San Francisco Independent Fashion
Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the delightfully tacky sheer 70′s-era animal print tunic top, $15, from San Francisco-based vintage Etsy shop Lost Feather Vintage, a local source for notably affordable casual and trendy styles from the ’70s and ’80s.
More snap judgments…
As almost everyone who knows me is well aware, I try to shop from small, independent labels and companies whenever possible. So you can imagine, Christmas was no exception. In fact, it was a very indie Christmas in my world.
Under the tree for me this year:
Ciara Convertible Clutch by Melie Bianco, available at Fancy French Cologne. I love this bag because it can be worn in multiple ways and is made of vegan faux "leather."
Deluxe Sample Collection by Ineke. I love Ineke perfume, but I like to use different scents all the time, so this sampler was perfect for me - a great way to have all of this local perfumer's scents on hand instead of committing to just one. At the moment, I think Derring-Do is my favorite for daytime.
Downtown Dress, Maison by House of Spy. This dress was available at Heritage Row in San Francisco this fall. Not sure if it is still in stock, but I love how easy-to-wear it is. Goes with everything, very comfortable, but stylish - and a bonus for me - something even a breastfeeding mom can wear (yes, that dictates so many of my fashion choices these days - gotta have easy access).
Hero Utility Belt by Onanya. Another baby-friendly find. I was having trouble carrying any kind of handbag when I have my son in the Baby Bjorn. This solves the problem. I can carry my phone, wallet, keys, etc. and have him strapped on all at the same time.
A few of the gifts I gave this year:
Personalized Snowflake Ornament by Cheeky Frills. For my godson's 2nd Christmas.
Houndstooth Hoodie by Mvand. For my brother-in-law, who is in constant need of "labeless, trendy, skater sweatshirts." This fit the bill and was made-to-order in Portland. It's also super lightweight - great for the warm Marin weather.
Grandmothers Charm Necklace by Thoughtfully Adorned. For my mother-in-law, who has a charm bracelet and requested a special charm to commemorate my son's birth. The designer made two charms for me, one with his name and birthdate and another with baby shoes in a heart.
Karate Casual Pants by Beta Brand. Very lightweight chill-out pants, another purchase for my bro-in-law.
And now onto the year-end-sales (my husband and I often don’t buy anything for each other before Christmas because, when it comes to clothes and accessories, you’ll often find them MUCH cheaper just two days after Christmas. It’s like a knife in the chest to see something half-priced 48 hours later. So we buy for everyone else before the big day and then shop for each other afterward).
Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the Sabine hand-knit felted orange wool purse with antique brass chain, $64, by KarinSF, an etsy retailer Lorraine spotted recently.
More snap judgments…
There are fine lines we can do without (like the ones on our foreheads, not to mention those between love and hate and just enough and a bit too much). But we’re more than happy to fall in line with the freehand drawings gracing shirts, leggings and hoodies from San Francisco label Coma and Cotton.
The apparel project from local artist Kevin Scott Hailey features wearables for men and women emblazoned with hand-drawn, abstract drawings inspired by a heady mixture of human experience, world travel, mandalas, psychedelia-tinged dreamscapes, mind-bending spiritual traditions, Native American iconography and, in essence, just about anything else that happens to pour forth from the artist’s subconscious.
Hailey transfers his drawings to silk screens and prints them on cotton basics, often from Alternative Apparel.
“I use all water-based inks and dyes and try to use organic cotton when I can,” says Hailey, a member of San Francisco’s Million Fishes arts collective.
Want to peruse Coma and Cotton in person? You’ll find the label’s work currently housed in independent fashion-friendly shops such as Gravel and Gold, Backspace, Arkay Workshop, Needles and Pens and Park Life. Or collide virtually with Hailey’s work by visiting the Coma and Cotton etsy shop, visiting his web site and perusing his paintings on Flickr.
[Photography by Jennifer O'Keeffe and Allysun Dutra]
More news and fashion from local San Francisco designers….
At the Union Design Festival on Sunday, we were taken with the jewelry holders and stands from San Francisco designer W.Ho Made It. Not only did they stand out from the crowd (we’ve never spotted anything quite like them at a local design festival or shopping event before), but we were enamored of their dainty practicality. We never seem to have enough storage space for our bloated collection of baubles. And unlike jeans or leather jackets (other things we have too many of), jewelry never looks better when it’s been beat up from overcrowding.
Looking sweet while solving a problem, the magnetic topper lifts off the Ring Holder above to allow finger adornments to stack around the bar rising from the center of an antique tea cup. In the four-tiered Jewelry Stand pictured below, an assortment of vintage porcelain pieces provides ample room for necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. It may not have the drawers and cushioned compartments of many jewelry boxes, but we love these handmade vintage jewelry holders for their ability to keep frequently-worn, everyday accessories safe and sound while still easily accessible.
Keep reading SF Indie Fashion for more news and fashion finds from Bay Area boutiques and local designers….
