San Francisco - December 12, 2006

From Russia with Love

Podium Boutique Opens

Short of cranking up the AC in winter, living in California has your Dr. Zhivago fantasies (fur muffs, fur boots, and fur-lined princess coats) on indefinite hold.

But you can still partake in the new Russian revolution at Podium, Sonya Molodetskaya’s new boutique in the Marina.

Stocked with European and American designers handpicked by ex-Mayor Willie Brown’s main squeeze, the shop’s simple white walls and wood fixtures let the owner’s eclectic taste shine through. Cashmere sweaters from One Girl Who, printed tops by God Save the Queen, J&Company jeans, and an impressive assortment of cocktail dresses are just the thing for a modern-day Lara.

If the nonstop catwalk shows playing on the huge flat-screen TV don’t inspire (podium means runway in Russian), then let Molodetskaya help you find your way out of fashion Siberia.

And onto the arm of a power player.

Podium, 2415 Chestnut Street, between Divisadero and Broderick Streets (415-409-2415).