We got word of a new designer in town, a.anthony designs by Anna Anthony, and immediately fell in love with her Spring/Summer 2012 lookbook (photographed locally in the Presidio and at the Lyon St. Steps).

After launching a.anthony designs a year ago in Minneapolis, Anthony and her husbandrelocated to SF last October, with all eyes forward. "San Francisco is such a great market to be in, as the fashion here is a culmination of many different influences from all over the globe," she said.

Anthony says, "sewing started as a hobby to get me through the long Minnesota winters." Without any formal fashion education, Anthony built the company on her natural fashion savvy and business background as an ex-commercial real estate i-banker.

The line is still small, and beautifully refined. Anthony is particularly thoughtful of her client -- the modern professional woman, who keeps an active social calendar. Before designing, she asks, "What are her interests and what's her lifestyle? Where does she travel and who does she socialize with?" 

"The evolution of that thought process, along with the understanding of what women really want to wear, inspires me," said Anthony, who lists Carven, Philip Lim and Valentino among her favorite designers.

Anthony designs each piece, gets her patterns done in Philadelphia, sources her fabrics from Italy and China, then brings it back to the East Bay for manufacturing. "After I moved out here I also moved my manufacturing," said Anthony, "It was really important to me to keep it local."

To really understand her new SF clientele, Anthony keeps busy, balancing a healthy amount of work and city play. "I live in the Marina and love the shopping on Chestnut and Union St.," said Anthony, "And of course a shopping trip isn't complete without an indulgent stop at Kara's Cupcakes!" 

Currently, only the hand-sewn leather clutches are available on the a.anthony Etsy shop, but clothing will launch this February. Anthony also hopes to hit local boutiques soon -- fingers crossed.

Lily Ko (lily.7x7 @ gmail.com) studied fashion design and merchandising at Central Saint Martins and the Academy of Art University. In addition to writing for 7x7, Lily is an editor at SF Station, works as a freelance stylist and covers food, fashion and fun on her blog, Curated SF.