House of perfection

It may be old news to some, but I just couldn't fight the urge to write about one of San Francisco's star boutiques, House of Hengst. Though the studio and it's owner (the ever lovely Ms. Susan Hengst) have been a favorite of mine for years, I am continually surprised and delighted by each new collection, and Spring/Summer 09 is no exception. Having been in the Mission street flagship store just last week on a whirlwind San Francisco trip, I was once again wowed by the vintage-inspired creations of Ms. Hengst. The fluid and fabulous 70's inspired dresses and jumpsuits, the high waisted jeans, and the dreamy comfy lounge wear are all hallmarks of a line that is truly unigue and diverse. Some of the pieces are more akin to lounge wear and come in lovely neutral colors. Other styles are more slinky-sexy and fashion-forward, and still others are 100% modern classics (think Audrey Hepburn inspired poufy silk dresses). You can't go wrong here- whatever piece you choose is bound to become a favorite for years to come. The fact that the studio actually makes the clothes on location, and that the decor is made of ever-rotating artists’ creations, makes this indie boutique more of a gallery than anything else. Both the clothing and the atmosphere are truly works of art. Though the designer has relocated to Manhattan (hurray!) in the past few years, she can often be found checking in on her SF studio, no doubt whipping up brilliant creations for next season's wonderful collection.