San Francisco Opera Guild Teams Up with Saks and Erdem

San Francisco Opera Guild and Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco have joined forces to present Fashion Forward: An Evening with Erdem at Pier 27, the new San Francisco Cruise Terminal on Wednesday, March 25. Co-chaired by Claire Fluhr and Anne Marie Massocca under the leadership of new San Francisco Opera Guild President Charlot Malin, the evening benefits San Francisco Opera Guild's innovative and impactful music education programs.

"We are honored to partner with San Francisco Opera Guild in 2015 as the benefactors of the annual fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue. The Guild does an amazing job of bringing awareness to our community of the importance of providing music education to students in the Bay Area," said Robert Arnold-Kraft, Vice President and General Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco. "The funds raised from the fashion show will help them continue these important programs."

"I am very excited to be showcasing my Fall/Winter 2015 collection in San Francisco next year with Saks Fifth Avenue. I am a strong supporter of the arts and love that the event will be benefiting the amazing San Francisco Opera Guild," said Erdem Moralio?lu.

The evening will begin at 6:30pm with a cocktail reception followed by the runway fashion show, a brief live auction and an after-party. Guests at the Couture level and above will be invited to a VIP Party to meet the designer that evening and a Private brunch with Erdem the following morning.

"Through our partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, San Francisco Opera Guild is honored and thrilled to host Erdem Moralio?lu's first runway fashion show in San Francisco. Erdem was just recognized as the "2014 Womenswear Designer of the Year" by the British Fashion Council and has quite a following in San Francisco and around the world. Proceeds from this spectacular event will support the world-class opera and classical music education programs of San Francisco Opera Guild which reach over 50,000 students each year. The support of Saks Fifth Avenue, Erdem and the Bay Area community allows us to continue these vital programs," said Opera Guild President Charlot Malin.

Erdem is known for feminine, imaginative creations and detailed craftsmanship. His work has earned him numerous industry accolades.

"San Francisco Opera Guild is very excited to be partnering with Saks Fifth Avenue to showcase the latest designs from Erdem Moralio?lu," said event co-chairs, Clair Fluhr and Anne Marie Massocca. "The fresh and feminine hot-off-the-runway designs promise to delight the audience and deliver a memorable evening."

Proceeds from the event benefit San Francisco Opera Guild's award-winning music education programs, which have served children in Bay Area schools for over 75 years. Annually, more than 50,000 students in nearly 200 schools throughout Northern California receive the benefits of arts education as only opera can deliver.

Tickets and Information

Tickets for Fashion Forward include a cocktail reception, runway show seating and after-party, and are priced at $375 & $575 for individual tickets and $1,500; $2,500; $5,000 & $10,000 for 2 tickets. Tickets at the Couture level ($2,500 for 2 tickets) and above include a VIP Party to meet the designer that evening and a Private brunch with Erdem the following morning. For tickets and more information, visit sfoperaguild.com or phone (415) 565-3204.

About Erdem Moralio?lu

Established in London in 2005 by Erdem Moralio?lu, the eponymous ready-to-wear brand, Erdem, has come to be synonymous with versatile yet powerful femininity. Erdem trained at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London where he remained to launch the brand following his graduation. Known for his use of experimental textiles, vibrant prints, and detailed craftsmanship, Erdem has created a beautiful world of the delicate mixed with the bold. Erdem has received numerous accolades over the years, including the 2008 British Fashion Council's Fashion Forward Award; the 2010 inaugural Vogue / British Fashion Council Designer Fashion Fund Award, the 2012 British Fashion Council's New Establishment Award, the 2013 British Fashion Council's Red Carpet Award and the 2014 British Fashion Council's Womenswear Designer of the Year Award. Born in Montreal, Canada in 1977, Erdem Moralio?lu is of British-Turkish descent and was raised between Montreal and Birmingham, England.

About Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world's pre-eminent specialty retailers, is renowned for its superlative American and international designer collections, its expertly edited assortment of handbags, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics and gifts, and the first-rate fashion expertise and exemplary client service of its Associates. Today, Saks operates 42 full-line stores in 20 states, five international licensed stores, 66 Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores and saks.com, the company's online store.

Saks Fifth Avenue is proud to be named a J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Customer Service Champion and is only one of 50 U.S. companies so named.

About San Francisco Opera Guild

Founded in 1939 to support arts education and San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Opera Guild has acted on its belief that the life lessons drawn from creative expression are the foundation of confidence and integrity. Celebrating over 75 years of offering award winning K-12 education programs and engaging community outreach programs, its mission is to give voice to potential, extending the impact of opera and bringing it center stage into the life of the community. Each year, through San Francisco Opera Guild's fundraising and education fund, more than 50,000 students in nearly 200 schools throughout Northern California discover the power of arts education to help them find their voice. Charlot Malin is President of San Francisco Opera Guild. To learn more about San Francisco Opera Guild, visit sfoperaguild.com.