The Society Edit’s Style, Swoosh, and Savor September

Hello Loves! September starts directing our attention to the upcoming holiday season. Indeed yes, summer feels long over, kiddos are back in school, and the stores are adding sections of holiday decor and gift ideas weekly.

If it’s fashion you crave, Montecito is now the second home to Viva O Sol, an on-trend fashion boutique for men and women. The brand’s flagship is in the affluent Santa Clara County town of Los Gatos (Silicon Valley) and, like all quality ‘tings, has found its way to Montecito, located at 1101 Coast Village Road, Suite A. Opening this week, the shop is chuffed to be here with clothing and accessories to create your best outfits. Merchandise buyers bring in collections from more than 40 designer brands, like Veronica Beard, Pistola, FRAME, L’Agence and Au Noir. Viva O Sol was founded by Claudia Diniz, who was born and raised in Brazil.

Follow their social,

https://www.instagram.com/vivaosolshop.

SBMA Rebrands Its Gilded Gala

And as every loyal Society femme knows, planning ahead is relevant, especially for attending grand galas and balls. I’m here to advise that the Santa Barbara Museum of Art has rebranded its annual Gilded Gala as the SBMA Art Gala. The third edition of the gala will take place Saturday, February 20, 2027, at the Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito. To attend, table sponsorships are the only tickets that grant entrance to this elegant and most extravagant event. The museum’s Malibu marketing guru, Cynthia Wornham of Wornham Communications, contacted me directly to let my dear readers know there are but a few sponsorships left!

Each year the gala has a theme and invites attendees to look fabulous while supporting SBMA art exhibitions and programs. The theme for 2027 is Black Tie with a Splash of Color. Such a great rationale for those extra pairs of Saint Laurent couture heels, that gown we just had to buy, and lest we forget the Montecito Chanel store at the Rosewood Miramar for matching cocktail accessories.

Ticketing: https://galasbma.net/#details

Spring 2027 Turns Your Heels Into Art

While on topic, Spring 2027 is asking you to rebrand your current closet as the #cleangirl aesthetic is moving out, making space for wearable Art Deco designs, right down to sculptural heeled couture shoes. According to Vogue magazine, “[shoe] Heel stems are being sculpted into miniature works of art, including gilded representations of butterflies, pearl-filled pods, and stacked resin. Store arrivals indicate a massive 131% increase in heavy hardware and rhinestone embellishments on sandals.” Imagine, getting ready for the SBMA Art Gala just became a work of art in itself.

Marfa Stance Pops Up at the Country Mart

Cruising your socials or shopping at the Montecito Country Mart (MCM), you’ve likely heard about the pop-up store Marfa Stance, next to Alma Fonda Fina. Their team held a full-on private grand opening for the peeps at C Magazine last week. Yes, that full-on seated dinner takeover of the MCM sidewalk you were redirected around on your way to Bettina. Now that the store is planning its public opening through Sunday, maybe the #FOMO is over, so to speak. For the opening they are having a “Cornhole Toss Tournament.” Yes really, in Montecito.

Inside the Modular Garment

Marfa Stance had a similar pop-up store at this time last year at the Marin Country Mart, and now pays this courtesy to Montecito. Basically, products are based on a  reversible “modular garment” that one customizes at will over the lifetime of owning it. Add sleeves or pockets and take them off as you wish. This is not the sleek look of Victoria Beckham couture. Here, the product is more, shall we say, thick, quilted outdoorsy outerwear for men and women. Yes, it does include real leather, shearling, wool and cashmere. The ready-to-wear line adds skirts, trousers, sweaters, tops and bags. Marfa Stance is by British designer Georgia Dant, as influenced by the minimalist design aesthetic of Donald Judd in Marfa, Texas.

Field and Fort Opens The Larder

Your Field and Fort experience south of Montecito has opened, and it is called The Larder. It is located on Casitas Pass Road in Carpinteria, in the former Food Liaison space. Historically, before home refrigerators, a larder was a cool room or large cupboard used to store food, provisions, and wine in a home. The team is still organizing itself, and there is no social media as yet, but on the Field and Fort Instagram the owners write, “We are thrilled to announce that we are expanding with a Carpinteria location! The Larder will feature some of our Field favorites along with an expanded menu of grab-and-go sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups and all of our essential pantry items. We are honored to be taking over the space that was home to the Food Liaison for the past 13 years. While we are sad to see them go, we are committed to continuing to bring delicious, healthy, and farm fresh food to the area!” And peeps on social are raving about finding the same delicious pastries and café drinks, along with a lunch menu and take out.

High Holidays With Chabad of Montecito

And now, commencing the last quarter of 2026, is the holiday season. September brings the Jewish High Holidays, organized by Chabad of Montecito. Rosh Hashanah, September 12-13, with services, Shofar blowing and Kiddush; Yom Kippur Eve September 20, with a 7 pm Kol Nidre; and Yom Kippur September 21, with morning services and buffet breakfast; Sukkot lunch and dinner, September 25-26.

Registration required online: https://www.jewishmontecito.org

Till next week loves! Xx JAC