S.B. Style News
Cominichi's Moves Locations, prAna Joins S.B. Outfitters, and Day of the Dead
SPOTLIGHT ON: Outfitting Santa Barbara in PrAna
Outdoor junkies who prefer not to dress like they’re about to paint a bathroom are more than likely familiar with prAna, a label that’s lusted after by yogis, rock rats, adventurers, travelers, and couch potatoes who enjoy the occasional granola bar and just happen to dig active-lifestyle-variety duds alike. The brand’s long been known for its versatile, function-friendly, sustainably constructed, wear-anywhere designs, as well as its ethos of environmental stewardship. And while prAna is carried all over the world, Santa Barbara is now home to its second national store. Which is a coup that came to pass thanks to the vision of Luisa and Mark Hyatt, owners of Santa Barbara Outfitters (SBO), who recognized a sweet opportunity to showcase their top-selling brand when a storefront adjoining SBO opened up. (Actually, at first Mark wanted to expand SBO, while Luisa … did not, but then, she says, “PrAna came to mind.” The activewear company quickly jumped on board, and the rest, as they say, will soon be history.) The two spaces have been renovated and joined, and the prAna at Santa Barbara Outfitters grand opening, which will take place this Monday, October 25, from 6-8:30 p.m., will feature a fashion show, locally sourced grub (natch), wine, beer, live music, jewelry by Maile, Mei Sheng Russo’s sweet treats, live art by Jeremy Collins, a raffle to benefit an area nonprofit, and an acro-yoga performance. In other words, there will be something for everyone. Even you, couch potato.
COMINICHI’S AT MOM’S FINAL ACT: This time, the rumors are true. Cominichi’s, Santa Barbara’s decades-old den of all things old-made-new-again, is packing it in at its current location, 421 East Cota Street. Owner Gina Comin knew, when she first signed the lease five years ago, that the eventual plan was to turn the property into housing and daycare facilities for Transition House, but the when was always a wild card. Then, last month, she got the news: Come January 1, the party’s over … Kind of. Comin’s currently working on securing new digs (two fantastic options are currently on the table; yours truly has been ordered to keep her lips sealed. I think I can … ), but, in the meantime, well, moving blows, and Comin’s not exactly looking forward to it. “The less stuff we have to move, the better!” she says. Which is to say, she and her dealers (around 50, if you include consignors) are looking to unload. Ergo, it’s fire sale time. Look for 25 percent off everything in October, 50 percent in November, and by December, you’ll score 75 percent off. And everything’s for sale—even the beautiful, original, 50-foot-long bar that dates back to the Mom’s restaurant days, made from a single slab of Honduran mahogany, and the mural on the wall behind it. If you can figure out how to get it out of there. Details.
NAILED IT! (OR, ANY REASON TO USE THE WORD “SHELLAC” IS A GOOD ONE): Once upon a time, at my very first grown-up job, my boss dropped a line that stayed with me: no manicure is better than a chipped manicure. It’s haunted me, which is why, not only can I not recall the last time my fingers bore polish, I’ve come to believe that a writer shelling out for a manicure is kind of like a SCUBA instructor spending money on a hair blow out. Pointless. But apparently, there’s a new kid in town, and its name is Shellac. Which, if nothing else, is super fun to say. But word on the street is the stuff won’t chip, no matter how many words per minute you type. Aqua Nail Bar is the first spa in Santa Barbara to offer the trademarked service, and polished types are lining up for the treatment, which utilizes a blast of UV light to cure and dry your mani instantly, the results of which last 14 days without chipping, cracking, or peeling. No drying time? No chipping? No excuses …
CHECK OUT: Día de Los Muertos Trunk Show at SBMA
What would Halloween be without a nice skull or two? Even better if those skulls took the form of wearable treats, as is the case in Doreen Villanueva’s pieces that will be featured next Saturday, October 30, noon-5 p.m., at a trunk show at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Museum Store. Villanueva, the daughter of migrant farmworkers, spent several years as a merchandiser of Native-American jewelry to galleries and retail shops—during which time she noticed a void in jewelry that reflected the beauty and richness of her family’s Latino culture. So, she did what any good StylePhile would do, and set out to fill it, creating her own images inspired by pre-Columbian and contemporary Mexican designs using the lost-wax method to produce impossibly intricate silver designs, studding them with precious stones, and ultimately crafting a collection that reflects the historic and artistic soul of Mexico to beautiful effect. ¡Viva el Día de Los Muertos!
