These Shop Owners Spill on Where They Find Their Creativity
Written By: Laura Corrigan Creative Shop Owner in Fashion Island
Gorjana Reidel, Owner of gorjana
Q: What’s one of your favorite items in your store?
Gorjana Reidel: Our Laguna adjustable necklace—it’s a classic piece that can be worn six different ways! I mostly wear it as a lariat or a choker.
Q: How does it feel to be voted “Most Creative Shop Owner in Fashion Island?”GR: Pretty amazing!! There are some really great brands at Fashion Island so it’s pretty special.
Q: Where do you find creativity?
GR: Lately I have to make the time to find the space for it. Whether it’s working out or a spa day or just exploring, if I can free my mind from my daily routine and thoughts, the creativity will start flowing immediately.
Q: What’s been the biggest reward since starting your business?
GR: Meeting our customers and seeing how much they love the product. The fact that it makes them happy is so rewarding.
Q: When did the store first open?
GR: Our flagship store opened in our hometown of Laguna Beach two years ago. It’s a great space, and we host a lot of charity-hosted shopping parties there.
Q: How do you describe your store—the feel, vibe, etc. upon entering? Any special experiences or efforts made for each guest who enters?
GR: It’s Coastal Boho Chic. Our goal is to make the store’s interior feel as effortless as our designs. We incorporated intentional details that speak to our brand: crystal quartz chandeliers, shibori fabrics, mango wood, brass and lots of live greenery. There is a lounge area in most of our stores to encourage guests to take their time shopping, and all stores offer complimentary engraving for our bespoke pieces.
Gorjana, Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Dr, Ste D265
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.662.6101
Creative Shop Owner in Fashion Island
Marie and Kelly Gray, Co-Owners of Grayse
Q: What’s one of your favorite items in your store?
Marie and Kelly Gray: Our black, sheer, Stardust lace pant.
Q: How does it feel to be voted “Most Creative Shop Owner in Fashion Island?”
MG and KG: Inspiring!
Q: Where do you find creativity?
MG and KG: Within the team that I am so fortunate to work with each day…I also spend a lot of time on Instagram and social media. Like it or not, it has changed the industry in how quickly we need to respond to trends. An hour on Instagram is like reading 10 fashion magazines at once.
Q: What’s been the biggest reward since starting your business?
MG and KG: Growing our workforce and managing to keep 80 percent of our production within United States.
Q: When did the store first open?
MG and KG: In Palm Desert almost four years ago this October!
Q: How do you describe your store—the feel, vibe, etc. upon entering?
MG and KG: Dramatic and glamorous.
Q: Any special experiences or efforts made for each guest who enters?
MG and KG: One of the philosophies of the company is to treat each guest the same way you would in the hotel industry. Even if they come to the store and do not purchase, we want them to leave with a an exceptional experience.
Grayse, Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Dr, Ste 231
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.640.0025
Trina Turk, Founder and Owner of Trina Turk
Q: What’s one of your favorite items in your store?
Trina Turk: I love our floaty tiered dress in the Flor De Jalisco print for a bright summer look that can be dressed up or down.
Q: How does it feel to be voted “Most Creative Shop Owner in Fashion Island?”
TT: It’s great to get positive feedback—I’m honored!
Q: Where do you find creativity?
TT: I’m always on the lookout for inspiration. We do 11 collections per year, so it’s important to be observant and open to ideas! Inspiration can come from anywhere—a film, a museum show, a color combination found in nature, travel, the way someone puts their look together, etc.
Q: When did the store first open?
TT: We opened our Fashion Island store in 2008.
Q: How do you describe your store—the feel, vibe, etc. upon entering?
TT: The store feels bright, airy and optimistic. The interior design was done by Kelly Wearstler. We combined ivory with acid yellow accents, marble floors set at an angle, and brass-trimmed furniture and fixtures.
Q: Any special experiences or efforts made for each guest who enters?
TT: We take great care of all of our guests. We tailor their experience to what they’re looking for that day, not only in terms of merchandise, but in terms of how much or how little assistance they’re looking for.
Trina Turk, Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Dr, Ste 581
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.717.7881
Elie Tahari, Owner and Founder of Elie Tahari
Q: What’s one of your favorite items in your store?
Elie Tahari: The suits are always a favorite as they embody the Elie Tahari woman.
Q: How does it feel to be voted “Most Creative Shop Owner in Fashion Island?”
ET: It’s a great honor and very humbling to be voted ‘Most Creative Shop Owner’ in Fashion Island. It’s always one of my favorite stores. The women in California are some of the most fashion-forward and know how to wear great clothes.
Q: Where do you find creativity?
ET: I find creativity in everything I see. My beach house in the Hamptons is always a great source, and I try to take significant trips overseas throughout the year. And for me, the streets of New York City are a never-ending source of inspiration.
Q: What’s been the biggest reward since starting your business?
ET: The most rewarding part of having my business has been the opportunity to dress women around the world and to be a part of their lives, celebrations and everyday moments.
Q: When did your store first open?
ET: The first Elie Tahari boutique opened in 1974 on Madison Avenue, and we’ve been going strong ever since.
Q: How do you describe your store—the feel, vibe, etc. upon entering? Any special experiences or efforts made for each guest who enters?
ET: The open floor plan of the Fashion Island store makes it feel both modern and classic. Any guest who enters the store is sure to feel welcomed and accommodated.
Elie Tahari, Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Dr, Ste 575
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.258.7933
Stacey Bendet, Founder of Alice + Olivia
Alice + Olivia, Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Dr, Ste 571
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.269.3644
