As a fashioner designer, you’re probably pulled to NYC or LA. What keeps you here?
Yeah, I shouldn’t be here — there’s no real market here for fashion. And in a way, that’s the challenge keeping me here: I want to see this place build a fashion market, because it should have one. It’s multicultural, fashionable, there’s so much art and creativity. The Bay Area is also the number one place for sustainability, so it’s a good place for my line.
Where are your favorite local places to grab a bite?
I like Weird Fish. It has a blend of weird vegan and vegetarian foods but also great fish tacos. Bugaloos, too — I’m all about breakfast, really. Indian at Aslam’s Rasoi.
What’s a typical Sunday morning?
I might make a pitcher of margaritas and go to Dolores Park with my friends and boyfriend and dog, and throw the Frisbee and people watch. Or the nonalcoholic version: a cup of coffee at Tartine and a croissant with marmalade jam, then a walk in the hills behind the park. I’m not the biggest city girl, so having immediate access to some green open space is crucial.
Do you find inspiration around here?
Yes — I love living in the Mission. There’s a lot of individual style. There’s more self-expression, and art all over the place. It meets this balance of urban, dirty, gritty — I mean, it’s not this [pristine] beautiful place, but the benefit is that it’s never stagnant. You’re constantly pushed to be aware of what you’re doing. That’s why I stick it out here — and not run away to the country.
Where do you get away?
I like to ride my bike from my house to Ocean Beach. I like going to the Sutro Baths, to Muir Beach, in Marin. I hike up from town along the water, then get a beer and some fish and chips at the Pelican Inn. Or I got to Pt. Reyes and eat oysters. Some combination of ocean, hiking and beers is a perfect day for me.
Where do you, say, find tranquility?
I guess I find tranquility in my work more than anything, which is weird. Outside is just way too much. Even though it’s more chaos in here [in my studio], it’s organized chaos.