Pixie Magic
November 19, 2004

North Beach clothier affects a sassy, energetic attitude

While many back alleys in the City are known for their purveyors of pixie dust, the corner of Grant Avenue and Green offers a different, perhaps equally addictive, fix.

Pixie, a recent addition to the North Beach's fashion corridor, has as its hallmarks fun-loving owners and clothes that are a delightful mix of trendy cuts and classic shapes.

Owners Carol Wu and Amy Ellen met three years ago while working at a pharmaceutical company in the City and quickly became shopping buddies.

In March, they quit the nine to five grind to open their own boutique of stylish clothes for work and play.

"We're classic in a lot of ways, but with a very sexy style," Wu said. "We're uptown downtown."

Named Pixie to evoke happy girlhood memories, the boutique has a sassy, energetic attitude created by pale yellow walls and floors with fuscia accents. High ceilings and large windows let in the bright afternoon sun giving the store an open, airy atmosphere.

"The number-one feeling we wanted was to not seem crowded," Wu said. "We've been to a lot of places that were crowded and felt almost intimidating."

Without clutter and distractions, ladies are free to finger the goods, which include everything from wispy tanks to tweed and corduroy tailored trousers. Racks and tables showcase candy-colored Miss Sixty sweaters, form-fitting velvet pants stretchy knit skirts, trim jackets in wool and cotton, and a variety of funky t-shirts.

"It's things that you can continue to wear and that are fun," Ellen said.

"And the special pieces," Wu added.

On the denim side, Pixie features the usual suspects – Rock & Republic, Yanuk, and James – and a new face Jean Paul Da'mage, a line that few Bay Area shops carry, particularly in women's styles.

Da'mage jeans ($165) come in a range of washes with a straighter leg than most brands. While considered a low-rise pant, it fits close enough to the body to prevent thong exposure, and is what Wu calls "a sexy boy jean."

After restocking the closet, add an edge to your outfit with leather and fabric handbags, Miss Sixty shoes in round- and pointed-toe styles and jewelry pieces such as designer-of-the-moment Hortense. A Bay Area artist, Hortense's designs are delicate with miniscule inlaid stones and tiny dangly pieces of silver molded from rice.

At Pixie restocking is a no-no. Instead, new items are added from lines proven to be popular on almost a daily basis, which makes the boutique perfect for browsing the latest styles.

A must for fall is a green cashmere sweater with three-quarter length sleeves, a slight notch collar and ruching at the chest from Cris ($224). Dress the top of with a vintage green brooch attached at the chest for a seductively conservative look.

Another piece serving double-duty is an oatmeal-colored drop waist skirt by White ($207). Beneath the pleats, sheer panels extend from the skirt's knee length up to the thigh, giving the skirt pure femininity with a schoolgirl kick.

Bring them to their knees with Miguelina's Camilla Mini, a silk dress in a deep chocolate color with a slight shimmer ($340). Featuring a rounded collar, cap sleeves with ties, and the back of the empire waistline, the dress sports vertical slits in the chest and back so leave the bra at home.

"You can wear it on its own or with jeans. I'd wear it with fishnets and ballet flats," said Wu dispensing fashion advice, a standard procedure at Pixie.

The affable owners enjoy suggesting other pieces of clothing and accessories that focus on shoppers' styles and figures and compliment items they've already chosen. While some may see it as the usual sales pitch, Wu and Ellen's advice is more new best friend than commission-hungry clerk.

"We have a one-on-one personal shopping experience with our customers," Wu said. "And having outfits together is important. That's what I look for when I shop and that's what we offer here."

Pixie / 1400 Grant Ave / 415.392.1090

Interior view of Pixie