Christopher Collins
San Francisco–based designer Christopher Collins has taken a community-oriented approach to growing his clothing business. The designer counts several local society women as his clients—such as San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Newsom, and philanthropist Joy Bianchi—has volunteered his fitting expertise to City College of San Francisco’s student fashion show and hires interns from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco.
Collins officially stamped his name onto the neighborhood with the opening of his eponymous retail store on Oct. 1, located next to his studio and office space in the Nob Hill district of San Francisco.
Collins launched his clothing line in Fall 2008 in partnership with “lifetime friend” Erica Tanamachi, who heads the business side. He considers the operation to be “a close-knit family” atmosphere.
“When people come to our studio, it feels really intimate, so that’s what we’re creating in the boutique, like a very comfortable friends-and-family kind of place,” said Collins, who also produces the clothing in San Francisco.
The collection incorporates Collins’ experience designing eveningwear—he worked for Tadashi, Dina Bar-El and a bridal couturier before launching his own venture—withsportswear around the “effortlessly elegant” theme and the idea that “you can dress easily but walk outside with style and sophistication.”
For Spring, Collins chose an earthy palette with pops of crisp persimmon color and continues an ongoing theme of city dressing.
“We have buildings that date back to the 1800s. I can imagine history here, which helps me imagine my clothing because I pull a lot of references from historical fashion,” said Collins, whose Edwardian high-ruffled collars have become a signature of the designer.
Looks range from relaxed, wide-leg Japanese cotton/rayon/polyester/spandex denim pants to a classic cowl-neck sweater in French acrylic/linen knit, a chipper polyester/cotton dobby-stripe high-collar dress that can transition from work to cocktails and a fancy silk charmeuse tulip dress with hand-embroidered lace for special occasions.
Wholesale price points start at $80 for a top and go up to $220 for a dress. For more information, visit www.christophercollinscollection.com or call (415) 440-2464.—Rhea Cortado
