Christopher Collins
I’m inspired by movement. I love to see fabric in motion while wearing a style. I love the sound fabric makes. Above all, I’m hyper-motivated by the feeling of power and confidence I can create for someone who wears my pieces.
Brandishing a résumé that includes a “thrilling whirl” on Project Runway (Season 8) and time spent in New York, early work in Los Angeles with Tadashi Shoji, and at the helm of Bay Area-based Christopher Collins Collection, a contemporary lifestyle brand carried in boutiques across the United States, Christopher Collins returned to San Francisco to direct all dress divisions at Bay Area-based Byer California. As a bonus, he designs custom gowns for special events and galas for local and East Coast clients.
HL: Tell us what inspires your designs. How would you describe them to someone who has never seen them?
CC: I’m inspired by movement. I love to see fabric in motion while wearing a style. I love the sound fabric makes. Above all, I’m hyper-motivated by the feeling of power and confidence I can create for someone who wears my pieces. This translates into beauty. I’d describe my work as creative. It has a beginning and ending that starts from the top and flows all the way to the ground, using both soft, drape-y fabrics and structured textures.
HL: What sort of person will be drawn to your clothing and why?
CC: I think my clients are those who want to stand out and be unique. I focus on details like style lines, trim placement, proportion, and crispness, which take a look to the next level. This is the difference between wearing art and putting something on just to be dressed.
HL: What has been your proudest moment in the fashion industry?
CC: Every time I am out and see someone wearing one of my pieces, it makes me feel excited. I love knowing that they reached for a dress—one of my designs— while shopping and it made them feel good. It’s the biggest compliment I could receive.
HL: What sort of materials intrigue you and why?
CC: Currently, I’m obsessed with shiny things. I love metallic knits, sequins, bling on bling. To me, gone are the Coco Chanel days of “take one piece off before you leave the house.” I’d say add two accessories and go live your best life.
HL: How would you describe the current fashion scene?
CC: The current fashion scene is a mixed bag. Looks vary through age demographics so much that I think the scene is generationally broken down into themes. There’s a big focus on shape, curves, and that’s coupled with a menswear look that plays with new proportions.
HL: What do you think will be the next trend?
CC: I think women’s dressing is going to move to glamor. This last summer we had tons of pops of color with the Barbie trend and flashy dressing. My feeling is that it’s going to slide into a bit of sophistication and sleekness, and the boxy loose look will trim up.
HL: Who is your fashion icon and why?
CC: My fashion icon was my grandmother. As a boy I always was so impressed by her appearance. I didn’t know the word for it then, but it’s chic. She used bold prints on prints, adorned with perfect statement jewelry pieces. And always with such grace. Fashion is more than visual—it’s a mood, and she made it seem effortless. That inspired me.
HL: Who would you like to see wearing your clothes next?
CC: My daughter when she’s older.
Jad Racha
Touting his mother and her style as an inspiration, Jad Racha says he was fascinated as a child watching his mother dress and prepare for glamorous parties. An American designer of Lebanese descent, he attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. With tenures at a variety of luxury fashion houses in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, Racha enjoyed myriad collaborative global assignments which led him to embrace the nucleus of his expertise: bridal and evening wear. Exclusively at work in his private atelier in San Francisco, his couture creations have been described as timeless, sophisticated, and elegant.
The 1950s undoubtedly influenced my work. While it may appear effortless, a closer look reveals the intricate details and unconventional seams that contribute to the complexity of my designs.
HL: Tell us what inspires your designs? How would you describe then to someone who has never seen them?
JR: The 1950s undoubtedly influenced my work. While it may appear effortless, a closer look reveals the intricate details and unconventional seams that contribute to the complexity of my designs.
HL: What sort of person will be drawn to your clothing and why?
JR: My clients tend to be those who appreciate classic design, are captivated by the history and culture of fashion, and aren’t solely focused on current trends.
HL: What has been your proudest moment in the fashion industry?
JR: There are so many, but especially seeing my fashion illustrations in books, collaborating with Zac Posen, and meeting Michelle Obama. Yet, mentoring aspiring designers and guiding them toward their fashion dreams remains my proudest achievement.
HL: What sort of materials intrigue you and why?
JR: I enjoy working with taffeta, but my fascination extends to a variety of textiles and materials. Creativity shouldn’t be confined or limited. It’s about embracing all art forms that come together in the ever-evolving world of fashion.
HL: How would you describe the current fashion scene?
JR: Today’s fashion landscape features a diverse mix of styles that embrace sustainability, inclusivity, and a fusion of retro and futuristic influences. There’s a notable shift toward a more intimate and culturally rich pace led by designers like Daniel Roseberry, Gaurav Gupta, and Robert Wun.
HL: What do you think will be the next trend?
JR: In my opinion, Pat McGrath’s makeup for the Maison Margiela couture show is set to significantly influence other brands, inspiring them to replicate similar effects for everyday fashion consumers.
HL: Who are your fashion icons?
JR: Hubert de Givenchy, Jacques Fath, David Downton, and Ralph Rucci to name a few.
HL: Who would you like to see wearing your clothes next?
JR: Women who want to feel empowered.
HL: What else would you like to tell us?
JR: I owe a great deal to dear friends and family who stood by me from the beginning. It is my life partner, Aaron, who has made everything possible. I am profoundly grateful for his sacrifices and unending support to achieve my dreams.
Tony Sananikone
My designs are influenced by culture, my travels, architecture and people. You’ll often find architectural elements in my clothes, blending both soft and hard structures seamlessly.
A lifestyle stylist keen on telling visual stories, design maven Tony Sananikone considers his twins, Lana and Luca, as his greatest inspiration. “Their youthful outlook constantly sparks my creativity and keeps me in tune with what’s fresh and exciting,” he says. Adept at delving into the “core of people or objects,” Sananikone uses a holistic view to create spellbinding narratives, whether via interiors or clothing. Born in a political refugee camp in Bangkok, he turned to sewing (learned from his mother) to transform his world from “the ordinary into the extraordinary,” an ethos he still employs passionately today.
Photo credit: Agency Moanalani Jeffrey
HL: Tell us what inspires your designs. How would you describe then to someone who has never seen them?
TS: My designs are influenced by culture, my travels, architecture and people. You’ll often find architectural elements in my clothes, blending both soft and hard structures seamlessly. I love combining femininity with a touch of masculinity, aiming for pieces that feel sensual yet timeless. When you see my designs, I aim for them to be unique enough to make you stand out, yet never veering into “worst-dressed” territory.
HL: What sort of person will be drawn to your clothing and why?
TS: I make clothes inspired by the strength of a generation of women who empowered themselves to reach their maximum potential while remaining beautiful and feminine. These women were strong and sensual with cultural sophistication and entrepreneurial spirit.
HL: What has been your proudest moment in the fashion industry?
TS: One of my proudest moments was when I had the opportunity to style Sarah Jessica Parker for a retailer campaign. It was during the early stages of my design career while working for a prominent retail company. This afforded me the chance to interact with high society and celebrities. Working with SJP was truly amazing; being able to contribute to styling someone of her caliber, who is undeniably a style icon, was an unforgettable experience.
Photo credit: Agency Moanalani Jeffrey
HL: What sort of materials intrigue you and why?
TS: I’m really drawn to three specific materials: fabric, which has such a wide range, from the luxurious feel of silk to the elegant structure of organza. It’s like a canvas for wearable art, offering endless creative opportunities. Then there’s marble, with its one-of-a-kind, untreatable organic patterns. It just never gets old, always bringing this timeless beauty to whatever it’s used in. And finally, there’s 3D printing, which just blows my mind with how versatile it is. You can create everything from intricate sculptures and digital paintings to cool furniture and fashion pieces. It’s just amazing.
HL: How would you describe the current fashion scene?
TS: Fashion, often seen as a bit unconventional in our laid-back city, could actually be our secret weapon for stepping up our game. San Francisco’s fashion scene holds so much promise. In this city bursting with eclectic charm and creative energy, personal style thrives among its residents. It might not always match everyone’s taste, but there’s an undeniable flair here. I often hear people say, “I have this amazing piece of clothing—it could be a killer pair of stilettos, a stylish dress, or a sharp suit—but nowhere to wear it.” But that’s just not true; every occasion is a chance to shine. Picture every event as a fashion showcase. Embrace it. Strut your YSL stilettos, flaunt that Gucci suit, show off that McQueen dress like you own it. Believe me, when you see someone dressed to the nines, it sparks something inside you to step up your own style game. If we all make a commitment to dressing our best, we’ll collectively raise the bar and take the whole scene to new heights.
HL: What do you think will be the next trend?
TS: Millennial pink is here to stay, but not staying exactly the same; it’s shifting into a softer shade, while still keeping that ultra-feminine charm. You’ll find soft, flowy fabrics with delicate ruffles everywhere, bringing a gentle touch to the scene. And there’s a renewed focus on proportions; wide-leg pants are making a comeback, from super-wide styles to classic flares, making a bold yet effortless statement.
HL: What do we need in our closet?
TS: Oversized blazers, cardigans, and cropped sweaters are all must-haves for a chic wardrobe. Plus, preppy style is making a comeback, bringing back stripes, varsity sweaters, and collegiate blazers. It’s all about getting those proportions right. And remember, timeless pieces are always in vogue, proving that classic elegance never goes out of style.
Photo credit: Agency Moanalani Jeffrey
HL: Who is your fashion icon and why?
TS: My fashion icon would be Alexander McQueen. His legacy is all about his incredibly original designs that flawlessly blend artistry and technical skills. One of McQueen’s most poignant quotes perfectly captures his philosophy: “You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”
HL: Who would you like to see wearing your clothes next?
TS: I would be so excited to style Zendaya. Not only is she breathtakingly beautiful and immensely talented, but her roots in the Bay Area add an extra layer of connection. Her fashion sense is unparalleled, effortlessly navigating between high glamor, avant-garde, and classic styles with a refreshing edge. Zendaya embodies each look she wears, effortlessly owning her attire, rather than being overshadowed by it.