Anti-Bride blog

Get Your Groove On
At Mezzanine

SAN FRANCISCO, April 9, 2009 - Skout Inc., the San Francisco based online dating site, is preparing to sweep you off your feet yet again. Skout always has exciting things happening on the tech side, but when it comes to getting social, nobody brings people together in a physical and virtual space quite like Skout.

On April 16th & 17th, Skout and Energy 92.7 are proud to present The Presets and Groove Armada at The Mezzanine in San Francisco! Social animals, serial daters, and singles who enjoy great music and iso fabulous people like yourself, Skout invites you to come out and play!

At the event, you can broadcast messages in real time, and say ‘hi’ to a certain someone with our Skout Out screens: your messages or pictures will be streamed live both nights at the Mezzanine. Everyone can get their 15 minutes of fame all night long!
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Anti-Bride Fashion Rocks the Runway W-SF

We heard it from everyone:

From Students: “This was the best night of my life”

From  Guests: “This is one of the coolest events I’ve ever been to”

From CEOS: “This is off the hook”

From Silicon Valley VCs: “You’re on to something here…”

From Press: “When can we interview your team? Are you going to do this again?”

From Music Industry Types: “I’ve been to a lot of high end parties, but this is really creative, original and fun.”

From Entertainment Executives: “This should be a show.”

From EVERYONE: “When are you guys going to do it again???“ and, THE HOOKS ROCK!

Anti-Bride.com, Destination I Do Magazine, The W-SF, Skout.com and Blurb.com made fashion history at the W-SF at 6 pm.

The wine flowed, the martinis mixed and a see and be seen crowd descended on the W Hotel SF lobby with a with a line out the door. Anyone who thinks SF isn’t a fashion town? Think again. The Art Institute of California San Francisco, The San Francisco Institute of Aesthetics and Cosmetology gave a swift kick in the tulle-covered derriere of the Wedding Industrial Complex once and for all. White weddings will never be the same.

The student competition and fashion show which was Anti-Bride themed had a range of genres covering: Rockabilly, Gothic Chic, Futuristic, Same Sex, Retro Glam, 60’s Mod, Punk and Rocker, the only rule of the road being is that white was verboten.

Following that was looks from Project Runway alum and Kenneth Pool lead designer Austin Scarlett. The winner of the student challenge was AIC-SF Student Chaz Schaad, future rising star who’s voluminous black silk couture gown was a little bit Vivienne Westwood, Viktor and Rolf and a little mod and goth all at once. Chaz also dressed Keith and Ronan Mulligan in suits ready for prime time: an outdoor stage at SXSW. Keith wore a mod pinstriped suit with yellow trim and Ronan wore a black and red striped morning coat with tails and tapered trousers. When the Hooks to the stage, they looked as good as they played in a blistering performance that wowed the crowd.

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An Alterna-Bridal Fashion Event
W Hotel - SF March 12

You’re invited to an Exclusive Evening of Music
Alterna-Wedding Fashion Design, and Libations

W San Francisco March 12, 6 pm-11pm
After Party, XYZ Lounge 11 pm
181 Third Street      415.817.7856
www.whotels.com/sanfrancisco

WATCH AND COMMENT ON THE SHOW!
7 PM PST! CLICK HERE

W San Francisco in partnership with Antibride.com and Destination I Do Magazine is ready to add some WOW to weddings by hosting its first Operation Aisle Style event, a fashion show and multi-media event highlighting the philosophy of tying the knot outside of the box and exploring the road less travelled when saying the words “I Do.” Operation Aisle Style will showcase the hottest emerging fashion talent, signature cocktails by Kai Vodka and divine wines by Napa Valley’s notorious Somerston Winery. The mood, the music, and the magic will be webcast by Skout.com, and documented in a hip photo booth (and book) by Blurb.com. The evening will culminate in a blistering performance from SXSW bound band, The Hooks.

Operation Aisle Style hits the runway with two separate fashion shows: one showcasing the designs of Project Runway contestant, Austin Scarlett, lead designer, Kenneth Pool, and the second by The Art Institute of California’s future “rising star” fashion design students. Celebrity judges will jury twenty fashion design students as they show off their interpretation of “the alterna-wedding dress.”

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The Hooks

El Rio, Feb. 7, 2009

By Carolyn Gerin

From the first Gaelic instrumental to the encore rendition of “I Turned Out a Punk,” The Hooks blistering show at El Rio was a barnburner.

These Irish Punk Rock Rebels have been in the studio recording their new Irish e.p., Irish Punk Rock Anthems, due for release St. Patricks week (March 17th), and it shows. Lean, mean, and tight as a Bodhran drum, their set was nothing short of perfection. But then again, when you turn your eyes (and your guitars) to your homeland of County Sligo for inspiration, something legendary is bound to happen.

They have most certainly graduated from a rollicking pub band to punk rock royalty.

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By Jennifer Stein, Publisher Destination I Do Magazine
Co-Creator: Operation Aisle Style with Anti-Bride and W Hotel French Quarter
Photography: Josh Andrus

New Orleans captured my heart all over again. I had been once, pre-Katrina, and although our activities included the hyper touristy attractions, I loved it. This time I hoped for something a little more off the beaten track, and thanks to our new NOLA friends, they steered us in exactly the right direction. Not knowing what to expect with how much the city had changed – I was pleasantly surprised. The people are just as warm and friendly as ever, the tourism was hopping and all the Halloween events in full swing. Many people talked about their Katrina experiences with us– but not once did I hear anyone say they wish they had left and started over somewhere else. People who live there, love it – as they should. It’s one of the most amazing cities in the United States – and as for doing destination weddings there – it’s a MUST!

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By Carolyn Gerin

The sun is out, the top’s down, the winds in your hair. You’re headed down Highway 1 with the iPod cranked, belting Blondie tunes into invisible microphones with your best gal pals. You feel healthy, alive and ready for anything.  Sometimes you just need to hit the road with the girls and be ridiculous together. Isn’t that what bachelorette parties are all about? Yes, and no, we say, because although it’s certainly fun to strap on those Manolos, false eyelashes and up-dos, every other girl in town is doing the same thing for her “hen party.” We offer an alternate plan that is no less fun, particularly exhilarating, a little easier on the pocketbook, and healthier than your standard wine country or Vegas soiree. Now, we’re not knocking swanky venues — if a bodacious, dress-up glamazon weekend is what your heart desires, than have a Cosmo on us, we love luxe experiences.

But if you’re looking for true female bonding - offering thrills, chills, a few spills, hilarity, fresh air, exercise, healthy competition (not rooted in dress size or designer duds), and is just a little off the beaten track of bachelorette activities - look no further than Surf Camp.

“Surf Camp??” you bellow, “But I don’t SURF!”
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By David Zurowski and Craig Becker

We are Craig Becker and DZ. No, not THAT Craig Becker and DZ, we’re THE OTHER Craig Becker and DZ. We’re the guys behind the notorious Bad Habit, a dark, sinful blend of Napa Valley Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache that will lift your spirits while it darkens your tongue. We also make the Highflyer wines, Priest Ranch wines and Somerston wines. Craig does the winemaking, DZ (David Zurowski) does the sales and marketing.

In our travels we eat a lot of great food and drink a lot of great wine. It’s difficult, it’s demanding, but it’s what we do. As culinary junkies we get to witness and enjoy new food trends as they develop. As wine geeks, we get to taste new releases from the top appellations around the world. What follows are a few of our random thoughts on food, wine and the keys to a successful wedding.

Wedding Bubbles

A toast without sparkling wine is like a duck without feathers – it’s still a duck, but it’s a really pathetic duck. When your guests hoist their champagne glasses in the air, you want them to sip a sparkling wine that reflects the harmony and balance of your relationship. While there are many Californian and French sparkling wines that are delicious and affordable, you might look to Spain for some of the best bubbly values on the planet. Below we recommend one of our favorites from Spain’s Penedes region, located about an hour southwest of Barcelona. It’s crisp, satisfying and reasonably priced.

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By Carolyn Gerin

Design luminary Austin Scarlett, of Project Runway season one, will debut 24 gowns from his collection at the W Hotel French Quarter, Oct. 30, 2008 at Operation Aisle Style. His collection will rock the runway at the stroke of 8 pm at the cocktail party in the romantic courtyard of the W. Carolyn Gerin had the distinct honor of interviewing him last week for the Destination I Do January edition, and when asked his greatest influence he replied “Old Hollywood.” Being a denizen of all things vintage and vixeny, Carolyn had found her design soul mate. They both share a love of art history and the associated wardrobes that accompany the he great goddesses of style: Marie Antoinette, Gala Dali, Catherine the Great, and Alexandra Romanoff.

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