May 21, 2012

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Posh on the Peninsula: Camilla Olson Spring ’12

March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

For spring, Palo Alto’s Camilla Olson continues her polished, ladylike approach to contemporary women’s apparel with a collection of sophisticated pieces like a tucked crepe jacket and a sleeveless sheathe dress alongside ageless items such as a semi-sheer tee and a woven vest that could be prim or delightfully edgy, depending on the wearer and styling.

Olson will debut her latest on Saturday during a sold-out event at Four Seasons Palo Alto along with accessories by Gleim the Jeweler. You can shop the collection online or scope the line and Olson’s diaphanous silk scarves in person at local shops such as Carrots, Atelier, Circle & Square, Blu in Palo Alto and Mill Valley’s Carolina.

More San Francisco fashion news…

Filed Under: Eco-Friendly, Indie Fashion, Local designers, San Francisco Fashion News Tagged With: ,

First Look: Stars + Ravens Collection 2

February 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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This just in from San Francisco’s Stars + Ravens: a second collection that’s equal parts ethereal and edgy. Silk charmeuse, wool cashmere and silk chiffon join with hand-painted details, razor cuts and and unexpected folds in pieces ranging from high-drama capes to long, slender evening gowns.

Continue on for a slideshow culled from the collection, and learn more about designer Sarah Borruso here.

Credits: photography by Lauren Stocker; producer, Josie P. Ramondetta; model, Jillian Lieber; hair and makeup, France Pierson.

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Filed Under: Indie Fashion Tagged With: ,

Behind the Shop: Dina Louise

December 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Colorful rayon-silk blend 80's-era dress in the window of Dina Louise (260 Divisadero St., SF)

Just off Haight Street, vintage boutique Dina Louise has been a neighborhood gem for nearly a year and a half. The shop stands out for not feeling like your typical vintage-slash-thrift situation, but rather an upscale boutique with uncharacteristically reasonable prices.

In the front shop window, handbags from different eras and of varying designs are nestled on an old-timey service cart, while a potted plant and retro kitchenware to add to the homey and welcoming feel. A mannequin dressed in a vibrant rayon knit dress in hues of purple, magenta, black and green sports a bauble-laden gold chain and beckons onlookers to come in for a peek.

When you do, you’ll meet owner Dina Laquaglia, whose wealth of style knowledge is vast and insightful. Not surprisingly, she tells us she was “too young to remember” when her love for retro glamor began. A glance around the store shows that her ardor for old school style is ever-enduring: vintage furniture brimming with fuzzy sweaters and well-edited racks of blouses, dresses, and outerwear from labels such as Yves Saint Laurent, Joseph Magnin, Lanvin, Louis Feraud and Jaeger adorn the small shop’s interiors.

We got a chance to chat with Dina in her shop about vintage style, her boutique and why retro-shopping is oh-so-smart:

A sampling of handbags at Dina Louise

What do you look for when picking new pieces?

I look for pieces that are classic and well-made, good tailoring. I look for something that’s just really fun, unique, something that you would not see if you were to walk into a regular store.

What is currently inspiring to you?

Pieces from the 1980s. I’m really into color right now.

Why do you love vintage?

The quality. For people who can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on well-made clothes, vintage is a great way to go. Things were just made better back then. Nobody makes clothes like this anymore. I mean, they do, but it’s mostly couture and out of most people’s budgets.

How has Divisadero Street been treating you?

Sales-wise, my best month so far was last month, so things are starting to take off.

What does it take to wear vintage?

You have to be creative, and you have to be willing to take risks. My customers are comfortable with themselves and their style.

Photography courtesy of Alexandra Naughton

More San Francisco vintage…

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Alexandra is a San Francisco writer with a passion for style and creativity. You can find her on Twitter @theTsaritsa
Filed Under: Eco-Friendly, Indie Fashion, Indie-friendly stores, Interviews, San Francisco boutiques, san francisco shopping, Vintage Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We Came, We Saw, We Shopped: City Dolls

December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Stepping into Space Gallery for the City Dolls trunk show to do a little holiday shopping was like stepping into an alternate universe, thanks to an art installation by Bunny Reiss and Monica Canilao (en route to the SF MOMA) composed of quilts, lace, branches and collected items ranging from dream catchers to paper cutouts. The overall effect: a gallery with a romantic, bohemian vibe. Oh, and sweet unique finds from local designers and artists.

An amazing art installation by Bunny Reiss and Monica Canilao was a centerpiece of the event.

Gathered at the Polk street space to spread holiday cheer and handcrafted gifts alongside chow provided by Whiskey Commons Street Food and spiked hot ciders were a number of California artists and designers, including Siri Hanson Jewelry, The Loin, Christine Mayrina Jewelry, K.M. Knits, Olivous Retro Jewelry, Stolen Sunday, Paulina Carcach Handbags, Black Pyramid Vintage, Anisa Esmail Jewelry, Phoenix the Fox, Amour Vert and Dear Mina Jewelry.

During our chat at the trunk show, City Dolls founder Kirsten Incorvaia told me she wanted to, “create a place for people to shop that wasn’t about the hectic holiday pressure… a fun and friendly environment unlike the impersonal malls” of the world. The event on Saturday night was the second-ever City Dolls trunk show.

Read on for a few of my favorite items at the show:

Christine Mayrina is a jewelry collector who sources her vintage and antique jewelry from a list of places that ranges from the American Southwest to Turkey for a collection with a bold, international vibe.

Statement necklaces, antique cocktail rings and belly-dancer bangles from the Christine Mayrina Jewelry collection.

Dear Mina, a handmade jewelry line by Mina Caragay, is both modern and primitive, hard and soft, solid and fluid. Her pieces are made with crystals, semi-precious stones, rock specimens, metals and textiles, and fun touches like skull beads and arrowheads happily marry the sophisticated with the quirky.

Jewelry by Dear Mina

Shop or design your own purse with a visit to Paulina Carcach, who has has been personally designing unique and handcrafted handbags since 2008. In luxuriously soft leather with thoughtful details, her bags are affordable and well-made. You can design your own bag on her website and get inspiration from bags in her shop and from previous collections.

Gorgeous handcrafted leather bags by Paulina Carcach (photograph courtesy Paulina Carcach)

Inspired by nature, Siri Hanson's whimsical jewelry line.

Siri Hanson Jewelry is a San Francisco local who creates her handmade pieces from such various materials as clay, rolled bits of magazine paper, metal work, and strips of leather reclaimed from a pair of gloves found at an estate sale. In addition to her line of funky jewelry, she also had on display some handmade ceramic Christmas tree ornaments.

Photography by Alexandra Naughton

More San Francisco local designers…

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Alexandra is a San Francisco writer with a passion for style and creativity. You can find her on Twitter @theTsaritsa
Filed Under: Custom garments, Eco-Friendly, Handmade, Indie Fashion, jewelry, Local designers, Recycled fashion, san francisco shopping, Vintage Tagged With: , , , , ,

Snap Judgment: Everlane Women’s V Shirt

December 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the uber-basic, yet still sweetly stylish Women’s V in muted black from San Francisco apparel startup Everlane. At $15, this 100 percent cotton top delivers independent, made-in-California fashion with a big box price tag.

Photography courtesy of Everlane

More snap judgments…

Filed Under: Cheap & chic, Indie Fashion, Local designers, T-shirts Tagged With: , , , , ,
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