Need sartorial evidence that opposites attract? Look no further than San Francisco designer Sarah Borruso’s just-launched line Stars + Ravens, which made its debut during a trunk show at the Silverman Gallery last week.

“I’m inspired by contrasts: old and new, light and dark, understated and outspoken,” Borruso tells us.

It’s no accident, then, that the emerging local designer settled upon the seemingly disparate notions of flirtatious, twinkling stars and ominous, Poe-born ravens to name her label.

As for the clothes themselves, the San Francisco native turned to historic moments in the City’s past for inspiration.

“I’ve also realized how much San Francisco history and culture has influenced me. I’ve taken inspiration from historical events like the 1906 earthquake and the Summer of Love. It’s amazing and haunting to see the old photos of people walking around after the ’06 earthquake in those incredibly ornate clothes, for example, and how they stand out in such sharp contrast to the destruction and rubble all around them. Those are the kinds of contrasts that strike me,” she says.

Along with contrast, Borruso is also a fan of handcrafted construction. Many of her pieces feature hand-finished hems and hand-stitched details.

The result is a small collection of ethereal, romantic pieces such as a tie-waist halter dress in silk charmeuse and a cotton jersey dress with side flutter detailing and asymmetrical sleeves alongside darker pieces like a wool “East Meets West” Cape that can be worn cinched at the waist or tied loosely at the sides.

“I like the idea of giving people choices so they can wear something their own way or transform it into different looks,” says Borruso.

Borruso’s work will be available via the Stars + Ravens web site in the future. In the meantime, contact info (at) starsandravens (dot) com for more information and custom orders.

[Credits: Photographer: Lauren Stocker; Model: Robin Ayers; Hair: Mai Ling Meyers; Make-up: Veronica Sjoen; Stylist: Carrie Vawter. Clothing design: Sarah Borruso for Stars + Ravens]