Tribal Instincts: Elizabeth Fisher

Walking into Wonderland boutique in the Mission, it’s easy to spot an Elizabeth Fisher design—many are hanging from the ceiling. The Academy of Art University alum has handcrafted the one-of-a-kind shoulder pieces deemed ‘fancy epaulettes,’ which maybe dangling from above now, but are meant to be strapped to a tank top.

The fancy epaulettes aren’t flying (or in this case, hanging) solo, as Fisher also designs Tribe, a brand made not so much for the modern-day girl as her long-ago primitive counterpart.

“It’s sort of a contrast between every person having a primal lead…and being forced to suppress that and live outside what’s natural for your human cycle…the contrast between being messy and getting up and throwing something on but also having to be clean,” says Fisher.

Tribe works to create that contrast using pieces that are a mix of unusual colors and fabrics like silk, rand and wool that flow comfortably about the human body.

Fisher says you shouldn’t expect to find large numbers of her designs in one place.

“I like doing very small runs of things, between four and 20 garments of each thing,” she says.

That means shopping for Tribe is kind of like being on the hunt.

Check out her current pieces before they’re extinct. Prices range from a $70 cardigan to a $400 handmade dress composed of many different vintage fabric. Available at Wonderland, 2929 24th street, SF.

Photography courtesy of Jeremiah Damian for Elizabeth Fisher

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  • Laura Reilly

    I love those pictures and obviously also many of her designs! It's good to read more about her, I didn't realize she was so exclusive!