girl boy girl by savannah knoop [the face of the infamous jt leroy] OUT NOW

JT then.......
Savannah now...........
You can read about it all, scandals, allegations, celebrity sightings, battles in court and 10000 pictures of the real JT Leroy online. But then, you could just get Savannah's story.

I didn't she was JT for years, even though we were sharing a studio space at the Grant Building in SF. And while she'd be going off on this trip and that trip around the world with some older woman, I just assumed it was a secret lover, a kind of sugar-momma, and once even asked her if it was a "sexual thing". She just said, "Kind of but not really".
Meanwhile, I read the JT books, and counted myself as a fan, saved photos from articles, even to my desktop! And one night tried to get Savannah to go with me to the Harold's End book reading at Varnish Gallery .....

It was a year or so later that she told me the whole double-story.

I'd just known her as the amazing designer for TINC.
And I still LOVE her clothes, and her, she's a darling, and I didn't ever pester her for stories and how it all happened and the like, because I knew, someday, her story would be told. [OK, I did ask her more than once about the gender-bender-head-trip-chaos that whole character game could ensue.]

But here it is......... Girl Boy Girl. Required inflight reading for this trip.

More goods on the story:
http://www.ourchart.com/content/savannah-knoop-fashionista
And here's a pic of the real JT Leroy : Laura Albert [the writer] and Savanna Knoop [the person]


B+W Author Photo by the amazing Angela Scrivani

this weekend! find miss velvet cream at Treasure Island Music Fesitival!

September 20-21, 2008 : Celebrate the last daze of summer together, laughing and dancing!


Oh, it's like you wouldn't believe! The music and gorgeousness in store for the treasure-seekers, pirates, jewels, and diamonds-in-the-rough this weekend at Treasure Island Music Festival!

I will be on-location with the pirate-stylings and frolicking Lucid Dawn and Fati Beloved, presenting the best in SF local treasures in clothing, accessories and design for the curiosity seekers and wardrobe hunters. Find also Madusalon stylists in a on-the-spot salon with up-dos, styling and all that sassy personality! Oh, and there's a GIANT ferris wheel and food and drinks and 2 DAYS OF GREAT MUSIC!

Come get something new for you, made by these 2 hands, and meet the faces and the hearts that are creating treasure and more in San Francisco.


See you HERE!
[Photos from the Treasure Island Music Festival site and HERE ]

big shiny scissors

BIG SHINY SCISSORS
and more
www.jean-therapy.net
however, focus is not a prerequisite
CAN U DIG IT?
all these photos by SAUL

what you see galore deux with jean therapy show at autobody fine art in alameda this saturday nite 8:23:8

Featured in the Oakland Tribune, Friday, August 22, 2008.
See you at the show!
READ THE ARTICLE
[photo Warren DiFranco Hsu from the Jean Therapy series]

what you see galore deux with jean therapy show at autobody fine art in alameda this saturday nite : 8:23:8 9pm sharp!

this is a show of first-times for me. first all-jean-therapy show, and i hand-picked the models from the local alameda modeling agency, there's a pro makeup and hair team on site for the chola-theme look, there's a musician writing a custom piece for my show segment, i won't hear it until the day of the show, i've not even met the producer in person yet! the show is at autobody fine art, a gallery in alameda, near where i used to live in fruitvale, near the vulcan. i'm doing the finale mini-show in the middle of a mad mad reception for a fantastical collection of visual and 3-D artists, all curated by the darling jacqueline cooper, who owns autobody fine art.
it's going to be an experience of extremes and experimentations. mostly because all the mvc usual suspects are either playa-bound [i'll be passing on that, thanks] or will be joined in memory of the incredible and now immortal russ hahn. [blessed be the passing]
i'm delighted to be part of this fantasticalness, and i'd like to invite you! to the show, especially you east bay freaks. regardless, i'm excited to present in jackie's gallery and as part of this most amazing show. it's an honor to be among such a great collection of new talent.

[photo from jean therapy series by warren difranco hsu www.after5media.com]

Details for the evening..........!


THE SECOND ANNUAL"WHATYOUSEE GALORE!" STIMULATES SENSORY OVERLOAD IN ALAMEDA

What: The second annual "WhatYouSee Galore!" spectacle juxtaposes visual arts and sound for your sensory enjoyment.

When: Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. doors open.

Where: Autobody Fine Art Gallery : 1517 Park Street: Alameda, CA [that's the East Bay!]

Who: A collaboration of Bay Area artists, fashion designers, and musicians.

Featured artists include: Brett Amory, Davie Crockett, Robyn Engel, Adam Friedman, Daniel Healey, Helena Hseih, Raymie Iadevaia, Monika Jones, Mary Anne Kluth, Elise Mahan, Christine Monohan, Claudia Morales, Ernesto Ortiz, Eddie Ross, Task1, Noel Taylor, Bryan Von Reuter, Peter Walker, Annie Wong and Jaci Zacamy.
Fashion Designers: loose thread, Marichuy Reynoso, miss velvet cream featuring Jean Therapy
Beauty: Alameda Beauty College and Stephanie Gutierrez
Models: Norma Payton Henning School of Modeling
Music: Alorahset, The Mess, Ali Johnston, and Dj Davu

Alameda—On August 23, 2008 a collaboration of Bay Area artists and fashion designers reveal art as both a creative medium and a stimulating experience. Through installation, painting, video, printmaking, sculpture, fashion, live music performance, and more, the influences of Funk, Figurative, and Mission School artists are traced and celebrated by the opulent variety of work emerging on both sides of the Bay Bridge. "WhatYouSee Galore!" brings together Bay Area artists to display the wide range of creativity to the community of Alameda as an art form in and of itself.

* a little note : Jacqueline Cooper is my "graduate" painting instructor, the original schemer of art events, which i had the honor of producing with her : Rebellion, Resistance, and Death [Feb 2005] and Under Construction 1 [July 2005]. The conceptual design and guiding principles of the entire Under Construction Project sprang, fully-formed, with cross-referenced art history and pop culture roadsigns, from her head. Ultimate Mistress of Theory. And a damn good painter.
I'm really delighted to be showing in her gallery. Kudos, Jax!

burning man is upon us! RUN! but here's some chances to get fresh gear for the playa-bound this year from miss velvet cream and many many more.....

[how's that for the longest title EVER?] but though i'm not going to burning man this year, i'm taking all the fabulousness and civilization and sunshine!!!! that i enjoyed in europe and putting it into every piece i make this year for the playa-bound among you! curious? i'll be posting previews here monday. but until then, come by sunday to mighty! for a day-show, wednesday evening to the BUS stop gallery for a quicky trunk and then sunday for 9 hours! to the prepare for the playa magic, estar [hats] and i will be outside in the [please!] sunshine, and i'll be giving a quickie on the "perfect playa wardrobe" for you 1st-timers. both estar + i will have great stuff in the raffle as well..... alright, all this info is available on my website under the "events" page as well..... hope to see you out at one, or all, of these great events. a final note, i'm taking on assistants for the next 2 weeks, i pay in clothing credit by the hour. if you're tight on the dollar but roomy on time, email me! missvelvetcream@gmail.com

TRUNK SHOWS!

August 10: Beyond the Fence : MIGHTY, SF
Please join us for a very unique sale coming up on Sunday August 10th @ Mighty!
San Francisco's finest independent designers are gathering together to bring you
the freshest design for both on and off the playa. Special bike decoration station
provided along with beats both inside and outside!

August 10th, Sunday
2:00 - 8:00 pm
Mighty - 119 Utah Street (between Alameda St. and 15th Street)
San Francisco
Free Admission

DJs for the day...Rob Green, P-Dub, Ernie Trevino, Influence, Syd, F'kir, Shameless djs, more tba...

Featuring:
miss velvet cream - www.missvelvetcream.com
Bad Unkl Sista - badunklsista.com
Bunnywarez - bunnywarez.com
Domini - clothingarchitect.com
E-Star Hats - www.estar.etsy.com
Fati Beloved - myspace.com/fati_ma
Fluidance Jewelry - fluidance.com
Invisible Hero Industries - myspace.com/invisibleheroindustries
Medium Reality - mediumreality.com
Miranda Caroligne - mirandacaroligne.com
Moda Sandrita - modasandrita.etsy.com
Pallas Ravae - pallasravae.com
Silver Lucy Design - silverlucydesign.com
Swirlspace Hemp Wear - swirlspace.com
Tamo Design - tamodesign.com
Vagadu - experiencevagadu.com
Many more tba....



MID-WEEK MADNESS AT THE BUS STOP GALLERY
Crucial gear for that big ol' festival in the desert.
Plus all the yummies you've come to expect.
Wednesday, August 13th
6pm-10pm
the Bus Stop gallery
135 Dore St
San Francisco, CA

Featuring...
Bad Unkl Sista
Callibug Designs
Darina Drapkin
E-Star Hats
Fati Beloved
Joseph Valliere (top hats and more)
Gibbous
Hooliehoop & Miss Rosie
Medium Reality
Minerva's Antenna
miss velvet cream
Tamo Design
Vagadu
Weyaka

THE BIG BANG! PREPARE FOR THE PLAYA SUNDAY AUGUST 17 ALL DAY! AT CAFE COCOMO!!!!
Prepare for the Playa!!!
One of the BIGGEST, most PROMOTED Playa sales this season!!
The kids over at Prepare for the Playa have been working up to this one for the last 3 months, so if you haven't heard about them yet, it's high time you did!!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17th
Prepare for the Playa
1pm-10pm (NINE HOURS!!)
at CAFE COCOMO
650 Indiana Street (between 18th and 19th Street)
SAN FRANCISCO
THE BURN IS ALMOST UPON US...THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO PREP WITH YOUR LOCAL BURNER-PRENUERS!

Connecting you to what you need to be prepared for the burn from the people that know!
Fashion shows, RAFFLE, Music, Performances, Playa 'U' How to Clinics + so much more!
!!!August 17th FREE ENTRY!!!
40 + BURNER Vendor & Designers
THE BIGGEST AND BEST COMBINATION OF VENDORS YET!!
Lights and EL wire, fuzzy furs, funky fashions and sexy costumes, goggles, lighted toys and poi, playa functional products and lots of super fun unique items to get you ready for your journey HOME!

NEW FOR AUGUST:
ART BENEFIT Raffle! The Prepare for the Playa vendors and designers have generously donated a wide variety of funky, fun and functional stuff for the playa that you can win! Come and buy a raffle ticket that benefits art on the playa... and WIN awesome prizes like...
*Snake wire from Micheal’s Light Toys
*Furkini from Wild on the Inside
*Fuzzy Bear Hood from Foxy Monster
*Furry Utility Pouch from Cinder Garden Designs
*GlowFur Boa from Glow Fur
*Camo pants with red fur trim from Annie Land
*Multi-colored Light Spaceship from Lasers & Lights
*Action Wipes and Sports Spray Cooling Mist from Action Wipes
*Knee Socks and armwarmers from Rock N Socks
*Furr Shrug from FurrPlay
*Dress from Fati Beloved
*3 Piece Latex Accessory Set from Sinthetex
*Wings from Every Blasie Designs
*Coin Scarf from Sparkle Plenty Creations
*Hat from Ester’s Hats
*Goggles and dust masks from Gadgitron’s Goggles and Masks
*Men’s hoodie from Heathen
*Wool Dread Falls from Nif Naks
*Fly Pants from Fire Fly Style
*T-shirts from Jan Hilmer
*PodBelt Set with belt, 2 pouches and 2 clip on accessories from Podbelts
*Feather Hair Comb from Minerva’s Antennae
*Tubular Hair Falls from MelZ Designs
*and more ....

Funky Fashion Shows at 4pm & 8pm!!
Showing the funkiest, most eclectic, unique and hard to find playa products and fashions to give you inspiration and ideas to get you ready for the Burn!

Prepare for the Playa
Sunday, August 17th
1pm-10pm at
Cafe Cocomo 650 Indiana Street, SF
www.preparefortheplaya.com

!!!FREE ENTRY!!!

Playa DJ mixes all day and special guest, DJ Shawna (El Circo) closes the night!

Live performances by Burner All Stars in Poi, Staff and Hoop!

Playa 'U' How to Clinics and Demonstrations all day on not just surviving on the playa...but THRIVING on the playa!

Lotus Vodka $5 Cocktails all day like Strawberry Mojitos, Cucumber Basil cocktails all made with fresh fruits and ingredients!
Try a Lotus Vodka Tastings before you buy!

BE THE ART!! Playa wear strongly encouraged!

Prepare for the Playa would like to thank our sponsors for their promotional support to make these events possible:
Five & Diamond http://www.fiveanddiamond.com
Nitevibe http://www.nitevibe.com
Metrowize http://www.metrowize.com
Lotus Vodka http://www.lotusvodka.com
Nicole Presents http://www.nicolepresents.com
Wild on the Inside http://www.wildontheinside.com


love to tiffa..............

2nd skin collection from Warren DiFranco Hsu

More images from the 2nd Skin : Cocoon at the Exploratorium, April 25th 2008. miss velvet cream + Estar collaborated to make a fantastical vision, with S. Guile Rayala heading the makeup and Brian Jensen on Hair. Models were Serendune, Amber, Douglas of AX Images, Erin, Monica Fine, Leo, Rachel J. Miller, Nome Edonna and Amanda Sage. My special thanks go out to Pamela Winfrey of the Exploratorium, Ty Bourne for Event Production, and all the models and crew for making MAGIC! And last, but not least, Warren DiFranco Hsu, for alll his amazing photographs and super-pro work!

STRIPTEASE! at the LAB, SF this weekend!

THIS WEEKEND:
Striptease Auction and Fashion Trunk Show

Runway Show, Live Auction, and Trunk Show:
Saturday, June 21, 7-10 PM
(Runway Show / Auction begins at 8 PM)
$12-20 Sliding Scale Admission
Purchase tickets in advance at:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/36187

Trunk Show Sale (free admission): Friday, June 20 - Sunday, June 22, 1-5 PM

Designers include: AC by Amy Cools, Alexandria von Bromssen, Amy Hanson, Andrew Eyman, Averyl Andrews, Charmed Im Sure, Erin Mahoney, Esther Allison aka ESTAR, Kimberly Chow, Medium Reality, Miss Be, miss velvet cream, Mittenmaker, Moth Love by Gretchen Jones, Nouveau Motley, Pocha Nostra Couture by Guillermo Gomez-Pena presented by Violeta Luna, and Yara Afshar.

Featuring DJ Noah Bennett and MC Anna Conda.

The LAB teams up for the third year with local indie fashion designers for our most debaucherous event ever. The fashion runway show is simultaneously parodied and celebrated as artistic wearables are auctioned right off the catwalk and given to the highest bidder. Fashion and jewelry designers will also be selling original items in the trunk show. Join the fun and support The LAB and independent local designers! Live performance will also be featured.

Lots of awesome local independent designers and artists, come out and show your support!
And The Lab will provide credit card machines so you can just debit card/ credit charge your purchase, yee haw.

2nd Skin at The Expploratorium April 25th, 2008 Photo Collection by Warren DiFranco Hsu

PRESENTING SERENDUNE RUNWAY FINALE








Gorgeousness from the wonderful photographer Warren DiFranco Hsu!

GENART shopxdesign at TERRA : SF June 14 Saturday 1pm-7pm

Click above, then follow link at page bottom to RSVP for free admission.
http://www.genart.org/event.view.htm?itemid=2250&utm_source=invite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=comp_html
Great lineup, new cream! And a whole bunch more!
C U THERE!
Shop SF

GENART
&
CITIBANK
invite you to

SHOP SF
Join us for an amazing evening of shopping, cocktails, fashion presentation, music and pampering...

Saturday, June 14th
VIP PREVIEW HOUR: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
GENERAL PUBLIC: 1:00 – 6:00 PM

Terra
511 Harrison Street
& 1st Street
San Francisco 94105

Gen Art is proud to invite you to Shop SF featuring local and emerging fashion and accessories designers. With smooth beats, Benefit Cosmetics treatments, free-flowing libations and much more come down to meet with the designers and retailers to purchase the latest and greatest wares during this six-hour shopping spree. You will not want to miss this unparalleled shopping experience!

Don’t forget to raid your boyfriend’s, husband’s, father’s or best male bud’s closet and bring a paper bag full of menswear in good condition to donate to The Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Donations will go to help more than a thousand people trying to overcome poverty, homelessness, substance abuse and domestic violence in the Bay Area.

For your kind offering, Gen Art will take $5.00 off your Shop SF ticket*.

To see photos from last year’s shopping event, click here.

Participating Designers Include:
Anayma De Frias Designs
Bryna Nicole
Chic Ztudio
Chillers Clothing
Cocaine Mule
coma and cotton
Custom Industries
f.a.t. (fucking adorable tees)
Five and Diamond
Good Looking Clothes
Green Halo
gr.dano
Gypsies & Lords
Harlequin Feltworks
Helena de Natalio
Indigo Trails
Jacqui Chazen
Jeanine Payer
Jester Swink
Kris Nations
Liza Sonia
Lotus Studio
Lovelina
Loyal Army Clothing
Maneater Threads
Merlin Castell
miss velvet cream www.missvelvetcream.com
Nola Bella
Ofina
Please Dress Up!
Racquel Valle Red Label
Rebecca Ciccio
Rose by Sara Barner
Sara Shepherd
Selma Karaca
She-bible
Sub Urban Riot
Tawapa
Taxi CDC
Verrieres & Sako
Wild Card Collection

With more to be announced!

miss velvet cream trunk shows! june 7 : saturday in san francisco

TWICE AS NICE IS MORE FUN!

June 7 in SF, miss velvet cream [with the fantastical ESTAR] will be vending at two seperate trunk shows, one at Foreign Cinema in the Mission, for Brunch [11am-4pm], and then at 111 Minna in Downtown SF, for Cocktails [8pm-2am].
Just enough time for Mission Burritos in between the two!
Please stop by to check out NEW GEAR! from both myself + ESTAR, as well as a collection of other fantastically talented designers from the Bay Areas.

WHY? Well, check this out:
Quote from Mr. Konheim, CEO of brand "Nicole Miller", talking about the prices of clothing and "fast fashion" on the market today :
"As far as bottom costs go, we're there. I think we've exploited all the countries on earth for people who really want to work for nothing."
FAIR LABOR AND TRADE PRACTICES START WITH YOUR CHOICES!
Please put your money in your community of artists and designers and craftspeople. Don't buy into corporate exploitation and irresponsiblity to get a "cheap price".
SUPPORT LOCAL, HAND-MADE DESIGNERS + CRAFT TRADITIONS!
:miss velvet cream proudly delivers you avant-garde design and exceptional quality, made by my hands here in SF for your body, including ready-to-wear, salvage, denim remake and couture items for men + women:


THE DETAILS:


DAY!
Guerrilla Fashionista Trunk Show & Benefit
Saturday, June 7, 2008 : 11am-4pm
Foreign Cinema 2534 Mission Street : San Francisco
www.foreigncinema.com

Shop from the finest, most innovative, indie, DIY, Green, and conscientious Bay Area designers, artists, and fashion activists! Local designers will gather in the Modernism West Gallery of Foreign Cinema to sell their unique creations of clothing, jewelry, purses, housewares, gift items, and other fabulous accessories for men, women, and children. Avoid the guilt of spending! All designers donate 10% of their day's sales to a non-profit organization.

Enjoy beats by Seneca , a full bar, and Foreign Cinema's legendary brunch!
See you there!

Guerrilla Fashionista Designers Include:
Colleen Mauer Designs, Design by Ellemose, E Star, Hacker, Kittinhawk, Kris Nations, miss velvet cream, Monkey Meditates, Nous Savons, Rachel Hornaday, Shore Jewelry, Tessa Poppy Designs, TINC, turk+taylor, Twelve Designs

Proceeds will go to Lanyi Fan, a non-profit/NGO organization that provides cross-cultural education, artisitc exchange, and people-to-people community development between Guinea, West Africa, and the United States. Lanyi Fan builds lasting, mutually supportive relationships among individuals, a deep appreciation of diversity, and a respect for the dignity and value of all people. Vibrant culture springs from healthy artists and strong communities Lanyi Fan is dedicated to designing programs that strengthen artists, their families, communities, and surrounding ecosystems.

AND NIGHT!
Chillin' : JUNE 7: 111 minna : 8pm-2am : indie designer explosion : shop local!

Chillin' is going back where it all got started.... 111 Minna Gallery!
June 7, 2008 features 50 FASHION DESIGNERS!!!
including miss velvet cream, ESTAR, mittenmaker, Sandy Reyes, Minerva's Antenna and of course about 45 more........
www.chillinproductions.com
When: Saturday June 7, 2008 TIME! 8:00pm-2:00am
Where: 111 Minna Gallery (www.111minnagallery.com)
$6 at the door : Must be 21+ ID

WHO AND WHAT?
Chillin' was featured in the SF Chronicle May 18, 2008, check it out:
Chillin' Feature

more Chillin' details:
Visuals by: INSTA-Action (www.insta-action.com)
Art exhibit by: ArtNowSF
365 (14 of the country¹s most visionary, contemporary and abstract artists).
LIVE screen-printing by SAN FRANPSYCHO, bring a shirt or booty-shorts : Live Painting
Live Music by Little Yellow Perfect (www.littleyellowperfect.com)
DJ's FOR THE EVENING!
DJ Taj (www.djtaj.com)
Dirtyhertz (www.dirtyhertz.com)
DJ Russell Vargas (www.myspace.com/russellvargas)
DJ Eddy Bauer (KALX) (www.myspace.com/djeddybauer)
DJ SCHATZ (www.chillinproductions.com)


As always, CASH + CHECKS please, for purchases. Payment Plans available.

Thank you for GET THERAPY!

Many thanks to all the smiling faces who came by for some bubbly and a bit of Jean Therapy!


With the one and only! Opal Essence.


With Savannah Knoop of TINC www.tincwear.com


With Rebekah [one of the gorgeous Jean Therapy models!] and Cory of Stagewerks!



OH! Raquella arrives! AKA Rachel J. Miller, painter and yoga instructor based in Sacramento. www.raestar.com

Thanks to Honne Heller for the photographs. Bad Unkl Sista for hosting the event, ESTAR for the hats, and Ty for making all-around-hands-for-help! And last but certainly not least, Glenn Sorensen for the afterparty.

Last minute surprise: I'll be vending this Sunday at CAPSULE Street Festival in Hayes Valley, with a friend, on Octavia between Ivy + Grove on the shady side of the street. I will have a few copies of Jean Therapy on hand if you're looking to pick up one and get it signed!
C U THERE! capsule website

get therapy! book signing + reception MAY 21 in SF and jean therapy in the washington post express!

GET THERAPY!

wednesday may 21, 6-8pm doors open to the public
at the bus stop
135 DORE off of folsom between 9+10 streets

get your own copy of jean therapy! get it signed!
meet the designers!
buy local indie wearables!
get silkscreened from patchwerk press!
check out amazing photographs from the collection of warren difranco hsu!
drink libations! eat yum-yums!
shake your booty to some funky beats!
come support handmade local artwear!
go home and make some yourself!!!

ps. be prompt, it's over at 8!

ALL THE INFO HERE www.jean-therapy.net
and the Washington Post