Gallerist Mark Busacca: Passion for Collecting

Five years ago, while looking for collectible antiques online, San Francisco artist Mark Busacca was disappointed that his searches yielded only text-based results. "As a visual person," he recalled, "I wanted to see the objects before considering a purchase." So he took matters into his own hands. With the goal of eventually launching an online consignment gallery, Busacca established a bricks-and-mortar location to learn the ins and outs of running a gallery. Busacca Gallery opened its doors in the Russian Hill neighborhood in 2007, carrying a variety of art and antiques from his personal collection. In January, after years of research and hard work, the Web site (busaccagallery.com) began offering objects from hundreds of sellers worldwide.

His daughters, Jennifer and Brittany, apparently paid close attention to his successful consignment business model and recently created an offshoot, Busacca Fashion Gallery (busaccafashiongallery.com).
As he weaves through the shelves and tables in his packed gallery (2010 Hyde St.) relating the history of piece after piece, Busacca's passion for collecting is obvious.
"Part of it is the idea of show and tell," he explained, "sharing with other people, teaching them about something they didn't know anything about."
The Busacca cheat sheet: Local gallery for global art: "I love Spanish colonial art because of its richness yet earthiness. I recommend James Eddy, owner of the Colonial Arts Gallery, as a great resource for Spanish colonial antiques, Mexican folk art, retablos, santos, Guatemalan masks, talavera pottery and much more. James has a great eye, and his collection is second to none." (colonialarts.com)
Go-to shop for gifts: "When I want to get a gift for someone special, I go to elle-même on Russian Hill. The exquisitely designed shop displays a mix of fine and fashion jewelry from over the last 100 years in vignettes of complementary paired sets, each in individually lit cabinets. Denise Kohne's taste is superb and occasionally whimsical, so I can find just what I want." (elle-meme.com)

Art expertise: "When private clients, interior designers or corporations ask me for an art consultant to help them with major decisions about purchasing modern and contemporary art, I am proud to recommend Holly Baxter. I have known Holly for years and regard her as San Francisco's premier art authority. She can perform any services a client might require, from research to acquisition to framing." (baxterandcook.com)
Essential event: "The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show is where I get some great works of art every year. It is the oldest continuously operating international antiques show on the West Coast. It features approximately 70 dealers from across the United States and Europe, offering for sale an extraordinary range of fine and decorative arts representing all styles and periods. This show is vetted to ensure the highest quality merchandise. A must-see." (sffas.org)
Objects of inspiration: "When I need my design fix, I go to De Vera, architecturally designed objects by Federico De Vera. I admire his impeccable taste and design sense. It is a pleasure to just spend an hour looking at his collection. From the perfection of lacquer card cases to contemporary Italian glass, it is an environment to savor." (deveraobjects.com)Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/25/HO0L1AT86A.DTL#ixzz0ar0EvzT8

Footwear Dominates Winter, 2010

Footwear & leather inspired trends for Winter 2010, hit the runway with a dominating presence that was difficult to look anywhere other than south of one's ankle. The main trend for Shoes Fall 2009-Winter 2010 are ankle boots and Over-The-Knee boots.
The colour palette for the coming cold season looks dark, nearly mystic.Near-black and black and colors that go between midnight blue, asphalt, dark green, petrol, dark violet and deep reds display themselves from an inconceivable side.
Above the Knee Boots: Every socialite and off-duty model was photographed in her over-the-knee quilted Chanel boots last year. This year, above the knee boots are most popular in heeled versions (rather than small or flat heels) with suede the material of choice. Just a few of the of the designer's that inspired today's Winter trends, Badgley Mischka, Akris, and Fendi.
Reptile leathers: Alligator, crocodile, lizard, snake... reptilian skins are a major trend choice for footwear. Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, Derek Lam, Cavalli, YSL provided the feeling of exotic and luxurious through their reptile & leather inspirations. Used in the most classic of ways; subtle, refined and yet bold.
Fringing and Folk-Inspired: Folk-inspired with an ethnic twist,fringed boots are the defining feature of the trend, with other details like studs and tooled leather adding to the crafty, bohemian feel. Gucci, Balmain, Anna Sui featured the short fringed ankle-boots in leather or suede can look sexy with bare legs or tights. They can add a ruffian charm to a sophisticated outfit, or be thrown together with an everyday outfit for casual chic.
Featured at www.busaccafashiongallery.com, Fashion forward ALDO ankle bootie heels! Their cutout profile is unique and stylish, and makes us instantly fall for them http://www.busaccafashiongallery.com/catalog.php?catid=235&itemid=511&page=1. Also with buckled straps and geometric studding detail, you can't go wrong. Super cute paired with a skirt or skinny jeans. They are soft leather so there is no need to work them in before wearing them out during a long night on the town. The heel is 2.5 inches.

Color Palette & Fabrics for Spring 2010

This season color is a rainbow of possibilities, with a tapestry of color from Earthy tones to eye catching brights, to soft water colors. Some of the color stories for Spring, 2010. There are some key trends for Spring/Summer 2010, which are inspired by relaxation and casual classic apparel. Fabrics are light in weight. Silhouettes are looser this season. Athletic and Nautical details continue. There is a 1960’s influence for the younger customer. Prints and Patterns play a key role in creating excitement and newness.
COLOR
1. Think sandy beaches. One of the key components for next seasons color palette are neutrals. Valentino's Spring line displayed colors ranging from seashell white, golden sand shades, and driftwood taupe.
2. Water colors- Soft, chalk-like pastels influenced by water color paintings. These soft shades work well with white and light sand shades mentioned above.
3. Spa and Pool inspired shades, water inspired blues mixed with blue/ greens such as Aqua and Teal.
4. Sunny Yellows emerge with gold cast. Greens are inspired by Grass and Leaves and have a yellow cast. Along with bright yellow and greens, fruity Shades of peach, oranges and shades of pink and berry. Look out for coral! Coral will be a hot color for this fashion season.
5. Purples continue to be strong, and one of my favorite colors, will remain strong, especially in the periwinkle blue tones.
6. Nautical color story by using shades of orange, reds, coral and aqua update the traditional palette.
7. Muted color palettes, resembling dusk or early evening. This is an important palette because of sand-washed silks and washed linen fabrics which compliment the inspired color scheme.

FABRICS
1. Light and Fresh- A dressed down look blending dress and casual clothes. Color is key highlighting the soft water colors with neutrals. Fabrics are light and airy. Looser silhouettes and soft shapes are important. Styling still remains simple.
2. Leisure Class- This trend is all about weekend wear clothing. Casual Classics with Nautical, or athletic details. Cotton is the key fabrication. Performance
fabrics also work under this trend. Checks, Stripes, color-blocking are key patterns. Bright colors are used mixed with White, Black and Navy.
3. Loose and Free- The anti-establishment trend. 1960’s influence, color and pattern driven. Geared towards the juniors and young men customers. Denim is a key fabrication focusing on washes and deconstruction. Variety of slim and loose silhouettes.
4. Laid Back Attitude- Vacation attire with a tropical island look. There is less
Emphasis on Safari and Tribal Inspirations this season. Texture of fabric increases both for knits and wovens. Pucker, Crinkle, Pebble, Waffle, Herringbone, are important textures. Fabric still remains light in weight. Prints and Patterns are key and is inspired by Polynesian Islands, Peru, Exotic Flowers and Asia.

To view & shop for the latest fashion trends visit www.busaccafashiongallery.com.

Accessories for 2010

Putting together an outfit is a fairly basic routine. Making sure it's coordinated & combined with the right fabrics and colors is simple in theory, but without adding accessories, it can be dead in the water when it comes to expressing one's personal style. Accessories are a great way to turn up the volume on any out fit. Looking ahead to the Spring 2010 season, we shift our focus to a few of the highlighted items for this runway season. GLOVES! The runway brought a breath of fresh air to the fashion item which relegated to somewhat restricted group of wearers up to fairly recent times. Featured at the Yves Saint Laurent show, gloves, worn once as a novelty, were featured as a mainstream option this season. YSL is known for its mastery of tailoring. Scalloped jackets, large-lapelled shirt dresses, bolero jackets and a slew of precisely cut pencil skirts took to the Parisian stage, but it was the subtle note of rebellion which was most effective. Wearing gloves this casually, is sophisticated, and is something that more men and women need to start wearing again. Yves Saint Laurent, himself, may he rest in peace, would agree. Americans, have just rediscovered the wearing of hats and scarves. I would imagine gloves worn in this fashion, will be next. Its only logical. I mean elegant gloves, worn out to dinner. Not the Michael Jackson, Flash dance and or 80's one glove or the leather gloves people only wear in the winter when it is cold. Those are hideous. If you only wear gloves to keep your hands cold, you are missing the point. White gloves, very chic, on women and men. The Stirrup... Alexander Wang's latest Resort collection isn't completely devoid of black party dresses, but they certainly play a more minor role than they have in seasons past. The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner chalked up his new found interest in all-American sportswear. Featured this season was an alternative to hosiery, the stirrup. Can be worn with low, ankle, or tall boots. This fashion accessory highlighted the runway for the Spring, 2010 show, which put a new spin on the once traditional piece, to an updated chic look.

To check out the latest fashion merchandise items, visit www.busaccafashiongallery.com. Busacca Fashion Gallery (BFG), is an online selling & buying platform for designers, boutique owners, and individual sellers to sell their items on a consignment basis, free on the web. To learn more, visit our website.

Swimwear Forecast, 2010

Although most of us are saying 'goodbye' to Fall, and saying 'hello' to freezing temperatures, we can look forward to the hot trends for 2010, which are already heating up the runway.

The bandeau bikini tops return to the sandy beaches as this swimwear trend for 2010 offers a shoulder-baring alternative to the more traditional bikini tops. Designers showed bandeau bikini tops in styles ranging from those that are little more than stretchy bands, to bandeau tops with under wires. Petites who wear bikinis will also be able to wear bandeau bikini tops.

Look out for string embellishment. We've all heard of string bikinis, but the 2010 swimwear string embellishment trend is totally different. Designers are using strings as part of the style, but usually just for decoration and not as part of the garment's structure. Fringe as embellishment also appeared at the swimwear fashion shows for 2010 styles.If you're thinking about wearing a swimsuit with string embellishment, you're most likely to have a trendy fashion personality. You enjoy cutting edge fashion and like to wear the latest, especially if it's a style that sets you apart from the crowd. When the string decoration is vertical or asymmetrical, it works best for petites. For some of these eye-catching trends, look no further than http://www.busaccafashiongallery.com/. Busacca Fashion Gallery seeks out only the most interesting merchandise peices & designer's for our unique buyers. Featured as one of the leading trends for 2010 is swimsuit designed by Maaji. Maaji is one of the most sort after designer swimwear labels. This beautiful Monokini is very unusual and it compliments the female figure perfectly. The swimsuit is is a lovely berry red colour with contrast trims. There is limited availability for this oh so sexy and pretty swimsuit. Sized Medium which is US10 and UK12-14 (http://www.busaccafashiongallery.com/catalog.php?catid=264&itemid=207&page=1#).

For the latest trends & posted merchandise, visit www.busaccafashiongallery.com!