EAST TO WEST TO BEST
After attending Parsons the New School of Design, I worked in the corporate side of the fashion industry for a number of years in NYC. I was pining for a return to the west coast and all the glory that is Santa Barbara (I’d completed my undergrad at UCSB), but I knew I still wanted to work in fashion. I started researching the retail landscape of Santa Barbara and noticed the boutiques largely hosted more mass-market brands or were 100% California lifestyle driven. I felt compelled to fill a void in the marketplace, introduce a tight edit from independent designers and fashion industry favorites who didn’t have representation in the area and create a highly-curated space that would lend itself to building community and helping women get dressed with confidence and ease.
LOCAL STYLE
Owner and Buyer Rebecca McKinney Blair founded her smartly curated boutique, Whistle Club, with the vision of bringing a fresh perspective to the Santa Barbara shopping scene, one that would introduce the local community to designers, both emerging and established, like Rachel Comey, No. 6, Lauren Manoogian and Re/Done. With roots firmly planted in the heart of Montecito on Coast Village Road, her initial concept continues to evolve as not only an antidote to fast fashion but a place to truly sharpen one’s sartorial sensibilities. We recently caught up with this busy mom-boss between bug-hunting missions with her two young boys and buying sessions at the store. Here she shares the origin story of Whistle Club, the challenges and gifts of the past year, her current faves and more.
THE SPIRIT OF MONTECITO
Coast Village Road is so dang charming there’s lots to love. But ultimately, it’s the people that make it great. I’ve been wildly humbled with how our community has continued to show up for us and our fellow small businesses throughout fires, mudslides, Covid, etc.
WHISTLE CLUB MINDSET
We believe in getting dressed for yourself! The psychology of putting on clothes that make you feel great is powerful.
MAKING THE CUT LIZZIE FORTUNATO
PC: STUDIO ARNA
The top three considerations for introducing a new brand/collection to the store edit.
1) The Product: I have to be drawn to the product and likely the story behind it. Our edit focuses on quality, integrity and design, so these are all factors at play when considering a new collection. 2) The Consumer: Is it right for our clients? Will it be of value for them? 3) The Edit: Will it hang well with our existing designer matrix? What can it uniquely contribute? But with all that being said, I don’t overthink it! Fashion is often intuitive, and I’ll run with it when it feels right.
DRESS CODE
Confident. Cool. Understated. Elevated. Imperfect. The Whistle Club aesthetic sits best in dichotomy – interesting but always wearable, easy yet elevated, something feminine or “pretty” styled with notes of masculinity. I like unpretentious luxury. C/O CHRISTIAN WIJNANTS
PC: STUDIO ARNA
2020 SILVER LINING NOTES
I’m the mom of two little boys (ages 2 and 4), so personally, the silver lining was getting to spend extra time with them searching for slugs at the Mission Rose Garden, roaring like a dinosaur, and fine-tuning our Lego skills. Professionally speaking the fashion industry continues to take a hard hit but seems to be embracing this crisis as a catalyst for change. Ideas about how fashion can become more equitable and sustainable are at the forefront of conversation. Collectively we are all digesting 2020 as best we can and (hopefully) using it as a reset for a better future. I believe a “buy less, buy better” ethos will increasingly be the way forward.
CURRENTLY COVETING
I’m a Rachel Comey gal and am always inspired by her aesthetic point of view. Also, the dresses from Christian Wijnants are total knockouts. He’d previously designed for Dries Van Noten, and his prints are often indicative of his background there. And then I’ll definitely be updating my closet with a new jumpsuit and clogs from No. 6.
PC: STUDIO ARNA
Be sure to follow @whistleclub for the latest looks and loads of design inspiration. 1235 Coast Village Road, Montecito 805.565.2800 • whistleclub.com
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