Marlowe

Two businesses named Marlowe opened in San Francisco recently, but only one carries Italian-made suiting and cashmere for discerning professional women. The 15-year-old company, owned by Rocco Melito, chose San Francisco for its first West Coast location "because of who the San Francisco woman is," said Marlowe associates. Refined, versatile wardrobe options are at the heart of the line; each collection varies mainly in silhouette and palette. Beautifully tailored tropical-weight wool suits start at $2,200 - add a matching "second skin" cashmere sweater ($600-$1,000) and embossed leather briefcase ($1,400-$1,700), and the look is complete. Water-resistant wool coats and sequined or laser-cut wraps dress it up for evening events. A draped-neck dress with three-quarter sleeves, in black or cream ($1,185), seen above, is a more figure-conscious option. The narrow storefront took over the Sorokko Gallery street-level space and was reconfigured by Brand + Allen Architects with Italian flooring, pulverized black marble walls and custom-made oak furniture.

231 Grant Ave., San Francisco. (415) 986-0262. marlowe.com.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sun. and by appointment.

- Laura Compton

Hello

Originally launched in December as a monthlong pop-up boutique timed to entice the holiday shopping crowds, the second San Francisco store from Candystore Collective owner Jennifer Jones now has a new home in Pacific Heights. "The neighborhood was so welcoming and people kept saying, 'We're so excited you're here,' " Jones recalls. The success of the temporary shop prompted Jones to open a permanent location in April. Occupying a gallery-like space, Hello mixes women's apparel and accessories ($5-$750) from well-known names such as Hyden Yoo and Rachel Comey with an assortment of emerging and local labels that includes Everyday or Eternal, Dear Creatures, Modaspia and Serial Cultura. "I wanted this to be more focused and a little more collection driven. ... I wanted to represent that here with full collections," Jones explains. That philosophy means fewer labels overall hanging from the industrial metal racks when compared with the many at Candystore, but more variety from each season's chosen lines. Glass cases set on tabletops display jewelry and accessories by 1228, Jene Despain and Candace Ang, while a selection of shoes, socks, tights and inexpensive gift items ranging from potted succulents ($12.50) to bags of candy ($5) appear on surfaces throughout the space.

2226 Bush St., (888) 601-0117. candystorecollective.com. 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.,

11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sat., 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.

- Lorraine Sanders

To submit a new boutique for consideration, e-mail sfis@sfchronicle.com or send information to SFiS, 901 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103.

This article appeared on page S - 8 of the San Francisco Chronicle