 | | | Cass Clutch and accessories in Sonoma Wine. Photo provided | | | | | | It's been over a year since Lafayette resident Debra Szidon launched her line of handbags called The Cass Clutch. Inspired by her love of vintage, Szidon recreated a 1970s handbag that she found in a San Francisco secondhand shop. The versatile bags in suede are a chic option for women on the go.
"The Cass Clutch has become my everyday bag," says Szidon. "For work it holds my laptop, for daily use it's a catch-all and in the evening, folded over it becomes an elegant clutch." The Cass Clutch has been selling well both here and internationally. There are now six color options, with two new colors: Tahoe Blue and Sonoma Wine.
For each sale of Sonoma Wine, $50 will be donated to The Sonoma County Resilience Fund in support of people affected by the recent fires. There are accessories, too. Laptop sleeves, card cases, pencil holders, and zippered pouches perfect for popping into The Cass Clutch. The entire line is locally crafted and the accessories are made from scraps. Holiday gifts? Stocking stuffers? For ideas, check out thecassclutch.com.
Local jewelry designer Natasha Grasso says she's been inspired lately by the various shades of woodsy greens and browns she sees on the drive from her home in Orinda to her shop in Moraga. Those rich colors have found their way into rings, earrings, bracelets, and delicate pendants. Grasso works with stones and gold-filled metal or vermeil (14k gold over silver). "I like to use stones in their natural forms." Among her favorites are green agate, tourmaline, and rough cut emeralds. Don't miss the upcoming holiday sale and soiree from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, 386 Park Street, Rheem Shopping Center. "Door buster deals from 5 to 6," says Grasso.
Tis the season of cashmere and we are lucky to have pop-up shop, The Cashmere Sale. Each year the New York-based company sets up business for the holidays. In the past they've called Lafayette home but this year it's Danville. Find them at 409 Railroad Avenue.
A fond farewell to two fashionable mainstays of the Lamorinda area: Mycro Pac in Moraga has closed and Specialtees in Lafayette will close the end of December. We will miss these popular go-to shops but I hear that Ann from Specialtees is planning to stay in the biz doing charity events and shopping parties. Stay tuned.
As old friends move on, we make new ones. The Piece Store, located in the Lafayette Clock Tower Building, offers casual chic options for women who want something different. The look is comfortable with a touch of edgy urban. Included are designers from New York, Los Angles and San Francisco, as well a few European designers. About half of the labels are made in America. In stock now are trousers, chunky sweaters, quality T-shirts, skirts, and the trend of the year - sneakers.
"Experiences" are on many a holiday list and one experience that I recommend is Couture Korea.
Three years in the making, Couture Korea is the first major exhibition of Korean fashion in the United States and exclusive to San Francisco's Asian Art Museum. On now through Feb. 4 this fashion exhibit explores traditional Korean clothing from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) to the present. Included are reproductions and reinterpretations of traditional clothing as well as original modern works by top Korean designers (http://www.asianart.org/).
Happy Holidays and remember to go forth in style!
(Moya Stone is a fashion writer and blogger at www.overdressedforlife.com.)
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA