San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
L.A. BOUTIQUE STEPS UP IN MISSION
Intentionally Blank’s mid-March takeover of Painted Bird vintage shop at 1360 Valencia St. seems like it was preordained. That’s because Ty McBride, the founder of the Los Angeles footwear and apparel brand, is a longtime devotee of the now-shuttered Mission favorite. During an impromptu shopping trip in December, while he was in town hunting for his first San Francisco brick-and-mortar spot, the onetime Jeffrey Campbell exec happened upon a “for rent” sign in the window.
Today, the 1,000-square-foot-store sparkles with bright white walls and floors, a striking contrast to the hits of color that liven up the space. These include a pair of shrunken orange armchairs, a vibrant green (houseplant) jungle and the shoes. Sherbet-hued slingbacks, striped mules and block-heeled beauties in a range of primary shades cluster and hang solo on displays, and also warm the floor with their approachable charm.
Along with the 4-year-old label’s footwear, shoppers will find its eponymous minimal / androgynous clothing line; and, in an ode to the former tenant, a collection of curated vintage pieces. Rounding out the merchandise mix are fragrance, beauty, candles and accessories from McBride-preferred brands like Maison Louis Marie, Carlen Parfums, Blackbird, Cavern NYC and Lavender Stardust.
After giving McBride a little time to settle in, Style talked to him about the new digs, the brand itself and the magical power of shoes.
Q: Why did you decide to open your first store outside your L.A. hometown in S.F.? A: While our online store is our busiest storefront, many shipments go out to the Bay Area daily. S.F. is our second-largest market behind NYC in regards to our direct-to-consumer sales. The vibe of the shoes, the relaxed nature of the brand and the low heels make it a good fit for the lifestyle here. S.F. is close enough to L.A. that I thought it was a good test for (possible) later expansion and a great location for our second store. So here we are two months in.
Q: How involved were you in the design of the space?
A: I designed the entire space with help from my assistant, Gilbert, and our contractor, Evan Burgess. I was inspired by a combination of some of my favorite stores in Brooklyn, and, additionally, I combined a lot of ideas I’ve been screengrabbing for years, clogging my desktop. It’s important to me that our space is accessible — because the brand is exactly that. Lighthearted and indie are the vibe for all that we do.
Q: How have you been received, especially since former tenant Painted Bird was so beloved?
A: Well, we had a lot of fans here before we opened, so they were relieved to be able to try on as many shoes as they wanted! No doubt, the fans of Painted Bird were very loyal, and as a longtime client myself, I totally get that. Most of their clients have been very gracious in welcoming us to the neighborhood. We have a hefty vintage selection in the store, albeit very different from what PB did.
Q: What sets your shoes and clothing apart?
A: We approach the market without any ego in our shoes. They are fun and inspired by the lives of our clients. You’re getting value and comfort and a quality product. We’re able to present something special that isn’t intended for the mass market. We like to think of it as a VIP party where everyone is invited. In many of our stockists, we sit next to amazing brands like Charlotte Stone,
Rachel Comey and Loq. I would encourage anyone with even a slight shoe fetish to head to 1360
Valencia for a try-on!
Q: Why do women love shoes so much?
A: Shoes are magical. They make you feel new. They tie it all together. One thing I hear over and over again from my clients is: “When I wear your shoes, I get so many compliments.”
This makes me feel good, makes me happy.