Tag: san francisco

Megan Rose

SongwriterSan Ramon, CAPhotos & Story by Lauri LevenfeldMakeup & Hair by Irmina Martinez Loeffler

When Megan Rose stepped onto the stage for Season 13 of The Voice, her smoky rendition of “Ode to Billie Joe” not only instantly turned the chair of Adam Levine (and later had him offering up his judge’s seat to Rose for deliberations), but went on to make Voice history as Megan became the last seat on the all-girl team of one Miss Miley Cyrus. A moment crystalizing Megan’s forever dream and all the blood, sweat and tears given to getting there. This San Francisco local with deep-seated country roots understands how important family, community, and an all-girl squad are to keeping her passions and purpose uplifted and undeniable. In response to that glorious moment when Megan made her-story, “I’m not intimated to be on an all-female team, it’s empowering.” This is a girl after our own heart. 

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Isabella & Sophia Canepa

Modeling & Soccer SistersSan Francisco Bay Area, CAStory & Photos by Lauri LevenfeldStyle by Katja O’Brien for Tuchinda and Moque
Makeup & Hair by Irmina Martinez Loeffler & Tacha Scott

When I met Isabella and Sophia Canepa a few years back for an editorial campaign I shot, the first thing that struck me was their undying love and support for one another. As individuals, they were both confident, strong, talented and engaged, yet together they were a fun-loving, undeniable force. I have watched these girls swiftly excel in their careers and on the soccer field, yet both are determined to find balance in a career and sport that can be all-consuming.  This is a story about two sisters following their dreams and paving a path together, hand in hand. A TPFG story by all means… as we know the power and inspiration of girls standing together vs one girl standing alone. 

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Shinola

Shinola Broad Series X TPFWSan Francisco, CAPhotos by Andrea Posadas & ShinolaStory by Lauri Levenfeld

In today’s day and age, we as the consumer have a myriad of choices. We also have the ability to choose companies and brands that do good and do right by their mission and products. One such company Shinola has popped onto the San Francisco scene and created quite a buzz with a gorgeous flagship filled with rose gold colored bikes, stand-out chic and functional watches, and an ever rotating pop-up shop of product from partner American designers.

I was honored to host one of Shinola’s Broad Series evenings with women from our TPFW community around the topics of passion & invention and the “demyth” of life/ work balance. The evening brought out some of the most creative, passionate, and innovative women.

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Gabrielle Begun

WriterSan Francisco, CAPhotos by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Gabrielle Begun

To write a bio about yourself, you have to know yourself very well, and trust that you will make yourself sound like a decent human being. Right now, I’m trying to accomplish this very thing. I’m going to start with the simplest thing; my name. I’m Gabrielle Begun, I’m twelve years old (even though I don’t look it), and I’m in eighth grade. I’m a published author with 15 book readings under my belt and a huge passion for writing. I also love performing; acting, singing, and playing guitar and piano. I’m in a band and I have to say, it’s really fun. And to add to all of this; I love reading books and watching movies equally, so there is no question which I like better. But I love both to such a high point, it’s undescribable. I love everything about movies, and I definitely watch a lot of them. The same with books. My current favorite book is Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children and my current favorite movie is Edward Scissorhands.

Well, now you know my interests and outside personality. I’m going to give a shot at the inside part now. I’ve been told I’m a deep person and an old soul, because of the fact that my heart, mind, and soul do not seem the same age as my body. I’m an introvert, but I like to talk to and be around people. I’ve also been told that I am extremely imaginative,…

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Susan Feldman

One Kings LaneLos Angeles, CAPhoto & Story by Lauri LevenfeldMakeup & Hair by Glamsquad

This is a story of how your passions in life can lead to the most revolutionary ideas in business. Susan Feldman, a proclaimed “hunter & gatherer,” came up with the idea of a lifetime in One Kings Lane. And with the help of her savvy partner Ali Pincus, their brainchild became one of the most sought-after flash sale sites for unique home products and has evolved into an omni-channel business with design studios in NYC and San Francisco. Recently, One Kings Lane was sold to Bed Bath and Beyond. Feldman, a serial entrepreneur with a joie de vivre spirit, talks to TPFW about how her passion led to her idea, which led to her dream of traveling the world and bringing the most sought-after products back to her customer. This is a story for every business creative who has ever dreamed of following a similar course.

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Vanessa Zahorian

Principal BallerinaSan FranciscoPhotos & Story by Lauri Levenfeld

Most every little girl dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. But very few have the drive and ambition to make it a reality. For Vanessa Zahorian of the San Francisco Ballet this dream never wavered and it was the freedom of movement and expression and the pure athleticism that enticed her ever more to stay the path.  Vanessa has traveled the world for her art, and in 2010 became engaged to principal dancer Davit Karapetyan who proposed to her after one of their staring performances in Romeo & Juliet.  

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Sean Quigley

Founder of Paxton GateSAN FRANCISCO, CAPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

Creativity is the imagination of ideas used in an artistic way. We get our ideas by roaming the streets, traveling or even just conversing with someone just about anything. But we all run into our blank spells. Paxton Gate is a unique and creative store in the Mission District in San Francisco. Our merchandise is guaranteed to get you and your child’s minds thinking.

I first opened Paxton Gate in 1992 in a small location on Stevenson Street, an alleyway off of Market.

 

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Stephanie Franco

Event PlannerPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

This is the heartwarming story of my dear friend Stephanie and her battle with infertility. A tremendous woman and mom (all of which you will hear about later) who through much persistence and many years spent, opens up on her struggle to become a mom and the awesome power of will and way as she welcomes her second baby into the world next month. Stephanie is a business owner, a baker, a chef, an artist, a mom, a wife, a girlfriend, a risk taker, a good connector, and a hairstylist…and the list goes on. Today also marks the redesign and relaunch of her meeting, events, and wedding planning business SpotOn Events. A business that has gained worldwide success due to Stephanie’s keen eye, tack sharp organization, as well as, her tremendous originality and vision.Here’s a little more on Stephanie and her successful but complicated story of how her family began to grow.

I’m organized chaos – though no one would ever think it. I’ve always been called “put together” or “grace under pressure”. I’m relatively calm on the outside, steady, and solid while juggling a lots of details, thoughts, emotions underneath. I’m able to look at the big picture and break it down into smaller parts. I’ve very detail oriented when I want to be but not overly fussy or anal about everything. I learned to loosen up the reigns when we began our uphill battle to get pregnant.

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Sobia A. Shaikh

Handbag DesignerStory by: Lauri Levenfeld, Photography Lauri Levenfeld

In light of an amazing past week in fashion and the launch this week of my second business Style Army, I wanted to take the time to focus on a dear client and friend, Sobia Shaikh. Sobia is not only a hard working mom, she is a fashionista, an entrepreneur, a jet-setter, and a designer. Sobia launched her handbag company, Isly Handbags (yes, Style Army did the S/S 13 campaign!) in 2011.

Since her launch, she has turned out two amazing collections, traveled the world creating and promoting her business, all the while keeping her two kids happy and flourishing. I don’t know how she does it, but if you are interested in some keys tips on the juggle including some incredible product recommendations, ways to keep yourself lovely and your kids happy on the road, and some inspiring words on the balance of work, play and mommy-hood…stay tuned.

I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan and my sisters and I were very close to our maternal grandmother and our khala, which is maternal aunt in Urdu. My mother is still very close to her sister and as a result we had great role models in the two of them. My mother, my sisters and I visited my grandparents and my aunt’s homes every Saturday while I was growing up.

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