First Rite Clothing.

One of Betty's dearest Alumni, Nikki Garcia, is brilliant.

After leaving Missoula, she studied fashion design in San Francisco and is now working towards unveiling her line, First Rite, for Spring 2011. I just checked her blog at http://firstriteclothing.blogspot.com/ and I almost cried because her inspiration photos spoke to my heart so much! Check her out. You'll fall in love.

Speaking of SF and the plethora of amazing designers there...Betty's has some lovely items from a number of Bay Area designers right now.

This organic cotton dress just arrived from She-Bible, and was made right in San Francisco. It's kinda 1970's chic, and we really like it...especially when paired with some hippie-inspired waist bling and those Miz Mooz prairie lace up boots.

These amazing wood-cut earrings from Molly M. Designs are also designed and made in SF. I just googled her looking for some info about her company to pass on to you, but I found this instead and thought it was better:

Dance music thumps through a club. Guy approaches.

He says: Excuse me. If you were a laser, you’d be set on stunning.You hear: Laser-cut earrings. How cunning.

You say: They’re by Molly M Designs.He hears: You’re in for a real good time.

He says: My name is Elmo. Want to tickle me?You hear: They’re so precise. How can that be?

You say: The designer learned to use a laser-cutter printer while studying architecture at Berkeley. Now she creates ’80s-inspired geometric earrings in birch wood and clear acrylic. Far out, huh?He hears: Yes. Let’s definitely make out.

You say: She’s also working on a green line made from salvaged materials. Necklaces, too.He hears: Oh, yeah. I like see-through.

You say: It’s nice to meet you, too.He hears: Sure, your place will do.

Marielle Williams of Marielle-Ivy and formerly of Missoula, MT is now currently living and designing in The Mission District of San Francisco.

I know you recognize these earrings because all of us at Betty's have not been able to stop wearing them at least weekly for years.

The necklace below is a new creation of Marielle's...one-of-a-kind and made from found objects such as antique switchblades, wood block stamps and random black and white pictures.

Very special.

We like SF.