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SPRING FRESH
BY ALISON AVES
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San Francisco designers clean you up for the warm season |
There
are so many reasons to look forward to spring: More daylight. Less
dreary weather. And the cue to shove bulky sweaters to the back of the
closet. The need—or intense desire—for lighter-weight fabrics and
brighter hues is just the excuse many of us have been waiting for to
hit the stores and give our wardrobes a face lift. San Francisco’s
resident apparel and accessory designers are here to help. Before you
leave the city, make sure to pick up an item or two that has that stamp
of San Francisco style: sophisticated, contemporary and, of course,
decidedly original.
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Saffron Rare Threads
Saffron Rare Threads’ objective is to present clothes that can go from
the conference room to the cocktail lounge, says designer Priya
Saraswati, who created the label with partner Yugala Priti. “It’s for
women who want to wear something cool and hip to work and just change
the accessories for the evening,” she says. The result is a look that’s
sharp, tailored and very contemporary, even while invoking styles of
the past. This spring’s collection is reminiscent of the ‘70s with its
military-style jackets and herringbone patterns. The easy-care fabrics
aren’t afraid of suitcases or gym bags, and colors include bright jewel
tones as well as warm neutrals. www.saffronrarethreads.com
SHOP: Ideele (1600 Haight St. 415-431-8836), Mingle (1815 Union St.
415-674-8811), Ooma (1422 Grant Ave. 415-627-6963)
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Babette
A woman on the go needs clothing that’s versatile, portable and stylish
without sacrificing comfort. After designing for more than 30 years,
the woman known simply as Babette has found an array of classic ways to
satisfy those demands. She uses fabrics—such as a microfiber and a
polyester “linen” indistinguishable from its cotton cousin—that can
tough out the close quarters of a suitcase and work seamlessly from day
into evening. The spring 2006 line, available at Babette’s eponymous
boutique, features timeless looks that hover just a bit above casual,
working perfectly for an outdoor party or a spring wedding. Fabrics in
a range of colors are lightweight and temperature-versatile,
accommodating warm days and cool nights. “We made the pieces easy to
mix and match by using mostly solids,” Babette says. www.babettesf.com
SHOP: Babette (361 Sutter St. 415-837-1442)
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Goldenbleu
When Lindsey Colhoun and Rene Huber-Brookshire—neither of whom had a
background in fashion design—sold the first Goldenbleu bag in December
2004, they couldn’t possibly have known that within a year their label
would be all but a household name in Hollywood. Although still sporting
the signature roomy leather bags accented with metal hardware and
studs, this spring Goldenbleu is veering toward a Western look with
lots of whipstitching and inlaid suede in earth tones, and the company
is expanding its offerings to include shoes. “We’re into texture and
dimension, so we do a lot of braiding, and we’ll try things on leather
that haven’t been done before, like smocked detail,” Colhoun says. “We
always push our manufacturer to try new things.” Look for these bags
over the shoulders of the likes of Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie and Eva
Longoria. www.goldenbleu.com
SHOP: Dish Clothing (541 Hayes St. 415-252-5997) |
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Cari Borja
The designs of Cari Borja might call to mind the dreamy, elegant look a
little girl imagines for her adult self. Layers upon layers of
tulle-sometimes more than 40-create constant movement in billowing
skirts. Waterfall layers in dresses and even tops take on a fluttering
silhouette. "When you have someone walking or dancing, everything opens
up," Borja says. "From every perspective there's a different way of
seeing an ensemble." Ruffles have been a staple of Borja's designs for
about four years; this season, fishing line sewn into the seams creates
a stiffening effect, giving pieces another element of shape. The
colors, says Borja, are mostly inspired by the tastes of her 2
1/2-year-old daughter. Look for pink, red, coral, vivid green,
yellow-colors you don't see enough adults wearing, according to Borja.
Items are available in limited sizes and colors because she alone
creates each piece by hand. www.cariborja.com SHOP: Backspace (508
Hayes St. 415-701-7112), in studio (510-832-1579)
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Lily Samii
Lily Samii’s designs are the sort of thing you put on when you want to
turn heads. Noted especially for her stunning formalwear, she takes
classic pieces—a flowing gown, a fitted suit—and puts gorgeous accents
on them. Samii manages to find a point between simple and ornate that
takes the best from both design philosophies. This year, look for
plenty of pleats, cloudlike hand-embroidered chiffon, tissue-weight
taffeta, and black-and-white and black-and-blush pieces. Especially
memorable are her first-ever trench coat (in that lightweight silk
taffeta, so don’t even think of wearing it in the rain) and ultrachic
pieces of black lace with a blush-colored underlay. www.lilysamii.com
SHOP: Lily Samii Collection (260 Stockton St., fourth floor
415-445-9505), Saks Fifth Avenue (384 Post St. 415-986-4300)
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March At A Glance
