san francisco designers


Margaret O’Leary sweaters

san francisco designers sweaters

pictured: Chelsea Pullover in spice stripe /

Margaret O’Leary is a fabulous local designer with a beautiful boutique on Fillmore in San Francisco. She came to San Francisco in 1989 from Ireland and instantly realized San Francisco had the perfect climate for sweaters! I mean, it is the city where Mark Twain declared “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”

Margaret O’Leary was on to something! She quickly began knitting, and by 1990 was selling sweaters to local boutiques and was soon picked up by Barney’s. Her company is still independently owned and operated, making it an amazing San Francisco design house. I even had the honor of meeting Margaret O’Leary herself while sweater shopping last week! She was amazing!

If you have not stopped into her shop on Fillmore, what are you waiting for? The boutique is filled with beautiful sweaters ethically made as well as party attire, scarves, and ethically sourced handbags and shoes. Love!

I instantly fell in love with this Chelsea sweater in spice stripe. I have also added to my wish list this grey and white version called “marble” and pictured below.

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pictured: Chelsea pullover in marble /

Isn’t it fabulous? I am in love! There were more sweaters to fall in love in with as well. I loved the beautiful hues in blue, green, and purple. There is a lot to love at Margaret O’Leary! If you are local, definitely pop into her shop! You can find her boutique locations online at MargaretOLeary.com and you can also shop her beautiful collection online too! Love that!

So, I ended up taking home this beautiful Chelsea pullover in spice stripe. Isn’t it fabulous? It will look amazing with jeans and casual skirts, as well as casual pants. Love!

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Try-on: Chelsea pullover in spice stripe (This is what I took home) / tweed jacket in background / holiday nail polish / jeans / hoops /

Of course, I did shop around with my mom! She took home a sweater too! I can’t believe I didn’t snap a photo of her in it! Stay tuned, next time I see her I will snap a photo of her wearing it and share it with you. She bought the sweater pictured below in spice. It is named the Molly pullover. You can find it online here. Apologies for the grainy photo of us, I used my iPhone instead of my camera.

Margaret O’Leary’s designs are all investment pieces, so when you invest in one, you know it will be part of your wardrobe for years and years. Love! Timeless style is where it’s at! Her sweaters will also make fabulous gifts this holiday season, so be sure to check out one of her boutiques or her online shop. Love it!

You can learn more at MargaretOLeary.com.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

*I was gifted a sweater by Margaret O’Leary, all thoughts and opinions are my own. My mom loved the collection so much, she purchased a sweater.

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West Valley College 2019 Annual Fashion Show | Alchemy

west valley college fashion show

This wall was designed by the architecture students at West Valley College. It was inspired by the color palettes, and fabrications, from the runway collections designed by the fashion students.

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It’s always exciting when I learn about local fashion. It’s even more exciting when I learn about fashion happening within walking distance of my house. Our local community college, West Valley College, has an fabulous art school which offers students certificate and associate degree programs in many areas of art. The West Valley College Cilker School of Art and Design is an extremely creative learning environment which helps transform students, and prepare them for careers in visual arts, performing arts, and design.

The fashion design and apparel technology program is an amazing program which prepares students for modern careers in fashion design, and apparel production. West Valley College is a recognized leader in technology training for the apparel and manufacturing industry. This is an exciting and affordable way to learn the ins and outs of the ever-changing fashion industry. Love that!

I was invited to attend West Valley College’s annual fashion show named “Alchemy,” by Content Magazine. Content Magazine is a chic, local magazine which highlights Silicon Valley’s creative culture, local arts and events, and our innovation. It’s a great way to learn about everything you need to know about Silicon Valley’s art industry. I was honored to be a guest of Content Magazine, and also to be introduced to West Valley College’s fashion program!

The designers from West Valley College’s Cilker School of Art and Design are extremely talented. I could easily see many of the designs on the runway make their way to department stores such as Nordstrom, and then end up being well loved on the street. There was a variety of daily street wear, athleisure, vintage inspiration, multi-cultural inspiration, and red carpet ready couture. The design and quality of workmanship rivaled what we see on the New York runways, and in many cases, surpassed it! All of these designers should be proud of their work; these collections could easily grace the runways of New York and become highly coveted in an instant.

West Valley College’s student designers are Britney Bliven, Lina Egutkina, Peter Esparza, Rita Hernandez, Natasha Khanna, Maria Lee, Wing Hung Lo, Nicole Markelz, Lorrie McPheeters, Dipti Nichani, Lakshimi Uma Rachakonda, Grecia Rivera, Jonathon San Juan, and Hiroko Widlow. The special guest designer, show producer, and creative director of the evening was Joseph Domingo who is a local, San Francisco designer who has shown at LA Fashion Week, and is an alum of West Valley College.

To learn more about the West Valley College Cilker School of Art and Design, please visit WestValley.edu.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

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Perfect black dress for any body type

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wearing: bright pink statement earrings c/o SugarFix by BaubleBar / Bobbi Brown lipstick “Lilac” / long black dress c/o Karen Klein / rose gold cuff  / Chloe handbag / Chanel fall nail polish / black and rose gold watch / Silver booties (on major sale!!)

There is nothing more satisfying then finding the perfect black dress. Karen Klein is a local designer here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and she makes her clothing to flatter any body type. This black dress by her is not only chic, it can be worn by a size two, or a size fourteen; it’s absolute style perfection!

My husband is not the type to bring me flowers; I knew this going in. He is a sports guy who has practical spending habits. When he saw me in this dress, he said I looked really pretty. He said the dress was really flattering. This is not something he normally does! He is not the type of guy to throw me random compliments, so when he said that about this dress, I knew it held a lot of weight!

This black Karen Klein dress has two pockets in front,  a droopy silhouette, and a waist tie. It drapes really well from the shoulders, and allows your figure to show through from the tie belt. The fabric is soft and comfortable; making this dress easy to wear often, and all day-and all night!

This is my go-to black dress now; and I can’t wait to wear it more, and more! If you haven’t had a chance to check out Karen Klein’s collection yet, please do! You will fall in love with her designs, and her concept of making clothing to fit every body type. Plus, her clothing is made right here in San Francisco! I love it when my clothing is not only made in the USA, it is made right here in the Bay Area. Love that!

You can find this dress, and Karen’s Klein’s collection online at UbyKarenKlein.com

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

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