Tokyo Gamine Launches Capsule Collection With Dance Performance

Yuka Uehara wearing Tokyo Gamine
Yuka Uehara wearing Tokyo Gamine

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Yuka Uehara has done it again! The creative genius has launched her latest Tokyo Gamine collection, a capsule of couture-like ready-to-wear pieces, with a thrilling event that left everyone in the San Francisco society scene speechless. On Tuesday night, Uehara invited the who’s who of San Francisco—including Joel Goodrich, Rada Katz, Emily Wheeler, and Navid Armstrong—to Dirty Habit for a special fashion presentation.

Erin Carlson and David Nash both wearing Tokyo Gamine
Erin Carlson and David Nash both wearing Tokyo Gamine

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

The suspense was thick in the air as the stylish crowd sipped Cava and nibbled tuna tartare, wondering what was up Uehara’s sleeve. Dance has always played an important role in Tokyo Gamine’s fashion shows and this event was no different. In fact, it was more exciting because there was a surprise vocalist. As a pianist delighted the crowd with melodic tunes, ballerinas Terrin Kelly and Leigh Collins danced in billowing oversized white colored shirts adorned with Gamine’s signature ripples of fabric.

Devlin Shand
Devlin Shand

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

A male voice was heard singing, but the singer could not be seen. As the dancers continued, two doors opened and the singer was revealed. It was none other than Devlin Shand, the handsome red-headed society photographer, dressed in a gorgeous T-back gown. Uehara’s muses, Chantelle Pianetta and Mathilde Froustey (who is a principal dancer at the San Francisco Ballet) performed a moving duet while Shand sang.

Mathilde Froustey
Mathilde Froustey

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

It was a spectacular show that proved creativity is not dead in San Francisco. After a trio of dances and songs, Tokyo Gamine’s signature models (Uehara always hires the same girls) sashayed down the makeshift catwalk in the new collection. Looks included supple wide-legged pants, crisp white shirt dresses, and hand-painted black leather jackets. Dubbed the Superstar Collection, the pieces are now available on Tokyo Gamine’s website.

Model Jennifer Roberts in Tokyo Gamine
Model Jennifer Roberts in Tokyo Gamine

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

The evening also marked the debut of a new wardrobe accent for staff at Dirty Habit and the Hotel Zelos. Uehara designed a silk scarf specifically for the property that can be worn a variety of different ways—as a pocket square, around the neck, or braided into the hair.

Sonia Maria Edwards and Nina Hollein
Sonia Maria Edwards and Nina Hollein

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Artwork by Tokyo Gamine
Artwork by Tokyo Gamine

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Mark Olson and Damion Matthews
Mark Olson and Damion Matthews

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Caroline Rooney and Rada Katz
Caroline Rooney and Rada Katz

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Lisa Hedden, Jenn Wade and Marissa Hedden
Lisa Hedden, Jenn Wade and Marissa Hedden

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Joel Goodrich, Clara Shayevich and Navid Armstrong
Joel Goodrich, Clara Shayevich and Navid Armstrong

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Mathilde Froustey and Chantelle Pianetta
Mathilde Froustey and Chantelle Pianetta

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Devlin Shand
Devlin Shand

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Tom Barrett and Belinda Berry
Tom Barrett and Belinda Berry

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Emily Wheeler and Lauren Godfrey
Emily Wheeler and Lauren Godfrey

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Leliani Sioson, Anna Spain, Kimora McKinnon, Yuka Uehara, Jennifer Roberts and Madeleine McKinnon
Leliani Sioson, Anna Spain, Kimora McKinnon, Yuka Uehara, Jennifer Roberts and Madeleine McKinnon

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Terrin Kelly, Yuka Uehara and Leigh Collins
Terrin Kelly, Yuka Uehara and Leigh Collins

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Devlin Shand
Devlin Shand

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer