Cashmere & Scenic Beauty: 27 Miles Malibu Finds Its Home on Coast Village Road

Ernie and Emily Vallorano were having coffee on Coast Village Road one afternoon this summer when something across the street stopped them: a for-lease sign.

The timing felt uncanny. They had just been talking about opening a brick-and-mortar shop for their decade-old clothing brand, 27 Miles Malibu. On impulse, they crossed the street, called the listed agent and submitted an application.

Within days, the Montecito space was theirs. And, in an unlikely coincidence, they learned the same afternoon that a second application – this one for a storefront in San Marino – had also been approved. They decided to open both.

The rollout came quickly. A soft opening on Coast Village Road in early September was followed by a grand opening a month later. “Right off the bat, we were selling from day one,” Ernie said. “People came in and were interested in what we were doing.”

Walk through the barn-style doors of 27 Miles Malibu and the theme becomes obvious: cashmere. “We know our cashmere is really good,” Ernie said matter-of-factly. “We’re very good at it.”

On the rainy afternoon I visited, Coast Village Road was quiet, but the shop was busy – customers thumbing through soft, brightly colored knits as quickly as staff could restock them. Several talked about how they had long hoped a store like this would open in Montecito.

Though new to running a retail storefront, the Valloranos are veterans of the clothing industry. Both came up through manufacturing for luxury brands. “We learned a lot from the private-label people,” Ernie said, noting their work with Ralph Lauren, and how it helped them “make a really high-quality sweater.”

Success in manufacturing eventually nudged them toward starting their own line. About 13 years ago, driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, they passed the iconic road sign: Welcome to Malibu, 27 miles of scenic beauty. “So, we were like, what a great name,” Ernie recalled.

They launched 27 Miles Malibu in 2012, selling wholesale to boutiques nationwide, including major retailers like Revolve. But they always envisioned a stronger direct-to-consumer business – one where they could meet customers face-to-face.

“Another thing that drew us to Montecito is this small-town feel,” Emily noted. “You really get to see people; you get to meet the customers, and you become friends, you talk to them.”

The Valloranos have also settled into a rhythm as business partners: Emily oversees the women’s line; Ernie handles men’s. While cashmere remains their signature, the shop carries a range of apparel.

In one corner sits Ernie’s menswear line which features handmade pieces crafted from premium Italian fabrics. The collection includes both ready-to-wear and custom garments. Though this line has focused on menswear, they plan to introduce select women’s pieces using the same materials – cashmere sourced from Mongolia, with other fabrics coming from Italy and Japan.

Emily’s women’s line centers on cashmere sweaters, with new pieces in silk, linen and cotton. She hopes to expand into jeans, blouses and dresses, along with elevated designs in higher-end textiles.

Business in Montecito has exceeded their expectations. The couple has grown so attached to the area that they’re now working with a realtor to relocate permanently.

“Well, I just love the lifestyle here,” Emily said, smiling. “Every time we come up here we just feel like, ‘Oh my God, this is so right.’”