Manifesto
514 Octavia Street, San Francisco, CA
415.431.4778
The Gap isn’t what is used to be. When I was in seventh grade, there was no other place I wanted to shop. It was love at first site--I would have polo shirts in every color of the rainbow. You didn’t think when you entered one of those well-folded Gap stores, you just bought, wore and conformed.
But now my love affair with the Gap (and those other fashion drone stores such as Banana Republic, the Limited, etc.) is officially over and Manifesto put the last nail in the coffin.
Manifesto, a store started by Sarah Franko and Suzanne Castillo in 1995, has so much vivacity and charm that once you enter the store, you will wonder why you ever bought those badly made bits of cotton they dare call clothes at stores such as the Gap. Tucked away on Octavia Street in Hayes Valley, the Manifesto retail store with its clouds painted the ceiling is a showplace for beautifully made men and women’s clothing.
Sarah and Suzanne opened the store after finding few other places in the city offering clothing with pizzazz that can be seen today only in movies from the thirties and forties. The clothing tends to have a "retro" look, but along with those unique styles comes excellent crafted clothes in luxurious fabrics. The fabric really are wonderful—witty conversational prints such as dragonflies, or something the looks like it was taken off an Eames chair from the fifties.
But the unique prints matched with Sarah and Suzanne’s eye-catching designs allow for outfits that you will not see on others. Afterall, Sarah and Suzanne founded their store on the following Manifesto—"we make clothing that looks good on everyone, not clothing for one who looks good in everything." And thank heavens for that! For I’ve seen people of difference sizes come in and walk out looking terrific. Try doing that at Bebe.
Sarah and Suzanne design all the clothing in the store, selecting the fabrics and even cut the fabrics to their patterns. However they do offer handbags and jewelry created by local artisans that compliment their charming designs.
This month, Manifesto is showing off its winter line which is named after constellations, but there are a few items from earlier lines such as one of my favorites--"Diablo’s Vanity" a sharp piece from the "race horses" series-- a stunning gray wool dress that you would expect Myrna Loy to wear in one of those Thin Man movies.
Although several of Manifesto’s designs have a vintage flair, they can add a personal touch to any wardrobe that has been, well, "Gapified". Whenever I wear an item from Manifesto, I always receive compliments—sometimes not even on the actual piece of clothing, but better compliments such as, "you look so nice to day." Well-made clothes make you stand up taller, walk more gracefully, and make you just feel special. So isn’t that enough of a reason to check out Manifest? Watch out Gap.
Food in Hayes Valley
Absinthe, 398 Hayes Street
"Absinthe radiates charm and excitement, is glorious to behold, and is truly an entertaining experience for the diner." Stu Smith
Hayes Street Grill, 324 Hayes Street
"From entering this arrogant Bastille to departing much lighter in the wallet, one can expect consistency. Unfortunately it's not the consistency most of us seek when searching for great dining experiences in one of the Mecca's of the culinary world." Stu Smith
Stelline, 429 Gough Street
" I mentioned the aromatic ambience, and it's a heady mixture of garlic, rosemary, basil, oregano, balsamic, fresh bread, olive oil, sizzling chicken and sautéed scampi." Stu Smith
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