Top from Charlotte Ronson Spring 2012 collection: Ultra-feminine and all about the details. Photography by Edric Itchon.
While London-born designer Charlotte Ronson has climbed the fashion rank for several years, with major collaborations with Sephora and Uniqlo pushing the brand out into the mainstream as of late, Ronson still manages to maintain that authentic indie vibe that suits San Francisco’s never-too-done aesthetic.
As seen in the San Francisco Chronicle July 10, 2011
Illustration courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle
Nerissa Pacio Itchon, Special to The Chronicle
With the burst of activity happening in Hayes Valley lately, it’s hard to believe this bustling San Francisco neighborhood has nary a Starbucks in sight. From the groundbreaking of the $50 million SF Jazz Center and the opening of high-end spin-offs to several existing boutiques, to the new restaurant flurry and more to come, one might expect to find shoppers – Venti Mocha Frappuccinos in hand – walking their well-groomed labradoodles.
But ask anyone who knows this charmingly compact, decidedly big-chain-averse neighborhood and they’ll assure you that although the Valley is growing rapidly, its personality is definitively intact.
Continue reading
Outside Nojo ("farm" in Japanese) on Franklin and Hayes streets in San Francisco. All photos by Edric Itchon.
Friday was date night and I headed out with my husband Edric to hit up Nojo, a Japanese-izakaya-inspired restaurant in Hayes Valley that’s been getting glowing reviews. Luckily all the hype was spot on, and we enjoyed one of the best meals we’ve had in SF in a while. While this isn’t a food blog, I felt compelled to post photos of chef Greg Dunmore’s sleek and contemporary yet cozy joint that does Japanese pub food—and just about everything else—right. From the juicy grilled chicken skewers and farm-to-table pickled veggies, to the cooks sporting cheeky “Support Your Local Nojo” statement tees in the open kitchen, Nojo is definitely a place I’d come back again and again. For more details, check out Michael Bauer’s review from the Chronicle here.
Summery street style from SF's Capsule Design Festival on May 1, 2011. All photos by Edric Itchon.
It’s a rare moment when it’s sunny enough for San Franciscans to unearth sundresses, straw hats, and even parasols from their all-season closets. But that’s what happened this weekend at the Capsule Design Festival in Hayes Valley. From crafters of one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry to masters of the letterpress, here are the photo-worthy scenes, on-trend fashions, and designers to watch from this festive, bi-annual event.
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Sunday Style section is re-launching this spring with a new look as it merges with its shinier cousin SFIS, the pullout style monthly the Chronicle has published in limited circulation. The marriage will hopefully result in a better, glossier weekly that will have a more design-y feel, added color, and high-profile features on fashion, people, parties, and design.
Me with Cindy Spade, the always-helpful co-owner and buyer for Ver Unica in Hayes Valley.
As much as I love shopping online, there’s no better substitute in my mind than exploring a neighborhood on foot—especially when that neighborhood is Hayes Valley. Popping in and out of some of my favorite boutiques there (Azalea, M.A.C.-Modern Appealing Clothing, and Flight 001, to name a few) never fails to remind me of why San Francisco is such a cool place to live.
Ver Unica is another local favorite I’d put at the top of my must-frequent list, namely because co-owner and veteran buyer Cindy Spade has a killer eye and stocks an impeccably edited collection of vintage clothing and accessories from the 1920s through 1980s, including one-of-a-kind dead stock. Although I’m usually game for rolling up my sleeves and digging for that hidden gem, sometimes I need the immediate gratification of easy-to-find, mint-condition goods.
Try not to panic if in the next couple months you find Ver Unica has vanished from its 437 Hayes Street digs. Just head over to the 500 block, where Spade says she and her husband will be opening a bigger and better shop by summer. They’ll celebrate with a grand re-opening party, which I’ll post here as soon as I get wind of it.
Nerissa's Notebook 