San Francisco Independent Fashion
You might say Nikki Garcia is making all the rite moves. Not only has her burgeoning First Rite line made it onto the racks at downtown retail hotspot Shotwell, but the local designer is poised to roll out a six-piece collection for spring 2010. Even better, it will be produced and sewn in San Francisco. [Read more...]
We’re all for civility, but we’ve been known to wander outside those bounds when the time is right (like certain sample sales and the *very* occasional fit of road rage on Van Ness).
Another, gentler way to venture into Heathen territory? The local label bearing that name from San Francisco designers Spencer Hansen and Shayne Maratea.
The leather jackets, hats and apparel for men and women from the current collection ($8-$850) display devil-may-care cool alongside an air sleek, urban sophistication. While work on their web site is underway, the folks at Heathen were kind enough to share some images from their latest lookbook and answer a few of our most burning questions. Read on for more on this local label…
Who is Heathen?
Heathen is an independent San Francisco-based designer clothing company that offers the world men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, hats, jewelry and a series of toys under its own label, BLAMO. Partners Spencer Hansen and Shayne Maratea and an entourage of many talented folks, including Cortlan Robertson and big sister Heather Hansen, presently constitute the company.
What’s the driving idea or inspiration behind the label?
The idea for the company was birthed by Spencer Hansen in rural Idaho over a decade ago. With a continuous flow of influence from photography, painting, movement, street culture, the music industry and world travel, Heathen has established itself as an ever-evolving innovative and imaginative company. The company’s designs are visually stimulating and often recognized for their clean subtle details and functional attributes. Heathen presents a collection for a population that desires timeless fashion through inimitable non-mass-produced garments.
How did Heathen come to be? How has the labeled changed over time?
The company began with hand-made one-of-a-kind garments but was primarily recognized for its hats. After years of custom work, the desire to expand in both medium and distribution led us to explore production opportunities. We began producing clothes in 2006 and since have grown from handmaking individual pieces to producing an entire collection. We’ve been able to maintain detail and quality by self-producing and distributing all our goods and staying true to the concepts the company was founded on.
Tell us about BLAMO, the Heathen toy line.
BLAMO toys are a branch of Heathen that emphasize the humorous, other-worldly side of the company’s imagination. BLAMO started with a few toys that charmed their way into people’s lives. Spencer’s toys are sculptural collectibles made from an assortment of materials, including metal, wood, bottle caps, glass and resin that offer the world an alternative to vinyl. In October, with the help of toy collector and creator Mikie Graham, we gave the toys a home of their own and created a BLAMO web site. The BLAMO family now consists of over 10 of Spencer’s designs, from custom one-of-a-kind to limited editions to unlimited runs with new toys emerging monthly. Guest artists also contribute to BLAMO and were recently featured in a self-produced art show.
Want to have a Heathen adventure of your own? You’ll find the label locally at Five and Diamond, Shotwell and shopping events such as Indie Mart and Union Design.
More local designers…
[Photography by Spencer Hansen and Aeschleah DeMartino]
Wear black (like you weren’t going to be wearing at least something in that hue already…even if it’s your cell phone…or the bottom of your shoe…or…or…eyeliner!) for 10 percent off tonight at Shotwell. Also, $3 drinks. Also, DJs. Also photos by Micah Weiss and a free after party nearby at 800 Larkin.
You might say it’s the rare party where complete black outs would be most welcome….
More upcoming fashion-y fun….
Yesterday afternoon, I happened to stop by Shotwell in Union Square and discover these wonderfully unique, versatile and cozy reversible wrap vests by Ali Golden. (Thanks much to owner Holly for pointing them out to me!) I was immediately taken with them and couldn’t wait to post them on SF Indie Fashion and feature them on the 7×7 Glamwatch blog. By a funny twist of fate, Golden herself turned up at the store minutes later, so I got the chance to meet her in person and chat for a few minutes.
A local designer and FIDM student, Golden makes these vests using 100 percent wool. Each is handmade, one-of-a-kind and can be worn on either side and with the dramatic, drapey hoods up or down. As for what to pair them with, the sky’s the limit. Golden says she’s donned them over cocktail dresses to holiday parties, on top of baggy tees during the daytime and with baby doll dresses and boots for venturing around town.
Just don’t let the preppy plaid fool you. When I asked Golden how she landed on this design, she surprised me by saying she’d actually derived the idea from science fiction.
In her words:
“These vests were initially inspired by some of the most fantastic dystopian science fiction artistic endeavors (which i can never get enough of) and my very own post-apocalyptic ideas… When I first started designing them, I liked the idea of a huge protective hood (very post-apocalyptic), but it was obviously extremely important that the vests were as wearable and flattering as they were conceptually interesting. So after experimenting with different ideas, I decided to create a reversible wrap vest with a gigantic hood that also acted as a large collar/lapel.”
Golden is currently at work on her first collection and blogs about her endeavors on her site Creativity Killed the Cat. Be on the lookout for more high drama hoods, as well as knit and woven dresses, come spring. Right now, the only place you can view these beauties in person (unless, of course, you happen to have an in with the designer) is at Shotwell.
The artistic photos are all Golden’s own – she’s also a graphic designer who loves to play with things in Photoshop. The two at the bottom featuring the green vest are ones I took yesterday – thanks to sis-in-law Heather’s willingness to be a guinea pig (you rock!).
