Known for their well-cut basics (think Japanese version of Gap), I’ve never had trouble finding an assortment of trim-fitting, quality sweaters, pants, and tops– in every color of the rainbow– when shopping at Uniqlo’s New York and Asia outposts. It also happens to be a great place to find pieces cut for those with more petite frames as sizes run smaller than those of typical American retailers.

Here’s a snapshot of the insane line outside the 111 Powell Street mega-shop this afternoon that wrapped half-way around the block. I guess I’ll just have to wait until the madness dies down to stock up! (Tip: For those of you unwilling to hoof it to the brick-and-mortar location, Uniqlo.com will soon be available to US shoppers. To get notified of exactly when, pre-register on the site with your email address).

Photographed at Diablo Ranch, Mount Diablo, by Edric Itchon.

Name: Chuck-Oliver Lapus

Occupation: Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse

Age: 34

Where I live: South San Francisco

What I’m wearing:

“Super-Bars Fade by LoLo at the San Mateo Zoo Barber Shop. Aviator shades by Police-Italia. Satin Burberry Classic Nova print bow tie. White organic cotton short-sleeve collared shirt, modern fit, by American Apparel. ZARA-Man Euro cut blazer. Black leather embossed belt by Coach. Classic wool cashmere-blend trousers by Burberry Prorsum. Dress socks by Donna Karan. Black 3/4 High Sharp Boots by Rick Owens.”

Why this is my favorite outfit:

“My new outlook on fashion has changed so much and the days of ‘just wearing a suit’ has come and gone. I am sure that for the fashion world in general, suits will always be part of the runway. However, I take pride in the deconstruction of my suits; I have to create a look that draws people’s attention—something avant-garde.”

How I’d remix this outfit:

“I would make it more casual by putting on a fedora, taking off the blazer and bow tie, and untucking the shirt. I’d fold up the hem of the trousers and replace formal boots with boat shoes. I’d also add my double pyramid ring in gunmetal by Black Scale SF.”

As a nurse, I’m assuming you are in uniform scrubs for work. Does this influence how you tend to dress in your non-working hours?

“You know I always look forward to going to work for meetings and showcasing. Not in an arrogant way, but a lot of the other nurses always dress up when they come to meetings at work too! It’s almost like having a ‘free-dress’ day when I was in junior high. The thought of being able to go into work and not having to wear scrubs is a pretty liberating.”

Fashion inspires me because…

“Like art and music, fashion is derived from the individual, but it has the possibility of reaching and touching so many people. Fashion is art!”

My fashion icons are:

“Pharrel Williams, Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs, Nickleson Wooster, David Beckham.”

What piece I’m coveting for Fall right now:

“Denim. I have a denim addiction. It’s almost scary. I have more denim than my wife. The move from wearing denim with no enlarged embroidery is a must. I dig the Euro cut of the NUDIE line. I have the same cut in three different dyes. I am also digging the Japanese line Naked and Famous.”

My most prized fashion find:

“My most prized find was a gift that I bought for my wife. I was in a Crossroads shopping phase at one point in my life, and I happened to stumble into the Irving location one day before I went into work and I found some beautiful Louie Vuitton yellow suede high heel espadrilles. The heels were practically dead stock (never worn). Five years later, my wife still covets those heals and they still transcend fashion’s past!”

The most daring ensemble I’ve worn consisted of:

“All my friends called me ‘Ross’ because we went out one night, and I was brave enough to wear brown leather pants. That’s all I am saying because if certain friends of mine are reminded of this particular outfit, I will never hear the end of it!”

What “makes” an outfit?  

“A person’s attitude and how they wear an outfit. I have been told many times by other people, ‘I love your (insert article of clothing), but I could not pull off that outfit.’ I am willing to take the risk. I don’t really pay attention to what anyone else thinks about my outfit. My biggest critic (besides my wife) is me. If I like it, then I’ll wear it anytime, any place–like Janet.”

My ultimate fashion fantasy is….

“… to be discovered while having coffee at Starbucks and asked to model for Givenchy.”

I’m fully on board with the hot-as-ever nail art trend and obsessed with all the intense, bright colors for summer I’m seeing everywhere–from the runway to our office. These quick-drying formulas are strengthening, the colors are pigment-rich, and they go on easily with the wide brush. Plus, these golden bottles look so lovely and luxurious, I am compelled at the moment to use them as cubicle installation art.

Photos by Nerissa Pacio Itchon, unless otherwise noted.

It took me a minute to realize I was not, in fact, awaiting entrance to a swank nightclub in Manhattan, but the new Union Square Mulberry store located in the former Kenneth Cole space on Grant Avenue. Clearly, this invitation-only fete for the English luxury retailer’s San Francisco opening was recently one of the city’s hottest fashion tickets in town.

Drawing such local celebs as Wilkes Bashford and Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the packed event hosted by Vogue magazine featured the brand’s crave-worthy Fall/Winter 2012 leather accessories and clothing collections (inspired by “Where the Wild Things Are”). Also on display was an artful selection of portraits from the magazine’s archives featuring famous and beautiful Brits Kate Winslet, Karen Elson, Keira Knightley, and others, in the store’s top-floor gallery.

Once inside, partygoers posed for on-the-spot portraits, enjoyed cocktails and a raw oyster bar, and perused the goods, with some eagerly pre-ordering their own iconic Bayswater, Alexa, and Roxy handbags in special-order colors.

If you haven’t yet been, this new addition to the city’s shopping scene is worth a linger for checking out the understated cool of their buttery leather goods and to see the way they’ve re-imagined the expansive loft-like space.

Photo by Drew Altizer

Photo by Drew Altizer

Photo by Drew Altizer

Photo by Drew Altizer

Photo by Drew Altizer

Photo by Drew Altizer

Scenes from the Men’s Styleforum 10-year anniversary event at the W Hotel. Handmade ties by San Francisco fashion newcomer Louis Walton. All photos by Edric Itchon.

But at the premiere fashion showcase last month celebrating the 10th anniversary of Styleforum, an online fashion community for men, more than 300 dapper guests turned out at the W Hotel for bespoke suit fittings, complimentary shoe shines and an opportunity to peruse 15 local and national vendors specializing in quality menswear.

“I love that Styleforum isn’t really about what’s trendy or on the runway,” said Nan Yu, 26, a Styleforum member and recent New York transplant, who left the event with a new Italian sport coat. “We talk about topics like classic suit construction and other fashion-related things that are high end and more esoteric.”

An interactive dip-dyeing station, courtesy of San Francisco’s Revolver, where clients could create handmade scarves; artisanal leather moccasins by Yuketen; Jack Knife Outfitters‘ salvaged Japanese denim; and custom-order neckwear by San Francisco fashion newcomer Louis Walton were just a few of the show’s highlights.

The weekend’s celebrations, which in total attracted more than 400 guests, also included a Friday night screening of Gianluca Migliarotti’s documentary film about Neapolitan tailoring, followed by a dinner at Credo, and a Saturday-night after-party at the W Lounge.

With 115,000 members and 1.05 million unique page views monthly, co-owner Fok Yan Leung said Seattle-based Styleforum is already planning to have future events in San Francisco, where its tech partners, Huddler, as well as a large contingent of their membership resides.

“In menswear, construction matters a lot,” said Leung of the vendors recruited for the event. “Men tend to have conservative values in clothing, rather than the seasonal tastes typical of women. The fashion you’ll find here are things you’ll have for 10 years or more and represent quality and value.”

Leather oxfords by Southern California-based Yuketen.

San Francisco’s own Goorin Bros. hat company.

By Nerissa Pacio Itchon; As seen in the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday, June 24, 2012

Robert James Color Salon. Photo by Moanalani Jeffrey.

Photo by Moanalani Jeffrey.

Why stand inside a cramped bar with a bunch of suits waving down the barkeep, when for $35, you can get an expert blowout, a glass of champagne (or wine), and whether you decide to go solo or bring a friend, a few moments of positively relaxing end-of-the-week bliss?

Robert James, stylist and owner of Robert James Color in SF’s financial district. Photo by Moanalani Jeffrey.

Promo 4-7 p.m. only; For an appointment, call the salon at (415) 447-0773; 315 Sutter St., 4^th Floor, San Francisco; http://www.robertjamescolor.com/

Laline’s Dead Sea Salt scrubs. All photos by Alex Akamine.

Laline’s Beauty and the Beach Summer Kick-Off event in San Francisco couldn’t have come at a better time, if only to introduce me to the boutique brand’s signature Dead Sea Salt Body Scrub—now my go-to product for soothing parched and flaky skin.

Beauty and the Beach event at Laline, 2106 Chestnut St., San Francisco. Laline’s second SF outpost is located at Pier 39, level 1.

The invitation-only party on June 6 drew an energetic post-work crowd of the city’s fashion and beauty press to the Marina for Los Osuma tequila-berry cocktails, nibbles by The Delicious Cook, and a sampling of freshly scented Laline beauty goods, all made in Israel.

Goat Cheese Bruschetta by The Delicious Cook.

While there are six other scents, the lavender-scented scrub ($24.95) is by far my favorite among the overwhelming assortment of bath and body goods crowding the shelves of the white-themed, shabby chic Marina outpost. (The coconut-verbena comes  a close second).

One modest scoop of the purple-hued crystals rubbed between my hands instantly melted into a blend of silky essential oils that moisturize and soften the skin without leaving a greasy residue.

Infused with nourishing oils of avocado, sunflower seed, and grapeseed, I love that it’s an aromatherapy treatment as well as a quick-fix for softening any rough spot from head to toe. This heavenly scented concoction has taken up permanent residence in my shower … Hello, soft summer skin!

Sheila Etcheson of Cupertino (left) and Naseem Delan of Los Altos Hills. All photos by Edric Itchon.

More than 400 fashion followers—a few who came from as far as Seattle and Napa—descended upon San Jose’s stylish retail-residential hot spot for a balmy afternoon of bubbly, bites, and a double-header of fashion shows featuring summer’s biggest trends.

Napa residents Amelia Ahtty (left) and Ryan Neergaard

“I saw the posting for this on Facebook and I love going to fashion shows,” said Amelia Ahtty of Napa, who was sipping a glass of sparkling rose. “So here I am!”

Tucked away at the poolside courtyard of Santana Heights, the private residences on the upper levels of the bustling retail row below, attendees mingled at the pre-show party where Sino and Straits restaurants served up dim sum, chicken satay skewers, and fresh vegetarian spring rolls. Vintage Wine Merchants poured assorted wines, while DJs spun dance-heavy beats.

Santana Row residents Irina Brouse (left) with 10-year-old daughter Tanya Brouse

Others partook in complimentary lash treatments or shopped for accessories on display by Furla, Cole Haan and Flying Lizard Designs.

Chiffon floral maxi dress from Pink Stripes boutique.

Palazzo jumpsuit from Anthropologie

For the main event, models zigzagged across the pool on a makeshift runway in ensembles from Santana Row’s retailers, which ran the gamut from vacation-ready bikinis and cover-ups to breezy floral chiffon maxi dresses and of-the-moment jumpsuits.

Haute hippie look by Free People

“I wanted to check out what’s new for the season, especially stuff by Free People,” said Khuyen Do, a student at University of San Francisco. “Also I’m here to do a little networking in the fashion industry since I’m in the midst of becoming a fashion student.”

Kevin Aguirre of San Jose (left) and Khuyen Do of San Francisco

San Jose residents Sharon Savage, Tolini Souza and Mary Tuihalangingie

Furla metallic handbag (dog not included)

Doreen Ghafari of Los Gatos (left) and Monica Ray

By Nerissa Pacio Itchon. As seen on sfgate.com June 6, 2012

It’s likely that most San Franciscans have never experienced a fashion show where an intermission was required to mop fake blood off the runway.
But at the “Supreme Beings” avant-garde fashion event on March 1 at the SOMArts Cultural Center, that’s exactly what happened. An evening of bizarre spectacle merged with conceptual fashion, attracting about 200 curious guests.

A fundraiser for the nonprofit organization Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, the highly unusual and entertaining evening incorporated contemporary Japanese butoh dance and the debut of two collections by emerging San Francisco designers Ilanio and Iimuahii.

The night opened with a haunting dance performance by Ronnie Baker and Luku-san, who were dressed only in loincloths and covered with white body paint, a tradition of the contemporary improvisational art form.

Butoh dance performance at Supreme Beings. All photos by Nerissa Pacio Itchon.

Accompanied by otherworldly electronic music by local duo spacEKrafT, the dance continued between runway presentations with a second disturbingly grotesque installment in which dancers executed seizure-like movements and tortured facial expressions, and squirted red fluid from their mouths and body parts.

“Butoh is a bit of an acquired taste,” said 43-year-old Ilan Reuben, the Bernal Heights artist behind the high-concept line Ilaniowear. “It was kind of revelatory the first time I saw it. I always told myself if I ever get to create my own events, I want to incorporate that incredible energy.”

Fencing-inspired sportswear separates by Elena Slivnyak, an Academy of Art graduate.

The energy was apparent in the crowd when 28-year-old Elena Slivnyak, creative director of Iimuahii, sent her inventive neoprene activewear pieces down the runway. The Academy of Art graduate’s architectural black and neutral collection was inspired by the body-conscious fencing uniforms she spotted while watching “SportsCenter.”

“Everything was so monochromatic with texture,” said Slivnyak, a Daly City resident. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s so gorgeous!’ “

Each intricately crafted piece blurred the line between masculine and feminine silhouettes, such as a boxy, broad-shouldered minidress in black with skin-baring cutouts at the hips and a flesh-toned vest studded with panels of metallic screws atop a stretch, mesh-paneled pencil skirt.

Elena Slivnyak, creative director of Iimuahii, sent her inventive neoprene activewear pieces down the runway.

“If I create a heavier silhouette, I usually like to put a lighter material into the piece to soften and make things more feminine,” Slivnyak said of her construction.

Reuben, a self-proclaimed “San Francisco Art Institute dropout,” closed the evening with a highly conceptual presentation that bordered on fashion theater.

Inspired by Parisian wig designer Charlie Le Mindu, Reuben’s wearable art pieces included a spiky white triangular rubber dress paired with a giant eyeball encapsulating the model’s head; a medusa-like “Whipping Willow” headpiece worn with a black polyurethane swimsuit; and a giant breastplate necklace made from aluminum surgical tubing.

Fetishistic themes also surfaced throughout the show, with one model sporting a bulbous, one-shoulder dress that exposed one breast. Another nude model’s face was hidden by a giant furry headpiece, and she flapped like a bird down the runway with feathery coverings as sleeves.

“I find the fetish culture really kind of humorous,” said Reuben, who has shown his work in nonconventional fashion show venues such as a church and a greenhouse. “If you look on fetish websites, you see people wearing crazy balloon heads and you wonder ‘How is that sexy?’ There’s an interesting counterpoint halfway between comical and sexy, and fetish fashion is right there.”

This article by Nerissa Pacio Itchon appeared on page L – 11 of the San Francisco Chronicle on March 18, 2012.

All photos by Nerissa Itchon.

The invitation-only event, held in the second level women’s shoe salon, gave bloggers and select shoppers the chance to preview 20 unique styles inspired by 20 years of iconic shoe designs, which run the gamut from the pointy-toe bejeweled “Pigalove” flats to the soaring six-inch fringed “Highness Tina” boots designed in homage to diva muse Tina Turner.

Christian Louboutin’s velour “Highness Tina” boots ($2,295), a collector’s item from the 20th anniversary capsule collection.

Despite the drizzly weather and a packed Thursday-night fashion itinerary, Twin Peaks resident Jeanne Chan, the blogger behind Shop Sweet Things, made it a point to drop by for a peek.

San Francisco fashion bloggers (left to right) Jeanne Chan (Shop Sweet Things), Annie Wilson (Poetic and Chic), and Jesica Ryzenberg (Ryzenbergon).

“I think anyone who is into fashion is a big fan of Louboutin, myself included,” said Chan, who later attended the opening party for home décor boutique Le Cart as well as the Decades vintage shopping party at the Mark Hopkins that night. “I do love that you can buy a pair of well-made, classic black pumps, and people can instantly identify you’re wearing Louboutin because of the red soles. It’s pretty genius branding, if you ask me.”

Excerpted from sfgate.com’s Unzipped 3/20/12.

To read the rest of my post, go here.