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Field Dispatch by Oct 11, 05:11PM in Shop

Latest Thread Show Draws Mountains of Locally Designed Apparel, Chic Showgoers

Santa Monica-based label Concepcion brought in a haul of fluttering resortwear that was — as would be expected — a hit among us fair-weather San Diegans. Obi belts figure prominently in the vision of designer Ed Concepcion, who holds up a houndstooth shift from his fall line. The label's not online (yet) but relies on private orders and word of mouth. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon

Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon

Downtown's Haven boutique set up a nano pop-up of sorts. The booth was stocked with intensely geometrical dresses and faux fur vests along with locally designed gems, some of which were displayed on a hacked-off keyboard. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Haven makes its mission known via this sign stating, "I am a boutique that proudly supports independent designers." Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Central Coast-based MNKR's booth was the site of a bona fide buying frenzy. The logo features the face of a young Gandhi, and the apparel is all made here in California. This is the first Thread Show outing for MNKR in three years; this time around it has jewelry and sweatshirts to share... Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Also popular inside MNKR's lair: the sweatshirts. Many shoppers were grabbing for the "Travel More, Work Less" top. We're also smitten with the "J'Aime Tacos" shirt on the left, ideal for that Francophile San Diegan in your life. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
MNKR's new(ish) jewelry line features stark, energetic shapes carved from black delrin and hanging from gunmetal chains. Back in 2003 while they were working together at Nordstrom in S.D., MNKR founder Matt Fellows paired up with Kandace Reuter to launch the brand, which is now based near San Luis Obispo. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Artist Monty Montgomery cranks away at a mural/collage featuring everyone's favorite fall print, houndstooth. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
From left to right, stylish showgoers Kim and Kayla. Kim's in a dress and shoes by H&M (both work at the retailer's Fashion Valley location), and a forest-green bag from AmVets. Kayla's wearing a vintage kimono, costume jewelry, and lace pants by Forever 21. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
S.D. based eco e-boutique Future:Standard wheeled in garments that included silk beaded tops by Threads For Thought. The selection underscored Thread's influx of cut-and-sew wares this time around. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Stationed near the show entrance was S.D. designer Krystina Grammatique, whose latest gems include breastplate-style necklaces made from upcycled record vinyl. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
The Grammatique earrings we loved included a pair of safety-orange seahorses. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Santa Monica-based label Concepcion brought in a haul of fluttering resortwear that was — as would be expected — a hit among us fair-weather San Diegans. Obi belts figure prominently in the vision of designer Ed Concepcion, who holds up a houndstooth shift from his fall line. The label's not online (yet) but relies on private orders and word of mouth. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Agency DJs brought in a turntablist to provide a shopping soundtrack. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Months-old San Diego handbag line Volaga was another exciting discovery. Founder Ana Abitia was on hand with clutches and satchels in both fringed neutrals and high-beam neons. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
In lieu of a runway show, rotating installations displayed hot picks from Thread vendors that included Alina Lovita and Abbl Swimwear. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Locally based Lover's Rock proposes you switch things up and drape your necklaces on your hat. We're intrigued. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Sideshows included a nail bar with free manicures and tarot card readings. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
Primping was provided by Diesel Salon. Stylist Christina Pesqueira says beachy waves and "drop braids" were the most popular orders of the day. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
SoCal label Andrea Mercado doles out bags handcrafted in L.A. from Italian leather. "Our inspiration is our California lifestyle, music and surf," says designer Leon Donjuan. "My uncle Alfonzo Gaytan makes every bag with my help in our leather studio in Long Beach." Here, a showgoer shows off her newly acquired crossbody. Find the bags at Eden downtown. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon
The ever-popular booth for Mischa jewelry featured maximalist necklaces exploding with feathers and tassels. Mischa, which started in S.D. and is now based in L.A., has been spotted on starlets like Megan Fox. Photo: The Feast/Chantal Gordon

PHOTO 11/19

The retail-therapy mecca known as Thread Show swept into town last weekend, bringing with it newbie designers, veteran labels, and even boutique nano pop-ups.

Held at downtown’s Horton Plaza Event Space, the indie design spectacle included the debut of a San Diego bag line making good use of fringe, creamy leathers, and see-from-space colors, as well as the return of cooler-than-cool Central Coast brand MNKR, whose “J’Aime Tacos” sweatshirt caused a stir. Also present: a booth helmed by Gaslamp boutique Haven, and a Santa Monica designer whose ’60s inspired resortwear has been buoyed not by Facebook but by word of mouth.

Above, click through for the full recap.