Local Designers

Exclusive interview with Bunny Fayne of Circle & Square

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Handbags / Jewelry / Local Designers / Shopping  tagged circle and square sf / interviews / online shops by

Bunny Fayne is the founder of Circle & Square; which happens to be one of the hottest boutiques in San Francisco. Circle & Square, which is located on tony Presidio street in San Francisco, offers new and emerging designers which are highly sought after by celebrities and Fashionistas alike.  Circle & Square also happens to have been the winner of the 2011 Bay List “Women’s Accessories” category! Bunny took the time to talk to me and share with our readers her inspiration and forward-thinking vision.

Cathy: What inspired you to open a shop dedicated to new designers?

Bunny: In no particular order…A respectable fear of failure. The desire to use whatever gift I have for seeing unique ways to interpret individual style. The breaking of rules is a very liberating thing, it allows you to make mistakes…the talent… comes in knowing which ones to use. And lastly… I’m a little crazy.

Cathy: What do you feel the must-have trend for summer is this year?

Bunny: Lace, Patchwork Designs, Chokers, Bibs, Big Earrings, Cuffs, Clutches, Shoulder Bags,Gemstones, Jewelry with Quotes, Retro to Minimalist.

Cathy: What have you found to be the hottest selling style this season for jewelry and for handbags?

Bunny: In Handbags: Fringe, Tribal, Stripes, Bucket Bags. In Jewelry: Drop Earrings, Bold Cocktail Rings, Statement Necklaces, anything with Feathers….Birds Beware!

Cathy: Is there one color that customers are flocking to this season?

Bunny: We live in San Francisco so Black Rules…but vivid jewel tones: Emerald, Rubies, Amethyst, Sapphire, going from water colors to desert. Metallic is Huge.

Cathy: What types of items do you have in-store that are not featured online?

Bunny: Prive Cashmere Vests, they are “Haut Eco” since they are parts of previously committed elements that are redesigned and Neckpieces made of 100% Egyptian Cotton, miniature curios, woven together to create a beautiful Necklace – Did I mention Pearls?

Cathy: How do you find so many amazing emerging designers?

Bunny: Various and sundry sources i.e. Fashion Indie, SFIndie, trade magazines such as Accessories, WWD, Schools, The Academy of Art, Fidm, going to student shows and constantly asking and reading everything pertinent to it! Always searching and listening. And of course, Bay Area Fashionista!

Cathy: Do you have designers that are high in demand from your customers?

Bunny: Without question: Susana Speidel, Adriana Castro, Aki Kano, Dareen Hakim, Jeanine Payer and David Heston.

Cathy: Do you have anything you would like people to know about Circle and Square that I haven’t touched on?

Bunny: I have such a warm spot in my heart for this Store…it takes on the personality traits of each person who shares that love for it. If the Store were a person…it would be described as possessing great Flair, Intelligence, Character, Charm, Independence, Style, but mostly… a Sense of Humor. We laugh a lot around here. “Living your Passion is what makes you Authentic”.

Circle & Square has a website where shoppers can find some of the latest and hottest items of the season. Shoppers can also order over the phone if an item they are looking for is in-store and not online. To learn more about Circle & Square, please visit circleandsquaresf.com. 

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Photo: Bunny Fayne-Founder of Circle & Square

Photo courtesy of Circle & Square

Twisted Silver’s Love Knot earrings are hot for summer!

 in Eco Chic / General Fashion / Jewelry / Local Designers  tagged earrings / summer 2011 / twisted silver by

Twisted Silver has done it again! The Bay Area jewelry design house has created a sweet yet edgy pair of earrings for summer made with salvaged glass, Japanese pearls from the 1950’s. The edgy pearls make the Love Knot earrings classic and fresh. The deterioration on the pearls has been preserved to perfection adding an unusual dimension to the beads.

The Love Knot earrings from Twisted Silver offer versatility with the summer’s hottest trends from the runway. The feminine or”vintage” trend offers a perfect ensemble for the Love Knot earrings; accentuating the classic glass pearls. Due to the artistic appeal of the earrings, Twisted Silver’s Love knot earrings also work well with the current boho-chic trend from the runways. The brass metal brings the earrings down to earth allowing them to work well with jeans, casual attire and summer dresses. The glass pearls offer a bit of dressy sass allowing the earrings to be worn with semi-formal attire. Love it!

The Love Knot earrings from Twisted Silver can be found online at twisted-silver.com. Use code INSIDERS for 15% off of your purchase! Happy shopping and stay fabulous 

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LHC Couture is San Francisco’s fashion treasure

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Local Designers  tagged bay area designers / dresses / interviews / lhc couture / summer 2011 by

The San Francisco Bay Area has a fashion secret that will not stay quiet for long-LHC Couture. Created by Bay Area native Lauren Hyde Crafford, the line is unique and perfect for the West Coast climate. Lauren Hyde Crafford uses only the highest quality modal jersey and matte jersey for her designs. The high quality jersey fabrications allow LHC Couture designs to be elegant, slim and drape well while being comfortable enough for everyday wear; fabulous!

Designer Lauren Hyde Crafford grew up in the Bay Area, in Los Gatos, Ca. After high school, she ventured south to Loyola Marymount to earn her undergraduate degree. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Crafford enrolled in FIDM in order to earn a degree in merchandise product development. Crafford’s keen eye for design landed her a prized position at Bebe where she worked in textile design. After Bebe, Crafford worked for Levi Strauss in the Dockers Division. While working for the legendary inventor of denim jeans, Lauren Hyde Crafford began working on her own line. Eventually, she left her full time position in order to concentrate on the launch of LHC Couture. 

LHC Couture launched its’ first line in fall of 2010 with a second collection in spring 2011. The incredible line offers prêt-a-porter as well as full-fledged couture. LHC Couture is all hand-made by either Lauren herself or by highly skilled seamstresses who work in her studio. The designs by LHC Couture take inspiration from Grecian fashion as well as taking avant-garde looks from the European runways and bringing them into reality. Love it!

The fabrications used by LHC Couture are the highest quality jerseys on the market. LHC Couture uses modal jersey and matte jersey; the new line for fall will include silk modal. LHC Couture also creates incredible bridal attire for both the bride and bridesmaids. The bridal gowns are couture and the bridesmaid dresses can be customized to suit the taste of the bridal party.

LHC Couture is priced between $75-$120 for tops, $120-$200 for gowns and couture gowns vary by design. To learn more about LHC Couture, please visit LHCCouture.com. Click on “Contact” to request a couture consultation.

*Special Thank You to Lauren Hyde Crafford for taking the time to speak with me. She is truely an inspiration!

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