We are delighted to extend an invitation to SFLuxe readers for “The Epi Party” at Epi Center MedSpa in San Francisco, January 16, 2009.

This elegant cocktail party is being held to raise awareness of the Bay Area Allergy Advisory Board (BAAAB) and its goals, prior to its upcoming launch.

You will get to meet “Bravo Top Chef New York” contestant and Absinthe Brasserie executive chef, Jamie Lauren, at the event. She has been a strong advocate of allergen-safe cooking in her work.

When we heard that Absinthe Brasserie executive chef Jamie Lauren was going to be Honorary Chair for the Bay Area Allergy Advisory Board’s pre-launch party on January 16, we immediately jumped at the chance to do an item on her.

She is not only the sole Bay Area contestant of Bravo’s “Top Chef” this season, but would truly be the new star chef of San Francisco with or without a major national TV show behind her.

Despite her hectic schedule of work and travel, she was able to squeeze in a quick chat with SFLuxe’s Damion Matthews, and we’re delighted that she did.

The Honourable Julian Evans, Consul General of the United Kingdom, and Mrs. Gayle Evans, recently opened their home in San Francisco to honor the Red Cross, in anticipation of the 2009 Paint the Town Red gala.

Kelly Grimes, Kelly Murphy, Roberta Economidis.

We love that Co-Chairs Kelly …

After months of anticipation, we were thrilled to attend the recent opening of Gucci’s beautiful new store in San Francisco, located at 240 Stockton Street, the glamorous Art Deco building that has been a Union Square landmark for decades.

After you see the massive redesign of the space, you’ll agree it was well worth the wait!

Thanks to Drew Altizer Photography, we can take you into this exclusive opening, where women such as Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Vanessa Getty and Jody Thelander showed that San Francisco is proud to be a major Gucci city.

You can always count on us at SFLuxe to keep you informed of the most important places and events in San Francisco.

So when we first heard of HPP we dropped everything to learn more. Was it a hot new restaurant from Alain Ducasse? A private new club? Perhaps another chic Union Square boutique?

No, the HPP is even better!

Readers of SFLuxe are now being given an amazing opportunity to take part in the success of HPP in San Francisco. But what, exactly, is HPP?

In speaking with Sobia Shaikh, one of the co-chairs (along with Stephanie Tuttle) for the San Francisco Opera Guild’s holiday celebration, ‘Tis the Season, we found out there is still an opportunity to purchase tickets, if people act quickly.

The December 2nd, 2008, event, will be held at Alexandra’s at the top of the Westin St. Francis. It should be a truly glamorous and fun way to kickoff the holiday season. And with views over a sparkling Union Square, there is hardly a more festive location for it!

Thanks to Sobia, and the San Francisco Opera Guild, we are now able to extend an invitation to this special event to SFLuxe.com readers. We hope you can make it!!

Gurbaksh “G” Chahal’s beautiful San Francisco residence was recently packed with friends, family and colleagues for the launch of his first book, “The Dream.”

His autobiography, recounting his experiences as the son of an immigrant family (he was born in Tarn Taran, India), who becomes a self-made millionaire through forming two very successful online companies, was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show the day of the party.

SFLuxe is pleased to take you inside this private event, with photos by Jason Steinberg and Karna Kurata of Steinberg Imagery.

In the world of fashion, Betty Catroux is a legendary figure. As one of Yves Saint Laurent’s closest friends, and strongest inspirations, she has had an indirect influence on the way women all over the world have dressed since the 1960s, continuing to this very …

As many of you know, SFLuxe.com’s Damion Matthews is a supporter of the Bay Area Allergy Advisory Board (allergysf.com), which was founded by local parent Mireille Schwartz, who is featured ocassionally on this site.
We have seen how difficult it can be for parents during the …

“A studly, Bunyanesque figure who showed too much chest and wore an expensive watch on each wrist, Taylor denied himself nothing and thought his clients should do the same.”
The New York Times “T” Magazine ran a wonderful profile of the late great Michael Taylor this …