Invisible Hero Examiner Write up...

If Thursday is the new Friday, then Harlot has got you covered. With its new mid-week monthly, Night Vision-- the third Thursday of every month--Harlot promises heavy house with enough audio-visual stimulation to keep even the most pampered partiers well entertained.

This month’s Night Vision treated attendees to a fashion show by two of San Francisco’s freshest and eco-friendliest designers, Charlie Fischer of Invisible Hero Industries and Amy M. Ho. As a platoon of diverse models took to the catwalk, sporting grass-covered welding masks and fur trooper hats, a theme of the inventive opportunities of re-use fashion came to mind. “I would like to see eco-fashion be more fashionable,” said Invisible Hero Industries’ Charlie Fischer, following a parade of her newest collection which included re-used leather, silk, cotton, and synthetics cut to create thigh-high evening slips and cropped denim-look onesies with larger-than-life bows.

Both Fischer and Ho represent a movement that is growing in the fashion world on at least a local level with rapid celebrity: sustainable fashion design with roots outside the fashion industry. In many cases, this equates to designers who are self-taught or academically trained in a related field (including fields as varied as textile design, fine art, and theatre design). This sort of diversity allows designers to think outside of the constraints and assumptions of the fashion industry, resulting in innovative designs and factory-free construction, produced and promoted on a local level. In the case of Fischer and Ho, the concept is obviously working.

Charlie Fischer’s introduction to the world of fashion began when she was only four years old. Sewing lessons from mom led to an interest in fashion design with roots in construction. This attention to manufacture would later blossom into Invisible Hero Industries, an independent label with an emphasis on sustainability. Fischer’s work resists the repetition of prints and cuts seen in traditional ready to wear collections. Instead, designs are based on the fabrics themselves, allowing Fischer to create a selection of one-of-a-kind, detail-oriented articles as creative as they are diverse. Select articles are available in stores throughout San Francisco including Artillery Gallery, Loft 1513, Tribus Vivas, and Trunk in the Haight.

Amy M. Ho’s work also represents an inventive, if not outrageous, break with the fashion industry. Ho’s background is academic, but also unorthodox when speaking of the traditional industry-based education most designers are expected to have. With an MFA focused in Installation Art from Mills College on the horizon, and designers Do Ho Suh and Yayoi Kusama operating as her inspiration, Ho says she is less concerned about making ready to wear items and more interested in exploring the possibilities of three-dimensional, wearable shapes. The result is Ho’s second collection, a complicated and intriguing landscape of re-used satin, cotton, and velveteen fabrics twisted, warped, and wired to form dresses with bouncy, upturned, star-shaped hems, whirling tentacles, and clusters of multi-colored, protruding cones. The collection is as worthy of a museum as it is a cat walk and speaks to the imaginative possibilities of art-based fashion while still averting the economic concerns facing couture.

Harlot’s newest monthly addition is the vision of San Francisco party kid turned organizer Nick Santoro of NS Presents. Santoro, a veteran of SF’s music and art scenes, got his first taste of the complicated world of party promotion when he was offered to curate shows at SF State. He wanted to continue to independently produce parties that merged the world of music and art and soon generated a certain amount of underground renown through parties held at his loft in the Inner Richmond. It wasn’t long before bigger, more legit venues were knocking at his door. As both a DJ and organizer, Santoro is as much a part of the music scene as a promoter, having held residencies at Mezzanine, Mighty, Vessel, and the Rickshaw Stop. With Night Vision, Santoro hopes to keep the intersection of San Francisco’s art and music scenes well at large by incorporating fashion designers, dancers, and visual artists to create a welcoming party atmosphere that offers something for everyone.

It’s no surprise that an aesthetically-driven night like Night Vision should find its home at Harlot, a club where dedication to details is what gives the space its special edge. A modest dance floor glowing rouge under a luminescent backdrop and ample seating equip with cowhide regency couches and snake-skin booths, seamlessly accommodate both relaxation and recklessness. Large-scale reproductions of classical paintings framed by heavy velveteen drapery in devilish shades of red and black create a steamy but chic bordello atmosphere while reappropriated wine bottle light fixtures, entwined antler chandeliers, and twisting tree limbs scouring the walls give the room a surprisingly organic feel. For those daring to venture out solo, a smoking cage overlooking the Minna St. alley makes an excellent spot to mingle with your fellow addicts.

With the next Night Vision starting to come into view for 2010, Santoro promises that more fashion and more art are on the horizon. You can keep posted on Night Vision’s upcoming agenda via Harlot’s websites, or by visiting the NS Presents blog.
Big thank yous to those who helped make this happen.

Invisible Hero Couture Catalog availbe now for purchase....

Invisible Hero...

Fall /Winter 2009

By Charlie B.

Book Preview

The Invisible Hero Fall/Winter 2009 Couture Catalog is finished and available for purchase through Blurb.com. In case you were wondering "am I in it?" there is a full book preview available online.Feel free to view the book and purchase a copy for yourself or your friends, family, relatives... anyone really. These books make a great coffee table conversation piece and a great way to show off your modeling achievements.
Book is full of all the past and present fashion events as well as some inspirational quotes and insight into the creative process going on at Invisible Hero.

Invisible Hero Night Vision Winter Ball Recap :)

Great big thank you to everyone who came out to the Night Vision Invisible Hero Winter ball last Thursday. We had a blast and the show looked fabulous. I have gotten some pictures back from the event and as per usual want to share share share them. Im especially proud of my winter gown, (pictured first here) first of a kind for me in evening/wedding gown projects. This one came out exactly as I was planning which is always nice and is now one of my favorite items from the Winter Couture Collection.
With out Further adieu lets view:




























FIERCE!!!!

Big Thank yous to everyone who made this possible. The Examiner is compiling an article about the show Ill be sure to post it when I get it!!!

Invisible Hero and Artillery Gallery team up to give you another great fashion show TONIGHT!!!!

Artillery Apparel Gallery is hosting a Winter/New Year Fashion show 2009/2010. Showcasing the latest Urban Street Wear looks from six local fashion and jewelry designers, all whom sell their one of a kind items at Artillery AG. This will be the beginning of a series of fashion shows to come. Join us in being a part of San Francisco's fashion history as we bring you some of SF's finest designers. Come out and have a drink, listen to some great beats, by DJ Motion, and support art and fashion in our Bay area community.
Music by DJ Motion, Tasty Treats by our local pastry chef Benjamine Monroy, Posole y Tamales by Itzpapalotl, drinks, and our specialty hot imported Colombian beverage, Caleñaso.

Admission: $10 and space is very limited.

Show Time:Friday Dec. 10th 7PM- till late

Location: Artillery AG 2751 Mission St. San Francisco CA Between 24th and 23rd on Mission

RSVP A SPOT

Also come check out the paintings of Alexandra Blum, linoleum prints by Juan R. Fuentes, and Calixto Robles' paintings, linoleum prints, and sculptures.

Thursday December 17th INVISIBLE HERO WINTER BLIZZARD RUNWAY SHOW

NS PRESENTS ::: NIGHTVISION -- THURSDAY DECEMBER 17

This Thursday Night at Harlot

DJ's Franky Boissy & Kwamey will be heating up the dance floor
While Invisible Hero and Amy Ho take the runway to an imaginary winter wonderland with a Winter Blizzard Runway fashion show.

Featuring the latest collections from San Francisco eco indie designers:

Invisible Hero Industries
www.invisibleheroindustries.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/invisibleheroindustries

--and--

Amy Ho


Doors open at 9pm Runway show starts at 11:30 Dj's will be playing all night long.Come out and mingle, get your winter inspiration for these busy shopping days and dance your cares away.

FREE before 10:30 so come early and save some cash!!! $10.00 After.


www.nspresents.net

Invisible Hero December Updates

Invisible Hero Industries

Welcome to Invisible Hero's December updates email!
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Invisible Hero Winter Studio hours:
Mon-Friday 5pm-8pm (Drop ins welcome)
Weekends by appointment only.

Invisible Hero Studio located in Hayes Valley
309 Oak St.
San Francisco, Ca. 94102
415-573-7176
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Hello Invisible Hero friends and fans,

We have officially turned the corner from fall to winter. The Holidaze are apon us once again.
As you know tis the season for supreme amounts of shopping for all those special people on your list as well as finding those perfect holiday dresses for all the events and parties on your social planner.

This months update is full of shopping events, online price slashing mayhem, and party invites.

Thanks for your continued interest and support,
Charlie B.
Invisible Hero

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Hottest News (everything new):

New inventory!!!!
I have been busy in the studio lately, getting a bunch of new sports wear and men's wear items ready for your viewing pleasure.
Buy Online!!!
Invisible Hero is now officially up and running on Etsy.com. Most of the falls couture line is now up and the new Mens wear and Womens sports wear will be up in about a week.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/invisiblehero


New Retail Location: Loft 1513 (Noe Valley)
Invisible Hero is now available at Loft 1513 in Noe Valley (27th @ Church).Cute little boutique in the up and coming Noe Valley area. Lots of new creations from various local designers, everything from sexy underthings to children's one of a kind wares. Tons of great Formal solutions for those hard to dress for holiday parties.

Loft 1513 at 1513 Church St. San Francisco, Ca.

http://www.loft1513.com/

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Play that back again.....things so good I have to mention them twice:

Sublife Release Party (Pics)
This show was absolutely amazing. Big thanks to everyone who came out and supported and made this show a great success. Pics are up now on the blog site, facebook, and myspace pages.
I had an amazing time that night cant wait to see everyone again.


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Upcoming Events for December:
Freedom Ball
1st annual Freedom Ball

THE FIRST ANNUAL FREEDOM BALL
Winter Ball / Adult Prom / Avant Garde Fashion Show

Date: 12/12/09 / 7pm / Door $10. / Saturday Evening

Venue:

TRIGGER
2338 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

Visualize – where hip gay and straight couples being photographed in their fashionable prom outfits, with the uber-Transgenders and Drag Queens wearing their fabulous regalias.

Adding into the fiery mix - the cutting edge fashion designs of our own local designers.

Coming this December – we are proud to present

‘The First Annual Freedom Ball.’

San Francisco’s first - Winter Ball, Adult Prom Night and Avant Garde Fashion Show to be held at TRIGGER in the vibrant Castro District.

Please join us at this exciting Holiday cross-cultural event on December 12th.

Bring your most beloved date, dress-up to the nines and have a little Holiday fun –

with us at TRIGGER SF.

Featuring San Francisco Fashion Designers:

ALEXANDRIA von BROMSSEN
ASHTON MIYAKO
ANTUAN DESIGNS
GELAREH
GINGER BREAD CLOTHING

INVISIBLE HERO

MARTIN + MAGPIE
RI COUTURE
TERRANCE YU
VINTAGE JOY
WDESIGNS
and
Charity Fashion Show

MUSIC / DJ Mr. Brightside

Art Director: Owen Buenaventura Assistant Art Director: Gretchen Schroeder

Plus -

OWEN GERONIMO presenting

The NOH8 Northern California Campaign Photoshoot
featuring The SF Paparazzi Collective


Model Casting For this event will be held on Saturday December 5th at Trigger at 4pm. If you are a model and interested in participating please arrive to meet and greet the designers and see the venue layout on saturday.


Invisible Hero Holiday Party

Thursday December 17th @ Harlot

Invisible hero will be taking over the ever so lovely Harlot on Thursday December 17th for our first annual Holiday party. Featuring a fabulous runway show by

Invisible Hero

Photo Shoot Booth by Doug Birnbaum

Model Appreciation and Invisible Hero crew holiday party

Music, Dancing and the usual unusual mayhem. More info TBA on the Blog @

invisibleheroindustries.blogspot.com


Artillery Gallery Fashion Show

Friday December 18th

Artillery Gallery will be hosting a one of a kind fashion show. Featuring designers from the store and San Francisco. Garanteed to be a night of fun fantastic fashion and new designs for sale.

http://www.artillery-ag.com/

Shopportunities:

Rag Holiday Side Walk Sale
Saturday and Sunday, December 12 & 13th 12:00a to 4:00pm
at R.A.G 541 Octavia, San Francisco, CA

Please be our guest to a rare and festive holiday sidewalk sale. Kickoff your holiday shopping with incredible deals on original products made by the Bay Area's top fashion, jewelry designers and artists.

8 Different Designers in front of RAG every Saturday & Sunday!
12-4pm
@ RAG 541 Octavia





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Personals:
The Pornoment Party
Every year the Invisible Hero family hosts the one and only Pornoment party.
Whats a pornoment? you ask well its a creative rendition of a traditional ornoment. Fashioned out of anything sexual. Old magazines, sculptie clay, glitter, and a little creativity go along way at this event. Come deck the tree with your pornoment creation, this holiday.

When:Saturday December 19th
8pm-? Late.
Where: Poision Oak Palace (email me for address)
What: Making of Pornoments, drinking and spreading of merriment. Music and dancing will commence. Come get your holiday spirit spiced up with us.

Hope to see some of you there!!!

Interns Needed
Invisible Hero is still looking for one more intern to work closely with my assistant Krystal on projects, events, and other clothing related issues in San Francisco. If your interested please reply to this email with some information about yourself and why you'd like to intern with us.
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That's all for now, thank you to everyone for your continued support and interest. Hope everyone has a holiday.


-Charlie B.
Invisible Hero Clothing
www.myspace.com/invisibleheroindustries