Dressmaker Danielle Pettee holds Friday tight, close to her up-cycled rabbit fur collar just before he jumps out and barks at me. Friday is a the dog and cute little black pup belonging to Shotwell co-owner Michael Weaver. Incidentally it also happens to be a Friday and we are sitting in the sun outside of The Stable Cafe on Folsom. It’s been quite a year for Danielle, who has been making dresses and auctioning off Rompers to support local charities like Kiva. Today, she’s excited to talk all about her fall line, her new sewing machine and why she’s just so happy, “a gust of wind led her to San Francisco.” Sitting across from her big green eyes, I can see why Friday was all over her, and why San Francisco just can’t get enough of her hand made work.
Modelina Michelle: What Are you wearing right now?
Danielle Pettee: I’m wearing Rabbit Fur donated to me.
MM: What do you love about being a clothing designer?
DP: I’m an artist. I like to build things and I just love clothing. I can put into my garment, my painting, my constructive skills, and my creativity all in one place. And that’s what I love most about designing.
MM: What’s up next for you this Fall?
DP: I want to do custom pieces, I want to make jackets and I want to work with leather and fur. Leather is my most favorite textile. I’m gearing towards a more vintage fur, leather feel. A very sophisticated vintage feel with a modern twist. I keep finding lots of leather.
MM: You recently auctioned off a Romper at last months’ Fashion Show benefitting Kiva, can you tell me about that?
DP: Everything I’ve done has been for charity. It (the romper) was the second highest item auctioned off for Kiva. I’m very proud of that event. It sold for $700.
MM: Who taught you how to sew?
DP: My mom. I’ve learned a lot through other people but mostly I taught myself. I’ve been sewing since I was 16.
MM: What is this new sewing machine that you got for your birthday?
DP: I can do anything with that machine, it sews through every fabric. It’s totally vintage and adorable. It has all metal parts. I’m very excited about it and what I can do with it.
New sewing machine or not, Danielle Pettee has proven her self to be an un stop-able young designer, unwilling to compromise her self, sell out or give up all while staying close to the city she calls home.
Photos courtesy of Herm Pugay Photography; Moja Ma’at Photography
This article was originally published on Modelina Michelle


















