Three 'Grams: Color of the Year

I've been so busy lately that blogging has taken a major backseat for me, but don't think for a second it means that things are all quiet here in my neck of the woods. I'm working hard to launch the first cohesive and official HCH Collection in the next two weeks. I've spent the better part of the last few months drafting, draping, fitting, sewing, organizing and doing all the other grunt work entailed in apparel design. From costing to hand grading, I've had my hands in dozens of different pots and I've loved all of it! There's so much on the horizon, so for now I wanted to take a quiet moment to throw out a Three 'Grams post.

Emerald was Pantone's color of the year and my recent Instagram shots have seemed to fit the trend pretty well. 

Our Hitchcockian room at The Burlington Hotel in Port Costa

Ribbon Corsets in progress for my trunk show with Dollhouse Bettie

 Chicken soup that helped fix this week's wicked cold

Three 'Grams: Happiness Is...

What a month. Actually, what a last-few-months.

Working on developing my collection as a one-woman show has proven quite the task: fun, challenging, exhausting, exhilarating. My big official lookbook shoot was this past Sunday and I can say with no hesitation that it was a perfect marriage of talent once again. My photographer Antonette Streeter is literally my aesthetic soulmate and made the whole shoot an absolute dream. Stylist Dominique Guillen, hair and makeup artist Rebecca Taff, model Alexis Hutt and videographer Tim Prestoza made up a pretty exquisite team. As we began to sneak peeks of the photos and video in progress, each of us found ourselves shaking our heads in amazement. The initial raw images are so exciting that I was almost in tears when I first saw them - though that could also be a symptom of the inevitable emotional exhaustion that comes after a project of this magnitude!

In the week gearing up for the shoot, I made sure I had a bit of fun to temper the stress. A potluck and an afternoon full of drinks at my favorite watering hole ensured that the weekend would go smoothly. And smoothly it went. Take a peek at what made me happy this week - and while you're at it, hit up my Instagram page to see even more sneak peeks into Sunday's shoot. You won't be disappointed.

Potluck setup

Alexis is a neo-pinup at Sunday's shoot

Trick Dog's phenomenal cocktails remove all symptoms of stress,

especially when paired with girly pow-wow time.

Three 'Grams: Evening Romance

Autumn has has made her magnificent entrance and the season is really off to a fantastic start. I just got back from New York a few days ago, where I witnessed one of the loveliest weddings I've ever attended, that of Sharin and Ryan, both very talented opera singers. The wedding was the highlight of the trip, but seeing a bunch of close college friends was a close second in significance... being in New York always reminds me just how much I miss the East Coast and all the great friends I have there.

As the summer has wrapped up, I've noticed a lot of my Instagram photos are darker, possibly because all the fun I've been having has been at night!

A birthday bonfire at Ocean Beach

 HCH Ribbon Corset headed to Dollhouse Bettie

True love at the Hudson

Fashion Love Affair: Lena Dunham's Emmy Gown

Yesterday, Lena Dunham made a splash on the red carpet at the Emmys, wearing a pretty phenomenal Prada gown. While her choice has landed her on quite a few worst dressed lists, I really love it. The color combo is electrifying (reminiscent of Hitchcock's disarming use of red and green in Vertigo) and I've always adored bright red juxtaposed against lighter, cooler hues. Yes, it's a risky choice, but what fun is playing it safe anyway?

Clockwise from left: Dita Von Teese Bon Bon Maxi Dress, Oscar de la Renta Faceted Necklace,

Prada gown, Olympia Le-Tan Handcrafted Heidi Clutch, Valentino Absolute Crystal Suede Scallop Pump

Lena's Prada gown reminded me of Dita Von Teese's delightful powder-blue Bon Bon Maxi Dress which was released a few months ago. While the styles are fundamentally different, both are absolute show stoppers. While matchy-matchy accessories would undoubtedly be overkill with gowns like these, I couldn't resist picking out a few of my favorites.

What did you think of Lena's gown?

Honey Cooler Handmade at Urban Air Market, September 15th 2013

The time has come once again for Urban Air Market! Come stock up on HCH lingerie in Hayes Valley this Sunday September 15th. I'll be at booth 34J on Octavia at Ivy Street and I'll have plenty of new pretties to peruse and a sale rack full of beautiful pieces discounted for one day only!

Be sure to RSVP here and bring your friends. If the weather's anything like it's been over the past few weekends, it will be the perfect day to get a head start on your holiday shopping in the SF sun!

Three 'Grams: Ivory Everywhere

HCH Collection Bralette

Saturday morning fog before the 20th Street Block Party

The original Edwardian ribbon corset I used to draft the HCH version

Let's Party!

While regular trunk shows are pretty fun, I'm especially excited to participate in NoisePop's 20th Street Block Party this Saturday the 24th from 12 - 6. Not only is it in the neighborhood I'm proud to call home, but it will also be chock full of local businesses I adore.



Flour + Water, Central Kitchen and Rhea's are all participating. Local indie superstars Two Gallants will be performing along with other awesome music acts. And remember that fantastic shoot I did at a local watering hole a few months ago? Well it turns out that the bar in question, Trick Dog, is not only participating, but that its parent company The Bon Vivants is a partial sponsor. In true flapper fashion, I adore a good cocktail and Trick Dog has 'em in spades.

I'll be sharing my space with my dear friend Kelsey of Rose La Mer Headpieces, so visiting our spot on 20th between Harrison & Alabama guarantees more bang for your buck. Swing by, say hello and listen to music in the summer sunshine. Find more details about the event on its Facebook page. Hope to see you there!