Fall Fashion

Hello Loves! Welcome to my new column, The Society Edit. This week it is filled with your c’est une must list on fashion, art, and the latest café opening. 

It’s Labor Day Weekend as I write this; when I follow my NYC roots immersed in changing out my wardrobe for the new season, and lining up the looks for society events. Coveted issues of September British and French Vogue magazines be found! 

Navigating fashion with ever-changing autumn weather takes talent, and you have it. As French women know, sophisticated, standout, and one-of-a-kind accessories are everything – a new designer belt, bag, shoes, and scarf can most definitively make you fabulous, adding the chic to your current wardrobe. And yes, jewelry!

Speaking of sophisticated layering, Montecito’s soon to open fashion retail store, Veronica Beard, wears the motto, “A dream wardrobe has to work for a multifaceted, layered life…we believe that quality should never be compromised.” Scheduled to open on October 30, the Montecito store at 1269 Coast Village Road joins eight California VB stores, including the flagship store in Beverly Hills.

#IFKYK Veronica is the name of its two career-mom, co-founding women, who each married a Beard brother. They are Veronica Miele Beard (wife of Anson H. Beard), and Veronica Swanson Beard (wife of Jamie Beard). Miele Beard worked on Wall Street and was a partner/COO of the hedge fund, Coatue Management. Swanson Beard, an heiress to the Swanson frozen food empire, has a B.A. in Art History from Tulane and attended Parsons School of Design. Her father owns Swanson Vineyards, Napa Valley, and yes there is a store there! Veronica Beard opened in 2010, receiving backing from third generation garment industry entrepreneur Andrew Rosen. The brand rose to fame via local celebs Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, [then Markle], wearing the line. The hallmark item is “The Dicky,” (made of knit, hoodie, cashmere, or leather), zipped into the front of a blazer for a layered look, sans the bulk. From there, came an entire clothing line, complete with shoes
and accessories.

Montecito shoppers can expect Veronica Beard signature in-store events, Gifting Services, Personal Styling, Delivery Service, and their VB Edit Consignment Box. 

And loves, Veronica Beard’s “VB” logo is not to be confused with the lovely Victoria Beckham® “VB” logo! Shopping hours are all week 10 am to 7 pm. Phone is (805) 322-0530. They are on a search for a Montecito store Sales Supervisor; apply online, and do let me know if you hear who landed it. All the 501(c)3’s in the area, take note – the VB Gives Back program partners with a cause that supports women, children, and families.

411: https://veronicabeard.com/

After changing your wardrobe for a new season, are you needing a bit of caffeine with a wellness shot of ocean breeze and a view of art? David Dart and Erika Marie Carter’s third Dart’s Coffee Shop is open in Linden Square Carpinteria up from the beach. 

Don’t fret if you missed the opening two weeks ago, we all did. After reading mixed reviews online and a SB newspaper’s inaccuracies, I met with the manager Sera Quinteros to get the story right for our readers and followers! I asked about the new kitchen, menu, art, hours of operation, and reviews of the coffee being thin. She explained, “It’s unfortunate to hear about a review that the coffee was thin. We have a new espresso machine and sometimes it gives us a hard time! We are using the same beans at all locations. At this time, our kitchen is not open while we are figuring it out. And yes, you’re right, the local news got it wrong! Carter Paul Hallman, the Dart’s son, who has experience in restaurants and wine will be in charge of the kitchen and menu once we get to that. His wife Sami Weiss is helping source organic foods and ingredients. The kitchen may be open in approximately three months, I don’t have a date. For food we have baked goods from Renaud’s Patisserie. Our hours are 7 am to 1 pm all week and holidays, and when we hire more people, we can expand on that. Our soft opening a few weeks ago was unannounced and we were only in service for three hours to get started.”

After we talked, I took a tour of the shop aka art gallery for Erika Marie displaying two acrylic on wood 3’x6’ paintings from her “Las Mujeres” series, an untitled large scale acrylic on raw edged canvas, and 50 art prints on paper hanging from the ceiling in the passageway to the outdoor courtyard. For sale are note cards of her artwork, and that of her fellow artists Theresa Carter and Donna Ayscough; chocolates from Peru and Hawaii, and what appear to be handcrafted but unlabeled ceramic mugs. She designed the interior with hues of green on the walls, wood furniture, 15 mirrors, plants, and burnt orange velvet couches. Along the shop’s exterior corner (walk score of 100) are café wood tables and green chairs for customers. Have you stopped by yet? Let me know what you think! 

Do I hear longings for a MET Gala in Montecito?! Listen to a free opera performance by Opera Santa Barbara’s Chrisman Studio Artists and visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Art galleries on Thursday, September 4, from 5 pm to 8 pm, attire optional. The opera is outside on the museum terrace. My marketing contact at the SBMA adds that the museum galleries will be free only from 5-8 pm, check-in at the front desk is required, and no food or drink is permitted inside the museum. www.sbma.net

For a chance to be philanthropic, do explore the SCAPE (Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment) juried show, Nature’s Palette, at the lovely Montecito Music Academy of the West’s Lehmann Hall, opening soirée on Friday, September 12, 5 pm, no tickets required. The exhibition continues through Saturday, September 13, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm –  a fan favorite of peeps looking to decorate with art renderings of the local area. SCAPE donates a percentage of the proceeds to Explore Ecology’s Education Programs. Juror this year is artist Michael Drury, who is a member of the OAK Group. Like your bestie advises, you’ll never know who you’ll meet at an art opening!  

https://scape.wildapricot.org/

And that’s a wrap till next week! Do email me if you have society news or an experience we can do together! Xx JAC