San Francisco Opera Guild Teams with Saks Fifth Avenue to Present FASHION FORWARD Evening Tonight

San Francisco Opera Guild and Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco present Fashion Forward: An Evening with Erdem tonight, March 25 at Pier 27, the new San Francisco Cruise Terminal. The event marks the celebrated designer's first runway fashion show in San Francisco and showcases his Fall/Winter 2015 collection, unveiled last month at London Fashion Week. "Erdem easily won the award for most-oohed-over show this morning with a sublime collection that showed the Canadian-born designer to be up there with the very best" (The Telegraph, UK).

Fashion Forward: An Evening with Erdem begins 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 are invited to a VIP reception to meet the designer that evening and an exclusive brunch with Erdem the following morning.

Co-chaired by Claire Fluhr and Anne Marie Massocca under the leadership of new San Francisco Opera Guild President Charlot D. Malin, the evening benefits San Francisco Opera Guild's innovative and impactful 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.

Erdem is known for feminine, imaginative creations and detailed craftsmanship. His work has earned him numerous industry accolades, including 2014 Womenswear Designer of the Year by the British Fashion Council and Designer of the Year at the 2015 Elle Style Awards.

Erdem In-Store Appearance - March 26 at Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco

Erdem Moralio?lu makes an in-store appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco on Thursday, March 26 from 1pm-3pm. Meet the designer as he showcases his Fall/Winter 2015 Collection on the second floor of the Women's Store at 384 Post Street. The Trunk Show Collection will be available for viewing until Friday, March 27 at 1pm.

Fashion Forward: An Evening with Erdem, March 25 at Pier 27 - Tickets and Information

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

About Erdem

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 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 D. Malin is President of San Francisco Opera Guild. To learn more about San Francisco Opera Guild, visitsfoperaguild.com.