Sure, some will say that when it comes to S.F.’s sartorial scene, it’s slim pickins. But, if you ask us, that just makes unearthing a standout designer ten times more exhilarating. Case in point: Budding talent Anette Nyseth. The Norway native crafts streamlined, contemporary wares that are insanely ahead of the curve. The flaxen-haired beauty boasts a pretty impressive resume, too. After being awarded a prestigious internship with Patrik Ervell in 2010, while she was a student at the Academy of Art, she interned with Alexander Wang and then clocked in time doing PR at Balenciaga. So, she’s paid her fashion dues, to say the least.

But apparently she left her heart in S.F., because Anette bid NYC adieu and headed back to our fair city to pursue design (lucky us!). To peep this chick's serious style game, we met up with the lady in her Pac Heights home for a day of dress-up fun. Click through to see our snaps of Anette and her ultra-enviable, designer-laden wardrobe (vintage Lanvin, anyone?) and do a little star-in-the-making gazing while you're at it.

Photographed by Anna-Alexia Basile

Sure, the naysayers can groan all they want about the fashion in our fair city. But they’ve obviously never scoped out the bevy of guys and gals putting S.F.’s style scene on the map. While we might lack the quantity of talented designers that, say, NYC boasts, we think the local creatives we do have challenge the best of 'em when it comes to runway-worthy quality goods.

This rings especially true for bauble makers residing in the Bay. To prove it, we're introducing you to 10 of the brightest local rock stars, right here! Whether dainty trinkets are your thing or you prefer statement-making adornments, we promise these local innovators have something for all tastes (and bank accounts). And by the end of this slideshow you’ll have a face to match with every must-know name in the S.F. jewelry-design game. Ready to bone up? Your cheat sheet awaits...

With the onslaught of cloudless days and warm temps, our sunnies are finally making their way out of their cases (they were in hibernation mode for a hot minute) and onto our faces. We really believe a trusty pair of ray-shielding specs are the coolest accessory around — and we are always adding more to our perpetually expanding pile. One local sunglasses label we can’t get enough of? Mayfourteenth.

We fell hard back in December, for the color-flecked shades, and now, designer Benjamin Belsky is back at it, making us crave a slew of new styles (our wallets are ready). Mayfourteenth has released pretty imagery of its latest offerings, and let’s just say that we're now intensely craving a day of lounging around in a light-soaked apartment.

It looks like Belsky was inspired by exotic trips abroad this time around, too. “The lines was inspired by the colors and textures of the jungles and beaches of South America. The journey is the destination,” says Belsky. Click through to see the captivating snaps and the stellar shades. How's that for brightening up your day?

Photographed by Dustin Aksland

Wicker, lace, and nautical stripes...they're all summer-style hallmarks that we keep revisiting, year after year. And, naturally, since we're fans of classics — with a twist, that is — we're really digging the newest collection from S.F.-based bag maker Jamie Lim, for sustainable line Kayu.

The spring/summer '12 offerings include hand-woven straw clutches, hand-dyed lace, and precious shell details, all juxtaposed against warm wood and adding up to a truly unique collection for the three-year-old brand.

Take a peek at our favorites from the line after the jump. And, if you're thinking of indulging, keep in mind that a portion of proceeds from each bag go back to educational causes in Cambodia.

Photo: Courtesy of Kayu

When designer Louisa Parris left the Bay for her native London earlier this year, San Francisco definitely lost one of its best fashion talents in town. But that doesn't mean the Central Saint Martins alum has forgotten about these parts.

Need evidence? Look no further than Parris' second scarf collection, which was inspired by the colorful Victorian homes that dot our city, and includes six graphic pieces named after S.F.-centric locales like Fillmore, Dolores, Church, Clipper, Noe, and the all-encompassing Bay.

"The collection was one I always wanted to do, because I just love the design and architecture of San Francisco houses," Parris, a former Noe Valley resident, tells us. "The color combinations always surprised me and I wanted to see if I could make them work in my own designs."

Parris took that inspiration, along with the vivid shades brought to life by the California sunlight, to color her collection, while her hand drawings and love for all things graphic played into the design.

Take a look at the results in the lookbook, shot in Cali by local photographer and Instagram superstar Michael O'Neal, after the jump. Look close enough and you might even spy a familiar face in model Jenna Boulé, one of our recent Real Girl, Real Beauty subjects!

Photo: Courtesy of Michael O'Neal

Sure, San Francisco is far from being a fashion capital. But if you need proof that the city houses some major budding talent in the sartorial field, all you need to do is cast your eyes toward the Academy of Art University, and its fashion program headed up by designer Simon Ungless, who started the Alexander McQueen label in partnership with the late designer, in the early '90s.

With a master instructor behind them, 25 fashion students marched a total of 17 collections (many of them collaborations between students) down the runway late last week. And while there was much excitement over the front row that included visiting guests Sarah Burton, Philip Treacy, Suzy Menkes, and Cathy Horyn, the real action was happening on the runway.

Check out our top 50+ looks from the show (trust us, it was hard to narrow them down!) after the jump, and let us know your favorites in the comments.

Photo: Courtesy of the Academy of Art University

When one thinks of a master milliner, Philip Treacy is normally the very first name to come to mind. Lucky for San Franciscans, the legendary hat maker came to town to attend a series of events surrounding the Academy of Art University's BFA fashion show, including a millinery demo with craft store supplies for the AAU's in-awe students. To learn all about his S.F. adventure, plus his disdain for the word "fascinator," and the possible hat boom on the horizon, we posted up on a curb in Fisherman's Wharf and talked shop with the icon.

Have you shopped while in San Francisco?
"I went to some of the vintage stores. Suzy [Menkes] took us with her on a shopping trip. We went to Reliquary and we went to the African shop across the street, which was my favorite. I bought lots there and so did Sarah [Burton]. And nothing was for sale in the store! This one piece that Sarah wanted was not for sale. I had to explain to the woman in the shop. I said, 'You know that girl who's standing over there who wants to buy that piece? Did you see the royal wedding?' And she goes, 'Uh, yeah.' And I said, 'She made the wedding dress.' And then she said, 'Okay, it's for sale.'"

When you were speaking to the students earlier in the week, you mentioned hating the word fascinator. Why?
"It's the most ridiculous word. Personally, I think it sounds like some dodgy sex toy. And it's really a head dress. Or a hat. A baseball cap is a hat. A headwrap is a hat. Anything you put on your head is a hat. But I hate fascinators, even though people think my hats are fascinators."

You also mentioned that JFK going hatless might have influenced the lack of hat-wearing in the U.S.
"I'm a huge fan of the Kennedy administration and how glamourous it was. He choose not to wear a hat and he was the most important person in the world at that moment. He was the taste maker and the taste meister. And he had the most incredible hair and didn't need a hat. Of course, that didn't help the men's hat market, but that was his choice, which I empathize with and understand. I think hair became more important than hats in the '60s and that likely began to kill the hat industry. His wife wore a pillbox, but it was an excuse for a hat, really. It was all about everything but the hat. Halston, who was one of my favorite designers, designed that hat. And I love Halston more than the pillbox. But that's what she wanted."

So, by the time you started studying hat making, they might have already been démodé.
"When I started designing hats, the other students would say in a very apologetic way, 'Why are you designing hats? Only old ladies are wearing hats.' But I love hats — that's why I design them. Hats are about another dimension of passion about dressing up. You have to wear shoes, you have to wear clothes, but you could spend your whole life without wearing a hat. I quite like the fantasy aspect of hats because it's about self embellishment. We all have a head and everyone has the potential to wear a hat. And they've really changed from being conformist accessories to an accessory of rebellion. So, I make hats for the rebels of the world. And I like that, a lot."

Do you think hats will always be bigger in the U.K. than they are over here?
"It's bigger in the U.K., but it's traveling! Glamour transcends culture. I mean, are you trying to say that American women aren't interested in glamour? Of course they are! They're some of the most glamorous women in the world. I think in the future, maybe when I'm dead, they're going to get into hats. Fashion today is not about the designer, it's about the individual. It's become muchos democratic. Magazines pretend to dictate style. But they can't. That's over. Today the power is with the consumer. And hats really fit into that individual approach. They are really the epitome of individuality. I can see people scared to wear a hat because of what other people might think, but I can also see the writing on the wall and pretty soon, there'll be someone walking down this very street in San Francisco saying, 'I feel like wearing a fucking hat, because I feel like it.'"

Do "hat people" have anything in common?
"I know all of the hat wearers of the world and they are not who people think they are. People think that people wearing hats are looking for attention. But, in fact, they are often quite shy people who gain their power through wearing hats. Instead of popping a valium, a hat can make you feel better because it sort of takes you away from yourself. It makes you feel good. Once women universally understand that hats are empowering, they'll be back in a big way."

How important is it for you to talk to the design students at the AAU?
"I empathize with students because I was a student. It's all about encouragement. It helps you move forward, because to be encouraged when you're young is everything. I come from a tiny village in the west of Ireland. I have seven brothers and one sister. My mother was a baker. Alexander McQueen's father was a taxi driver and his son became a fashion icon. So, I believe in that. You can come from nowhere and go everywhere. It's all about talent. It's not where you come from."

Photo: Via Facebook/Philip Treacy

This week has been a huge one for San Francisco when it comes to fashion celebrity sightings, and it's all thanks to the Academy of Art University's stellar BFA show, which went down last night. Sitting front row were none other than Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton, star milliner Philip Treacy, iconic fashion journalists Suzy Menkes and Cathy Horyn, and Saudi Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, to name just a few.

Of course, the biggest draw of all was the elusive Burton, who was first introduced to McQueen by the AAU's fashion school director Simon Ungless, who launched the label with the late designer in the early '90s. Luckily, R29 got plenty of QT with the esteemed crew throughout the week and caught up with Burton before the lights went up on the fantastic student show. Check out Burton's thoughts on her glowing reviews, S.F.-based mentor, and the Met Ball (mum's still the word on who she's dressing!) right here.


Philip Treacy told us that you got to do a little shopping in San Francisco, including buying stuff at the African shop in Hayes Valley. Will we see any African influences creep into McQueen in the future?
"I'm not sure yet, but it was great. They have beautiful pieces in there. And it was really inspiring. It was nice to get out and about between events. We also got to walk past these beautiful Victorian houses and the Painted Ladies and that was very beautiful."

You're heading to the Met Ball in New York next to see the Schiaparelli and Prada exhibit. Was Schiap an influence for you?
"I often look to Schiaparelli. I think she was an incredibly inspiring designer. We've had her on our research boards many times."

Obviously, you're a high-fashion designer and work in sort of an elevated artistic space. Do you have any low-brow interests?
"I think it's really important that you get your inspiration from everywhere. Lee taught me that you should be inspired by everything that's going on around you. There's no snobbery in inspiration. It can be something on the telly or something you see in the street or in a book or a museum."

Do you have anything especially seedy that you indulge in? Do you watch reality television or Downton Abbey?
"I do! I watch Downton Abbey, I watch all kinds of things. It just depends what's on when you get in. It could be news night, it could be Downton Abbey, it just depends."

Since taking the reins at McQueen, you've received fantastic reviews and awards. Do you care about all of that? Do you read the reviews?
"I think when you start a collection, you do what you love and what you believe in. And you have to push yourself. Of course it's interesting to look at the reviews and you have to take on board what people are saying and take in all the criticism. But when you design a collection, you have to start with what you love and what you believe in. Unless you do that, you can't stand behind it, so there's no point in doing it anyway."

Simon Ungless has been a huge influence in your life and introduced you to Lee. How has it been reuniting these past few days?
"He's just incredible. And it's been amazing to see the passion that he gave me and he's given that to all of these students here. So, it's quite moving to see him in this environment and see him inspire so many people."

What's the one piece of advice you'd give these budding designers?
"Do what you love and believe in, and work hard."

Photo: Via Alexander McQueen/David Burton

Nothing makes our hearts swell with joy like seeing two BFFs working together to craft crave-worthy items brimming with artistic integrity. We seriously get teary-eyed thinking about it. So, obviously, we’re giddy over the latest collab by locally lauded Heath Ceramics and Southern designer Alabama Chanin. We knew these sustainably-minded pals were up to something good. The Sausalito ceramic connoisseur Catherine Bailey and the sewing pro (and two-time CFDA nominee) Natalie Chanin fused their skills to create wondrous wedding items every bride-to-be needs. The Alabama Chanin Collection boasts dreamy streamlined tableware that have nature-themed nuptials written all over them. Plus, you can request all the items using Heath's handy-dandy registry. The collection embodies the aesthetic of both ladies’ lines in a completely seamless manner. We're obsessed. Okay, now who has wedding fever?

Photo: Courtesy of Alabama Chanin/Angie Mosier

We all know how tricky Mother Nature can be around here. Even though we may want to shop for hoards of mini dresses and graphic shorts, come summer, we end up giving in to the chill and coughing up dough for sweater, scarves, and other items fit for fog-filled days. Sigh.

But lucky for us, knit-maker extraordinaire Margaret O’Leary crafts cozy, one-of-a-kind pieces that are made for myriad temps. And the S.F. designer keeps the sweet stuff coming in her fall '12 lookbook, which has "made for S.F." written all over it.

The enchanting images feature a fiery-haired model in an array of comfy pullovers, bright denim, and floor-sweeping skirts. “For fall we are embracing the effortless California lifestyle with sweaters that draw inspiration from [pieces ranging from] Ireland’s fisherman cables to the Left Bank's pearl jacket," explained O’Leary. "There is also a slight tribute to the Southwest.”

We can't wait to cuddle up with some of these made-for-S.F. staples. Click through to see the vivid lookbook and wow-worthy creations (and get ready to mark your calendars — you're going to want it all).

Photo: Courtesy of Margaret O'Leary

Regardless of the season, any good S.F.'er knows that possessing a solid arsenal of sweaters and coverups is essential in this foggy town. And no one understands this better than Bay-based design duo Micaela Greg, the standard-bearer, when it comes to spinning out inventive knitwear that perpetually has us wagging our tongues.

Naturally, the brand-new fall '12 offerings are no exception. The line's designer Marie Potesta explained that she and her sister/partner Karen looked to "iconic images of art deco skylines and drew upon ideas of a gleaming metropolis on the horizon and a retro-future era" in order to create the graphic and cool collection seen after the jump.

Ready yourself for a barrage of chevron prints and deconstructed architectural geometry, all in cozy shapes. And be sure to check out the racks of S.F. shops Steven Alan, Conifer, Eden and Eden, the General Store, and Oakland's Hawthorn Boutique to see the goods in person come late summer.

Photo: Courtesy of Rus Anson/Micaela Greg

You'll recall that earlier this year we told you about our love for new local label Salty Fox jewelry, the brainchild of UC Davis grad and former Lela Rose intern Megan Stacy. And now we're extra stoked to learn that the S.F. bauble brand has moved beyond its Etsy roots and launched an e-store filled to the brim with covetable, pyrite-centric jewels.

Debuting in sync with the label's Aria Collection launch for summer '12, the site also features the label's first-ever slick photo shoot featuring a gorg, fiery-haired model (she's from Bolinas and we're obsessed) sporting the simple and stunning geometric pieces.

Take in some of our favorite looks after the jump, and — if you like what you see — be sure to leave a comment below telling us about what makes you feel like a fox. One lucky winner will walk away with the label's wear-everywhere Sahara necklace. Good luck!

Photo: Courtesy of Salty Fox