Friday Feature: Handsome Oxford

One of the things I love about my school, FIDM in San Francisco, is the number of guest speakers that come to visit and talk about their business in the fashion, textile, and retail industries. A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet Matt and his brother Mark of Handsome Oxford in San Francisco. Not only did I learn that we have mutual ties with previous Friday Feature, Dante Wright, but I was truly inspired by the passion that birthed the year-old store that offers American-made, vintage men’s clothing. Just seeing the enthusiasm, love and passion for his store is so amazing to witness. That’s a real entrepreneur right there! I even learned that most of the store’s merchandise started from the owner’s personal collection! Pretty awesome.

Keep scrolling for shots of the Handsome Oxford store, the team, and the merch. And most definitely check out the exclusive interview with Handsome Oxford owner, Matt.

Describe your personal style. 

Frankly, I just wear a pair of Levi’s 501s, a plain tee and some beat sneakers most days. I’ve been keeping it really simple these past couple of years. I haven’t bought anything for myself!

How has style and fashion influenced your life?

I’ve always tried to read up on current fashion trends, designers, and etc. There are many brands I like; however, I never was too much of a consumer. I browse through blogs and magazines to see what I like and just store these images in my mind as inspirations. Now that I opened a shop, I recollect on these images and serve it as a platform on curating my store. Does that make sense?

All-time favorite brands?

The North Face.

Does your style translate into your merchandise in Handsome Oxford?

Yes. Everything I sell is something I’d personally wear. Everything I sell in the store is specifically handpicked by myself in hopes someone will love it as much as I do.

What inspired you to open Handsome Oxford?

I’ve always wanted to start my own business. I’ve always been inspired by entrepreneurship-turning your dreams into reality. You can see lots of broken dreams stored inside my mother’s garage, one endeavor to the next. I was saving money to either start a business or spend it all on traveling the world. But one random day, I was walking home and I stumbled upon an open commercial space. I applied for it, I got approved, I signed the lease, and boom!

American made and vintage men’s apparel is pretty unique. What’s the story?

Ever since High School I’ve been a huge pack rat. I collected all kinds of things new and vintage. I collected everything from street signs, restaurant menus, stickers, eyeglasses, shoes, clothes, etc. It wasn’t until I graduated that I realized most of these things I collected had a ton of value. In 2003, I remember selling 10 pairs of used Nikes on Ebay and made about $1400, then I took a trip to Hawaii.

It was about 3 years ago when I was digging through my collection that I noticed the majority of it was all American Vintage (Made in USA) clothing. I pitched the idea to my brother, Matt, about opening a vintage store, but our niche was strictly selling only American Made items. Thus, Handsome Oxford was born.

How has your first year in business been…any tips for aspiring entrepreneurs?

My first year has been truly unreal. It was an emotional rollercoaster (I never would have thought I’d become so emotional). There are even amounts of times where you find yourself at your highest and lowest points. However, you also achieve one of the greatest feelings ever…believing in and being proud of yourself!

I’ve met so many wonderful people from all parts of the world and have gained many of their friendships. From this, I learned to not only invest in yourself, but to invest in people. There are lots of beautiful people out there, and by having and knowing the right ones-this world immediately becomes your oyster.

It’s been a rough, yet rewarding year. There’s this anonymous quote I’ve been following:

“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.”

Any style icons or all-time inspirations?

Hiroshi Fugiwara, Spike Lee, Hiroki Nakamura, Shawn Stussy, Woody Allen, Junya Watanabe

American Workwear, American Outdoors, Ivy Leagues

What are your dreams for Handsome Oxford in the next 5 years?

2 locations:

San Francisco, CA USA

Nagoya, Japan 2014

[END]

There you have it! Be sure to stop by Handsome Oxford for one-of-a-kind American vintage. Even though it’s a men’s store, I’m gonna make something work! Be sure to follow Handsome Oxford on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook. 

Happy Friday, y’all!

Photos courtesy of Handsome Oxford. 

Look of the Day: Ladies Who Lunch

Don’t you just love those types of friends where you can go a while without seeing each other and then finally reunite and act like you live together? Yeah, well that’s me and jewelry artisan, Jessica Linehan of Bobbi J. With our chaotic schedules, we were lucky set a date, time and location for a little lunchy-poo. On this particular day, the sun couldn’t shine any brighter in Union Square and we were so fortunate and had to take advantage before the fog rolled on in. 

We decided to take a stroll down Maiden Lane before we grabbed a bite to eat before my class. Scroll on down for our looks of the day in beautiful San Francisco:

Jessica Linehan

Handmade Bobbi J jewels. Soon to be available on bobbijsf.com

In Love With Bobbi J Jewelry

It’s a beautiful thing when one of your best friends is a jewelry designer. I’m a huge supporter for anything that my friends do, because that’s what friends are for. Plus, her sh*t is dope! I have been eyeing almost everything on her site, but especially for a pair of one-of-a-kind earrings. The ‘La Bella’ earrings were it! So I ordered and little did I know, a custom necklace was also placed in my shipment. A brass pendant necklace was the best surprise. To top it off, ‘PUMPS’ was hammered onto the lovely piece. Thank you Jessica for all the love!

Scroll down to check out my newest pieces from Bobbi J:

Loving wax stamps. So personal!

La Bella earrings. Hand sawed brass and crystals.

Hand sawed and hammered brass on sterling silver chain.

Yeah baby!

Go online and grab yourself beautiful, handmade pieces from the heart of San Francisco by my dear friend, Jessica Linehan!

Style Profile Video: Dante Wright of The Bellwether Project

The first male Friday Feature on Pumps and Lipstick, my boyfriend’s trouble-making (<– not really) best friend and Chief Styling Officer of The Bellwether Project, Dante Wright, is making moves and putting San Francisco on the map.

Check out an amazing video directed by Whitney Dinneweth featuring Mr. Wright and get his perspective on fashion, style and his inspirations:

Keep your eyes peeled for the Bellwether duo with a special project coming out soon…

Look of the Day: Leopard + Trench

Today I head out to meet two of my beautiful, Friday Feature friends, Jessica Linehan and Shireen Rahimi, for lunch and chit chat about our business plans for 2013. It’s such an amazing sunny and crisp Thursday so, I had to sport one of my favorites: leopard! This teal and camel, button-up top was gifted to me by my loving aunt and uncle in Puerto Rico. I added an everyday skinny denim from Gap with tall Enzo Angiolini leather boots plus a Rag & Bone trench for the swift and cool San Francisco breeze.

 

Caught some rays on my balcony.

                                       

Downtown SF with Jessica’s Ray Bans.

Shireen Rahimi of Eclectic Other and Jessica Linehan of Bobbi J

Cuties.

Jessica showing us her new ‘Shona’ earrings coming soon on Bobbi J online.

On escalator down to BART. I can almost see my reflection in my newly shined boots!

Gold buttons.

Weekend Adventures with Daddy

If you search for ‘Daddy’s Girl’ in the dictionary, you’ll see a picture of me. With that being said, daddy loves to take a drive down to the Bay Area for the day to visit me, my bf, my favorite feline, Missy and hang out. Over the weekend we experienced gorgeous, sunny and crisp weather, which inspired us to head to over the Bay Bridge into San Francisco and park at Ocean Beach.

Super casual look of the day.

Pops. He’s pretty smooth, right?

Sun shining bright at the Beach Chalet.

Our lunch view of Ocean Beach.

Daddy’s ‘too cool’ look.

About to enter the cave at the Sutro Bath Ruins.

Light at the end of the tunnel.

Friday Feature: Bobbi J

Many often struggle searching for their calling or even recognizing it. San Francisco, jewelry artisan, Bobbi J,  has found hers. It’s a beautiful thing when a simple hobby turns into a full blown business. From working at Vidal Sassoon to working from the comfort of her home, Bobbi J is onto a good thing!

The beautiful, creative, and talented artist works with genuine stones, metals, chains, leather and more. From simple to intricate pieces in a range of styles, she’ll always keep you guessing on what’s to come next. What’s baffling is that she’s still learning and strengthening her craft! From the looks of her work, one would think she has been jewelry making for years.

On a beautiful, Friday afternoon in late September, I had the privilege of meeting with Bobbi J in her San Francisco home to talk style, jewelry, and everything Bobbi J.

Get an inside look of the amazing, budding artist and read the exclusive interview below:

Bobbi J

Bobbi J in her element.

Crafting.

Tulips + Workspace.

Treasures of the sea.

Measuring.

Cropping and crimping.

Xiomara: Where did your interest for jewelry making begin?

Bobbi J: Well, when I was singing, the passion that I had for it, was kind of dying away. And if you’re passionate about something, you don’t just think about it all the time, you’re doing something about it. So, the jewelry-making was an idea that started around last year, around late November and early December, and I really wanted to do something with my hands.  So I signed up for a class in January 2012, and it was just supposed to be a hobby– just for fun because it was something that I liked. And at that time, I was going to stores like H&M and Forever 21, and I saw all this jewelry that I didn’t like. Then I realized, “Why not make my own jewels!” Soon, I started to learn more and wanted to challenge myself, and then I was giving away stuff that I was making, and later people wanted to buy them. Shortly after, I found myself making business cards and things were falling into place. 

Xiomara: What describes or defines your work? What words would describe your style?

Bobbi J: I’m still figuring it out. [laughs]

Xiomara: Oh! That’s fine! [laughs] But right now, if you looked at your collection, what are the first descriptions that call out to you? 

Bobbi J: When I first started, I was looking at African tribes for inspiration, so I was inspired by earthy tones and vibrant colors. And then I started moving into metals and more statement pieces. So versatility. 

Xiomara: Do you design for yourself or do you have a person in mind when you’re creating a piece?

Bobbi J: I never make a piece that I wouldn’t wear, so yes, I do design for myself. If it’s a custom piece, I do like to get an idea of who I’m creating for. 

Xiomara: Where do you see your brand going?

Bobbi J: Bigger than I could think of. 

Xiomara: What’s the next collection? What are you working on now?

Bobbi J: Onyx, Jasper, Agate stones…I love the different textures of Agate. Chains and whatever inspiration comes to me at the moment and defitnely earrings will be coming soon. 

Xiomara: Where do you get inspiration from?

Bobbi J: I get inspiration from different people– street wear, runway wear even other jewelry artisans. 

Xiomara: Who are your idols?

Bobbi J: Right now, Dannijo, they’re based out of NY. They’re part of the reason why I wanted to make beautiful pieces. I would look at their stuff and be like, “How the HELL did they make that?!” And as a jewelry maker, I want to keep people guessing. 

Xiomara: Anything else you want to leave readers with to know more about you?

Bobbi J: Do what you love.

There you have it. First, exclusive interview with Bobbi J. Check out her work via Tumblr and Facebook. Instagram: BOBBILINEHAN and Twitter: @Bobbi_Jsf.

All photos are original and were taken by Xiomara Rosa-Tedla. All rights reserved.