inhibition. He was pushing boundaries and didn’t care, furthering it by towering over the crowd in heels. Admire him at the FCUK in downtown San Francisco or studying Fashion Design at FIDM. We share the same design major, school of education and a love for Lady Gaga. On our shoot I learned of a retail gem in the East Bay where Ellis finds many of his unique pieces. It shall selfishly go unnamed. However if you compliment him on something and ask where he got it he’s likely to tell you.

Imagine the possibilities and discovery in a world where we strive to be our most creative selves. Where we advance without checking first to see if everyone agrees. When I first saw Ellis I felt he was on this path towards great things.

A Monogramed Invitation | by Moanalani Jeffrey

Saturday night was a first for San Francisco’s Louis Vuitton store. They bestowed a most gracious welcome to one of the companies VIP clients. For those of you who don’t know Charlie Dang, he is the co-founder of the IMPRM Brand which among others includes the Invisible Stripes Boutique at 627 Post Street.  January 30th marked his most recent birthday which he began celebrating at the Louis Vuitton store. Security with strict guest list in hand manned the doors from 7pm-9pm. Only 300 of Charlie’s closest family, friends and associates got access and I was the exclusive photographer.

Big Von from KMEL was on the decks posted up with a backdrop of monogram luggage to line the walls. Rappers Too Short and members of E-40′s Sic Wid It Records were on hand to bling on support for Charlie. Champagne flowed and trays of chocolate covered strawberries were passed out to patrons from the lovely hands of five SF agency models all night long. “…even tough LV supplied 150 bottles of Moet we’ll be sippin on this.” The closest of the crew enjoyed Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spades). It was a one of a kind night at Louis Vuitton, who honored Charlie with the priceless gift of hospitality.

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Don’t Discount Discounts | by Moanalani Jeffrey

Style is every where at every cost. On a recent trip to the Big Island a quick detour placed me at a strip mall in Kona. Frozen yogurt in hand I wandered into the neighboring Payless Shoe Store to eat and treat my eyes to a scavenger hunt. I stumbled upon the fabulous black patent leather booties at the top left. On sale for just $11 (online for $17) I had to snap a shot with my blackberry. “This sleek Oxford Bootie features a polished patent upper with menswear accents and an asymmetrical faux suede back panel, grosgrain ribbon laces and a 4″ wrapped heel”.

After perusing the website further for this post I found other items of interest that will keep me coming back to check out new inventory. Some of my favorites are the Jamison Scrunch Bootie retailing at $26.99. A front line soldier in the march of trendy open-toe booties to hit the streets. It features a smartly placed scrunching detail, cut-outs and elastic at the ankle with a 4″ cone heel.

To head up the pack I broke away from my obsession with black. I give you the Christian Siriano for Payless Downtown Zip Sandal “It features an architectural strappy upper in glossy patent, an exposed front zipper, a padded footbed for comfort and a fierce 3.5 heel”. Part of the 2010 line it is currently retailing at $34.99. I’ll have to see the last two in person to vouch for real life quality but as far as style goes they’re on the right path.

The problem people make when purchasing bargains is that they often discount the importance of the piece itself. No matter the price you should always weigh then pay. Overlooking the importance of versatility leads to a closet full of clothes you’ll never wear or worse. Buying and wearing pieces that don’t compliment you or your wardrobe. With everything I purchase I legitimize it first. Will I really get enough mileage out of it with my current wardrobe? Am I buying this because its a great price or a great find? This way even the smallest of purchases won’t give my closet “why wont these work with anything I’ve got” anxiety, ladies you know what I’m talking about.

If you only remember one thing remember this:

If it looks cheap don’t buy it. A bargain is only a steal if it doesn’t look like a bargain.