Montecito Country Mart Welcomes New Stores

Two new shops have popped up at Montecito Country Mart, just in time for the last few weekends of the summer shopping season.

Studio C is a brand-new concept from C Magazine founder and editor Jennifer Hale, who, along with her team, have curated an array of California-made items including ready-to-wear clothing, bathing suits, beauty products, fashion and home accessories, homewares, and more. The chic and trendy space features wall art by Heidi Merrick ­– daughter of legendary surfboard shaper Al Merrick­ – whose hand-shaped surfboards adorn the walls. Other artists include Ojai photographer Dewey Nicks, who has art and coffee table books available for purchase at the store.

This past weekend, a grand opening of the store included a Trunk Show with Nick Fouquet, a Venice-based milliner, and Brock Collection, an L.A.-based luxury ready-to-wear brand.

Also in the Mart, Clare V. has opened in the space formerly occupied by Mate Men and Kendall Conrad. After noticing a lack of functional yet stylish laptop cases while working as a journalist for French TV, designer Clare Vivier decided to create her own line of handbags and accessories, which feature a beautiful play on classic shapes, modern detail, and Parisian charm. Clare V. continues to evolve with each new collection, and Clare has collaborated with brands and partners including Anthropologie, Adam Scott, artist Donald Robertson, Mike D., TOMS, Garrett Leight, and InStyle, and gives back through ongoing partnerships with Every Mother Counts, When We All Vote, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Planned Parenthood.

Since opening the very first Clare V. flagship in Silver Lake in 2012, additional locations have opened in Nolita, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Brooklyn, Newport Beach, San Francisco, Chicago, and now, Montecito.

Customers can customize their bags with hand-painted monogramming and mix-and-match hand and body straps, which is a signature of Clare V.’s style. The shop recently held a painting party for customers to brand their newly-purchased handbags.

For store hours, as well as more information on all the Mart has to offer, visit www.montecitocountrymart.com.