The French Connection

Nathalie Doucet, founder of the Arts of Fashion Foundation, lets us in on her SF fashion faves.

As president and founder of the Arts of Fashion Foundation, Nathalie Doucet could well be considered one of San Francisco’s most influential fashion scouts. The Paris-born 50-year-old created the SF-based nonprofit international competition in 2001 to help launch the careers of young design talent across the country and give them “true access to creativity and design.” Winners of the foundation’s US contest, which this year included Oakland resident and CCA grad Amy Sarabi, receive scholarships to study in European fashion schools and work as interns in such design houses as Veronique Branquinho, Anne Valérie Hash and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. When Doucet isn’t jetting across the Atlantic for the foundation’s programs, the former fashion-design professor and clothing designer can be found lounging at Axis Café in her sort-of-Dogpatch neighborhood, or soaking in the fashion exhibitions at the de Young Museum.

Crème de la Crème

“Cielo is one of the most famous US stores in Europe, and it is based here. They have carried Anne Valérie Hash from the beginning, which means a lot because [she] has just been admitted as an official member of Haute Couture in Paris last January.” 2225 Fillmore St., 415-776-0641

“I never miss talking about M.A.C.—Modern Appealing Clothing. I admire not only the selection of European designers but also the commitment they have made to local designers.” 387 Grove St., 415-863-3011

“I go to Chariots on Fire for one-of-a-kind jewelry, like the Natalia Brilli collection. It is done with fine leather. ... It’s very sculptural.” 893A Folsom St., 415-623-9230

“The way fashion is taught in the US is, unfortunately, very market oriented. ... Among the [designers] to develop their own identity to bring another vision of fashion in San Francisco are Galya Rosenfeld, Amy Sarabi, and Nice Collective!”

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