SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 23, 2005/ FW/ --- Sticking to her signature style of fluid ruffles and zigzag edging, Oakland-based designer Cari Borja is all about volume and ease of wear with bias cuts and knits that can easily fit women from sizes 4 – 14.

Already well known in the Bay Area for her one-of-a-kind pieces that sold in specialty stores in metro San Francisco, Cari Borja’s Spring 2006 collection will not go into mass production.

Rather, clients would have to make appointments with the designer to purchase any of the pieces shown, wherein she can give special attention to the fitting.

Layered floor-length skirts, pageboy pants, one-shouldered frocks and navel-baring ensembles, Cari Borja’s vision is unique and distinctive.

As she said in her press notes: ‘Being self taught, I tend to develop construction techniques in answer to my vision. Once I have an idea in mind, I’ll research until I find a way to execute it. From Madeleine Vionnet’s bias cut gowns to Stephen Burrows’ zigzag hems to roller-skating outfits my mother made for me in the early 1980s, I mix and match approaches in order to create garments that are uniquely mine.’

In short, there is really no way to ‘classify’ Borja’s creations. Hence there was really no unifying theme in her collection, except for the ruffles and zigzag hems that were the main accents.

There was an avant-garde feel to it, and sometimes it was romantic. It was neither European nor American aesthetics. It was Cari Borja’s vision of fluidity and movement.

And that is what made the collection interesting

Cari Borja

Cari Borja

Cari Borja

Cari Borja