Kismet in the Upper Village
Nearly a year after one of Montecito’s longest running businesses, Glamour House, closed its brick and mortar in the Upper Village after 18 years, Kismet, the new business that took over the space, is going strong, offering lingerie, loungewear, and pajamas to Montecito shoppers.
Owner Lindsay Eckardt has more than 15 years in the beauty and lifestyle branding space, and wanted to open her first retail shop when she and her family moved to Montecito. “I could have never expected the success we had in the early months of opening,” she said during a visit to the store earlier this week. “People need what we have to offer, and we are honored that people are shopping small,” she said. Eckardt and her husband, Austin, moved to Montecito with their two small kids; Austin works in the golf department at Montecito Club. “We are small town people, and we wanted to end up in a small town and really become a part of a community,” she said.
The newly-reimagined space has a similar offering to Glamour House, but targeting a younger demographic. Many of Eckardt’s customers have memories of shopping at Glamour House with their moms and grandmothers. “I can’t tell you how many times someone has popped in and told me that this is where their mother bought them their first bra! It’s really special to carry on a tradition into the next generation,” said Eckardt, who updated the store with plastered walls, new flooring, arched accents, and custom tile work. Kismet offers lingerie, loungewear, pajamas, and fine jewelry, as well as gift items for bridal showers, baby showers, and more. Brands include mostly women-owned companies including Fleur du Mal, Eberjey, Hanro, Jade Trau, EF Collection, Marlo Laz, and others. “We really tried to not overlap with what Glamour House offers, as they still have an online presence,” Eckardt said, referring to Glamour House owner Ann Picciuto, who shifted her business to shopglamourhouse.com, selling elegant, fine, and timeless nightwear to her loyal following. Eckardt calls Kismet’s curated collection of clothing and jewelry luxurious as well as approachable.
The small shop found so much success after opening last fall, that Eckardt opened an annex in the same center, offering a flex space for trunk shows, pop-ups, and fashion events. The shop, located in the space once occupied by George Meta Jewelry, is open Wednesday through Friday, or by appointment. The space offers ready-to-wear, elevated loungewear and casual pieces, in the same beautiful and neutral aesthetic. Brands include Joah Brown, Alo Yoga, Aviator Nation, and more.
Glamour House was an Upper Village fixture since 1965, and Kismet’s new iteration of the lingerie and loungewear boutique has brought a youthful energy to the spot, with Eckardt telling us people pop in for gifts – Kismet offers beautiful custom wrapping – as well as shop for themselves. “The shop is a culmination of my love for indulgence, beauty, and self-care, and I am pleased to be part of the Montecito community,” Eckardt said.
For more information, and to peruse Kismet’s offerings, visit kismetmontecito.com. The shop is open Monday through Friday 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays 11 am to 3 pm. Kismet is located at 1470 East Valley Road, Suite J.
