09 14 20 Marin Living Simon Ungless Interview

Marin Living September 14, 2020 “Arbiter of Fashion” Simon cites the pandemic affecting AAU's new teaching model and still making time to enjoy Bay Area life in between his education career, consulting for major fashion brands and designing his own line. https://marinlivingmagazine.com/meet-fashion-pioneer-andbay-area-educator-simon-ungless/

design & domain.

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m y obsessions.

Clockwise f r o m top left: W h e n S i m o n M e t Ralph dress; W h e n S i m o n M e t R al ph necklace; K a t e M o s s w a l k s the r un w a y in a dress f r om A l e x a n d e r M c Q u e e n ’s legendary D a n t e collec- tion; S i m o n Ungless

the perks of the B a y Area: “It’s m y he aven on every level.”

I source vintage daily for W h e n Simon M e t Ralph so m y sources are all o ve r. I h a v e h a d the be st s u c c e s s at Goodwill a n d the Salvation A r m y in San

Arbiter of Fashion Alexander M c Q u e e n collaborator, fashion pioneer and Bay Area educator Simon Ungless lets us in on a few of his favorite things.

By Casey Gillespie Larkspur resident S i m o n U n g l e s s has b e e n leaving his mark on the fashion industry for m o r e than t w o d ecades . F a s h i o n d i e - h a r d s still w o r s h i p A l e x a n d e r M c Q u e e n ’s iconic 1 9 9 6 F a l l / Wi n t e r D a n t e a n d S p r i n g / S u m m e r 1 9 9 5 T h e Bi r d s collections — both of w h i c h U n g l e s s p l a ye d a major part in creating. “ I believe the D a n t e collection took M c Q u e e n to a n e w level of design a n d I ’ m still v e r y p r o u d to h a v e b e e n p a r t of it,” he says. “I have one secret piece from t h e c o l l e c t i o n ; it t r u l y is m y m o s t v a l u e d p o s s e s s i o n . ” O r i g i n a l l y f r o m We s t B e r k s h i r e in S o u t h e r n E n g l a n d , U n g l e s s c a m e to t h e B a y A r e a i n 1 9 9 6 t o h e l p b u i l d t h e fashion s c h o o l at A c a d e m y o f A r t U n i v e rs i t y. “ I t w a s g o i n g t o b e f o r s i x m o n t h s 2 6 september/october 2 0 2 0 m a r i n living.

m a x , b u t I fell i n l o v e w i t h N o r t h e r n the executive director of T h e School of F a s h i o n a t t h e A c a d e m y, h e is still i n n o vating. “ D u e to the pandemic, w e are having to build n e w models in education … w e h a v e created a true h y br i d situation where w e have physical studio time done u n d e r full C D C gu i d el i n e s p a i r e d w i t h o nl i n e classes a n d Z o o m sessions. It’s the future, a n d a l t h o u g h s u p e r c h a l l e n g i n g , it f e e l s s o r i gh t t o b e at t h e f o r ef ro nt , ” a d d s U n g l e s s . B e t w e e n his career in education, consulting for major fashion brands and d e s i g n i n g hi s o w n line, W h e n S i m o n M e t Ralph ( @ w h e n s i m o n m e t r a l p h o n Instag r a m ) , U n g l e s s still m a k e s t i m e t o e n j o y

estate sales in Marin and S o n o m a are high on m y list.

Buying gifts: I don’t d o new. M y two go-to Murphy’s Curiosity Shop (1591 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard) and Beach House S t y l e ( w w w. t h e b e a c h h o u s e s t y l e . c o m ) in items that are used, cared for and perfect for the people I b u y for.

Wi t h out-of-towners: A night out in Fairfax. Start with a wander around the Sorella t h e b e s t p l a c e e v e r, w i t h a m a z i n g a t m o s p h e r e a n d live m u s i c — f o l l o w e d b y lavender vanilla ice cream at Fairfax S c o o p ( 6 3 B r o a d w a y, F a i r f a x ) a n d l i v e m u s i c a t o n e o f t h e b ar s.

To u n w i n d : L o w tide at A g a t e B e a c h with rock pools and a long walk around to D u x b u r y Reef and Bolinas Point will u n w i n d anything.

C l o c k w i s e f r o m top left: D r e s s a n d ne c k l a ce p h o t o b y D a n i e l l e R u e d a ; R o b e r t Fairer; Isabella B e j a r a n o

H o m e d e s i g n : B l a c k & G o l d ( w w w. s h o p blackandgold.com) o n N o e Street — S a m u e l Genthnerh a s thebesttasteint o w n f o r a n y t h i n g h o m e related. O b s e s s e d .