From Paris to Milan to New York City to… Sausalito? Cities all over the world make a point to celebrate the latest creations and innovations in fashion, devoting entire weeks (or more) to showcasing work from designers of all kinds. On Oct. 6 at Sausalito’s Presidio Yacht Club, Marin joined these cities with its own fashion celebration, the first annual Marin Fashion Night. Gerry Kelly, founder of Fairfax-based denim brand SONAS, was the man behind the event, which spotlighted the creative and stylish contributions of Marin-based designers. It’s an event that’s also giving back to the community; proceeds are supporting the Rotary Club of Ross Valley.
There were six designers at the event: Philine, Damon Grey, Larry the Hat, Rebecca Bruce, Stella Boutique Marin and Kelly’s own brand SONAS, which he describes as appealing to a typically distinct and creative crowd. “Over time, musicians started noticing my work, especially those who appreciate that blend of timeless, classic fashion with a bit of an edge,” Kelly said. “Now, I find myself dressing a lot of artists who want to stand out from the crowd while staying true to their style.”
But the fashion looks weren’t the only pieces of art at the event — art installations showcased work by a couple of other artists in Marin, such as Laura Kimpton and Jane Richardson Mack. There was also some interactive Burning Man Art, a live art casting of a sculpture with Laura Gravenstine and fire dancing by Poisnivy Circus from West Marin, which Kelly highlighted ahead of the event.
To get to know the man behind it all and for more insight into what Marin Fashion Night looked like, we spoke with Kelly directly — here’s what he said.
How did Marin Fashion Week come to be? What prompted the need/desire for an event like this?

As a lover of people and fashion, I’ve always believed that style is more than just what we wear — it’s a form of expression, a way to connect with others and a celebration of creativity. Living in Marin, I saw a unique opportunity to bring our community together through fashion.
The idea for Marin Fashion Week came to me as a way to showcase the incredible talent we have locally and to create a space where people could come together, celebrate and be inspired by each other’s creativity. However, after giving it some thought and receiving some valuable advice, I realized that it might be even more impactful to start with something more intimate and focused — a single, amazing night that really captures the essence of what I want to achieve. That’s how Marin Fashion Night was born: a night of fashion, art and music that brings the Marin community together in a truly special way.
What feedback have you received since Marin Fashion Night’s success?
The feedback following Marin Fashion Night has been incredibly positive and heartwarming. We’ve received enthusiastic messages across texts, emails, phone calls and social media comments, all sharing how much people enjoyed the night. I’m truly grateful for the support and thrilled that the event resonated so well. It wouldn’t have been possible without the stellar team that worked alongside us, and I’m excited to build on this success moving forward.
How does the success of the debut influence what you see for Marin Fashion Night’s future?
It has really set a strong foundation for what Marin Fashion Night can become in the future. It’s given us confidence in the vision we have for the event and shown us that there’s a genuine excitement and support from the community. Moving forward, I see Marin Fashion Night growing into a semi-annual celebration that not only showcases local talent in fashion, art and music but also creates deeper connections and positive impact within our community. We’re excited to keep pushing boundaries and making each year even more special.
What was it like seeing everything come together?
It was truly remarkable. I was blown away by the dedication and talent of the entire MFN team. I feel incredibly fortunate to have connected with the right people who made the event such a success. Having Stacy Messerschmidt as our creative director, Charleston Pierce as our fashion show producer and Claire Schuur, our project manager, gave me a lot of confidence — just to name a few key players. It was a genuine team effort, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of professionals to bring the vision to life.

Prior to the show, you said there would be two surprise local designers. Who were they and how did the audience react?
Our surprise local designers, Rebecca Bruce from Sausalito and Philine from San Anselmo, truly wowed the audience with their unique and stunning designs. They brought an exciting element to the night, and the crowd’s reaction was everything we had hoped for — pure enthusiasm and admiration for the local talent.
What are a couple of highlights from the event?
While the fashion show and fire dancing were definite highlights, what truly stood out was the incredible positive energy throughout. The sense of connection in the room was palpable — seeing everyone dressed up, looking so stylish, and genuinely happy was a highlight in itself. It was more than just a night of fashion; it was a celebration of community, creativity and joy.
What’s the fashion community like [as a whole] in Marin?
The community is small, but it’s got a lot of heart and energy. There’s so much creativity here — people really know how to express themselves through their style.
What are some of your/your board members’ favorite places to shop for clothing, both in general and locally?
Some of our favorite spots include John Varvatos, Bella Marin and, of course, SONAS in Fairfax. Interestingly, I actually met most of our board members at my store, SONAS, while sharing the vision of Marin Fashion Night with my customers. It’s great to see that connection come full circle
Photos by Stephanie Mohan from Creative Portraiture