A recent article in the New York Observer about the rise of urban tomgirls got me thinking—if all of us are running around dressed up like adult versions of Juno McGruff, how can we make sure that we look effortlessly cool while doing it?

The answer to your casual chic cravings of the moment: Hellz Bellz, a cheeky streetwear line founded by Lanie Alabanza-Barcena in tribute to "the non-conforming female youth of today." If you love graphic tees, leopard prints and skinny pants as much as I do, the Spring 2008 lookbook (which features a model who looks a lot like a glam rock Mandy Moore) will not disappoint. Inspired by everything from Vivienne Westwood to bad cult films to The Clash, Alabanza-Barcena's pieces are all about bucking trends—something that she didn't have the freedom to do in previous gigs at Rocawear and Triple 5 Soul.

"I wanted to create a brand that catered to the female who wasn't afraid to push the envelope and wanted a getaway from the typical 'cutesy' graphics," she explains. "Instead of using flowers, hearts and rainbows, I wanted to use explicit in your face imagery with a bad girl aesthetic. My intent was to create a female brand that was edgy, and had substance."

Punk rock.

Hellz Bellz is available at Fatlace, 1630 Post Street, (415) 409-3281.

- Caroline Stanley

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