Guest blogger and fashion intern Sydney Pfaff is on duty to pick up the trend watch after Hayley’s kick-off of NY Fashion Week coverage on Tuesday. Here, Sydney’s top picks from the Fall 2008 ready-to-wear collections by a few of SF’s own.



San Francisco native Peter Som took a break from his bow-clad blouses and pretty girl colors with an assortment of dark colors in quirky styles: tweed skirts with printed silk blouses, floral with plaid and mismatched tweeds with clashing prints. Inspired by Diane Arbus photographs of downtown New Yorkers, Som paired luxurious furs over tweed pants and full skirts with layered hems. Look forward to Som’s looks, which will be carried at Carrots, 843 Montgomery St., 415-843-9040.



U.C. Berkeley graduate Erin Fetherston—now a New Yorker by way of Paris—sent drop-waist dresses, sharp belted pantsuits and sweet pea coats down the runway. Paired with tights and classic ballet flats, her flapper-inspired frocks and bell-sleeve blouses are for the ultimate girlie-girl. Look for her collection at Barneys New York, 77 O’Farrell St., 415-268-3500.



A graduate of Parsons School of Design, SF-born Derek Lam’s eponymous line is all about crisp cuts and feminine fabrics. This season, though, he veered into Goth styles with a dark color palette and heavy layers. Carrying the ruffle trend (which is hot for spring) to the next level, Lam showed accordion ruffle-hemmed dresses and sweeping ruffled gowns, while revisiting his signature clean silhouettes in structured riding jackets and double-breasted duster coats. Stake out Lam’s collection at Neiman Marcus, 150 Stockton St., 415-362-3900.

Images courtes of style.com