Tipping our hats

The Dig flips its lid on spring style

By CHRISTINE LIU

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There's a definite allure to the international stars who produce runway collections worldwide (oh, hi, Jil Sander), but nothing puts more spring in our step than heralding the talents of those just outside our door. Putting fresh perspective on the style horizon, Boston-based designers—as well as area retailers—make us blush with rosy, local pride. Poke around a bit, pat the bunny and meet some of the folks who literally put the clothes on your back.

HUNTING JAM BY GRACE HATS | $46

FRANKIE THE GLOVE BY CASSEL GOORIN | $68

DARBEE BY GRACE HATS | $38

[All available at Salmagundi, 765 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. 617.522.5047. myspace.com/salmagundiboston]

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NIRVA

nirva.com

A confession: I was a smitten kitten the first time I came across the work of Lexington-based, Turkish-born designer Nirva Derbekyan. The luscious fabrics, feminine silhouettes and unexpected details of her collections—five ready-to-wear at last count, in addition to couture work—are testament not only to an effusive creativity but also the influence of good ole mommy: "A lot of [my inspiration] is my mom, and remembering our time living in Turkey," recalls Derbekyan, "and how everyone was so dressed up all the time; the competition to look good and original, and the emphasis on quality of fabric. Back then, everything was high heeled, very put together—that always stayed in my mind."

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ARTEFACTURE

artefacture.com

Brothers Andy Osika (creative half in Somerville) and Christopher Jablonski (business half in San Francisco) had a shared vision—and DNA—for Artefacture from the very beginning. "Since we were young kids growing up," designer Osika relates, "I had these random ideas; I would sketch out little things, come up with these quotes," and for the last three years, they've poured these ideas into a T-shirt business. It's impressive what these two have developed from a simple but potent vision: "We decided to form this little company that was going to be different than what's out there currently," says Osika.

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One Head

onehead.industry@gmail.com

"The moniker came from seeing these iceberg lettuce bags that said 'Contains one head'—like a baseball hat," says a bespectacled Frank Criscione, explaining the namesake of his homegrown scarf label One Head. Sewn together from meticulously chosen sections of used T-shirts, Criscione's scarves not only resonate with color and pattern, but also with the unmistakable feel—and comforting smell—of well-worn cotton jersey.

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Shara Porter

sharaporter.com

Moose. Brontosaurus. Potato masher. Shara Porter prints curious little images (of these and more) on found leather objects, the high-contrast line drawings casting a subtle handmade touch on supple bags, wallets or boots. The overlay printed effect is at once sweet and peculiar—an irresistible juxtaposition.