Luckily, Smashing Darling has plenty of pieces to help me do just that. Doing it up fall-style in the City by the Bay could easily start with a funky twist on an outerwear basic, like Reif’s Mayfair Trench. Its structured shape is oh-so-slick, but the lightweight, water-resistant fabric is functional enough for the 60-something days and misty, fog-filled afternoons that come with our West Coast winters.

When the winds really pick up, I’d love to wrap myself in FiftySeven-ThirtyThree’s Anna May Wong Rebel Hoodie and take a stroll with my scrappy pitbull mix along the Pacific Coast to our favorite, dog-friendly hangout: Fort Funston.

Come nightfall, when the temperatures dip down, I’d don the Spiral Cloche with Ties by Naik Fur. What better way could there be to channel my inner Princess Leia while staying warm and protected from the elements?

Of course, there are plenty of warm, balmy days in San Francisco’s autumn months. Erika Hendrix’s High-Waisted Pencil Skirt in brown and camel jersey knit would travel throughout the season while satisfying my current craving for pencil skirts paired with blousey tops.

Next up, accessories. Because what is life without adornment? On weekends, I’d be happy to hit up the dive bar or a friend’s backyard barbecue with a beat up pair of boots, comfy jeans and belt cinched with the Cowgirl Diva Buckle by Urge to Adorn.

In the midst of such a politically charged season, it seems appropriate to don something that looks fabulous and supports a great cause, like Victorian San Francisco’s Support Proposition J Bracelet. A full 100 percent of the profit from this bracelet’s purchase goes to support a local San Francisco ballot initiative to preserve historic architecture.
And last but not least, I’d round out my San Francisco-friendly take on fall fashion with a warm, snuggly knit. While a cozy sweater might sit in the back of my closet until I make it to the Tahoe slopes, the Choco River Clutch by Peep Accessories offers just the right touch of warmth, but without the long-sleeved commitment.

Thanks, Smashing Darling, for helping me find a cure for my fall fashion-envy!

- Lorraine Sanders, Editor, SF Indie Fashion

What’s Going On?

Back to school. Nose to the grindstone. Fall is here and in New England, the home of the Darlings, it is starting to cool off. Finally time to spend some time organizing inside, kiss your flip-flops goodbye for the winter, and pay some attention to your favorite layers and boots that have been hidden away…or hop online and buy anew! Consider Smashing Darling as your connection to boutiques across the country. Maybe a shopping trip to NYC, San Fran, and Chicago just isn’t in the cards for this Fall, but you can find designers from there right here with us. Go explore, and if you don’t have time to, don’t miss the Interviews and Editor’s Picks in the Smashing blog!

Playful vintage from Atelier

What’s New We want to send a big thank you to the crew over at SheFinds. Thanks to them one lucky gal just won a $500 shopping spree to spend here at Smashing Darling. I know we told you all about it, but did you get to check out all the great comments? Go check it out, and here are some of our favorites: - Catalina K: “Thanks for letting us know that such a special website and store exist.” - Tammy: “It took me an hour to decide! I love this site and will be back often!” - Yulonda: “I would like to start by saying that I absolutely love your site and its versatility.”

Coming Soon Maybe the Fashion Week buzz has died down, but we know the shows go on. Call up your best gals and come enjoy some runway fun this month: - Next week My It Things narrows down the search for their It Designer, go vote here. The winning designer will be awarded $5,000 toward the production of their Spring 2009 line. If you are near NYC, grab some tickets and come watch the show with us! - The following week we are happy to head to Jersey City in support of Seam Collective and their next show, Fenomenon. Just $20 in advance for an extraordinary evening of fashion and music to benefit Women Rising, a non-profit organization that helps Hudson County women in need.

Beautiful bias cut cowl, Kate Boggiano

Hoody Love by Kahri

Smashing Kudos and tidbits We want to give kudos to a few darling designers who helped spread the good word about our She Finds fun, a quick - rock on!- to…Birdland Creations…Thistle Downs…and, not a Darling, but word also landed over at Fling it Girl…be sure to check out the October Cause a Scene mag and read the Darling column…I love seeing Darling items recommended over at This Next, check it out…and we would love to hear from you, who are your favorites around the Darling world? Send those comments, and any others, our way! Until next time… cheers ~ the Darlings

If you have a fashion video you would like to be considered to feature, email me. trish(at)smashingdarling(dot)com

Trish: When did you start your own line of jewelry?
Judy: The line I have now really started just over the last few years. I was working part time last year and that allowed me to spend a lot more time researching techniques and more of the history of jewelry design.  Also just walking my dog at the beach got me really thinking about my design esthetic a lot more and a real cohesive line of work started to grow.

Trish: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
Judy: Nature inspires me a lot, and knitting and weaving. I like to try and reconfigure techniques I see in knitting, crocheting and weaving with metals.

Trish: What fashion trends, if any, are influencing your jewelry?
Judy: Fashion doesn’t really influence my work although I constantly devour fashion magazines! SD: What does your average day entail?
Right now my average day entails answering emails and checking for orders,
walking my dog and new baby and then getting to work on any orders and new pieces.
Most of the day I work on pieces and then check the computer. I’ll surf around on Flickr and Facebook, troll Craigslist and then try and post new images. Mostly I just try and create. I get too bored on the computer.

Trish: What does the future of your company look like?
Judy: I’d like to keep it small and manageable. I love just having sales from the internet because I can be pretty shy and that way I don’t have to face anyone! But really I’d like to get into a few local shops and just increase my internet sales. In the far future I’d like to have a my own tiny store front with a work bench in it.

Trish: Do you have a company mantra that helps you run your business?
Judy: Keep it simple.

Trish: What is the hardest part about being in business for yourself?
Judy: Doing taxes and keeping from slacking off. You do get lonely and find yourself talking to your pets more than you think is normal.

Trish: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
Judy: Jackie Kennedy, she dressed so cleanly and simply. Always elegant. I guess I could say she remotely influenced my own personal style in that my clothing taste is simple to show off my jewelry designs. Then again I always loved Debbie Harry when she was in Blondie, so I’m a mix of tough and classy. But lately more tough.

Trish: If you had the choice of any jewelry designer in the world to work with/for, who would that be?
Judy: Arline Fisch, amazing metalsmith.

Trish: When you aren’t designing, what are you up to, any other things you are involved with you want to shout out?
Judy: I volunteer at a local art co-op called Artascope Studios in South Portland Maine. Everyone there teaches, sells their work, does the marketing and cleaning and just about everything else. It’s a great place to learn and share.

The last point is where I see the biggest opportunity for us, the online experts, to come up with simple digital solutions for the fashion industry crowd. I’m sure there will be many opportunities for startups in the space to monetize on the soon-to-be $28B online apparel industry.

~ Yuli Ziv

This is an excerpt from an article written by Yuli Ziv president of My It Things and posted on Girls in Tech. I think the whole article is great. The 5th point and closing sentence really struck me. I want Smashing Darling to be a major platform for fashion designers to connect with their consumers. I have been pondering all weekend…what does Smashing Darling need, to be seen as this platform? What does Smashing Darling need to do to move into this position? The platform in our technology already exists. Designers can come to create a boutique in a very short amount of time to start connecting directly to their fans and start selling right away.

I would love to hear your thoughts about:
1. What you thought about the article?

2. What does a major platform for fashion designers to connect with their consumers look like? What other features are needed?

The Luba dress (or oversized t-shirt if you’re a very tall sort of person) from CUT-IT-OUT is exactly the kind of throw it on and dash out the door piece which will take an Aussie mama like me from beach to playground to beer garden and back again without losing my cool.   I can hardly wait to wriggle my little flipper feet in the sand at my beloved Bondi beach, but that sand can get egg fryingly hot so a pair of yolk yellow sandals are downright essential - these ones from Ricardo Tovar are just the ticket to save me from fried feet in fine style.

When I’m out amongst the waves body bashing (that’s bodysurfing for all you non-Australian types)  a bikini can be a bit of a flight risk, but a one piece like this snappy Jerry Hall style crocodile swimsuit from Black Heart Bunny will keep me covered (and uncovered) in all the right places.   Having a toddler in tow means I rarely get to travel light, but when I get the chance to run off on my own for a few hours I like to take the smallest purse I can find - this yellow Garden Path clutch from Peep Accessories is small but perfectly formed - and that bunny will make my little boy smile too.

When the sky is a clear intense blue day after day it’s easy to forget that there could ever be a grey rainy day - but without those cloudy days the blue skies would never be so sweet. The Stone Cloud ring from Emily Watson is a smooth cool reminder to never take the sunshine for granted.  - Skye Cassidy editor of Skylark and Son

Jenni on September 26th
I absolutely adore the Jasmine blouse in the Yana Collection. It’s gorgeous, meticulously sewn and the ruffles add an unexpected whimsy toward a strong modern-day business woman’s look. I would DEFINITELY get this!

Karin on September 26th
Probably a piece of jewelry from go robot!, like the Galactic ring

Glenda K on September 26th
O.K. I HAD A LOT OF FUN looking on the SmashingDarling website. I hit on something that is a must have!!! PUNKIN NYC’s Noelle coat. It comes in pink or white and I looovve it.

Baxters house has some nice bracelets, Hot Lunch has some cute aprons which I am into for some reason, and Buster and Boo has this really sweet Bunny bun necklace which I would give to a friend who calls her daughter that.

Marilyn Wons on September 27th
Oh I would buy the Papusza Couture!

Cathy W. on September 27th
Love, love, love the reworked bold 1960’s coat and the Sexy 1970’s Turquoise Dress.

Catalina K on September 28th
Thanks for letting us know that such a special website and store exist. As far as what I would like to buy from Smashing Darling, it would be an Emily Watson snowflake pendant, then the Kwabena black chiffon top seahorse dress and the Lucy Sweater by Kate Boggiano.

Devacat on September 28th
The Sandmaiden pants would be great for teaching yoga classes.

mogrill on September 29th
Love the Mod Petal Necklace! Awesome!

Lena on September 30th
I love the Victorian San Francisco Love Letters bracelet. All this stuff is amazing! What great finds! I also love the “Boob Man” onesie. Oh, I love a ton of stuff.

Meghan on September 30th
The Sandoval Handbags Azana bag! And the Lara Miller Silvia Blouse.

cavalletta on September 30th
Julie Lake’s designs are fabulous!

Mama Zen on October 1st
I want the Bleach Blonde collection. All of it

nicnac on October 1st
The broken TeePee Heartfelt earrings and the Mimo Handbag Molly.

Don’t forget you have one more day to enter to win the $500 shopping spree. Stop by tomorrow to see who’s Editor’s Picks will be featured.

Name: Kirsten Goede
City/State: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Jewelry Designer

Trish: When did you start your own line of clothing?
Erika: I started sewing when I was pregnant in 2002 and I knew I want to make clothes to sell, not wear, so I went to boutiques and asked if they want to carry my line and it all went from there. I started Erika Hendrix in July 2005.

Trish: How is your clothing produced?
Erika: Everything from the idea to the finished product is made by me…I am a one woman sweatshop. Whats very important to me is that you look and feel good in your clothes, so I use mostly stretchy fabrics made of natural fibers, such as cotton or linen.

Trish: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
Erika: Oh, everyday life is my biggest inspiration! Give me a washcloth and I get tons of ideas. Or different books I find, I just bought a Pin-up book which is very inspiring.

Trish: How do you market yourself and your label?
Erika: I do most of my networking and marketing online or through word of mouth. I have my website www.erikahendrix.com and I am on other awesome sites like Smashing Darling!

Trish: How do you see your company in the future?
Erika: To get my items in as many boutiques all over the world, everyone should know Erika Hendrix. I just introduced my first full collection and I will bring out a collection every 6 months, Spring/Summer in Dec/Jan and Fall/Winter in Jun/Jul. What I don’t want is for my clothes to be mass-produced. I have been asked before and I turned it down because I always want Erika Hendrix to be a limited-edition eco-friendly label.

Trish: What does your average day entail?
Erika: Getting up early, checking emails, filling orders from the website or various stores and entertaining my 5 year old. Soon I will start designing my new Spring/Summer Collections, that’s my favorite part!

Trish: Describe your personal style?
Erika: It’s a bit of everything but I love skinny jeans and tank tops. I like it easy and comfortable, especially with a 5 year old son, but still stylish - Unique and Stylish, just like the clothes I am making!

Trish: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
Erika: I don’t really have a fashion icon. There are certain styles that I think influence my personal style, like punk and rockabilly. And I just love to do my own thing, not being mainstream.

Trish: Do you have any current fashion obsessions?
Erika: Oh, like I said skinny jeans or pants, everything skinny. And I love big cardigans, waist belts and heels…I could go on and on about all the amazing things I love…

Trish: Is there anyone in the Smashing Darling community you have a question or comment for?
Erika: Everyone on Smashing Darling is so talented and you all ROCK! Just keep doing what you are doing! And I think we should all be aware of how important it is to support small and independent businesses and tell everyone about it!

If you enjoyed this interview, you may also like to read the interview with Kaytee of Papusza Couture. Don’t for get to check in tomorrow for How Do You Wear Your Indie Fashion. As always, don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter and RSS feed the blog. If you would like to be featured in one of our segments, contact me, trish@smashingdarling.com

One mor thing…Enter the SheFinds Freebie Friday to be in the running for the $500 Shopping Spree to Smashing Darling.

So thrilled to discover NYC-based MATTA’s updated, user/shopper/curious-follower friendly website! Lots of gorgeous photos of new products. Its nice to know that you can count on your favorite designers to continue to inspire…

I have been obsessed with Cristina Gitti’s simple yet beautiful, clean designs for many, many years. I’d collected lovely, handmade bags from her previous line MALATESTA - purchased from DINA VARANO ’s shop in Connecticut. I went on to covet her sweet sarongs (in matching cotton bags) at shops in San Francisco like NEST and WORKSHOP. All of her pieces - treasures to me.
From Matta’s website:

“Matta is fresh, timeless and liberating. Matta is a combination of a simple style and endless possibilities.”

“Founder and designer of Matta, Cristina Gitti has always been inspired by the numerous possibilities of handmade design. Her textile and clothing ventures have been based on the central theme of limitless forms of individually made creations and her journeys. Her travels continue with Matta collections in the same combinations of mixing age-old techniques with new colors. The feeling of movement and sense of history translate in the vibrant color palate and through the varied textures.”

“The Matta ready-to-wear collection includes lightweight cottons, wools and silks, which are tailored to create shirts, tunics, skirts and dresses for women. Rich textiles and fresh tones are further developed in pashmina, wool and silk shawls, scarves, home accessories and children’s clothing. Cristina continues the collection by creating hand stitched leather sandals, handbags, recycled paper products and more.”