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The GOLD Standard
STYLE
“Beauty and inspiration are forever entwined,” says jewelry designer Alina de Albergaria of her design philosophy. De Albergaria—who launched DESIGNS BY ALINA in 2014—draws her inspiration from world travels, her family, and her beautiful surroundings, these days calling Santa Barbara home by way of England and Venezuela. Recently, de Albergaria created her first bespoke conceptual line, the 18K Gallery Collection, entirely inspired by her introduction to artist Xaviera Simmons—famous for her multimedia exhibits at MoMA, The Guggenheim, MCA Chicago and elsewhere—and her work.”Certain pieces were inspired by Xaviera’s work,” says de Albergaria. “Others were a result of our conversations. Each piece tells a story.” The result: modern earrings, rings, and necklaces all richly textured and handmade with high-karat gold in California. The collection’s private launch included a moderated conversation between the jeweler and her muse, and proceeds benefited the Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation, carolynglasoebaileyfoundation.org, an Ojai-based nonprofit that supports the arts and science. Says de Albergaria, “I’m interested in using the launches of my new work to give back to the people who inspired the line in the first place.” A . F .
Clockwise from top: Uncovered ring, $3,260; Cocoon necklace, $1,800; ALINA DE ALBERGARIA ;
Xaviera Simmons’s Vantage Point: Number One (Green), 2016, color photograph.
Square Off
The ARTIST’S DAUGHTER silk scarves designed by local Kate Pincus-Whitney features color-bursting jewel prints (from $195, available at K.Frank, 805-560-7424, kfrankstyle.com). H A N N A H M I L L E R
D E S I GN S BYA L I N A .CO M
We Love...
Soul for Sole
LISSA LIGGETT ’s signature
Santa Barbara Novella’s scents. Her Montecito perfume ($118, available at Upstairs at Pierre LaFond, 805-565-1503,
upstairsatpierrelafond.com) is a mélange of delicate floral notes, including rose, gardenia, orange blossom, and jasmine anchored by a few precious drops of ambergris from the beaches of Morocco. Pssst... A beachy, sea-salty Summerland potion is in the works too. G . T .
Sisters Heather Christensen Smith and Alice Christensen Majid’s WAZI SHOES has made its mark in the fashion industry by producing Tanzanian handmade beaded sandals and giving back to those in need. The ethically conscious company gives a portion of sales to fund scholarships for nursing and midwifery students in East Africa. “We started Wazi as we knew there was interest in the product and we could also support entrepreneurship and education in East Africa—a win-win situation,” says Smith, who hails from Santa Barbara. “And we named our company Wazi—‘open’ in Swahili—for open shoes, but also open hearts, open minds, and open roads.” I S A B E L B A S S I WA Z I S H O E S .C O M
S A N TA B A R B A R A
Wazi Nightjar sandals ($130, available at The Vedanta Society Santa Barbara Temple, 805-969-2903, vedanta.org).
PHOTOGRAPH: WAZI SHOES, SALA LEWIS
Syle