A Motion Studio & Virgin 69 - Shopping Buzz
There are a lot of things you shouldn't do when drinking. Driving is the obvious one. Operating heavy machinery and calling your ex-girlfriend is another. But how about going shopping? Well, A Motion Studio and Virgin 69, two hot clothing "shops" in SOMA, have made me a true believer in the convergence of fashion and a tasty glass of wine.
First off, you have to understand that neither store is a watering hole by any means. That said, A Motion and Virgin 69 do hold "happy hours" that showcase their distinct clothing lines and wares. The use of wine just relaxes people and puts them in a social mood, and what could be more social than shopping!
A Motion Studio has been and still is a fabric and pattern design shop for other major retailers in the Bay Area. Yet recently, some of the under-credited designers have decided to showcase their own styles for a change. And how lucky we are because of their decision.
The all-original clothes are right off the rack and feature distinct "lines" from the varied set of the designers. The look is basic urban instinct (think cargo pants, tight tops and worker jackets). When I was last there, the selection was female-heavy, but I did manage to come away with a jean jacket that would make Calvin Klein lose his cool. There is also a fun assortment of glasses, hairpins, and hats that are all quite smart.
The whole feel of the studio has a definite back-of-the-showroom glamour -- the designers themselves double as sales people and you get to try on clothing amidst garment racks -- you can't help but feel that you're being let in on something special.
Once every third Friday of each month, the boys and girls at A Motion throw a small, unstructured happy hour/fashion show. Each happy hour marks the latest line out of the studio so you're always guaranteed fresh designs. Walk down the stairs from the non-descript Brannan Street entrance and you're greeted by free-flowing wine and the usual accompaniment of crackers and cheese. After a glass or two, and in combination with the energetic atmosphere, the clothes just seem to fit a little better, and you start to develop a swagger (at least I did). As the evening progresses, the cluttered aisle turns into a fashion runway as "models" show off that month's latest set of apparel.
Frequented by fashion fiends and a select SOMA work crowd, the action gets going around 6:00pm. A Motion Studio (440 Brannan Street, San Francisco, CA 415.716.1663) holds its happy hour the Third Friday of Every Month.
The first time I went to Virgin 69, the vivid clothing store/art gallery was technically closed. Yet through the window, I saw a dread-locked, smiling young salesman who gestured me in. The "salesman" turned out to be Byron Brown, ace hip-hop promoter, clothing designer and painter, not to mention the owner of Virgin 69. Over the next hour or so I tried on some funky street-wear (the styles and collections change frequently so don't wait to buy those cool drawstring pants the "next time you're in"), and more or less hung out. Byron told me how he used to promote a party called, you guessed it, Virgin 69, and that now he's concentrating on the whole union of fashion, art, music and style. When I finally got around to leaving, I had purchased an Elephant (that's a brand) hooded sweatshirt that gave me instant hip-hop credibility, and had been invited by Byron to come by the next day for an art opening reception.
Of course I went. It turns out that every six weeks or so, Virgin 69 rotates the cutting-edge artwork that covers its walls. To celebrate the change-up Byron puts together a small reception at the store itself. Wine is served and music fills the small room (a two-piece drum and rhythm duo played their karmic world sound as background when I stopped by). It's a casual happy hour that blends into a [we are] family and friends-style gathering. Everyone there was excited about local artist Jason Fosler's latest paintings and I remember at least three girls snatching up some of the sumptuous form-fitting tees that were on the racks.
All the while, there was Byron, mixing and mingling with every guest and patron, playing the eternal host. You might be wondering how come I keep mentioning Byron over Virgin 69 - the reason is that he is Virgin 69. "Byron 69" is truly a purveyor everything that is hip and hop, whether it's the artists he's showcasing, the new clothing labels he's selling, or the trippy parties he's promoting.
Virgin 69 Boutique and Gallery (1153 Mission Street, San Francisco 415-861-2690) and Byron Brown are the genuine article. Visit them often and call for the next reception.
Both A Motion and Virgin 69 are first and foremost about fashion. But their dogged determination to make shopping fun is refreshing amongst the rather staid New Media clothing scene that continues to loom over San Francisco. To all the Mickey Drexlers out there, I highly recommend this recipe:
- Spin different elements of style and art
- Mix with 1 part wine, 2 parts fun
- Add a little music for flavor
- Serve chilled.
Reproduction of material from posthoc is prohibited without written permission.
Copyright 2002, Posthoc, Inc.