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S.F. Bay Area Fashion Network’s Collection Show - San Francisco Chronicle(9/4/11)

By: Sylvia Rubin, Exclusive to the San Francisco Chronicle

Off the runway, women in thigh-high “Millionaire Matchmaker” dresses sipped Tequila cocktails between fashion shows at the luxe British Motor Car showroom on Van Ness. Backstage, smoky pastel eye makeup was painted on models while curling irons heated up. Last-minute loose-thread checks kept designer Hector Manuel busy with the scissors just before show time.

Typical moments at fashion shows from New York to Sri Lanka, and moments that designer Joseph Domingo is determined to keep on coming four times a year here through the San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Network ( www.sfbafn.com), a trade organization and fashion event group he co-founded.

This latest event, called Collection, a benefit for Dress for Success, drew about 300 people Aug. 27 who paid $25 per show, or $150 for all three. Collection introduced two newcomers in addition to Domingo, who’s been in business since 1999.

Domingo’s bright and breezy resort show, with its neon colors and hand-woven Op Art-like inabel textiles from the Philippines, paired with seriously sparkly jewelry by San Jose designer MsBellezza (her pieces have been featured on “Dancing With the Stars”), did away with minimalism for the evening.

Menswear designer Daniel Sudar showed a flair for tailoring with couture suits with wide lapels and touches of leather, lace and knit. Guest Jake Knight, a sales consultant, was taken with a black tux jacket with lace overlay.

“If it was more fitted, I’d wear that to a party in the Hollywood Hills,” he said.

Sudar, the executive chef at Fog City Diner, could be giving up his day job soon. He’s been tapped to design a tux for James Franco’s character in a new film. “They found me online. I thought it was a joke when they called.”

This was the first San Francisco runway show for Manuel, who’s from San Jose and designs under the label Acta Non Verba. He showed lots of super-short lace and metallic minis in black, gold and silver, but the sophisticated looks, like a red chiffon strapless gown and a white satin tux blouse with high-waisted black satin pants, were more to guest Olivia Mims’ liking.

“It was classy, demure and over the top at the same time,” said Mims, a pre-law student at UC Davis, of the latter.

Domingo closed the evening with neon bikinis, inabel mini dresses with neon piping, inabel shorts and skinny pants paired with soft crinkled chiffon tops and evening gowns, many with softly floating trains. “I loved the way the gowns flared and flowed and captured the movement of the models,” said fashion blogger Michele Gates of the site Fashionable Fun.

Domingo also showed fall men’s suiting and introduced a line of ostrich suede and embossed leather totes, leather sandals and women’s heels. “This was a big show for me - 56 looks. I haven’t shown this many brights before, plus the bags and shoes,” he said.

“Joseph hasn’t talked to any of his friends for the last two weeks,” a guest commented.

E-mail comments to style@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page M - 11 of the San Francisco Chronicle

THE COLLECTION

San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Network [SFBAfn] and British Motor Car proudly present: THE COLLECTION

BUY TICKETS

 THE VENUE

The Collection will be held at the luxurious British Motor Car, 901 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco,CA. www.bmcd.com

THE BENEFICIARY
The Collection will benefit Dress For Success San Francisco a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. 15 percent of your ticket purchase price will be donated to Dress For Success San Francisco. Founded in 1997, Dress for Success has served more than 550k women.www.dressforsuccess.org/sanfrancisco

THE DESIGNERS

DANIEL SUDAR - 4pm
Daniel Sudar is a San Francisco-based premium menswear label, which launched in 2004 with Daniel Sudar’s jewelry line. He has also had the privilege of designing suits for James Franco and additional celebrities to follow later this year. www.DanielSudar.com

ACTA NON VERBA - 6pm
Hector Manuel of Acta Non Verba, designs custom-made looks for sophisticated women who exude femininity and elegance. The brand has grown in recent years and with much anticipation, the first full line of Acta Non Verba will be showcased at The Collection.www.ActaNonVerbaOnline.com

JOSEPH DOMINGO - 8pm
Since opening his own atelier at 808 Post Street in San Francisco in 1999, Joseph has developed his fashion line into a respected and recognizable brand. Featured in MercedesBenzFashion Week LA, FashionTV, and the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine, celebrities such as Rebecca Romjin, Rosalyn Sanchez and Shakira wear his fashion. Joseph Domingo caters to a diverse clientele of women and men, who often purchase complete wardrobes for the exquisite fit of made-to-measure custom design.www.JosephDomingo.com

TICKETS
General Seating:$25 per show
VIP Seating: $60 per show
Includes front row seat, Gift Bag, and access to the VIP Lounge
All Day VIP Pass: $150
Includes front row seat, Gift Bag, and All-Day access to VIP Lounge

BUY TICKETS

MEDIA|PRESS:Rena Ramirez|rena@provacateur-media.com|415.513.5883

 VIP Lounge is decorated by Johnny Moallempour at MJM Interior Design and David from Mast Designs.

GENERAL INQUIRIES: sfbafn@yahoo.com | 415.563.2007

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