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In the '70s, Carol McClellan was at the forefront of the leather jacket revolution — everyone had to have one, and she was one of the few people in Seattle making them. She was discovered by Ann Wilson of Heart, then scooped up and taken on tour. From there, her work took off as she became a designer for celebrities and those in their universe. She returned to Seattle and opened her own space.

While she works in other fabrics, her specialty is custom leather, so the rest of us can live like rock stars. From a sample line, customers can pick colors and fabrics for dresses, suits, pants and outerwear. She'll trim with fur (faux and real), beads or other adornments. Her latest find is real leather bonded with a stretchable backing for maximum comfort, without the "pleather" look. Her colors vary with the season - black cherry leather, a deep burgundy with a dark wash over it - is hot for fall; lighter colors appear in the spring.

All this comes at above-groupie, below-rock star prices: A two-piece suit will set you back $2,700, a pair of pants costs around $850, and an armband is $45.

Tip: McClellan has sample sales at the end of the season;, e-mail her at carolemcclellan@yahoo.com to get on the mailing list.

By Vanessa McGrady
Special to NWsource