May 16, 2012

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

Snap Judgment: Voce Keen Be Bold Bracelet

Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: a simple, yet strong sterling silver bracelet stamped inside with the words “Be Bold,” $68, from San Francisco-based Voce Keen, a jewelry company headed up by local lady Amanda Bassolino, who pens a visually-driven blog full of style inspiration.

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The Gift of Gown: 2011 Princess Project Dress Drive

It’s that time of year again: The Princess Project annual dress drive kicks off next week to collect new and gently-worn prom dresses and accessories for Bay Area high school girls in need.

Every year, the Princess Project manages to be one of our favorite charitable examples of using fashion for a good cause. Founded in 2002, the San Francisco non-profit organization has given prom dresses and accessories to over 15,000 teenage girls who might not otherwise have been able to afford the stylish gear to make this quintessential high school experience complete.

It’s also an excellent way to unload party dresses, formal gowns and cocktail numbers that, let’s be real, you’ll never wear again (and for anyone who’s experienced the bridesmaid-dress-conflicts-with-my-body-type-but-I-love-my-friend-so-I ’ll-wear-it conundrum, consider the chance to help someone have a great prom a silver lining to those horrible pics you keep having to untag on Facebook).

Want to get involved? You can donate a dress or accessories at one of many participating San Francisco drop-off locations starting on Feb. 7. Before you head over, make sure your donation is contemporary and relatively in style (purchased in 2005 or later), dry-cleaned and on a hanger and in good condition. You can also mail your donation to The Princess Project, c/o Team Worldwide, 405 Eccles Ave., South San Francisco, CA 94080.

Those interested in receiving dresses for this year’s prom can sign up to learn about dress giveaway days planned for this spring.

Photo courtesy of The Princess Project

Tried & True: Heliotrope Frankincense & Rose Geranium Oil Serum

Frankincense & Rose Geranium Oil Serum, $32, by Heliotrope

When we heard from Heliotrope owner Jonathan Plotzker that the Noe Valley shop’s Frankincense & Rose Geranium Oil Serum was its top seller last month, we were understandably intrigued. After all, it’s technically winter, and even though we may not be braving intense wind chills, it’s still a time of year when many a face could use an added dose of moisture.

If a rich, long-lasting moisturizer made by with essential oils and botanical extracts by a local company sounds appealing, this may be the winter skin rescue you’ve been looking for. Rich in antioxidants, the non-comedogenic serum is designed to be suitable for everyday use by all skin types. Worried about slathering an oil-based product on your face? Don’t, says Plotzker.

“Although some people are afraid of oils, all a regular moisturizer is is oil that’s an emulsion and water. So what this does is it skips all those emulsifiers. So when people are afraid of oil, I tell them they’re already using oil…as long as it’s natural and vegetable-based, it won’t clog your pores,” he explains.

We tested it out over the course of a week and with each application were drawn in by its appealing day-at-the-spa scent, one we found to be intensely herbal in a pleasant way and appropriate for both men and women (not the easiest thing to pull off). It successfully kept our skin moisturized for hours after it was applied.

While the serum is recommended even for everyday use, we think its richness makes it an especially worthy counterpart to a lightweight daily face lotion with sunscreen when extra hydration is needed. For example, we’d imagine craving this stuff after a day on the hill in Tahoe, after a long flight or post-shaving (for the boys reading this).

For more on Heliotrope, check out our previous coverage.

Full disclosure (because we luv you, FCC and also like being honest): a product sample was provided for use in this post. Tried & True is part of a regular series on SF Indie Fashion. Know a great, locally-made product you’d like suggest? Be in touch.

Snap Judgment: Bacca Da Silva Scorpion Tie

Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the newly-released, hand-embroidered skinny Scorpion Tie, $150, available in white or black silk from San Francisco-based designer Bacca Da Silva. You’ll find this and many new accessories from the label available online or in the Sutter Street shop.

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