Best Upcoming Fashion Events In The East Bay

(credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

The East Bay is heating up with fashion events that highlight indie makers and collectors as well as fashion-forward designers. Whether you love plowing through a treasure trove of cast-offs and family heirlooms, searching out the latest in handmade accessories to personalize your look, are planning to walk down the bridal aisle or enjoy having a front row seat to a runway extravaganza months in the planning, it's all happening in our own backyard.

Date: Jan. 10-11, 2014 at 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

What happens when you mix wearable fashion with industrial art, add some hot and fiery visual effects, music, dancing, models and a runway? You get the perfect combination for a 56,000-square-foot West Oakland warehouse space. Three different shows are staged both nights in this cutting-edge hot couture event to spotlight collaboration between Bay Area fashion and industrial art designers. Buy tickets online.

Date: June 13-14, 2014 

It's a salute to vintage lovers. The biannual vintage fashion show is growing and has a new venue in an old airplane hanger. More than 50 vendors will display their vintage collections in men's and women's clothing, accessories, jewelry, textiles, hats and shoes. Dress up for this year's Friday night early buy opening party at the spring/summer event which has a red, white and blue theme to capture the 1940s mood of USO, WACS, WAVES, WASPS and the inimitable World War II style.

Date: Jan. 25-26, 2014 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and ongoing monthly

Hunt out unique fashion finds like an ivory wedding dress from the 90s, a velvet cap from swingin' 60s Carnaby Street or a unisex leather bomber jacket from the 70s. On the last full weekend of every month all through the year, the Treasure Island Flea takes place rain or shine, indoors or outdoors. January through March sees the event held inside of a former Golden Gate International Exposition venue on the manmade island with its spectacular bay and skyline views. Stroll among dozens of vendors' antiques, vintage, indie, retro, new and up-cycled goods. Admission is $3, kids are free, food trucks are present, it's dog-friendly, the MUNI bus 108 stops outside and there's free parking, too.

Date: Ongoing; 2nd Saturday of the month

Oakland's newest outdoor event features every fashion find you can imagine. Meet more than 150 vendors and indie makers with racks and rails and tables and trays crammed full, from your grandmother's lace to the hippest new designs. Brought to you by the same folks who created the mega-success of the Treasure Island Flea, this "shop local and shop unique" fashion and collectibles event repeats on the second Saturday of every month all year round. Entry is free, food trucks are out and Rover is welcome.

Date: Feb. 20, 2014 at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Did you ring in the New Year with a ring on your finger? Those interested in traditional bridal and wedding fashion are invited to Scott's to meet DJs, admire gowns while sipping champagne, sample hors d'oeuvres from Scott's chef and taste heavenly wedding cake morsels. It's all free to brides and their wedding party friends and planners with an RSVP to Scott's.

Date: March 2, 2014 at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Lafayette Park Hotel and Spa is one of the East Bay's loveliest wedding venues. East Bay wedding fashionistas and planners are presenting their finery over champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Up for grabs in a prize drawing for all brides attending is a week-long honeymoon in Kauai.

Laurie JM Farr is a freelance writer covering all things in her adopted San Francisco. A dedicated urbanite, she's a transplanted New Yorker by way of a couple of decades in London as a hotel sales and marketing manager. Follow her work on @ReferencePlease, USA Today, Yahoo! and on Examiner.com.