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 and Texas native 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 Elizabeth Fisher

• A. Five-row wedding band made of ethically-sourced diamonds, C5 Company.
• B. Mira, The Two Way Dress, Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture, $1,950.
• C. The Babel Bustier and Luxury G-String, available at A La Folie.
• D. Beautiful Bubbles wedding cake, Elegant Cheesecakes.
• E. Twinkletoes, Hey Lady, $280.
• F. Cream Pearl Chrysanthemum Hair Fascinator, Mari et Femme Bridal, $50.
• G. Bouquet, Laurel Designs.
• H.  Beguile Earrings, Kathleen Dughi.
• I.  Matisse Pearl Necklace, Kathleen Dughi.

Who says you can’t embrace urban aesthetics and the natural world at the same time? Helping Bay Area style-seekers do just that is Protea, a collection of ultra-wearable separates from San Francisco’s Kelly Hansmann.

“Protea is for the city girl who loves nature. She leads a very modern life and likes to stay grounded. It’s all about the balance between urban and organic…creating a sense of uniqueness, beauty and strength,” Hansmann tells us.

Working with fabrics from French and Italian mills and seamstresses located in San Francisco, the Apparel Arts graduate launched her own line in 2008. The latest from Hansmann is a soon-to-be-available-online fall 2010 collection ($89-$328) featuring cozily elegant tops and vests that could easily become tried-and-true go-to items in any Northern California girl’s wardrobe rotation.

Named for the Protea flower, which takes its name from Greek god Proteus, the label embraces the idea that there are many ways to be beautiful.

Says Hansmann:

“Proteus was a god of the seas and could change shape at will. Protea, one of the oldest flowers on earth, was named after him because of its incredible diversity of shapes, sizes and colors. It’s the perfect reminder that beauty takes many forms.”

The label is gearing up to launch an online store via its web site next week, but in the meantime you can find the collection in person during a sample sale this weekend at Conifer. We hear Hansmann will have samples from her fall collection, as well as previous season samples, during the event, which also features deals of up to 80 percent off retail from local labels Amy Mautz, Kathleen van der Spek and Sust.

Photography courtesy of Protea

Versatile and distinctly California in their casual coolness, separates from San Francisco designer Kathleen Van Der Spek have recently captured our attention. Working with soft, drapey fabrics from MicroModal to silk jersey and cashmere, the Tommy Bahama alum creates unfussy, yet feminine basics that are manufactured in San Francisco and can be easily dressed up or down according to your whims. Details such as a hand-twisted belt on a drapey tulip top and gold buttons along the sleeves of a slouchy butterfly blouse ensure that laid-back remains far from boring.

“My customer loves to stand out in the crowd, but look like she is not trying to,” says van der Spek, an Indiana native who moved to San Francisco post stints working in New York and Seattle as a milliner and, later, designing menswear for Tommy Bahama.

Influenced by the Bay Area’s entrepreneurial vibe, van der Spek struck out on her own after relocating to San Francisco with her husband.

“When my husband and I moved to the Bay Area, he began working at a tech start-up. I was inspired by his excitement in working for a small company, building something from the ground up and was also inspired by the many entrepreneurs I have met here. It seemed like everybody had a dream, and they often went for it. I began researching sewing factories, cutters, fabric suppliers and other local designers here in the Bay Area and realized it was very doable,” she says.

Want to peruse the latest from van der Spek in person? She’ll be selling overstock and samples from her previous three seasons, including a selection of cashmere and wool scarves and gloves, during a sample sale this weekend at Conifer. Prices will range from $5-$75 during the event, which also features deals of up to 80 percent off retail from local labels Amy Mautz, Protea and Sust.

Photography courtesy of Kathleen van der Spek

Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the new farmers market-friendly Cornucopia bag, $120, from Betabrand (formerly Cordarounds). With multiple zippered compartments, backpack straps and a shoulder strap, this sturdy bag is made for on-the-go city folk seeking a more organized approach to the weekly farmers market shop.

More snap judgments…