Holiday Shopping Calendar
Whether you are a budding fashionista or want a fresh new look this holiday season, several Pasadena stores are opening their doors for holiday shopping events. A touch of glamour (and freebies and sales!) can be found in Old Town this season.
Toast the season with Elisa B. and Origins
Explore the fabulous selection of holiday dresses at Elisa B. and update your beauty regime at Origins this Sunday, December 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Don’t miss out on the Madison Marcus collection that features sixties inspired glam dresses, perfect for your office holiday party. Elisa B. also carries the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection (a new shipment arrived just in time for the event this weekend!). Origins proudly presents Origins Organics, the first full lime of skin, body and hair care products to be certified under the USDA National Organic Program. Tea and dessert will be served, and both stores are raffling off fabulous prizes. Be sure to ask for their amazing complimentary gift-wrapping.
Elisa B. (626) 792-4746 & Origins (626) 564-1790, One Colorado Blvd., Douglas Alley, Pasadena.
All I want for Christmas is… Flutter!
As you slide the satin ribbon off the package, your heart beats with excitement. You slowly lift the top off the box, and see it – a hideous polyester monstrosity. While it is the thought that counts, avoid holiday disappointments by attending Flutter’s holiday open house on Wednesday, December 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come in an enjoy refreshments while making a Flutter wish list, so the friendly staff can help your loved ones pick what you want this year! December 12-16 Flutter is hosting Friends and Family week, where they can receive 15% off all items bought from wish lists. Say no to polyester, and hello to cashmere!
Flutter, 54 W. Green St., Pasadena, (626) 449-3224.
Huge deals on high-end denim at Haute C Boutique
Looking for affordable, high-end clothes? Visit Haute C Boutique on Thursday, December 13 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. to get 30% off everything in the store. They feature premium denim from William Rast, People’s Liberation, Joe’s Jeans, Genetic, and Hudson. Haute C has clothes for women and men, featuring tailored pieces with edge.
This new Pasadena gem has been open for about a month, and carries some amazing dresses from La ROK and Bordeaux, perfect for New Year’s Eve! The store also has some amazing patent leather handbags that add shine to any look.
Haute C Boutique, 18 E. Holly St., Pasadena, (626) 792-2290.
Attention Divas: Did someone say fashion show?
Boutique Divas is hosting a party that promises to be the shopping event of the season on Saturday, December 15 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Owner Deborah Green is showcasing her stores gorgeous wares in a fashion show, and providing refreshments and giveaways to her clientele. If you are into fashion, like unusual and unique pieces that are classic retro (think Audrey Hepburn little black dress, updated with an amazing spring green fabric and rhinestone touches), then this store is for you. Boutique Divas features two designers’ clothes, as well as several upscale vendors from all over the world. It’s like walking into a French boutique, without the snobby attitude.
Boutique Divas, 1035 E. Green St., Pasadena, (626) 793-3222
Little Boutique, Big Vision
A little boutique with an audacious vision!!! Things are happening in Pasadena’s tiniest, tucked away shop located in a courtyard between Union and Holly Street in Old Pasadena. This 350-square-foot retail space is center stage for a groundbreaking retail revolution. Operating on a calendar similar to art galleries, this revolving door concept shop will present “Guest Star Designers” presenting lines to the consumer/buyer marketplace. Lines such as Diane Elizabeth, Susan Jones, Christina Bernal and others will be showcased in '08. Read more
Majestical Roof, 88 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Suite 102. (626) 844 8886. Myspace.com/majesticalroof
Papa Would Be Impressed
 |
| Mojitos maestra Kelli with two of her creations at the bar in Mojitos restaurant in Old Pasadena: Worth the visit. |
The latest “You have to try this!” are the minty mojitos served up at restaurant Mojitos, heir to Xiomara on Raymond Ave.’s “restaurant row” in Old Pasadena. Hemingway himself might be impressed with Mojitos’ exclusive recipe – and its inventiveness at introducing a range of delicious fruited mojitos: mango, pineapple, orange, blueberry, raspberry, ginger, and coconut. (Best bet: the Mango – ¡fantastico! ) Mojitos is clearly not Havana’s La Bodeguita del Medio. Phil and Carmen Castaneda have created décor, service, and Cuban-influenced food which are definitely worth a visit. Stay tuned for our exclusive review coming Monday.
Mojitos, 69 N. Raymond Ave, Pasadena. (626) 796-2520.
Ask a Fashionista: Sasan's Maryann Acuna
What should you be looking for in the fall and winter fashion? Take a second to ask Maryann Acuna, Manager of Paseo Colorado's Sasan, men's clothing boutique
 |
| Store owner Sasan with Maryann Acuna at Sasan's October fashion show celebrating his new women's store, set to open in Old Pasadena next year |
What are the colors for the fall fashion?
Anything gray is very important right now, the palette for the whole season is mono-chromatic. There's a lot of metal tones, graphite, interesting shades of carbon. Everything is kind of metal-influenced.
What's hot in dress clothes?
The cardigan is back for both sexes. Short jackets are important for men and women. Anything with a fitted silhouette is important for both. Everything is very line-detailed with a big emphasis on the silhouette of the shoulders.
What's hot in casual clothes?
Details on casual clothing is important. You're going to have a lot of grommets. You're going to have a lot of novelty work... Everything has some form of embellishment on it. It's going to be either novelty driven or it's going to be very clean and sexy and have a certain sense of sensuality in the line.
In the Hugo Boss Orange line, there are a lot of '80s driven items cross-referenced with an infusion of Japanese influence and Japanese motifs and Japanese lettering.
What does one look for in shoes?
Shoes are a little cleaner in line now, they are a little longer in silhouette. You have a lot of clean detailing in dress shoes. The loafers have taken on a different role — it's not necessarily in importance, but it isn't your loafer of yesterday. There's a lot of nice hand detailing on most of the better designer categories. Hand-work is important.
What's not hot?
Plain is pretty much gone. Baggy clothes have been out for a long time. The individual [identity of a consumer] is so much more important these days.
Sasan
Menswear by Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, Torras of Spain and Theory.
340 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite #113, Pasadena. (626) 356-3891
Hands, Nimble and Deft
Inspite of its open palm logo The Majestical Roof is not a palmistry shop.
 |
| Co-owners Christine Bernal and Yvonne Russo |
Tucked away in a charming courtyard off Fair Oaks Avenue two blocks north of “Corporate Colorado Boulevard,” The Majestical Roof is an artisan boutique where hands – nimble and deft – play a central rôle in crafting every one-off or limited quantity objet.
“There are no mass-manufactured items in our store,” says Manager Yvonne Russo, who is co-owner with Christine Bernal. “Most of the artists whose products we represent come from Pasadena and surrounding areas.”
The shop presents an eclectic collection of items: hand-made soaps, hand-decorated sneakers (themselves made in sweat-free workrooms), cell-phone holders sewn from silk neckwear, handbags, eclectic art and one of a kind T's.
 |
| A model in the recent doggie fashion show. [Photo courtesy Jill Davis, whose beautifully-illustrated blog is "Eye Level Pasadena."] |
Since the artisans all live locally there are frequent “meet the artist” events – last weekend featured a doggie fashion show (pooches strutting the catwalk in styles from the Fleabag Apparel collection) and next weekend promises one of The Majestical Roof’s already-popular signature art exhibit openings.
The April 14th reception is for pop artist Terri Lloyd, a San Francisco Bay area transplant who finds inspiration in “the insanity of current events.” Her works, often controversial and politically-driven, have been called “unconventional, valiant and spunky.”
“There’s so much material being made by these crazy people in high places,” Lloyd has written. “It’s important to say that inspiration isn’t always pretty.” She recently told an interviewer: “If you look at the art alone, you can see
 |
| "Oxy-Moron: Not a Rush to Judgement" by Terri Lloyd |
that I’m influenced by many pop culture factors; Manga, Warhol, Lichtenstein, Mad Magazine, consumer product packaging, television commercials, the Sixties. Things like this.”
The reception for Form & Dysfunction will start at 5:00 p.m. with a poster signing and artist Q&A. Wine and light appetizers will be served; musician Chris Burgan will perform.
The Majestical Roof is becoming quite the destination for those who know. (And now you do.) The Majestical Roof is at 88 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena. Call (626) 844-8886 or see www.themajesticalroof.com.
|
With thanks to Jill Davis for the photograph of the dog fashion model. More of her beautiful photography may be seen on her illustrated blog, Eye Level Pasadena. |
The Fashion Scene Comes to Pasadena
Pasadena's making the fashion scene in a big way at the hot new Salon Sessions Studio on De Lacey Avenue just below Green Street in Old Pasadena. Being something of a fashionista ourselves, we were blown away by the style and styling we discovered in their destination salon.
The three partners — Neeko, Victor Valverde, and longtime Pasadenan Samuel Bourounsouzian — have lived their vision by creating high-energy hair, makeup, art, and photography studios combined into a 5,200 square foot fashion oasis.
This is the real deal: head stylist/partner Neeko and the styling team have worked with Halle Berry, Tyra Banks and countless celebs on photo shoots and runways all over North America.
Check out our full report coming next week — and visit Bent in South Pasadena and try to work your way onto The List to get into their upcoming fashion show at Salon Sessions on February 3. The show will feature fashion, local dj's, and a local singer who goes by the moniker Full Time Villain. "Funky and fun," laughs Bent owner Angela de la Torre. Salon Sessions, 112 South De Lacey Avenue. (626) 795-8856 www.SalonSessions.com
New York Designer Bokhee to Open Old Pasadena Boutique Next Month
 |
| Exclusive Bokhee crop sweater with ribbon tie closure |
Designer Bokhee, who has a store in Manhattan and another on Long Island, plans to open her third boutique here in Old Pasadena in February. Her New York shops sparkle with metallic stitching and sequins on her exclusive ranges of high-end tunics, shawls, skirts, kaftans and skirts – and there’s denim, too. Many pieces are reminiscent of exotic Asian figure-forgiving silhouettes, but the collection also sports embroidered jeans, sequin-studded Tees, glittery Indian jewelry and beaded slips-ons.
The store’s location was selected by Bokhee’s brother, Jay Coe.
“We saw a lot of promise in Pasadena,” Coe told us.
As for the direction of his sister’s collection, Coe says she designs “people who can afford designer clothes but want to be different. Most of my sister’s clientele are those people who could shop Chanel or Fendi but don’t want to because they don’t want to be associated with brand name chasing.” For more, see www.bokhee.com
More Headlines
|
