Local designer, Janet has a taste for glamour, and it shows in the elegantly austere caplets & evening bags she creates.  She says, “I’ve been visiting Britex since I was a young girl and have dreamt of designing with their incredible fabrics.  This year I was able to produce my new endeavor–hand-sewn silk mini capes with scarves, scarves and cultured pearl bags and belts.  Britex has supplied all the fabrics and notions primarily online.  I couldn’t have done this collection without Avery’s help not only shipping to my various seamstress, but also with advice. I’m planning on expanding this into a larger collection and possibly offer it wholesale.  Each time I visit Britex online or in the store I become overwhelmed with the beautiful fabrics and like an addict want to buy them all!  My creativity explodes on the first floor where the silks are located—just ask James, the sales associate! My collection is made entirely in San Francisco and I owe credit to my pearl weaver.

Janet Deleuse Label available at: http://www.shopdeleuse.com

 Deleuse Jewelers, 1771 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, CA 94920      415-435-2484        deleusejewelers.com

Britex Fabrics located in the Union Square of San Francisco.   Enter on Geary Street or through the infamous alley, Maiden Lane—once home to San Francisco’s most popular brothels.

Britex Fabrics began as the brainchild of Martin Spector, who was a fabric merchant in Poland. He came to the United States in 1939 and established the first Britex Fabrics in the heart of New York City’s garment district, and then decided to relocate when he and his wife Lucy fell in love with San Francisco. The store officially opened its doors in San Francisco’s Union Square in 1952.

Britex Fabrics continues this tradition today by featuring textiles from new local and international designers, alongside goods from world-renowned fashion icons. The store itself has become a landmark–attracting ‘seamsters’ of all kinds, fashion and design students, and myriad performers and costumers in film and theater. Celebrities bump shoulders with brides-to-be, and DIY-ers and professionals come equipped with paint chips and diagrams in search of drapery materials and upholstery. The latest styles in fabrics can be found here: yet the atmosphere of this independent business is a throwback to an era when service was as important as value.