How Two Emerging Designers Produced a Fashion Show in San Francisco

Mana Siyo

Aug 25

4 min read

Updated: Aug 28

Guest post by Narcisse, designer and director of the Rosa & Narcisse Fashion Show, held August 15, 2026 at

Frontier Tower in San Francisco.

The Vision

On August 15th, 2026, we did it.

The Rosa & Narcisse Fashion Show took place at Frontier Tower, 995 Market St, Floor 6, San Francisco, and it was everything we imagined and more. A packed room, a full runway, vendors, a live host, custom donuts, flowers, music, and an after party that kept the night alive long past midnight.

This show was never meant to be conventional. Designer and director Narcisse and designer Rosa set out to create a grunge-editorial runway experience rooted in community and bold creative expression.

Dark silhouettes. Distressed textures. Looks that tell a story. A room full of alt girls, creatives, and community members who do not usually see themselves on a runway. The theme was simple: Fashion. No Rules.

Powered by Mana Siyo

Behind every look on the Rosa & Narcisse runway was a process. And that process was powered by Mana Siyo, a San Francisco based custom design studio built for emerging designers who have the vision but need the structure to bring it to life.

For emerging designers, the hardest part isn't always having the vision. It's knowing what comes next. (Before the First Stitch)

That is exactly where Mana Siyo came in for us. Working with them meant moving through the I.D.G.C.M. framework, a five stage process that took our ideas from concept to collection to moment:

I, Idea. We brought the sketch, the reference, the concept. The dark romantic, grunge-editorial vision we had in our heads.
D, Development. Design development, material selection, and the early decisions that shape
everything that comes after.
G, Garment. The process is collaborative, with check-ins along the way so the garment can evolve
with your vision, because sometimes the first idea changes once you see it on the body. That is
part of creating.
C, Collection. Each individual garment became part of something larger, a cohesive collection
built for the runway.
M, Moment. August 15th. The show. The moment every stitch was made for.

Custom design is more than the finished piece. It's the consultation, the development, the pattern, the fitting, the revisions, the materials, and the craftsmanship that bring an idea into reality. (Before the First Stitch)

That is what Mana Siyo gave us. And it showed on the runway. If you are an emerging designer with a vision you have not figured out how to bring to life yet, start there. Visit manasiyo.com/design and book a 15-minute call. Bring the beginning. They will help you find what comes next.

Building the Show

We reached out to models, designers, vendors, influencers, collectives, photographers, a host, a donut vendor, and a florist. We created a full press kit, influencer program, and sponsor package and sent them to Bay Area collectives, local media, and small businesses who aligned with our values. We followed up. We stayed consistent. And slowly, the team came together.

What it actually cost, and how we covered it

On the financial side we kept it simple and direct. Tickets sold through Venmo and Cash App across four tiers:

$20 General Admission
$50 R.N. Ticket
$80 Exclusive
$150 Ones Still Standing

Vendor table fees and a three tier sponsor program (Bronze $250, Silver $500, Gold $1,000) helped

cover production costs. In-kind collaborations with the flower shop and the donut vendor added magic

to the night without breaking the budget.

For fabric sourcing on a limited budget we leaned on SCRAP SF, thrifted garments deconstructed and

reimagined, and community donations, all very on brand for a grunge aesthetic that celebrates reuse and reinvention.

The Night

August 15th arrived fast.

We started the day with a Costco and Trader Joe's run, loaded up supplies, and arrived at Frontier

Tower at 5PM for setup. Models arrived at 6PM for final fittings, hair, and makeup. By 7PM vendors

were in place and the space was ready. VIP and Exclusive ticket holders started arriving at 7:30. Doors

opened at 8.

Guests dancing at the Rosa & Narcisse Fashion Show after party, one wearing a custom distressed denim jacket with red embroidery

The after party, past 10:30. Custom denim from the runway, still on the floor.

The runway was everything. The host held the room perfectly, reading the energy of a crowd that ranged from standoffish alt kids to enthusiastic first-timers. The looks landed. The music hit. The flowers, the donuts, the vendors: every detail added up to something that felt whole and intentional. The after party started at 12am and we turned up.

What We Learned

Your team is everything. The people who showed up for this show showed up because of trust and connection, not money.
Press materials matter. A professional press kit, influencer program, and sponsor package made every conversation easier and more credible.
The process is the value. Working with Mana Siyo taught us that the garment is the result of a hundred decisions made before the first stitch. Respect the process.
Technology is your friend. CLO3D, Luma, Venmo, Cash App, TikTok: we used every tool available and it made a massive difference.
Take care of yourself. This show was produced through real personal challenges. Rest is not optional.

For Emerging Designers

If you are reading this because you want to produce your own show: start with a clear vision. Build your team with intention. Document everything and share it. Use technology. Build community before you need it. And do not wait until you feel ready. Start anyway.

If you have looks in your head that you have not been able to bring to life, reach out to Mana Siyo.