Fair Leather Friends: Zoe Hong Spring 2011

The combination of easy-going silhouettes in soft fabrics such as modal jersey and rich lambskin leather made us fast admirers of the latest from Bay Area designer Zoe Hong, whose spring 2011 collection celebrates neutrals and comfort in a way that’s oh-so-San Francisco chic.

“I love working with leather, but I also know that leather is really uncomfortable when it’s hot. I was trying to think of ways to incorporate leather that’s comfortable,” Hong tells us.

For spring, Hong created women’s apparel in crisp black, white, camel and grey hues with versatile shapes that get a kick of sophistication and urban edginess from leather. For those ready to embrace serious skin, a pencil skirt with attached sash and a white beaded mini dress with lace-up back offer an opportunity to really leather up, while a slouchy black top with a simple leather back strap and flowy black one-shoulder dress with a contrasting leather top continue the leather-is-lovely theme in a softer way.

Want to add these wearables as friends? You’ll find Hong’s work available this spring at San Francisco’s The Factory.

Photography courtesy Jason Heilig and Moja Ma’at and photo editing by Oropesa Creative for Zoe Hong