Burning Torch

Bay Area fashion by the block
Hidden charms of North Beach

Stroll down Upper Grant Avenue and discover handmade clothing, new designers, chic shops.

One of the most eclectic fashion streets in San Francisco is also one of the least well traveled. The reason? Parking problems. And that's a shame, because the art of the atelier lives on at Fife, Knitz & Leather and Martini Mercantile, where designers make clothing by hand. For unusual clothing, look no further than Lilith; this French designer's ware is sold here exclusively, and to check out new talent, try MAC, which specializes in up-and-coming San Francisco designers.

While most San Franciscans are familiar with this narrow one-way street in North Beach that intersects bustling Columbus Avenue, the walkabout usually stops at the landmark Caffe Trieste. What tourists and many natives may not know is that all the fashion action is just a few blocks away.

The tourists come for the coffee and cuisine on Columbus, the outdoor cafe seating, historic coffeehouses, and fresh biscotti and breadsticks at the time-warp Italian bakeries.

Ab Fits carries 20 brands of jeans, many you've never heard of. Lilith's whimsical skirts and tops have surprise pockets, pleats and seams. Alla Prima specializes in European lingerie. Donna, a North Beach fixture, is a flashy, Los Angeles-style boutique. Babette Pinsky's permanently pleated garments are timeless and flattering.

The shop also carries a mix of European and American designers, such as Nanette Lepore, Burning Torch, Ike & Dean, Rebecca Taylor, Marc Lebihan from France and Campos Resends from Belgium. Read more...