 | | | Urban Rocks jewelry trunk show at J. Colleen Boutique Image courtesy J. Colleen Boutique | | | | | | It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas back in October but now the festivities are really here and to get us in the mood, Julie Rubio from J. Colleen Boutique in Lafayette is hosting an open house. Stop by between 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 for wine tasting from the Boisset Collection and a trunk show featuring Urban Rocks jewelry. While you are there ask Rubio, who is also a film producer, about her latest project, "East Side Sushi."
"Yes my film that I produced is playing in theaters all over the country," says Rubio, "with amazing reviews. We have 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes." Check out the trailer at http://www.eastsidesushifilm.com/media.htm.
With forecasters saying we just might get a wet winter, and lots of snow in the mountains, perhaps it is time to refresh our outerwear. Venture in Lafayette, voted Best in the East Bay, proudly offers gear made in the USA from popular companies such as Patagonia. For the Anglophiles among us, the shop also carries the classic waxed jacket by Barbour, perfect for all that rain we are going to get. Venture will also soon be selling the Lacoste brand, a high-end line of clothing for men and women designed in France that has been around since 1933. To celebrate, Venture is hosting a Lacoste trunk show from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. A brand representative will offer for sale men's outerwear, Oxford and Polo shirts, and other great gift-giving items. Women's apparel will arrive next spring. "With all that has gone on in Paris, it feels good to carry something from France," says Venture owner Tom Stenzel.
On these dark and chilly evenings I have been staying in and pouring over the most fabulous of books, "The Fine Art of Fashion Illustration" by Julian Robinson (Quarto Publishing). A visual feast of fashion illustrations spanning 400 years, from the Renaissance to the 1940s, "The Fine Art of Fashion Illustration" features over 350 fashion plates from the Julian Robinson Archive. We tend to forget that studio photography wasn't always around and for centuries, fashion relied on artists to communicate the looks of the day. Hand-drawn and colored illustrations are artwork within themselves and offer an opportunity to study the details of design. Along with the images there is discussion of the various artists as well as discussion of eras and differing artistic styles. This book makes a lovely gift for any fashion or art enthusiast.
Speaking of gifts, Lafayette resident and hatter Christine Del Monica will be among the 60 craftspeople selling their wares at Santa's Bag Boutique at the Lafayette Community Center, Friday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 6. For more information go to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/santasbagboutique/.
For those of us who feel we have enough stuff, what better gift than sharing an experience, like a day at the de Young Museum in San Francisco? One of the current exhibits, Royal Hawaiian Featherwork: Na Hulu Ali'I, is a marvel for anyone, but particularly for those interested in textiles. The exhibit features 75 cloaks, capes, and head adornments all made of feathers from native birds. Each piece was handmade for the Hawaiian royal family at the time in the late 18th century.
Whether you are a shopper, or simply an admirer of festive fashions, make it a happy holiday season and go forth in style.
Moya Stone is a fashion writer and blogger at overdressedforlife.com.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA