Bay Area fashion icon Wilkes Bashford dies

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Sunday, January 17, 2016
This undated image shows Wilkes Bashford.
This undated image shows Wilkes Bashford, owner of the Wilkes Bashford Clothing chain.
kgo-Photo by Lee Houskeeper

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A San Francisco fashion icon has died.

Wilkes Bashford started an upscale clothing chain in Downtown San Francisco in 1966 that went national.

Bashford was also known for being loyal and giving back to the community.

He sold his stores in 2009, but stayed on as president. The store on Sutter Street, near Union Square, and one in Palo Alto are the only ones remaining in the Bay Area.

He had been battling prostate cancer for nearly a year. Wilkes Bashford was 82-years-old.