Designer: Ali Golden

Meet the Oakland woman creating clothing that’s sheer magic.

All Photos by Joe Budd

Originally a graphic designer, Ali Golden fell in love with pattern making during postgrad studies, leading her to draft the patterns and hand-sew the sheer draped pieces that won raves at San Francisco boutique Reliquary. In September, Golden opened a Temescal workspace, and she’s launching her first line, a collection for fall 2012 scheduled to hit stores this August.

Personal Style

» Mixing new and vintage. “I buy really thick tights from J. Crew and vintage shoes, dresses, and sweaters. I’ve been wearing mostly ankle boots lately, and I love Rachel Comey’s.”

Closet Staple

» “I find myself reaching for the [Ali Golden] kimono tunic, which is always available in a variety of colors, again and again. I wear a lot of my own line.” Another favorite is the maxi sheer dress.

Under the Sheer

» Good-fitting basics like slip dresses, tights, camisoles, skinny pants, and thick tights. Golden picks up leotards from Danskin and sports Court jeans and denim from Acne.

Beauty Basics

» Nars lipstick in Funny Face (a vibrant pink) and DiorShow mascara. “I don’t end up spending much time getting ready in the a.m. I use Revitalash, and it makes my eyelashes really long, and that makes me feel OK about just wearing mascara most the time.”

Arm Candy

» Clutches from Bay Area–based Herringbone. Golden’s favorite is the black on black with the rose gold zipper, but the striking bags also come in bright fuchsia, cobalt, and turquoise shades of suede.

Accessories

» Golden likes Marisa Haskell’s necklaces. “They weigh down the sheers, center the pieces, and are super versatile. The length and weight complement the line.”

Local Haunts

» Pizzaiolo and Boot and Shoe Service. “Owner Charlie [Hallowell] is a magical person, and the whiskey cocktail at both places is delicious.”

Ali Golden, 470 E. 49th St., Oakland, (805) 340-7086, aligolden.com.