NINAKURU LUXURY MILLINER
BEECHWOOD CREW APPAREL MESSERMEISTER KNIVES
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CONTENTS
2
FEATURES
Editor’s NotE 6 Making a Difference
About towN 8 Match Point
Coordinating community and friendship at Beechwood Crew.
ProfilE 16 A Cut Above
Ojai sisters continue a family legacy with Messermeister.
CovEr story 26 “Buy less, buy better”
Sustainability and ethics are woven into the very fabric of luxury accessories line Ninakuru.
trAvEl 36 Fall Into Spring
Seasonal waterfalls of the Santa Monica Mountains.
DEPARTMENTS
SHORT LIST 40 A preview of coming attractions
COVER STORY: Jennifer Moray, founder, owner and designer of Ninakuru in Ojai. Photo by Viktor Budnik
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE ANN PHOTOGRAPHY
Modern
Bamboo
Amish
Mid Century
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
“Exploitation isn’t sustainable,” says Jennifer Moray, featured above and on our cover.
Those are wise words from the founder, owner and designer of Ojai-based Ninakuru, a luxury milliner known for its beautiful hats (primarily Panama, but not only) and purses, but more importantly, its business philosophy: sustainable all the way. From the wages she pays her South American craftspeople to the ethically sourced and sustainably harvested materials she uses to the durability of her products (which are meant to last), Moray is committed to equity as well as quality.
This approach is characteristic of all the makers featured in our March issue.
Consider Beechwood Crew (About Town), run by lifelong best friends Emi Pool and Elizabeth Maxim Melgoza. They found a niche in the apparel industry: Coordinated clothing that wasn’t cheap, silly or childish, but well designed in smart fabrics, perfect for style-conscious families. Pool sews Beechwood Crew’s line of shirts, scarves, dresses and more, sized for everyone from infants to grandparents, in her Oxnard studio, using fabrics sourced from an American supplier that specializes in eco-friendly fabrics, in prints designed by independent artists. The fit is comfortable, the quality exceptional and the supply limited — the exact opposite of fast fashion.
You don’t have to be a culinary genius to appreciate Messermeister (Profile) — although plenty of professional chefs do, indeed, rely on these top-of-the-line knives. The family-owned and -operated business is now in the hands of two sisters, Kirsten Dressler Wilson and Chelcea Dressler-Crowley, who continue the company’s legacy of excellence. But they are also forging a path all their own, with an expanded line — there’s a Messermeister knife for every kind of need — and a reliance on durable, eco-friendly materials and a production process developed to minimize and recycle waste. Moreover, the owners take pride in making products designed to last a lifetime, and hope their customers will pass these fine blades down through the generations.
Cheap, disposable products cost us — all of us — in the long run, with more waste, more resources being used up, more pollution being released, and more worker exploitation and social inequity. Designers and craftspeople who make products that minimize all of these things are quite literally making a difference. Creating better, more thoughtful, more sustainable goods contributes to the greater good.
For the sake of our planet, and everyone (and everything) that lives on it, we should and we must do better.
Thanks to makers like those featured here, we can.
– Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer nancy@ventanamonthly.com
v
Lackey Shaffer
Photo by Viktor Budnik
ventana
PRESIDENT Steve Strickbine VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hiatt
MATCH POINT
Beechwood Crew stitches together community, friendship and coordinated prints.
TBY MIKE NELSON
hey didn’t plan to become business partners when they became lifelong best friends way back in elementary school. But now that Emi Pool and Elizabeth Maxim Melgoza are doing exactly that — operating a young and growing specialty clothing company literally out of their homes in Ventura County — can anyone say they’re surprised?
“Not really,” laughs Pool, who with Melgoza founded and co-owns Ventura-based Beechwood Crew. “I mean, I don’t think we ever said to each other, ‘Someday we’ll start our own company.’ But we have been so involved in each other’s lives for so long — we had the exact same school schedule, we lived within walking distance of each other — that people could have predicted it.”
Of course, not many people would have predicted that their company would generate a profit in its first year (few apparel businesses do). But with a youthful energy and enthusiasm, tempered by clear-eyed restraint and discipline — i.e., understanding what they could and could not do, given their abilities and resources — Pool and Melgoza, both 33, have successfully tapped into a market (for coordinated clothing and accessories for families) that needed a shot in the sleeve.
Despite being launched in the midst of a pandemic, and marketed primarily via online and through word-of-mouth, Beechwood Crew enjoyed a profitable first year, a decidedly rare occurrence in an industry as competitive as apparel manufacturing.
SWEET SIBLINGS in Topa Topa shirt and dress.
TOO CUTE! Dress, pants and baby bib in Surfer’s Point print. All photos by Stephanie Ann Photography
“We kept our output under control, making everything to order, and that helped,” says Melgoza, who with her husband and toddler son is featured wearing Beechwood Crew apparel in some of the company’s promotional photos. “Now we’re looking to build on that success going forward.”
LOCAL THREADS
Both born and raised in Oxnard, “we knew each other essentially from birth,” smiles Melgoza, “because our parents went to the same church.” They became classmates at Emilie Ritchen and Rose Avenue elementary schools, then at Fremont Middle School, and
finally graduated together from Oxnard High School in 2006.
They did go their separate ways for college, however. Pool attended University of California, Berkeley, to major in visual merchandising, while Melgoza studied communications at UC Irvine.
“Coming out of college, I wanted to pursue costume design,” says Pool, who grew up “with a passion for sewing,” learning to create outfits by watching her mom and grandmother do likewise. “But I needed to go to work first.”
So she joined the visual design team at Anthropologie, rising from merchandising associate to visual merchandising manager, overseeing product placement and displays. Then the coronavirus pandemic took hold and, after getting married in 2019, “I decided
BFFS AND BIZ PARTNERS Elizabeth Maxim Melgoza (left) and Emi Pool of Beechwood Crew.
to take a step back and re-evaluate my priorities.”
Right about that time, Melgoza — who had worked in public relations for several agencies before getting married in 2018, giving birth to a son a year later and doing her own “re-evaluation” — was researching coordinated family outfits.
“I was disappointed in what I saw — too much cheap and cheesy merchandise,” she says. “There were not very many brands with high-quality pieces, and most of it was mommy-and-me, not much with dad. So we thought, let’s create our own.”
Their goal: create “an easy, one-stop-shop for the whole family,” focusing on mom, dad, baby and toddler, and offering an array of dresses, shorts, pants, shirts, overalls, onesies and accessories.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Confident that a market existed for their ideas, they contacted Spoonflower, a North Carolina-based fabric company that specializes in producing independent artist-designed prints on sustainable, eco-friendly fabrics. Clients are apparel, home goods and home décor manufacturers, many of them smaller, homegrown operations like Beechwood Crew.
LEAFY KEEN This tropical-inspired peach print was one of Beechwood Crew’s first offerings.
the art of
relationship
WITH SELF, OTHERS, & THE ENVIRONMENT
Ojai, California
Customers select from print options offered online, then choose desired styles, “rather than hunting around on the website for matching pieces,” says Melgoza. “They can choose full matching outfits for the whole family, or limit it to matching accessories, or anything in between.”
Utilizing primarily cotton blends (including cotton-spandex) that are family-friendly, especially in warm weather climates, Beechwood Crew debuted its initial, limited product line for spring 2021, with collections incorporating locally inspired names like Channel Islands, Hollywood Beach and Topa Topa and, just as importantly, the region’s “outdoor, laid-back vibe,” says Pool.
“Ventura County has a special place in our hearts,” adds Melgoza. “We appreciate its beauty and its wonderful people, and we wanted to reflect that in Beechwood Crew. So, yeah, it was a little crazy to start a business during the pandemic. But for us, it was a natural fit in every way. And the response from customers was amazing from the start.”
Dalia Wright of Oxnard, a stay-at-home mom and wife of a software engineer, purchased a matching set of apparel for herself and her year-old son in Emma Wood and Paradise Falls prints.
“I was in love with them,” she says. “They are great quality and my dress fit me perfectly. The fabric was also really comfortable for both of us, and I love that we were able to match using beautifully made clothing.”
Keeping production small and manageable, Beechwood Crew produced a second collection for fall, and then a holiday collection featuring family pajama sets that were wildly successful.
“With more people staying home because of the pandemic, families loved wearing matching PJs and loungewear,” explains Pool.
Their success resulted in a small business grant last fall from Spoonflower, which has encouraged Beechwood Crew’s founders — who started the business with their own money — to expand their offerings and, they hope, their profitability.
LOOKING AHEAD
More baby and toddler accessories are being incorporated into Beechwood Crew’s collections of “matching print” dresses, shirts, shorts, scarves and scrunchies, as well as non-local collection names, such as Aspen and Cornwall.
“Using local names is a draw,” says Melgoza, “but we also have customers outside as well as inside Ventura County. But it’s fun to make that local connection.”
Even pets are among Beechwood Crew’s new customers.
“Some of our customers have told us, ‘Hey, our dog is part of the family, too,’” laughs Pool, herself the owner of two dogs, who is now making bandanas for four-legged family members.
And, awaiting the birth of her first child later this spring, Pool is making more of everything ahead of time, “now that we have a better idea of what’s popular, what sells and what’s sustainable,” she says, surrounded by fabric and sewing machinery in a room of her Oxnard home. “But we want to be mindful and careful of overpro-
8 Continued on page 14
FAMILY TIE(-DYED) The beachy blue plaid-like Channel Islands Collection looks great on everyone from pops to tots.
ducing. We still focus on making a smaller quantity of higher quality merchandise.”
Although much of their sales are accounted for by couples and young families, they have found interest from others — including older kids and teens — interested in matching outfits, says Melgoza. “We’re open to serve the needs of all customers.”
Many customers, like Dalia Wright, appreciate not just the product but the premise of Beechwood Crew.
“It’s so important to support a local, woman-owned business,” Wright says. “Beechwood Crew makes that easy; their clothing is beautifully made and quite affordable considering it is made to order and doesn’t contribute to fast fashion waste.”
COMMUNITY CREW
Both of the owners are grateful for the support of their “super-supportive” husbands, families, friends and community, especially since they each have jobs outside the business that keep them busy. Pool has taught dance for the past nine years at Ballet Academy Ventura and helped choreograph shows for Ventura County Ballet; Melgoza does public relations for hotels in California, Washington and Hawaii.
“I’m able to make my own schedule for making the samples and filling the orders, which is helpful,” says Pool. “But this is a two-woman show, and Elizabeth is so good at getting the word out about what we do.”
“And Emi is an amazing seamstress,” says Melgoza, who oversees marketing from her home in Ventura. She and Pool are hopeful that this year, in addition to social media (Instagram and blog posts), website and word-of-mouth, Beechwood Crew can be sold in local retail boutiques.
“Coming from retail,” says Pool, “I have a good idea of how stores curate their look and selections. And Spoonflower has been very supportive, promoting us in their holiday gift guide. So we’re very positive going forward.”
“It’s been fun and rewarding,” adds Melgoza, “to see families wearing our pieces — baby in shorts, mom in dress and scrunchy, dad in a shirt. It’s fun to grow and evolve.”
And, they both add, “to share the experience with your best friend.” v
Beechwood Crew
Beechwoodcrew.com
instagram.com/beechwood_crew
facebook.com/beechwoodcrew
SUNNY SMILES Big and little people in the cheerful Hollywood Beach Collection.
A CUT ABOVE
Ojai sisters continue a family legacy with Messermeister.
OBY MARK STORER
Kirsten Dressler Wilson and Chelcea Dressler-Crowley followed a road less traveled, one their parents, over time and through their own actions, taught to them.
Bernd and Debbie Dressler created Messermeister knife company in Ojai in 1981 as a way to subvert the larger German knife companies’ stranglehold on big box stores. Debbie ran the office. Bernd, at 6’ 3”, a big man with a larger-than-life presence fronted by his German-Australian heritage, was the face of Messermeister. But Bernd’s death in 2002 left Debbie a little overwhelmed, and prey to hucksters who told her she could never run it all on her own. Several made low-ball offers to buy the company.
Contrary to the number of suitors who thought so, however, Debbie wasn’t naive enough to simply let it go. After struggling with the day-to-day operations without Bernd for a year and a half, she asked her daughters, who were off living other lives, if they would consider coming back to help run the company.
“I was the first to come back,” said Wilson. “I worked as the accounts receivable manager and then was doing some accounting. Chelcea came in a year later and did sales, based out of San Francisco.”
“It was really important for our mom and dad that we do something outside the family business first,” said Dressler-Crowley.
“I was working for Wells Fargo and Kirsten was getting an accounting degree.” But the sisters grew up watching their parents run the company and saw all the hard work, creativity and work ethic that
was imbued into them.
“It was so disheartening to lose our father and then possibly lose our family’s business.”
For the both of them, a life’s journey toward inheriting the family business helped create some self-realization and a chance to take on an industry whose traditions were a network of the “old boys.” Together they helped infuse Messermeister with new life and creativity, and proudly stand as the only American knife manufacturing brand that is women-owned.
CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH
That would be a simple explanation, and a solid short story on its own: A family business created by a married couple who then passed the business along to their children, two young women who now run it and live happy lives. A kind of satisfactory American success story.
But it wasn’t satisfactory to Dressler-Crowley, now 41, and Wilson, 40.
“The business wasn’t evolving or changing the way we wanted it to,” said Wilson. “We started taking a different approach and we wanted to bring our sort of flavor from Southern California into the knife business.”
Having worked outside the family business now paid off. In the 1980s, Bernd wanted to create quality knives that could be sold by smaller market stores and still compete with the larger homeware stores who were selling brands like Wüsthof, Henkels and others.
“All the German knife brands are sort of stuck in 8
ADVENTURE CHEF COLLECTION inspired by Chef Adam Glick and built to be compact, durable and versatile for traveling cooks.
their ways,” said Wilson. “So, we came out with the first folding outdoor chef’s knife and the first custom knife where you can change handles on it and design it for you.”
The sisters expanded Messermeister’s line of knives, created new designs, began studying different types of steel and worked with a new sales partner and a designer. Expansion meant some changes to the manufacturing process, too. In the 1980s, their father developed a partnership with a factory in Solingen, German — the “City of Blades,” famous for its fine steel products since the Middle Ages. Messermeister still works with this factory, but not exclusively.
“We basically design something and then ask who can make this the best,” said Wilson. “A German factory could never make a folding knife. It’s too far out of their wheelhouse.” Messermeister now works with manufacturers in Portugal, China and Japan as well as Germany.
In addition to running Messermeister, both sisters are married and have children. Their husbands don’t work in the family business.
“That was rule number one — no significant others in the business,” said Dressler-Crowley. “My parents dealt with that kind of stress and it
was important to us to have healthy relationships outside the office.”
WOMEN ON “WALKABOUT”
Hearing the pair talk about knives is like listening to artists in the studio. “I got some one-off handles made to make these a little more special,” said Wilson. She holds up a custom birch handle, compounded with resin, and has a number of different colors for handles and different steels as well.
“We can then create knives using price-point as an entry while maintaining quality,” Dressler-Crowley added. In that way, Messermeister is keeping with its founding ideas of quality knives available to anyone.
With the changes Wilson and Dressler-Crowley implemented, they compete with the larger companies as well, though primarily they focus still on the smaller stores. But the journey from inheriting a business to taking it in a new direction was not a straightforward path.
“When I moved up to San Francisco and started sales, not many people wanted to hear about Messermeister from a 24-year old,” said
KAWASHIMA COLLECTION, made with the expertise of renowned Japanese bladesmith Shoichi Kawashima. All photos courtesy Messermeister
Dressler-Crowley. “It wasn’t about someone else controlling our business, it was really about learning who we were, about our product, and we needed to know what other companies were doing.”
She would go to knife-skill classes in the Bay Area and learn about knife makers and different chefs using different cutting techniques. “This was our walkabout,” Dressler-Crowley recalled. Bernd’s guidance for his daughters included the Australian idea that one must walk one’s own path, “walk about” and find purpose and meaning. “Dad was never telling us what he
wanted, but more or less something like ‘you’ll figure it out along the way, along the path,’” she said.
The sisters still encountered hucksters, who were there in the background, questioning young women who owned and ran a knife business.
“I think we definitely had to put in our time in order for people to take us seriously,” Wilson said. “This industry is very old school, very male dominated. A lot of the factories are generations of men in masculine societies.” For the pair, it just meant paying attention to creating the business the way they wanted it to run.
SLICE OF LIFE
Dressler-Crowley and Wilson share an office in Ojai with their mom and all work together. Their collaboration is part of the unique success they’ve enjoyed as they work together on everything from design to marketing strategy to choosing what steel will be on what knife.
“It helps us to be able to talk about all the issues that come up,” Wilson said. “I’ll hear what Chelcea is talking about on the phone to someone, and have an
8 Continued on page 22
LEFT Chelcea Dressler-Crowley with sister Kirsten Dressler Wilson BELOW 10” Oliva Elite Stealth Chef’s Knife
systems and different things that we didn’t have before are helping us with our growth.” Mom Debbie was in favor of hiring someone to handle those changes, but Dressler-Crowley and Wilson said they were up to the challenges and are doing it in-house.
The pandemic and subsequent reactions and restrictions were hard everywhere and no less so on Messermeister.
children and Wilson’s child. “We did the best we could do. You saw everyone stay at home and people were doing renovations and upgrades and people were ready to spend their money on quality items,” she recalled. “We were thankful the housewares industry did pretty well. Our warehouse in Riverside was able to stay open because they also shipped food.”
Celebrity chef Adam Glick, who appears on the show reality TV show Below Deck, uses Messermeister knives, while Claud Mann, who has Ojai roots and hosted TBS network’s Dinner and a Movie, is also a Messermeister aficionado.
But Dressler-Crowley doesn’t refer to their brand ambassadors as celebrities. “They’re passionate chefs who care about what they do and they use our products,” she said.
As the company continues to grow and as the collaborative, creative team works together, they don’t spend a great deal of time thinking about the male-dominated industry in which they operate.
“Whatever, we don’t worry about that. We’re too busy doing what we do,” said Dressler-Crowley. v
“When it first hit, everything shut down and we were 40 percent down in that first month,” said Wilson. “Amazon wasn’t taking our products anymore as they focused on necessity items and all our retailers shut down.” But if the initial loss was severe, the rebound was strong as well.
Dressler-Crowley also acted as stay-at-home teacher for her two
913 Bryant Place, Ojai 805.640.0051
www.messermeister.com
CUSTOM MOD KIT HANDLES (above) made from repurposed wood shavings pressed with a natural resin.
KAWASHIMA PARING KNIFE (right, inset)
CUSTOM 8” CHEF’S KNIFE with the Driftwood handle option.
Ventura’s Best Aquarium Shop
“BUY LESS, BUY BETTER”
Sustainability and ethics are woven into the very fabric of luxury accessories line Ninakuru.
TBY MADELINE NATHAUS | PHOTOS BY VIKTOR BUDNIK
hrough building genuinely caring relationships with both workers and clients, luxury Ojai milliner brand Ninakuru is trying to redefine what sustainability and ethics in international trade could look like.
“For me it’s always people over profit,” said Jennifer Moray, American-Ecuadorian founder, owner and designer of Ninakuru. “You have to build a relationship of trust. If you come in wanting to do what’s right, they’ll see that over time. That compassion and care is seen in the products.”
Ninakuru’s mission is to create quality products that encapsulate the casual elegance of California style by working with skilled female
weavers in Ecuador and paying them an honest price for their time and expertise. Jennifer recounts that oftentimes the women are unaware of what their time is worth since they are underpaid by other companies.
She said she aims to pay them enough so that they cannot only survive but thrive. She added that this attention to caring and equity results in a better quality product, as the workers also care to put the time and attention into their work when they’re treated fairly.
“The foundation of quality is caring,” Jennifer said. “If everybody cares in the process, how can you not create something phenomenal in the end? You have to care about the people, people are number one.”
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
After receiving dual college degrees in International Business and Marketing, Ohio-born Jennifer spent 14 years in Ecuador as a flower broker. During this time, she built relationships with the local weaving artisans and learned to create exquisite clothing, hats and other items herself.
While in South America, she witnessed firsthand the exploitation of artisans in both flower brokerage and other industries. Seeking to go against the norms, she translated her business skills as a broker to refining her craftsmanship, working with the weavers and developing her new passion project. She returned to the United States and began Ninakuru in 2014.
Jennifer settled in Ojai with her husband and business partner, Ian Moray, who she met during a business meeting in Southern California in 2011. Ian was influenced by Jennifer’s desire to bring sustainable fashion to America, and she described their relationship as the catalyst for her return to the U.S.
“It happened very organically,” said Ian. “Jennifer’s the creative,
“EXPLOITATION ISN’T SUSTAINABLE”
Jennifer Moray, Ninakuru founder, owner and designer.
8 Continued on page 28
she’s the one with the imagination and the ideas, and I have a background in business and marketing. We have very complementary skill sets.”
Ian said he mainly focuses on working with clients and the business aspect of the brand. This allows Jennifer to concentrate her artistic energy on creating hats and bags and attending to the company’s relationships with the artisans that supply her materials.
Jennifer said many cheap, mass-produced Panama hats — a traditional brimmed straw hat of Ecuadorian origin, made from the fibers of the toquilla plant — do not highlight the artisan’s potential due to the fast turnaround. She gives weavers the time required for them to give their creations attention to detail, resulting in a tighter-woven and finer quality hat. This allowed Ninakuru to increase the price point so that the workers, in turn, could be paid more for their excellent craftsmanship.
“If you want a hat, you can get a hat anywhere,” Jennifer said. “But this is about honoring that tradition of handmade Panama hats. I love beautiful things, I love beautiful hats, and to be able to share that with people is so cool.”
She also said that the brand will sometimes turn down larger orders in order to preserve the quality that takes time and attention to cultivate. She is always in communication with the artisans about
what they feel capable of handling in a given time frame while still generating the same exquisite products.
“If a large retailer comes to us and says they love our products, but they want the price point to be decreased significantly, that negatively impacts our ability to uphold our ethos and business model,” Ian explained. “We are a for-profit company, but at the same time we’re here as a project to help these artisans continue their heritage.”
“BUY LESS, BUY BETTER”
In hopes of bringing more awareness to what exactly consumers are funding when they buy products, both Jennifer and Ian advocate that people “buy less, buy better.” This means purchasing fewer goods and instead investing in a smaller number of quality items that may cost more, but will last longer and come from genuinely ethical companies.
“Ninakuru is extremely committed to the ethical promise because it ties into Jennifer’s culture and family history,” said Ninakuru client David Franz via email, founder and president of the Ojai record label Underground Sun. “It’s not just a cause for the company, it feels like a moral obligation and a heartfelt mission.” 8
“I’M CHASING CONNECTIONS and looking for joy,” says Jennifer Moray, shown here with friend and client Kodi Kitchen Berg (right) and a few Ninakuru woven bags.
IS IT LEGAL TO GROW CANNABIS AT HOME?
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To know whether or not a company is truly ethical and not falsely advertising, the Morays encourage consumers to educate themselves on who they’re buying from. Paying attention to the language companies use, looking at the materials they source and investigating the legitimacy of the certifications they may have are all places to start.
“When I started, I was told our ethos would never work and my products were indeed rejected by many stores due to price point,” recalled Jennifer. “But I knew eventually something would have to give because exploitation isn’t sustainable and the money one saves in labor costs will inevitably cost you dearly in quality and reputation sooner or later.”
Environmental sustainability is another core component to Ninakuru’s philosophy. Jennifer said that she only takes what is needed. She uses materials like leaves from the quickly regenerating toquilla palm (which isn’t actually a true palm, but a palm-like monocot) and wool from herds of sheep that are only sheared seasonally twice a year.
Any animal products Ninakuru uses are byproducts.
FINISHING TOUCH Jennifer Moray trims all Ninakuru hats by hand.
Embellishments for accessories like feathers come from naturally molting birds and horsehair comes from the trimmings of manes. Though leather is used in some products, it is taken from cowhide that would’ve otherwise been discarded by the cattle industry.
CREATIVE PROCESS
The entire process of making one hat can sometimes take up to three weeks. Once Jennifer receives the raw materials that were collected and woven by the artisans, she shapes and puts the finishes on the hats and bags herself in her backyard studio. To maintain a natural look, bleach and dyes are hardly used. She said her goal is to produce a final piece that elevates the materials the artisans created for her.
“For me the creative process is just play,” Jennifer said. “I will take the various treasures I have accumulated and I’ll just lay them out on the table. I come into it with a clear head and just see what’s speaking to one another.”
TOOLS OF THE TRADE Only ethically and sustainably sourced embellishments are used to trim Ninakuru accessories.
Using this process and these materials, Jennifer said that Ninakuru seeks to create “distinguished” and “sophisticated” designs that pay homage to the California vibe.
“It’s a very instinctual process for Jennifer,” Ian said. “She’s not necessarily thinking, she’s just doing.”
By having high quality and durable products, Jennifer said her hats can last a lifetime and potentially be passed down to future generations. Adornments, like ribbons and beads, can be alternated to change the style of the hat and give it a fresh feel. Ninakuru also offers to work with
clients to create custom designs.
“I was looking for a hat to help create my music artist persona, and I was totally blown away by the design,” said music producer Franz, who features Ninakuru hats in his music videos. “Every detail had a reason and a story that represented something important to my persona and my music. The hat was clearly made with tenacious love for the craft and I felt totally honored by her design.”
Ninakuru products are sold on the company’s website and at select boutiques and resorts, like the Ojai Valley Inn. Retailers and private clients are vetted 8 Continued on page 34
BEAUTY IN THE BAG Sonoma woven bag, made with organic agave fibers from the Andean highlands and dyed by hand using harvested botanicals.
to assure they align with the brand’s ethical mission. Jennifer said she likes to come up with unique and individual designs for each store that captures the style and culture of its fashion and environment.
As for the future of Ninakuru, Jennifer said she puts all her creative energy into the hat she’s working on at the moment and tries to focus on the present, living day-to-day. She added that she would rather take opportunities as they present themselves rather than “project” or “fantasize” about the future.
“I’m chasing connections and looking for joy,” Jennifer said. “I’m really making it a priority in my life to find joy and cultivate it in myself and other people.” v
Ninakuru
805.881.2456
info@ninakuru.com
ninakuru.com
CUSTOM CARE Moray’s expertise and hands-on approach to custom design ensure that private clients like Kodi Kitchen Berg (left) get one-of-a-kind creations that reflect their own personality and style.
HEAVENLY DESIGN Jennifer Moray with Angel, made with 100% virgin wool.
FALL INTO SPRING
March is the perfect time to explore the seasonal waterfalls of the Santa Monica
Mountains.
WSTORY AND PHOTOS BY DEREK MATHEWSON
ith winter coming to an end and spring right upon us, there is no better time to get outdoors, especially when it comes to waterfalls. With six inches of rain measured from the storm that blew in during the final days of 2021, this has motivated many to check out the seasonal waterfalls that are flowing in the Santa Monica Mountains. Several hiking trails in the range will take you to some of these beautiful sights — here are a few of my favorites.
SYCAMORE CANYON FALLS
This easy to moderate three-mile round trip hike sits in Point Mugu State Park, and resides on the Thousand Oaks side of the mountains. When arriving in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, you’ll park in the main parking lot. Parking is free and signage offers some history about the park. Here you’ll also find the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center. Satwiwa, which means “the bluffs,” is the name of the Chumash village that once existed here. Many people come here to visit this cultural site, giving the trailhead its name.
To get to the falls, follow the trailhead south until you come to
the cultural center on your left and a dome-like stick configuration. Continue on the well-marked trails until you get to the canyon bottom. You’ll then follow the water upstream for about 0.3 miles before making a right to reveal a beautiful, multi-tiered sandstone waterfall covered in green foliage, ferns and cascade pools. This is definitely one waterfall you don’t want to miss when this 80-foot beauty is flowing!
LA JOLLA CANYON FALLS
This waterfall also sits in Point Mugu State Park, but resides on the coastline side of the mountains. You can park in the La Jolla Day Use Parking Lot for $8 all day, or you can park along Highway 1/Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and walk in. From the same parking lot you can hike the popular Ray Miller Backbone Trail, which will take you to the top of the mountains to give you some breathtaking views of the coast. Out of all the state parks in the Santa Monica Mountains, Point Mugu is without a doubt one of the best. Maybe it has something to do with its proximity to the beach, or the endless trails and epic views, but the energy and diversity here is just so much more wild.
La Jolla Canyon Falls is something truly special to witness when in flow. Coming from Oxnard, head east on PCH for about 16 miles, then make a left on the La Jolla Canyon Trailhead parking area. Once on the trail, you’ll hike for 0.8 miles. The hike to the falls is 1.6 miles round trip, and is labeled as easy. Once you arrive at the 45-foot double tiered fall, soak it up and take it in. Although probably the rarest of all the waterfalls in Malibu, this fall is best seen during early spring or directly after a recent rainstorm, so make sure to time it accordingly.
UPPER/LOWER NEWTON AND ZUMA CANYON FALLS
This two-mile round trip hike will take you to three amazing, lesser known waterfalls in the Santa Monica Mountains. The trailhead starts on Kanan Dume Road, which is also where the Backbone Trail meets. Park in the designated (free) parking area and take the vegetated downhill trail about 0.4 miles until you get to the
8
SPRING
25-foot Upper Newton Canyon Falls. Here is where the fun begins!
To see the other two waterfalls, be prepared to rock hop downstream. There’s no immediate trail, so your only option is to hike through the water or scramble across the rocks. (Warning: The scramble can be easy or difficult, depending on how intense the flow of the stream is.) Hike your way downstream towards Lower Newton Canyon Falls. You’ll know when you’ve arrived because the end of the stream will take you to a sheer cliff; the top of the falls. From here take the slightly beaten trail to the left and make your way on a steep downhill slope to the base of the 30-foot waterfall.
Another couple of hundred feet is where Zuma Creek and Newton Creek join. Stay right for about 10 minutes until you get to Zuma Canyon Falls. Note: Watch out for poison oak. Zuma Falls is only about 23 feet tall, but might be the best out of the three on this trail. It features a spectacular setting with the falls dropping over a sandstone ledge and surrounded by large caves. On a warm day, feel free to take a dip in the water and soak in the adventure!
ESCONDIDO FALLS
When Escondido Falls is flowing strong, it is one of the finest waterfalls around Malibu and Los Angeles. This easy to moderate 3.8 mile round trip hike will lead you to the tallest waterfall in the Santa Monica Mountains, sitting at just under 170 feet! The parking is free and the trail is dog friendly. Although the first 0.7 miles on Winding Way (just off the PCH) is paved, don’t let that deter you. The remainder of the hike is well worth it!
The paved road will end and arrive at Escondido Canyon Park. Make a left here, descending into the park. After a shaded mile in the park,
you’ll arrive at Lower Escondido Falls. This 50-foot segment is a great reward for the 1.75 miles you’ve hiked.
Note that the upper falls are located on private property not open to the public. Out of concerns for both safety and the fragile habitat, hikers are asked not to climb up. For more information, consult the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (which manages Escondido Canyon Park) at mrca. ca.gov/parks/park-listing/escondido-canyon-park/.
If you have the opportunity to go exploring nearby seasonal waterfalls, the time to do so is now — while the water is still flowing. As always, leave no trace and never stop exploring! See you on the trails! v
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas 805.370.2301 www.nps.gov/samo
ZUMA CANYON FALLS
LA JOLLA CANYON FALLS
IT’S MY HOUSE!
IT’S
EN PLEIN AIR: AN EXPLORATION OF MALIBU AND VENTURA COUNTY THROUGH MAY 8
MY HOUSE! THROUGH MARCH 21 CAR CULTURE THROUGH MAY 4
Through March 21 | Ojai
Humans have collected objects throughout our existence as functional apparatus, for the pursuit of knowledge, as status symbols, and to surround ourselves with beauty, but also as sentimental mementos and to feel a part of the wider human experience through the creative skill of others. The objects in our homes reflect our personality, interests and storytelling about our lives, selected and positioned with intent. It’s My House! reflects a new era of collecting with purpose, with an emphasis on preserving artistic legacy. Contemporary pieces by leading artists working in both the U.S. and UK are placed among modern furniture in a display that encourages you to sit, enjoy and reflect. Undertaken in collaboration with CURA Art. Porch Gallery, 310 East Matilija Street, Ojai, 805.620.7589, porchgalleryojai.com.
EN PLEIN AIR, FIELDNOTES: LYNN HANSON AND A NARRATIVE: JOHN ROBERTSON
Through July 10 | Santa Paula
En Plein Air: An Exploration of Malibu and Ventura County features masterful works painted outdoors by members of the California Art Club, a community established in 1909 and dedicated to contemporary-traditional fine art. This exhibit will be on display through May 8. Opening March 12 will be an exhibition featuring three decades of work from two artists: Lynn Hanson, whose connection to the natural world informs all of her work, and her partner, John Robertson, a self-taught artist. Premiere party on Saturday, March 12, 4-6 p.m. The museum is open Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, 805.525.5554, www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.
COLLECTORS CHOICE
Through March 26 | Camarillo
Studio Channel Islands’ annual exhibit and fundraiser is more than just a curated collection of outstanding works of painting, photography, sculpture and more — all made by high-caliber contemporary artists from across the U.S. This is an opportunity to take home one of these prized works of art. The exhibit culminates with a fundraising gala, and every ticket includes entry into a prize drawing. If your ticket is drawn, you have 60 seconds to select a work of art valued at $300 or more. Gala takes place on Saturday, March 26, at 6 p.m.; each $300 ticket admits two people. 2222 East Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo, 805.383.1368, studiochannelislands.org.
THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE
Through April 3 | Santa Paula
Bob and Fran Price have been together for over 30 years. It should be time for them to slow down and smell the roses
— until the lives of their four adult children come crashing through the back door. Set over the course of one year, the grown children try to redefine their lives separately from the hopes and dreams of their parents. Darkly funny with elements of drama, the production is presented by Santa Paula Theater Center and directed by Jessi May Stevenson. $2224. 125 South Seventh Street, Santa Paula, 805.525.4645, www.santapaulatheatercenter.org.
CAR CULTURE
Through May 4 | Ojai
Tom Hardcastle explores the automobiles of yesteryear with an exciting palette of color and context. “There are so many elements beyond form and function that are engendered in the automobile: sensibility, style, attitude, and wealth, to name a few. In order to capture the personality and story of each car, I approach these portraits in an organic way instead of solely mechanical.” Hardcastle will show his most recent collection of oils and pastels. Also on display in the Signature Gallery will be work by Gretchen Greenberg. Ojai Art Center, 113 South Montgomery Street, Ojai, 805.646.0117, www.ojaiartcenter.org.
WINTER WHALE WATCHING EXCURSIONS WITH ISLAND PACKERS
Through April 15 | Ventura, Oxnard
Island Packers will be offering winter whale watching excursions off the coast in the beautiful Santa Barbara Channel. Gray whales make their annual migration through the waters near Channel Islands National Park, and the boat concessionaire will be offering numerous trips to see them. Passengers may also see sea birds, sea lions, dolphins and other local wildlife while cruising the channel. Whale watching trips are 3-3.5 hours, suitable for all ages, and a fantastic way to explore the ocean environment in winter and spring. All ticket sales follow California COVID-19 protocols and procedures. Trips start at $29. 3550 Harbor Boulevard, Oxnard; 1691 Spinnaker Drive, #105B, Ventura; 805.642.1393; islandpackers.com.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
March 12 | Ventura
Don your green, grab your shamrocks and head to Ventura on March 12, as the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns after a two-year absence! No one is more excited than Ventura Elks Lodge #1430, which has hosted the parade since 1987. This year, the green is about more than just Ireland and leprechauns – the environment will take center stage, with the 2022 parade theme of “One World, One Air, We All Share: A Salute to Our Environment.” Nan Drake will be Grand Marshal. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Main Street and Lincoln in Midtown Ventura, making its way to Fir Street downtown. A blarney good time will be had by all! www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com.
Ideal Homes ideal HOMES
NEW LISTING ~ THIS IS THE LIFE!
Beautiful La Ventana 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo for sale! This desirable single level floorplan boasts 1081 square feet of living space. The kitchen has warm wood cabinets with pantry, a garden window, and a pass through to the dining room. The adjacent semi open concept space features a dining room that flows to a roomy living area with gas fireplace, lots of windows for natural light, and a sliding glass door to the back patio. Two spacious bedrooms with mirrored closet doors, and one with a slider to outside. Both bathrooms have been upgraded. Attached 2 car garage with laundry hook ups, storage shelves and easy access to the house. Rear planters on drip irrigation and timer controlled low voltage lighting surrounding patio area. Refrigerator, washer, and dryer included.
This centrally located community boasts pristine conditions and well cared for grounds, with HOA managed pools and spas, walking paths, and easy freeway access.
BEDROOMS: 2
BATHROOMS: 2
SQ FT: 1,081 PRICE: $579,000
COMING SOON: FABULOUS CUSTOM-BUILT HOME AT THE TOP OF CLEARPOINT!
Enjoy ocean & island views from the top of Clearpoint on highly coveted Ridgecrest Court!
Boasting a gourmet kitchen, elegant owners’ suite, outdoor kitchen and a rare 3 car garage are just a few of the many amazing features in this custombuilt home! Presented by Laurie Rutledge & Derek Berthold, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury. Visit LaurieRutledge.com today! 805.340.4854
Your Guide To Luxury Living Throughout Ventura County
2384 MARTINIQUE LANE, THE COLONY, OXNARD
Single level beach condo in The Colony at Mandalay Beach. This highly-desirable gated community offers exceptional amenities throughout the meticulously-maintained grounds, including pools, spas, tennis, pickleball and racquetball courts, a fitness center and a spacious room for special events. The home itself is gorgeous with an updated bright interior with tastefully renovated kitchen,
baths and paint. Newer wood-like flooring in the kitchen, dining and living rooms. This home has an oversized west-facing patio for afternoon sun. The location is fantastic! Only a short distance to the beach through the lush landscaping to the sand, passing the ocean view hot tub on the way. The home features a fireplace in the living room, an interior laundry closet, and a two-car garage that
is very close to the unit itself. Enjoy the coastal lifestyle for a second residence or full time living. Single story living with absolutely no steps! HOA $445 per month!
BEDROOMS: 2 BATHROOMS: 2
BEDROOMS: 3 + DEN
BATHROOMS: 2.5
PRICE: $2,100,000
Located in Mid-Town Ventura, with walking distance to shopping, restaurants, coffee houses, local watering holes and MORE! OH! And just a quick bike ride to the beach or to way hip, Downtown Ventura! Mid-Town is arguably Ventura’s HOTTEST MARKET, made up of 1920’s - 1940’s character homes and 1950’s ‘mid-century’ bungalows! This Mid-Town, move-in ready, beach-close ‘50’s bungalow is uniquely ‘one of a kind’ in that it affords a most flexible floor plan, boasting a total 4 bedrooms and 3 updated, full-bathrooms, with the MAIN HOUSE offers 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a large living & dining area, an updated kitchen, and a cozy
breakfast nook, PLUS two (2) LARGE, additional, semi-attached bedrooms, each with their own 3/4 bathrooms, and each with their own exterior doors! WAIT! WHAT?! This amazing design affords SO MANY OPTIONS! Convert to ADU/JADA! GuestQuarters! Maid’s Quarters!
Care Taker Quarters! Perfect for a multi-generational household! In-Laws! Live in the main house and rent out the 2 added master-suites! Vacation rent the 2 added master-suites! Rent all three spaces! WOW! The options are almost endless! (2 added master-suites were permitted as same; Buyer/Buyer’s Agent to investigate/satisfy feasability of different uses) PLUS, you’re
sure to enjoy the forced-air furnace, dual-pane windows, kitchen & bath upgrades, the lovely front & rear yards, the 1-car attached garage with auto-opener and roll-up door, the 4-car concrete driveway, washer/dryer, refrigerator/ freezer included, storage shed with electricity! And MORE! Run, don’t walk! Cuz this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Blake Mashburn, Century 21 Everest - 805-368-0202 DRE #01065624
BEDROOMS: 4
BATHROOMS: 3
TAJ MAHAL QUARTET
March 12 | Agoura Hills
Taj Mahal is an honest-to-goodness legend and visionary whose blues/world music is known for its trailblazing exploration of a variety of musical genres. A 2017 Grammy win for TajMo, his collaboration with Keb’ Mo’, brought his Grammy tally to three wins and 14 nominations, and underscored his undiminished relevance more than 50 years after his solo debut. Blues Hall of Fame membership, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association, and other honors punctuate his résumé. This blues master’s influences come from around the world, with more than 25 albums to his name and collaborations that include The Rolling Stones, Ry Cooder, Van Morrision, Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton. Taj Mahal has helped to reshape the definition and scope of blues music, and will appear live with his sextet at the Canyon Club. $38-$78. The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills, wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com.
THE GIN GAME
March 16 – April 3 | Ventura
The Rubicon returns to live performances in 2022 with a season packed with exciting and brilliantly realized productions! The theater company kick things off in March with D.L. Coburn’s The Gin Game, starring JoBeth Williams and Joe Spano and directed by Jenny Sullivan. Two residents of a nursing home develop a friendship while playing gin rummy . . . until rivalry puts them at odds. $39.50$184.88. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 East Main Street, Ventura, 805.667.2900, www.rubicontheatre.org/events/the-gin-game.
KYLE: I MISS U TOUR
March 18 | Ventura
Kyle Thomas Hardey aka Kyle or SuperDuper Kyle returns to his hometown of Ventura, bringing the hits as well as new material for his I Miss U Tour. The rapper and hip-hop artist, who took the world by storm in 2017 with “iSpy,” will bring the audience on a musical journey, including a tour of his latest album, the R&B-influenced It’s Not So Bad. Kyle’s immense talent always glows with his warm spirit and positive energy, and fans will be treated to all their favorites and more during his show at the newly remodeled Majestic Ventura Theater. $27.50-$37.50. 26 South Chestnut Street, Ventura, 805.653.0721, www.venturatheater.net.
SOUTH PACIFIC
March 24-27 | Thousand Oaks
A tropical escape with award-winning music and a love story set in a time of war and prejudice. This Rogers and Hammerstein classic centers on a nurse stationed on a South Pacific island during World War II who falls in love with an ex-pat French plantation owner and must overcome her own bigotry to accept his mixed-race children. Sweeping, romantic and timeless. Presented by the American Theatre Guild as part of the Broadway in Thousand Oaks series. $45-$110. Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, 805.449.2787, bapacthousandoaks.com.
MARLON WAYANS
March 31 – April 3 | Oxnard
The films of Marlon Wayans — actor, producer, comedian, writer and film director — have grossed more than $736 million in domestic box office. As a standup comedian, he is selling out nationwide and adding shows every weekend. On the small screen, fans can enjoy his comedy special Woke-ish, which premiered in February of 2018, and the 2019 feature Sextuplents, both on Netflix. Enjoy the many talents of this multifaceted performer live and in person at one of his six shows coming to Levity Live Comedy Club. $45-$105. 591 Collection Boulevard, Oxnard, 805.457.5550, improv.com/oxnard.
NEW WEST SYMPHONY MASTERPIECE SERIES
April 2-3 | Camarillo, Thousand Oaks
Russia’s Sergei Rachmaninoff, USA’s Scott Joplin and Finland’s Jean Sibelius: Three masters of composition who wrote bold works characterized by national pride. The New West Symphony proudly presents these works in an April concert starring piano virtuoso Andrew von Oeyen and tenor Ashley Faatolia, who bring to life Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor,” Joplin’s “Selections from Treemonisha” and Sibelius’ “Symphony No. 3,” all conducted by NWS Music Director Michael Christie. $30-$120. Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks on April 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center in Camarillo on April 3 at 3 p.m. newwestsymphony.org.
ON THE HORIZON
IN THE HEIGHTS
April 8 – May 8 | Moorpark
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s blockbuster Broadway hit (2008) and recent film adaptation (2021) comes to Ventura County theater lovers courtesy of High Street Arts Center. In this exciting and heartfelt musical, set in the largely Dominican American neighborhood of Washington Heights, dreamers dream, families squabble, love finds a way and a community comes together despite upheaval, change and a blackout. High Street Arts Center, 45 East High Street, Moorpark, 805.529.8700, highstreetartscenter.com.
SPRING WINE WALK & VENDOR FAIR
April 9 | Ventura
A beautiful spring day in April will see the return of one of the area’s most popular events. The Spring Wine Walk & Vendor Fair kicks off at 11 a.m. on Main Street in Downtown Ventura, with artists, artisans, crafters, food vendors and more selling their goods from Chestnut Street to the Museum of Ventura County. At 3 p.m. wineries and breweries will be the highlight, with participating businesses acting as “tasting” sites. VIP Bunny Lounge guests can enjoy a brunch buffet, exclusive pours and entertainment at Plaza Park. Admission to the street fair is free; general admission for the wine walk (3-6 p.m.) is $49; VIP Bunny Lounge tickets are $99. For full schedule, check-in information, tickets and more information, visit www.springwinewalk.com
• Regardless of replacement residence value (with adjustment if “greater” in
• Within 2 years of the sale.
• Up to 3 times.
In order to qualify, a homeowner must be age 55 or older, severly disabled, or must be a victim of wildfire/natural disasters.
Beautify your listing with professional staging, and renovation with no cash out-of-pocket or up-front fees.
Village Properties offers professional staging, high-impact cosmetic renovations, and repairs that are designed to maximize your home’s value with no cash out-of-pocket or up-front fees. We provide a free, no-obligation assessment and proposal by a professional designer. If you choose to use this service, 100% of costs are deferred until negotiated term or closing.
If you would like information on how you can stage or refresh your home with no upfront out-of-pocket costs, call 805.969.8900 to be connected to one of our Ventura agents or visit Villagesite.com.
2384 Martinique
renovated kitchen, baths and paint. This home has an oversized west-facing patio for afternoon sun. Approx. 1113 SF. Listed for $789,000
NEW LISTING
980 Hawthorne Lane, Ventura Delightful, single-story end unit condo! Located in the La Ventana community, the home maximizes its living space with open living and dining areas including high ceilings, gleaming 3-inch maple wood floors, and a cozy brick fireplace. There are two good-sized bedrooms on either side of the unit and one tastefully appointed bathroom. Several upgrades both inside and on the beautiful patio. Attached twocar garage, full-size driveway. Approx. 866 SF. Listed for $525,000
NEW LISTING
Out of Area Gem - Prime Valley Location 6455 Whitman Avenue, Lake Balboa Recently renovated kitchen and oversized living room with wood burning fireplace and wet bar. Access the lush backyard through both the living room and primary suite. Minutes to shopping and dining on Ventura Blvd! 3 bedrooms + 2 baths Approx 1530 SF Listed for $849,000
MHP has great amenities including a pool, spa and clubhouse. Enjoy beach living with fresh air and coastal breezes. Ask about pet restrictions and space rent. Approx. 1676 SF. Listed for $579,000
Lane, The Colony - Oxnard
5540 W. 5th Street, Space 134, Oxnard Shores
