We had a lovely time last night at Lia Kes, where a press preview introduced media and friends of the (until-very-recently) New York designer to her very first retail location in advance of Thursday night’s official opening party.

Pieces from the fall and holiday collections hanging from the racks during our visit struck us as ideal for the urban dweller fed up with fussy garments and, instead, in search of silhouettes that are edgy in a soft and seriously subtle way. Here’s what we mean: many of the pieces have clean lines and fluid shapes in solid hues of black, white, gray, blue and orange. But they’re far from boring. Zippers allow a cocktail dress to turn into a top and necklines to adjust, while versatile button downs and soft t-shirts take on enviable edge with the help of fringe panels and tastefully rendered cut-out backs. And while the line isn’t dirt cheap by any means, the price point is notably affordable, especially when you consider that, outside the boutique, the clothes share racks with much more expensive wearables at Barney’s and Neiman Marcus.

Though the store has been quietly open since December, the party’s only just begun. To celebrate with Kes, head to the shop tomorrow night for an official opening party from 5:30-7:30 pm. Enticements include Champagne, snacks and models donning selections from the current collection.

Lia Kes, 3024 Fillmore St., 415-829-2225.

More stylish things to do in San Francisco…