Regina from Handful of Salt recommended we connect with a “Project Runway” designer, that her work was incredible, and that she lived in the Mission, breathed black, and hand-stitched her clothes…

The rest is history, and the narrative takes a striking turn with a fashion show introducing this sexy new line of leather jackets and clutches. It’s a New Black exclusive, and yes, she was a Season 10 finalist on Project Runway….

For those seeking higher ground for women’s fashion in San Francisco, for those that take their uniforms in the social sphere seriously, come shop, wear, and play.

The date: Friday, May 17th @ 6pm. Show starts promptly at 6:45pm. Light drinks and snacks provided. Party ends at 9pm. The event is private and guests will be checked in at the door. For media and information contact whats@thenwblk.com

The Melissa Fleis collection is available for purchase at The NWBLK, Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm and by appointment. Melissa hand-tailors custom garments for clients all over the country. To arrange a consultation please contact whats@thenwblk.com.

Our friends at Uber are offering attendees of tonight’s event special offer’s on their killer car service.

Visit www.uber.com to sign up, and use the following codes.

SFNWBLK – $20 discount off first trip for new users. Valid on 5.17.13. Not valid on Uber TAXI.

SFMFLEIS – 15% off rides (up to $20) to/from The NWBLK for existing users. Valid on 5.17.13 from 2 pm to 2 am. Not valid on Uber TAXI.

Project Runway’s Melissa Fleis at The NWBLK 5.17.13: INVITE at the end of video from The NWBLK on Vimeo.

Melissa Fleis’ maverick leather work employs unconventional hand embroidery techniques bringing a punk edge to high fashion.

Melissa’s aesthetic is heavily inspired by the Bauhaus and Dada movements.

Studying under Alexander McQueen associate Simon Ungless, Melissa received a master of Fine Arts from the Academy of Art.

The NWBLK is a design store and furniture, lighting, fashion, and objects accelerator located in San Francisco’s outer Mission.

Setting out to recreate the visceral experience of listening to live music eroded by the advent of ear-buds and plastic speakers, the two Gordons travelled back to the golden era of audio reproduction. Drawing guidance from early audio innovators the Burwell’s opted to employ a collection of vintage Altec Lansing and JBL speakers from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.
Gordon: “Sometime in the 80’s and 90’s the focus turned to getting big sound out of small speakers. We don’t think smaller turned out better. Movies are great, but when we want to hear what planes and helicopters sound like we go outside.” Come demo the speakers at the NWBLK Gallery and see what he’s talking about.

Burwell & Sons: The NWBLK Interview from The NWBLK on Vimeo.

Historical Fact:The iconic Lansing Corporation introduced the first major system to win an Academy Award for technical achievement in 1937 and the iconic system employed a high frequency horn and 15” low frequency driver.

BIG AND LOUD: Crafting fine wood cabinets, and hand sculpted, marquetry, hardwood horns, Burwell and Sons have crafted a modern update to the classic Voice of the Theater cabinets that are big and loud. After 2 years of full time research and development, the two produced the original pair of speakers now available at The NWBLK.

The Speakers feature a traditional 2-way speaker system design utilizing a 14” woofer for the low frequency and a compression driver for the high frequency horns.
The best way to experience big sound at home is with a stereo and two big loudspeakers at least 12-15’ apart, 10-12’ away, pointing right at you on the couch.
No one two set of B and S speakers is ever the same due to the hardwood.
Custom finishes and materials available to tailor the speakers to your interior aesthetic.

“Besides when you go to a live rock n’ roll performance they don’t stick the guy on the bass behind the couch.”

Tuesday, April 9th 6-9pm

Celebrating Cobbenhagen Hendriksen, Maarten Baptist, and Dutch Design. Featuring appearances by the designers, and opening remarks by the Consulate General of the Netherlands. Presented by the California College of the Arts and the Consulate General of the Netherlands

West Coast Premier of Cobbenhagen and Hendriksen’s ABC Primer — Rainbow Series. Exclusively for sale at The NWBLK. Dutch inspired drinks and street food pop-up by Tango and Stache on hand. RSVP unnecessary

More info on Dutch Design Week

The NWBLK: 1999 Bryant Street San Francisco 94501
whats@thenwblk.com

Click the button above to RSVP:

What happens when the New Black brings together a world class artisan, a jet setting professional, and tasks them with creating a refined and functional leather bag that exceeds the standards of the modern urban dweller?

The New Black announces the first in its Equation Series: One designer, the NWBLK creatives, and the public exploring the process of design and production

Our first subject, Basil Racuk is joined by Jamestown Properties Creative Vice President George Krauth (Chelsea Market NY) to collaborate on a custom bag designed to suit George’s lifestyle.

“Luxury is the experience.” The dialogue and interaction between Racuk and Krauth is presented with tools and a live audience in a workshop installed at the New Black.

This special occasion, Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 6pm is limited to the first 200 guests. We’re serving complimentary beer from Trumer Pils, wine, and Tango and Stache’s famous tacos for purchase.

$500 towards a custom piece by Racuk will be offered to attendees and customers for $350. The collection of Basil Racuk bags at the NWBLK will be on display and for purchase exclusively at the gallery.

Sponsors include:

“‘This is what 25 years of collecting looks like,’ says bag and accessories designer Basil Racuk, surveying his sunny live-work loft located in a former turn-of-the-century laundry factory in Oakland. But even decades of acquisition—mostly of contemporary works by emerging and established artists and designers—hardly amounts to sensory overload here. Instead, alpine-high ceilings and vast white walls allow Racuk’s prized possessions to command their own space in a gallery-like tableau that’s spare, curated, and very special.”

See the spread here.