Neri Slim Jacket

Brando Military Shirt

Melissa for Fall

These killer cute new styles from Melissa Shoes are too much fun! The Vinyl Wedge is ultra comfortable and really dresses up any outfit. The beige Anglomania flat was designed by Vivienne Westwood herself. One of her more subdued styles for the collection! We also had to bring back the Zig Zag flat in SPARKLY silver. It is shown here in Flat Silver, but we have it with sparkles, just because!

We have all sizes from 6-10. Our shopping page is coming soon, so for now to purchase just call our “Shopping Hotline”:

707.433.7033 OPEN 24 Hours a day!

VINYL. love it!

FETISH, only we have it in killer deep purple!

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, anglomania!

ZIG ZAG, sparkly silver!

IF YOU MUST HAVE THEM CALL OUR HOTLINE:
707.433.7033
open 24 hours daily

OUR FALL FAVORITES

Summer was great. In fact summer STILL is great. We are fortunate enough to have those amazing Indian Summers here in Healdsburg. September is probably our favorite time of year. It’s still warm enough to prolong fun summer activities, like going down the river, but with the Autumnal Equinox right around the corner it’s easy to get excited for the new season. And here at Arboretum we’ve been getting inspired by our new Fall collections that have been arriving. Here are some of our favorite looks from Karen Zambos, Nili Lotan, Edun, Loyale and Organic. (in that order!)

BRIGHT IDEA: Noon Solar

Have you ever run out of juice on your cell phone at just the wrong time? Or ever needed just a little more battery power to make that emergency call while you are lost or stranded on the side of the road? If you are anyone who has a cell phone then your answer is most likely a resounding and irritated YES! Well, thanks to the ingenious peeps at Noon Solar your dead cell phone days are O V E R!

Here’s the deal: Noon creates lovely handbags out of luxurious leather (that has been tanned the good old fashion way using rhubarb and walnut) that have a discrete solar panel built into the bag! This solar panel functions to capture the sun’s energy and store it in a power pack which will allow you to fully charge your phone or iPod. It is not limited to one phone type and even comes with about 4 additional adapters for whatever type of devices you own.

IT TOTALLY WORKS! I am so excited. My cell phone is good for about 1 day before it dies. I just found it lifeless in my useless, non-energy storing purse here at work. So, I have had the noon bag outside on my mannequin’s arm charging in the sun.  I brought it inside, plugged in my phone and waited. After a few moments I heard that familiar chirp and my phone came back to life! A positively thrilling moment. I am a convert! I will be special ordering myself a bag ASAP. I’ve chosen the Augusta in Rust as it will go with everything in my wardrobe. We have it here at the store, but I’ll save that one for you, because I promise, you need it. We also have the Cortland in supple soft, dreamy Navy. They make them for guys too and some without leather.

I try not to preach, but I tell ya, these bags are a Bright Idea! Get one. 

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Here’s the thing about people from LA: They are awesome. I’m serious. I feel like for whatever reason Los Angelinos get a mild “bad rap” from us Northern Californians. Why is this? I personally have never been in this camp of South bashing, but I know it’s out there.

Here in little old Healdsburg we get visitors from all over the world! Believe it, it’s true. Lots of people from the East Coast like to come and check out what’s new on the West Coast and of course we get our pals from SF and the Bay Area escaping the fog on the weekends. And then there are our friends from LA. Anytime I strike up a conversation with some happy shoppers in my store they are so often from LA. They always seem so cheery and pleasant and gracious and thankful and happy to be here. . .  and I just love my SoCal neighbors!

One such fabulous person in particular is fellow blogstress (I think I just made up that term) Megan Arquette. Her killer blog Beach Bungalow 8 is so well done it makes me ashamed. I had the pleasure of meeting Megan and her husband while they were up for a weekend. They scored a few great finds, we exchanged friendly conversation and they complimented our space! The latter is always great to hear and especially when it comes from someone with an interior design eye! I didn’t realize this was Megan’s niche until after they left so of course I felt even more pleased with my new pals from the South.

So, this here post goes out to Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8! Thanks for the killer plug on your beautiful blog about Arboretum and your Ethical Apparel purchases. All of you should rush to Megan’s blog as it is chock full of insightful design tips! (Oh, and just because it’s H I L A R I O U S, go to her June posts and look at sleeveface. seriously funny!)

Megan Arquette
http://beachbungalow8.blogspot.com/
http://www.bungalowstaging.com/

Summer Stuff We Love

So, there is all sorts of really great stuff here in Sonoma County and summertime is when it all comes into full effect. We are pretty lucky, REALLY lucky. Some of our favorite things to spoil ourselves with this summer have been food, fresh fruit and frozen yogurt. Here are a few of our NEW favorites:

SCOPA
SnowBunny
Diavola

If you live here and have not yet been to all of these places, RUN don’t walk to each of them as soon as possible. If you are not fortunate enough to be with in running distance, then book mark these recommendations and be sure to visit soon. Summer won’t last forever, get it while the gettin’ is good!

BEST FASHION BLOG EVER

I think I may have come across this blog a year or so ago, but my good friend and customer Nicole just recently reminded me of it (thanks again, Nicole). The Sartorialist is a haven of AWESOME style from NY to Paris and lots of places in between. If you don’t already know of this blog, check it out and if you are at all compulsive about looking at image after image of totally great and inspiring fashion, this will make you very happy.

You can thank me later, like I’m doing with Nicole in this here post. Honestly though, in my opinion not one single fashion publication can even come close to capturing the pure individual style the same way Scott Schuman does. He takes all the photos himself and swears that nothing is staged! Pretty unbelievable as everyone looks just perfectly so. From time to time I like to think that I have a fairly keen sense of style considering that I do own a clothing store and whatnot, but looking at the sartorilaist makes me feel as though I should just start all over again with my personal fashion approach. The Sartorialist blog has the uncanny gift of inspiring you while at the same time making you feel completely pathetic, but in a good way if that’s possible. Thanks Scott Schuman for keeping us all in check!

MELISSA SHOES FOR SUMMER!

Colorful, comfy, cute, affordable and eco-conscious. Presenting Melissa shoes.  It can’t get much better than that, right ladies? With so many styles in their collection, you can rest assured that we have done the hard part for you and chosen the very best styles for 2008. With prices starting at $49 you can pick more than one style and not feel guilty about over spending. How can it be this good, you ask?

Answer: THEY’RE PLASTIC. If those two words conjure up images of discount shoe stores, think again. Brazilian-made Melissa shoes have been creating fashionable shoes for decades. Remember the original jelly shoes? Same company. Grendha, the parent company to Melissa has always been a socially responsible company that pays it’s employees above-average wages and provides health benefits. In addition to the social commitment, they have a pretty impressive stance on the environmental issues of manufacturing as well. The shoes themselves are made from recycled materials - even last years left overs are melted down to make new styles, and the factory recycles 99.9% of waste and water used in production.

So weather you like them because you’re green minded or fashion minded, you’ll be keeping plastic out of the landfill with Melissa Shoes. And you’ll be making a fashion statement as well.

*******
Here are some additional styles of Melissa shoes for sale at Arboretum.
Available in wholes sizes 6 thru 10 $49 - $86
Shipping to all of the US. Call 1-707-433-7033

STUFF WE LOVE

Please check out some of our favorite people, artists, stores, wineries, food, furniture and more. The inspiration is endless. . .

Late July Organics
Medlock Ames Winery
Tod Brilliant: Eco Musings
14 feet. Modern Home Furnishings
Eden & Eden
Anne Faith Nicholls
Karrie Hovey
SCOPA restaurant
M.E. Moore jewelry
entermodal Sustainable Leather Goods
CB I Hate Perfume
Flora Grubb Gardens

We Won, We Won

WE WON!

Best Clothing Store in Sonoma County for Women

Arboretum was voted “Best Clothing Store in Sonoma County for Women.” What a thrill! We practically came unstitched when we received the news of our win, but wait, THERE’S MORE. . . 

WE WON AGAIN!

Best Clothing Store in Sonoma County for Men

That’s right, Arboretum was voted “Best Clothing Store in Sonoma County for Men” as well. WOW, what an honor! These are two separate awards, and because of your votes we have taken first place in both categories, making this a first in North Bay Bohemian history!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We could not have done it without you.

Please allow us this moment to proclaim our unending thanks for all of your support and enthusiasm. The response to Arboretum in less than one year has been fantastic. We have indeed cultivated a truly fashion conscious clientele, and we are honored, to say the least, to have you on board! We look forward to sharing another year of looking good, doing good and feeling great.

Cheers to all of you!

Thank You

Please visit us at our flagship store located at:
332 Healdsburg Ave Healdsburg CA, 95448

Phone: 707-433-7033

You can also send us an email with your thoughts or the words MAILING LIST in the subject line and we’ll be sure to keep you updated!

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Rag Bone

CAN’T WAIT FOR SPRING!!!

Don’t get me wrong , I love this rain. We need it and it does make me feel all cozy. . .  BUT, the Spring 08’ collection here at Arboretum is looking so great. We have received a few deliveries and so far the women and men’s collection are beautiful and selling, despite the rain! One of our favorites is this killer silk Lion Print Dress by Karen Zambos (pictured above).  Also, Rag & Bone has again created some of the most playful yet sophisticated pieces in the store.  A stunning navy pinstripe suit for men in the most wonderful light weight wool, and silk ties to finish it off. Their suiting for men is truly out of this world! Not to mention high waisted trousers for women done to perfection. If you thought you were over this trend, think again. The boys at Rag & Bone haven’t had enough of it yet and once you try on these pants you’ll thank them for it!

There’s more coming and we’re ready.

Hope to see you in store soon.

Best,

Andi + Kate

SPRING IS ON ITS WAY!

It’s true! If you have been in Northern California this past week you know what I’m talking about. Gone are the days of hibernation and false heat. This beautiful weather has caused bulbs to emerge from underground and trees are beginning to bud with life again.  This beautiful image above is NOT of Mount St. Helena, but it did look like that just a few short weeks ago. Beautiful snow capped mountain above the vineyards. The fields are blooming with mustard under-crop and it is so lovely.

Here at Arboretum we are beginning to put out our first Spring collections. We have just wrapped up a hugely successful sale and are ready for a new season.

Keep your eyes open as we have lots of fun stuff planned for the upcoming Spring and Summer months. Most exciting will be our 1 year party in April. We’ll keep you posted! Until then we’d love to see you soon for a new Spring treat. You know you deserve it!

Josh and Lauren Podoll

As a team, you grew your line from organic cotton and bamboo t-shirts to an entire collection for both women and men. Tell us about the evolution?

L: The t-shirt collection, Josh Podoll, began in 2004 from the desire to create sustainable tops that showcase drawings inspired by nature, art and humor of everyday life. The line continues to grow along this trajectory and explores various themes each season with printing and embroidery. After several seasons of designing and producing tops and tees, we were ready for the challenge of creating a full ready-to-wear collection, thus, PODOLL was born. Designing a full collection enables us to freely explore shape, texture and volume while employing a range of luxury fabrics. It’s exhilarating to work without strict boundaries.

What are some of the joys and challenges of being a creative couple in business together?

L: Collaboration often yields the best both have to offer—we sometimes disagree about pieces in the collection so we work through the details until we arrive at a situation that is pleasing to both of us.

J: In general, we take the ups and downs together so that means when we hit a bump, we don’t have someone with an outside or fresh perspective to help out. On the other hand when things go right, we get to fully share the excitement of the moment.

We understand that Josh originally studied to be a painter and started his career as a fashion designer by putting artwork on t-shirts. How is painting for a body different than painting for a canvas?

J: Actually, I started making t-shirt graphics to take a break from painting….so, they are related by the fact that they involve color and compositional relationships but the drawings on the tees are representational (involving text, animals, etc.) whereas my paintings are completely abstract.

Does making art accessible as fashion change it’s meaning?

J: I approach fashion in a completely different way than when I’m making a painting. When I’m making a painting, I’m most often making it for myself and not thinking about how it relates to others or their environment.

L: But when we’re designing, regardless of how conceptual our starting point is, we have to consider the wearer to make the garment viable. It’s a chief concern of ours to make the clothing relate to and enhance the wearer’s body. Designing clothing is quite intimate actually, considering a person will eventually inhabit your creation.

Your collection is inspired by art and artists- Tell us more! Names, please….

J: PODOLL looks at different artists and artistic movements each season. We have been inspired by a range of artists such as: Kasimir Malevich and the Russian Suprematists, Agnes Martin and other Minimalist painters, and most recently Olafur Eliasson and his sculptural light installations.

L: Josh is an artist and I have a degree in Art History so we have rooted our collection in artistic influences.

Lauren, you originally worked as a buyer at a wildly popular San Francisco boutique. How does your background in retail influence your design direction?

L: I think it definitely explains why wearability is so important to me. During my years in retail, I have witnessed so many body insecurities—trying on clothing tends to encourage self-scrutiny. Ideally, I aim to make garments that foster confidence and comfort.

What’s the best part of your job?

L: Definitely the creative process. It’s extremely gratifying to participate in the process of shepherding an idea of a garment from original concept through the stages of refinement until we actually see it in it’s final glory on the body.

What’s the hardest part of your job?

J: I think we both agree that managing production is a huge challenge.

You are committed to manufacturing your line in the United States. What are some of the challenges of producing your collection domestically? What are some of the benefits?

J: So far, it’s been mostly beneficial to produce domestically. We have better access to the sewing facilities and proximity often enables better communication. It helps to oversee manufacturing closer to home so we can catch potential errors in time. Finding the best resources was difficult initially, but once we got through the first few seasons it’s been much smoother. The only drawback to domestic sources is that they are more expensive. We’ve made the choice to favor fair labor conditions over price.

Nina Valenti

What does the name of your collection signify?

The name was inspired by the constant struggle between nature and future, a pressure between organic forces and technological ones. The more we advance the more we need to consider nature before we deplete it. In this tension to find balance is the living energy of the collection and hence the name.

What’s the best part of your job?

Designing, I love sketching and fabric sourcing. The best part is bringing my sketches to life.

What’s the hardest part of your job?

Everything else. Running your own business means you have to run everything at the beginning. I’d much rather just be designing but I have also production, sales & the financial side.

Your garments are complex, how do you get them to fit so well?

I work very closely with my patternmaker and do lot’s of fittings. I put a lot of seams in most of the garments which can give a very tailored fit. I pay attention to every detail.

Your collection has a decidedly futuristic look. From whence do you draw your futuristic fashion inspiration? Movies? Books?

I love architecture and furniture design, music and art. I never really draw from one inspiration. It’s more as if I unconsciously absorb inspiration from the past and the present that just becomes conscious when I start sketching.

Who was your first muse?

I don’t have a muse but when I was in school my younger sister Valeria posed for me for hours while I sketched fashion croquis & I loved making her dresses for parties.

You garments would be the choice garb of a kung fu fighting environmentalist action hero. Have you ever studied martial arts?

No but I have watched a few Kung Fu movies and I love traditional Asian clothing & interior design.

What compels you to use organic cotton & wool, hemp, and ingeo rather some more readily available options?

When I started the collection I wanted to mix natural fabric with high tech fabrics. The more I sourced and researched fabrics, the more I learned about the benefits ecofriendly fabrics have on our environment versus the damages some conventional fabrics do. I couldn’t deny what I had learned and I felt obligated as a person that loves nature to use fabrics that help sustain it. Every season I incorporate more and more sustainable fabrics.

If technology could deliver your dream fabric, what qualities would it have?

It would be amazing for a natural or sustainable fabric to replace spandex. I love structured materials & some natural stretch would be amazing.

Best season to design for?

Fall. I love designing jackets, coats & sweaters.

Ever considered creating a men’s collection?

Yes. I have a waiting list of men that have been asking me to design a men’s collection. I have designed some men’s shirts as uniforms for 2 different restaurants and they looked great. I have a lot of ideas sketched out and was thinking of making a small collection for Fall08.

Organic

Nature Vs. Future

Kim White

Josh Podoll

Loomstate

Edun

Kim White Handbags

How did you come upon a treasure trove of vintage automotive textiles?

Word of mouth. When I was ready to start sourcing fabric, I emailed all my friends asking if they new any interesting places to find vintage fabrics. Luckily, my friend’s boyfriend told me about a warehouse of vintage fabrics in South Central LA that was going out of business. When I got there, I discovered it was an entire warehouse full of vintage car fabrics from the 70s and 80s! I instantly knew this would be my niche—a bag line no one else had done, made from vintage auto fabrics! I was so excited. The auto fabrics jump-started my business (no pun intended). When I first started my bag line, it was all car fabrics.

Were you designing accessories prior to your big discovery?

Yes, as a hobby. I always made bags. When I was a kid, I sold them at street fairs. In college, I sold them to local boutiques. But I never thought of it as a business. It was just a fun hobby. I didn’t even care if I made money. I just loved that someone would actually pay money to buy something I made. It was just plain fun fabric shipping and designing, and I love sewing.

What’s the best part of your job?

Well, that’s gotta be having no boss! Working at home and sleeping in everyday are runner’s up.

What’s the hardest part?

Working all the time, everyday, seven days a week! Working for someone else is easy. Working for yourself is much more challenging because of the hours and the burden of being the one and only one to make things happen.

You are committed to manufacturing your line in the United States. What are some of the challenges of producing your collection domestically? What are some of the benefits?

I personally have no downsides to producing my bag and belt lines in the US. I have had no problems with pricing or production, either. I offer fair prices to my customers, and I’m not sure why boutique designers are running to China. Most boutique designers, if producing overseas, don’t pass on the savings to the customers anyway. I’m not talking about mass marketers (like Gap, etc), I’m talking about boutique designers. An acquaintance of mine, a bag designer, was getting her bags made in Asia for under $20 a bag, and still selling them to stores for almost $200 wholesale. Shocking. But—she’s not in business anymore. I think customers have gotten very savvy about what is truly a value. One of the best things of working with manufacturers in the US is the personal relationships I have with my contractors. Being able to check on production from beginning to end is invaluable. I can catch things before there is a problem.

Do you drive a vintage car?

Well…sort of. I drive a 1995 Ford Ranger truck. I get very emotionally attached to my cars. The last truck I had, I had for over ten years and was heart broken when my dad told me it was time to get a new one. It had lots of problems, but I wanted to fix them so I could keep driving my little baby truck, which I loved. The truck I have now I have had for over ten years. I just paid a fortune to fix it, but I didn’t want to get rid of it. My folks just rolled their eyes. But I’m keeping it. It’s dark red and really cute and I can’t imagine driving anything else.

Remember any special rides your parents piloted back in the day?

My folks have always had at least one Cadillac. And in 1975, Cadillac made their biggest one ever—a deVille. We had a huge cream one. When my brothers and I were teenagers, we took this huge car to the beach filled with our friends. Can you imagine a carload of skinny teenagers in bathing suits driving a huge Cadillac deVille? My older brother did a 360 in it! He almost got in an accident and the thing did a 360! Hahahhah! That thing could’ve taken out a building. My mom was also given the first Honda Civic in the seventies. The super, duper tiny one. It was orange, and my dad gave it to her for Mother’s day with a little green leaf and stem on the top so it looked like a pumpkin! My neighbor had a Pacer, “the first small, wide car.”

What’s next for your ever-growing collection? Outerwear (hint, hint)?

I would love to do some clothing—something simple to start. Clothing is hard (it’s all about the fit). I know clothing will be a huge headache…so I’ll start slow and simple, maybe in a year or two. But handbags will always be my main focus. It’s my passion. Men’s messenger bags are on the list!

WE’RE SO LUCKY!

It finally happened to us, we got into Lucky! magazine. Lucky chose to peg Healdsburg as an “Unexpected Shopping Mecca” and visited us for an in store photo shoot and everything. It was pretty great. We only wished they had picked up our gratuitous plugging of our website as we have ONLINE SHOPPING coming in a matter of days!  Check out both the magazine available at newsstands as well as our website for our NEW SHOPPING PAGE.

ONLINE SHOPPING

That’s right Arboretum is growing up and out! Branching out into unchartered territory; “E-COMMERCE”. Yeah, it sounded really scary to us at first too, but after so many of you requested we get with the times , we figured we’d better listen!  Our shopping page will officially launch on Friday November 14th, so please check back, you may find something you can’t live with out.

Our shopping page will be here on 11/14/08, so for now to purchase just call our “Shopping Hotline”:

707.433.7033 OPEN 24 Hours a day!

Press Center

Ethical Apparel

Wear your heart on your very fashionable sleeve. We’ve sought out independent designers and producers that promote environmentally sound, ethical manufacturing practices.

Our collections offer the following benefits

• Organic fibers / non-toxic dyes
• Local production
• Sweatshop free production
• Support for developing economies
• Reuse of vintage materials

Andrea Barrett

The daughter of a particularly ingenious industrial engineer, Andrea Barrett learned early on how to spot the marks of quality craftsmanship. As a teenager, she was a clotheshorse with a thriftstore budget. “I remember lucking into vintage Chanel blazers, items from Neimans and Saks. I noticed that the best lines were not only gorgeous, but built to last, “ Andrea recalls. “I’ve had some of my favorite pieces for almost twenty years.”

This recognition of quality manufacturing practices blends seamlessly with her respect for the work of people like nature writer Rachel Carson, architect William McDonough and environmental analyst Lester R. Brown, who Andrea regards as visionaries whose words and ideas must be heeded if we are to forge a sustainable path in a world of dwindling resources. “It’s the mass-produced junk that clutters our landfills and robs our future,” says Barrett. “Mindfully-built products can last a lifetime, and through upcycling, several lifetimes.”

As partner to Kate Morison at Arboretum, Andrea is excited about the opportunity to actively participate in moving the fashion industry toward a more ethically-minded future. Chief among the clothing designers who inspire her daily and who pushed the industry, each in their own uniqe way, to greater heights are Helmut Lang, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Miucci Prada and Todd Oldham. “They each blow me away for different reasons,” notes Andrea. “Now I get to directly support new talent like Rogan Gregory (Edun, Loomstate), Larry Olmstead (Entermodal) and ninA vAlenti (Nature vs. Future); people who are taking the industry to the next level.”

Through Arboretum Andrea hopes to share her insight and continue her quest for knowledge while simultaneously promoting the positive aspects of high fashion. “This may sound crazy, but I hope to one day sit down at a table with Helmut Lang and William McDonough and hash out an ethical guideline for the fashion industry.”

Kate Morison

Kate Morison started her career in fashion as a would be designer. After failed attempts to master industrial sewing machines, Kate became more curious about the business side of the industry. She moved to Boston where she soon sensed a void in the specialty boutique market. At that point, people were fleeing from malls, seeking a less overwhelming, more service- oriented shopping experience.

In 2000, Kate combined efforts with two partners and launched a successful boutique in Boston’s charming historic district, Beacon Hill. In 2001 the unsuspecting Kate attended a friend’s wedding on Cape Cod. Little did she know, the bride was scheming to introduce her unattached pal to a grape farmer named Ames.

Kate left her life as an urban dweller and fashion entrepreneur to pursue love in the rural reaches of Northern California. After a period of adjustment, she came to discern that a commitment to superior style, and a commitment to sustainability are not mutually exclusive.

Arboretum was founded in 2006 with the goals of fusing fashion and purpose, and making retail relevant. She has never been happier than she is now, living with her husband winemaker Ames Morison and dog Royale.

PUT ON YOUR VOTING CAPS!

That’s right gang, it’s that time of year again. The much awaited Bohemian Best of the North Bay Awards! This is your chance to get your VOICE HEARD.  If you are like me then you like to give your opinion and you like results. Well, it couldn’t get much easier and it’s very satisfying. In fact it’ s a lot easier than climbing to the top of a mountain and shouting and arguably much more efficient. All you have to do is follow this link to the BoHo on-line ballot and fill it out as best as you can. You don’t have to fill out EVERYTHING, but they won’t even count ballots if they only have one item voted for, so take a minute and think about some of your local favorite stuff and then VOTE for it. It’s fun, you’ll like it. And then maybe what you vote for will win! How great is that? Don’t forget to vote for Arboretum for best women’s clothing store AND best men’s too, OK? Thanks! For some reason we just really want to win and don’t want that other store in Santa Rosa to win the “Best Of” title, because they really aren’t. So, Please vote for us. Me and Kate really appreciate it.

Home

Bring Your Own Bag:
Save a tree and save 20% on an item of your choice.

Featured Product:

Loomstate Sofia Jean for Women

Organic cotton denim, at a nice price of $145. Sick of skinny? The Sofia jean is the flattering bootcut jean you seek, in a wash aptly called Karma. Call to inquire.

Footer: 

Phone: 707-433-7033
Fax: 707-433-7133
332 Healdsburg Ave.  Healdsburg, CA 95448

Hours:

Monday- Saturday 10-6 Sunday 10-5

Fashion meets compassion at Arboretum

Arboretum allows our clientele to find the style they love and the values they champion. We provide fashion-forward offerings in ethical apparel, shoes, and accessories for women and men while at the same time promoting sound environmental and ethical manufacturing processes. Our customers feel positive about the impact their purchases have on both their wardrobes and the Earth. With any endeavor, it is helpful to employ a measuring stick. We are guided by the simple elegance of William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s Hannover Principles.

Kate Morison and Andrea Barrett hail from Sonoma County where a connection with the land is a part of everyday life. From the rugged coastline to the majestic redwoods, we have drawn vast inspiration from our environment. Our inspiration and shared vision lead us to build an Arboretum.

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER CHANCE FOR FASHION!

2008! We have arrived at a New Year and this means great things for Arboretum. We have big plans this year and we are starting right away. We will continue to update all of you as time grows nearer to each event, but as for now we have one not to be missed event: WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR FIRST STORE-WIDE SALE.

That’s right, starting January 10th we will have all sorts of Ethical Apparel on sale up to 70% off.   There will be a champagne pre-sale on Wednesday the 9th starting at 5pm.  Please join us here to get the first crack at the most beautiful clothes in Sonoma County.

With an opportunity like this it’s easy bein’ green and savin’ green.

HOLIDAY HOTLINE IS HERE!

If you love Arboretum and can’t always get here, you’ll be pleased to know that we have set up a Hotline just for you. Give us a call for quick purchasing, personal shopping, unique gift ideas and fast shipping.

We will be available 7 days a week 9:00am - 7:00pm PST. Our voice mail, call waiting and email are all ready to aid you in any last minute shopping needs. So grab you gift list (or wish list) and call us. (707)433.7033 or email

Check out these great items below for gift ideas!

ENTERMODAL - THE ULTIMATE LUXURY ITEM

Entermodal. Truly the most beautiful leather bags ever created. These luxurious bags are the brainchild of Larry Olmstead who is steadfast in his environmental and sustainable practices. Adhering to pre-industrial revolution techniques for the creation of each bag ensures a quality and product longevity long forgotten by most modern, disposable minded companies.  Each bag is designed and constructed to withstand a life time of use. To insure the highest level of quality each bag is HAND CRAFTED at the Entermodal studio in Portland, Oregon.  It takes 2-5 days to make a single bag as every detail uses old world techniques and no machinery. This allows Entermodal to support local industries, reduce transportation impacts, participate in education and promote a dying trade in America. The vegetable tanned leather used is free from formaldehyde and heavy metals. In addition all of the tannins used are sustainably harvested, meaning that trees are not damaged in the process. It doesn’t really get much better than that. Did we mention that these bags are drop dead beautiful too?

For a lot more details on how and why Entermodal is such an amazing company, visit their website.

*******

Available in various colors and sizes. $575. - $1475. each.

TO ORDER call our Holiday Hotline 24 hours a day. 707.433.7033

DIRT candles

Here they are. Some of the finest candles on the market for so many reasons. Let’s just get straight to it, shall we. Who doesn’t like candles? I can’t think of one person. And what’s not to like about DIRT candles? They are made from 100% natural soy wax and use organic ingredients as well as environmentally sound business practices. They come in a recycled/recyclable paper box, encased in a recyclable (of course) glass jar and have an aluminum snuffing lid. The company believes in giving back to our society and that’s why their products are environment-friendly, animal-friendly, and people-friendly. Dedicated to making a difference in the world, DIRT donates a portion of all sales to various causes chosen by their customers and employees! How cool is that?!

*NEVER TESTED ON ANIMALS *SOOT-LESS *CHARITABLE *FULLY BIODEGRADABLE*

here are some of the scents we have in store right now:

• Catch 22


• Slow Poke


• My 2 Scents


• Best Friend

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Available in 10 oz. glass jars. $32 each

TO ORDER call our Holiday Hotline 24 hours a day. 707.433.7033

KIM WHITE - VINTAGE AMERICA

Oh yes, another quality product by LA designer Kim White. These little gems are hand made in LA by Ms. White using surplus upholstery fabric from vintage American automobiles! It’s true, cars made in the states once had style and flair. Just look at some of those patterns and tell me life wouldn’t be just a bit happier if you could hop into a car that looked like that inside. That is unlikely to happen, unless you just scored your grandmas minty 64’ Nova that’s been garaged this whole time. For those of us who don’t have a stylish granny, don’t worry, there is still hope. Simply pick up one of these awesome cosmetic/travel bags of Kim’s and you can have a bit of US automotive history with you all the time. They are about 7” long and 4” high so they tuck into your purse really well. You could use them as a little clutch for evening too as they are the right size for cell phone, keys, ID, money and lip gloss.  And they are made from UPHOLSTERY so they are pretty much bullet-proof. And really cute.

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Available in various colors. $35 each.

TO ORDER call our Holiday Hotline 24 hours a day. 707.433.7033

CB Parfume: “SCENT IS LIFE”

And therefore we introduce CB Perfume, aka, I Hate Perfume. This is a line of unique yet familiar scents whose names alone will make you want to buy them. The creator of these specialty scents is Christopher Brosius, a perfumer who is at heart both a scientists and artist. I think he's been able to combine all of his talents in to one pretty neat little package, and a good smelling one at that. If you like scent, but are turned off by the predictable, trendy perfumes that overwhelm in a crowded restaurant or bar then CB perfume is for you. To quote him directly will give you a good idea of where he's coming from.

"Scent is Life. And so it is. We live because we breathe and with each breath, we smell. This is inevitable. The Sense of Smell is our first and most immediate link to the world around us. It reminds us of what (and who) we love. Smell is perhaps the most complex sense we possess and possibly this is why it is the least understood and most often taken for granted…"

I have been a fan of CB perfume for years and I use them in so many ways. They are great as a perfume (most are gender neutral), they also work splendidly as a mist for your sofa or furniture before guests arrive. Keep one in the bathroom as an air freshener that doesn't smell like a urinal cake. It's also nice to spray some on your hand towels or as a linen spray. The perfumes aren't full of icky alcohol and chemicals so it's safe just about anywhere.

If you're into original, affordable and beautiful things I highly recommend trying any of the CB collection scents. Here is a list of what we are currently stocking at Arboretum:

• Burning Leaves
• Winter 1972
• Violet Empire
• To See a Flower
• Mr. Hulot's Holiday
• Under the Arbor
• In the Summer Kitchen
• Just Breathe
• Cedar-wood Tea

Just give us a call if you want us to ship some to you. They cost $65. You won't regret it. ******* Available in 100 ml. glass spray bottles. $65.00 each TO ORDER call our Holiday Hotline 24 hours a day. 707.433.7033

 

 

 

JOSH PODOLL - Classic Stripes Keep You Warm!

This is one of our favorite pieces in the store. A super soft cashmere sweater by San Francisco designer Josh Podoll. Styled as an “Over-sized Boyfriend Sweater”, this is an instant cozy classic. Slight V-neck and a nice relaxed body looks great with jeans or a mini skirt and boots. Smart stripes become smaller as the sweater gets closer to the hips to create a “decreasing” illusion.

Josh also creates witty graphic shirts of 100% organic cotton and bamboo as well as beautifully tailored items for men and women.

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Available in sizes S-L $220.00

TO ORDER call our Holiday Hotline 24 hours a day. 707.433.7033

MELISSA SHOES!

Fuzzy, comfy, cute, affordable and eco-conscious. It can’t get much better than that, right ladies? Presenting Melissa shoes. While we have many styles available at any given time we have chosen these two festive little numbers just in time for the holidays. Don’t worry, they’re water proof too! How, you ask?

Answer: THEY’RE PLASTIC. If those two words conjure up images of discount shoe stores, think again. Brazilian-made Melissa shoes have been creating fashionable shoes for decades. Remember the original jelly shoes? Same company. Grendha, the parent company to Melissa has always been a socially responsible company that pays it’s employees above-average wages and provides health benefits. In addition to the social commitment, they have a pretty impressive stance on the environmental issues of manufacturing as well. The shoes themselves are made from recycled materials - even last years left overs are melted down to make new styles, and the factory recycles 99.9% of waste and water used in production.

So weather you like them because you’re green minded or fashion minded, you’ll be keeping plastic out of the landfill with Melissa Shoes. And you’ll be making a fashion statement as well.

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Available in wholes sizes 6 thru 10 $56 - $84

TO ORDER call our Holiday Hotline 24 hours a day. 707.433.7033

THANKS MICHELE!

So, I’ve never been on radio before. I usually can talk all day and feel pretty good about it, but when you have that big fuzzy microphone in your face, somehow things change. The words coming out of your mouth are foreign and the sound of your voice is muffled and sounds high pitch like an excited child. It is all sort of like a dream. You are there but not really in control. At least that’s what it felt like for me last night when I sat in on my first LIVE radio show with Pro Michele Anna Jordan on KRCB radio. Granted, Michele has been doing this for some time now, but no doubt she is a natural. We had a full room including Jil Hales from Barndiva and Studio Barndiva/Artists & Farmers, Lukka P. A. Feldman also of Barndiva and Bonnie Z of Dragonfly Farms and Floral.

Michele is the host of Mouthful, a food, wine and lifestyle show that airs live every Sunday from 7pm to 8pm. Most of the discussions that fill her hour long program include winemakers, farmers, food authors, writers, photographers, filmmakers, nutritionists, chefs, restaurateurs and environmentalists, to name a few. Given that, I felt very honored to be invited to a show that veered off her usual path and focused more on local businesses with a keen eye for eco-green-ethical-independent-organic-artistic practices. Michele is a long time advocate of the mantra “Shop Local”. She opened her show with an inspiring story of how demeaning and depressing the whole Box Store shopping experience can be. The idea is to feel happy and fulfilled at the end of your shopping day and that is exactly what local businesses like Arboretum and the ladies at Artists & Farmers can provide. So we teamed up and with the help of our lovely host were able to talk about all the positive aspects of retail that our stores offer.

If you missed the show last night show, fret not. You can get it for free this Wednesday, December 5th on iTunes.  Simply go to your iTunes store, click podcasts and search for “Mouthful”.  Subscribe and the world of Mouthful is yours for FREE!

THANK YOU MICHELE!

For more on Michele Anna Jordan check out this link: http://www.krcb.org/radio/hosts/mouthful.htm Once you are there you will find that she has her fingers in many pots. Michele has written several food books, has 3 columns in the Food & Wine section of the PD and contributes regularly to Savor Magazine.

Ahh the sweet smell of soup and succe$$

Last Saturday’s fete was FUN.

Mr. December rocked the house with their folk stomp ukulele power as a jovial crowd of ethical enthusiasts supped on soup and swilled Dark & Stormies. Amidst the merrymaking eager supporters shuttled in and out of the fitting rooms trying on fall fashions. At times it was hectic, but ultimately rewarding for satisfied customers and for the school kids out at West Side. We are so proud to announce that we exceeded our fundraising goals. It feels great to be able to hand a big ol’ check over to the West Side School Fire Relief Fund. Huge thanks to all who turned out and braved the crowd to shop for a great cause. Special thanks to Ari, Ames, Matt, Andrew, and Jimmie for making the food, drink, and folk happen.

WEST SIDE SCHOOL FUNDRAISER & FALL FASHION FETE!

It’s a party . . . and you all are invited.

Our new Fall fashions are here! Warm sweaters, coats, dresses and shirts for women and men by designers Linda Loudermilk, Rag & Bone, Edun, Covet, Loomstate and others. All lines are very limited production and all are exclusive to Arboretum in the North Bay.

Please join us to view the truly beautiful collection, savor soup and drink Dark & Stormy cocktails at this not-to-be-missed event.

TWENTY PERCENT of sales made during the party will be donated to the WEST SIDE SCHOOL FIRE RELIEF FUND. Let’s get our wonderful school rebuilt!

WHEN:  Saturday, November 3, 5:00 to 8:00 PM

WHERE:  332 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg

WHY: look good. feel good. do good.

Images from the devastating West Side School fire.

What the FUR?!

Is it getting cold out there or is it just me? Well, when the temperatures drop you best not hesitate to grab yourself a new full length Fur Coat! That’s right folks, just “hop” on down to your local Versace or Dior boutique. Or simply go to the Neiman Marcus or Sak’s websites and you’ll find 10 pages of glorious fur coats and accessories for the whole family (what’s cuter than little Sally marching along clad, head to toe, in a pony-fur coat?), all available for convenient home delivery. It’s that easy to purchase the butchered remnants of helpless animals! If you’ve become bored with the same old fur coat number, fret not, there are many more options for you to choose from. Perhaps a fur “head wrap” to keep your temples warm and cozy. Or maybe fox fur cuffs so your wrists don’t get chilly. Or cutest yet, fur trimmed camisole and boy shorts from Hanky Panky. Oh, and just in case you lost your old one, you can get a new mink ponytail holder from Saks in a variety of colors. They are so cute and really practical too. I just don’t know where I’d be with out my fur ponytail holder.

Am I missing something? Seriously, I feel like the world is sliding backwards. I thought it was clear that global temperatures are rising, and fast! And, according to this recent article, big label fashion designers have started to panic about the lack of definitive seasons and how it will affect the fashion industry. Somehow, FUR is still making a huge and I mean HUGE comeback. How did this happen? How did we let it? Why is no one doing anything about it? The list of designers who are using real fur from real animals is so long and it seems that no animal is safe. From rabbit to mink, fox and raccoon, sable and sheerling, goat and chinchilla it’s all here.

We’ve been seeing a sprinkling of fur here and there from gaudy, vapid designers on the runway for years. However, it’s now going mainstream and you can see it everywhere. Recently, the October issue of Elle (with Reese Witherspoon on the cover) caught my attention in a big way. Over 50 pages of ads for fur coats from many well known designers. From couture labels like Lanvin all the way down to working class collections like BCBG and Juicy.  We have to do something. These designers are in a shocking state of denial. It’s astounding that in today’s world a super frivolous product like fur is making a power comeback.

I thought we were making progress. I guess I was wrong. Those able to make contributions to important issues are instead being tempted by a $3,000 goat fur shoulder bag. Goat fur? What? Most shocking of all--it’s working! That’s right ladies and gents, it is in fact the Year of The Furrier. Get your club, head to Alaska. There are baby seals waiting for you.

The brief list of who and what to boycott:

Neiman Marcus

Sak’s

Christian Dior, John Galliano, Versace, Lanvin, Oscar de la Renta, Alexander McQueen, Michael Kors, Gucci, Hermes, Tod’s, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Alexander McQueen, Furla, Derek Lam, Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, Carolina Herrera, Missoni, J. Mendel, Blumarine, Proenza Schouler, Fendi, Etro, Zac Posen, Bottega Veneta, Coach, BCBG/MAXAZRIA, Sobara, Bally, Cole Haan, Rock & Republic, Juicy Couture, Burberry, Rizal Furs, Valentino, Christian Lacroix, St. John, Nina Ricci, Armani Collezioni, Yves Saint Lauren, Chloe, Max Mara, Akris, Andrew Marc, Badgley Mischka, Theory, Giorgio Armani, Montcler, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin.

This is the short list of designers currently using fur in their collections. There are also a number of celebrities who seem to have misplaced their morlas too. These are a few:

Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Lil Momma, Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Lopez, Adrien Brody, Kiera Knightly, Ashanti, Britney Spears, Busta Rhymes, Debra Messing, Elizabeth Hurley, Eva Longoria, Gwen Stefani, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Connely, Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, Madonna, Sean “P Diddy” Combs.

This too is an abbreviated list of celebs who love fur. To see them in all their fuzzy glory, check out the FICA website.

FASHIONABLE CASH!

It’s that time of year again. Yes, Vegas. Kate and I had the honor of attending the zoo that is the Las Vegas fashion-trade shows, 3 of them. Fortunately at the Pool trade show this year they had a nice little “eco” designers section, aptly named s(eco)nd.  While we were there, we came across this awesome line of wallets. They are hip, but not too hip. Different enough to make people notice, but not contrived. After about one minute of deliberation we decided to bring these in just in time for the Holiday season. They really would make a great gift for pretty much anyone who uses cash. We’ll have them in store by mid-October, so start your lists now.

db clay, a Portland Oregon based business (another bonus point) has patented a special environmentally safe, leather free material. The company’s founder/designer Garrett Stenson has named this new material “Tope”. Tope is a synthetic fabric similar (IN TEXTURE) to vinyl. I know that’s a scary word , but don’t be frightened my friends.  Tope does not contain the hazardous chemicals found in vinyl based products. In particular, Tope contains NO PVC, Tope is non-toxic, Tope is chlorine chemicals free and Tope is fabricated through a pollutant free process. They have a highly technical printing process, whereby they can print high resolution photographic images using environmentally friendly inks. The icing on the cake, Tope is Vegan and animal cruelty free!!!

So, while I did lose a diamond from my wedding ring in Las Vegas, at least we came away with this diamond in the rough!

Late Breaking News

Visit winecountry.com to read a glowing review of our humble establishment by discerning wine journalist Cortney Cochran. Seems that Courtney not only knows her potent potables, but has the scoop on fashion as well. Check out her other musings on the Hip Tastes blog. She brings a fresh, occasionally irreverent, perspective to the wine industry. Go Courtney!

MINDFUL IN PORTLAND

This photo in no way relates to this post. It’s just a cool shot of a giant Stegasaur in Palm Springs.

Back in mid-July I had the fortunate experience of meeting a truly enlightened young lady while I was working at the shop. She was altogether beautiful, stylish, so sweet, well spoken and well versed in the world of eco-chic/Ethical Apparel. Ms. Alison Melville, the fine gal who I speak of here, knew our collections well and was a wonderful model for everything she tried on. She made it out of the store with a pair of Edun jeans and a super cute T-shirt by Art In The Age Of Mechanical Reproduction. Bound for home in Portland to begin work on an Idie movie, she felt proud of her practical purchases. Alison will be designing the clothes for the film and will focus entirely on reclaimed and re-used fabrics that she will re-work into current, one-of-a-kind fashion pieces! (I hope I got that right, Alison) Anyhow, in addition to being busy pursuing a career as a sustainable fashion designer, she also has a great blog in which she remarks on her shopping experience at Arboretum. You can check it out here. Just scroll down to the July 13th entry and you will find a thorough report on what she found and loved while shopping with us. So this post goes out to YOU Alison. . . thanks for such an awesome plug on your blog.

BAG THIS!

Howdy world,

So, I’ve been a little out of touch with new posts as of late. Thank you Kate for keeping our Blog alive. I have no real excuses other than we’ve been busy having a big busy summer at our new store! However, I will assure you that I am always researching new lines and finding all sorts of goodies to bring into the store. (PS: Fall is here and it’s looking REAL nice. . .) During some recent reading on the green fashion and lifestyle site Ideal Bite, I came across this handy fashion tip. Check it out here. I think you’ll find their recommendations quite irresistible. Lucky for you Arboretum is currently stocking 3 of their 5 top picks, YEAH ARBORETUM!!!

Kim White is ever fabulous and always coming up with new killer vintage fashion combinations for her reversible fabric bags. They are made of never used vintage American car upholstery which makes them perfect for a ladies handbag. If you are at all like me then you know how important a durable bag is.

Entermodal is pure magic. These ultra luxe leather bags for men and women are really a work of art. You have to see them to believe them and you can see them in person at our store. How great is that? You’ll go bananas for the Spring/Summer 08’ collection that I got a sneak peak of, but don’t wait until then. One look at these bags and you will positively melt.

Stewart + Brown. This is simply a great line all around. They make these perfectly sweet organic cotton totes. How sweet can a cotton tote bag be you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. It has an image of a fawn laying in a meadow. That’s how sweet. They put the “aw” in fawn. Okay, that was a bit of a stretch, but it’s seriously cute, believe me. Also, they make really soft cashmere and cotton clothes that you will never want to take off.

So, that’s it from me. Don’t be sad though, I’ll be back. But let us know what you think and come on by the store, we’ve been missing you lately.

Vanessa Barrantes will make you sweet n’ sassy….

Simply slip into one of these super charming frocks by our favorite new Peruvian designer. Vanessa founded her company with the goal of creating jobs in her native country. She uses all natural fibers including bamboo to create her vintage inspired collection.

We are excited to bring Sumaq by Vanessa Barrantes to Arboretum..... Dangerously cute, wear at your own risk.

Facinating Article……

Found in the Green Living section of the Press Democrat. Click here to read the latest notewortly musings by Heather Irwin. She really has her finger on the pulse.....

Gen Art Darlings at Arboretum

We are pleased to report that Draugsvold is in the house! After a sold
out show, we had to bring back this fabulous duo for an encore.

Qu’est-ce que c’est?

Draugsvold: sounds like a mythical moat- guarding creature but do not
be misled. This inspired jewelry collection evokes elegance and
charm. Throw on a bold necklace fashioned of vintage brass chain, rare
stones, and found objects and you will turn heads. Stop by and check
it out: rrrrrrrrrr!

The Store!

We’re very excited to have finally thrown the doors wide open. We worked like mad with Earthtone Construction (http://www.mindfulbuilding.com) to transform a space that was literally no more than two brick walls and a dirt floor when we started into our first location. Every step of the way, from paint, flooring and lighting to retail racks and furnishings, we strived to choose materials and finishes with the lowest-possible environmental impact.

You can see the results for yourself!

CLICK HERE to check out some of the lines we carry! 

Cute Commute

Lousy picture of an adorable bike. This racy little number will be my transport from Geyserville to Healdsburg when weather permits. While I truly love my Grand Tour circa 1982 ( thanks Salvation Army) I think this Bianchi will be a bit more serviceable for my 16 mile round-trip daily trek. I am happily liberated from my car! Hello health benefits, economic benefits, and of course environmental benefits. My quality of life is sure to skyrocket, provided I don’t get clipped by a road hogging truck. Share the road peoples!

I am gearing up for a car free week. Maybe next month, I’ll keep you posted…

Trees Celebrated …. Somewhat Excessively

Many congregated at our store Saturday evening to honor eco chic’s debut.  All enjoyed an atmosphere of unbridled bonhomie, thanks in large part to our signature cocktail the Verdant Virtue. For those who have requested, here is a recipe for the potent grog:

• 3 leaves mint


• 3 leaves basil


• 1 oz simple syrup


• 1/2 juiced lime


• 1 oz kaffir lime vodka


• 1 oz Chartreuse

Shake above ingredients aggressively then strain into tall glass with rocks. Top with Champagne, garnish with a rosemary sprig and feel like a woodland sprite in no time.

We are happy to report that the trees planted as a result of our party will help us offset Arboretum’s carbon impact for the next 8 years of business. To find out about offsetting your carbon impact by donating trees, visit americanforests.org.

 

snip, snip, HOOORAY

We enjoyed warm welcomes from the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce at our ribbon cutting ceremony. They let us use the flashy giant scissors. Psst- they are actually plastic, don’t tell anyone.

You are cordially invited to drop by our Arbor Day Opening Party on Saturday the 28th from 4-7. We will be serving our signature cocktail the Verdant Virtue.... Virtue or Vice, you decide!

Ethical Apparel

Where fashion meets compassion.

Arboretum weds the politics and practicality of mindful manufacturing with the edge and allure of high fashion. Our goal is to provide clothes that make a big impression while leaving a small footprint.

Now you can look good, feel good and do good.

We carry a number of incredible lines that reflect our goals and mission, including:

Edun

Rag & Bone

Nili Lotan

Loomstate: 100% Organic Cotton

Stewart + Brown: Organic Pioneers

Organic by John Patrick

Linda Loudermilk: Change is Inevitable

Covet: Hand Crafted Redemption

Form & Fauna Shoes: Conscious Fashion

Viridis Luxe: Clothing with a Conscious

Undesigned by Carol Young

Nature vs. Future by ninA vAlenti

Prarie Underground

Helena de Natalio Handbags 

Entermodal

Beyond Skin Shoes

Bahar Shapar

Josh Podoll

Matt & Nat

Loyale

Kim White Handbags

Jutta Neumann

Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

& many more!

WE DID IT!

Yes, it’s true. We opened for business on Saturday, and had a lot of fun. Everyone has responded with such positvity and praise, we couldn’t be more thrilled. Please come by and visit us, we love visitors. Come to Arboretum, where fashion meets compassion and ethical apparel abounds. See you at the Grand Opening party on the 28th!

NEW FACE OF ARBORETUM

With less that one week to go until opening day, the awning finally comes down allowing our building to breath once again. Revealing her true colors allows her amazing curves to command full attention of all who pass by. Just look at that photo! A little touch up paint and she’ll be right as rain. Next come our merchandise racks and display windows. AND THEN. . . voila! OPEN FOR BUSINESS

See you there.

Scenic Downtown LA

We have just returned from a productive mission scouting fall fashion. The Designers and Agents show in Los Angeles had plenty of apparel to offer, ethical and otherwise. Some highlights were the collections from Sameunderneath and Stewart + Brown.  We also found an adorable vintage daywear line for kids.  So much to look forward to!

Hey there Bohemian Readers….

So glad you found our site. We will be open soon, just one block north of the Plaza in Healdsburg. Mention our ad in the Bohemian’s Best of the North Bay and we will not only applaud your keen interest in current events, but offer you 10% off any item as well. Check us out this April!

Love Parties? Love Trees?
Drop us an email at:

or

to request an invitation to our fabulous Arbor Day Opening Party.

We have fitting rooms! (almost…)

Pictured here, my brother Matt changes from his stylish office attire to more of a grungy work wear look. We have been elbow deep in Aura paint for the past three days, and the results are splendid. Andi and I would like to send a special thanks to Matt and Ames for their valiant  painting efforts, to Arty for installing the Marmoleum in our back room, and especially to Andi’s Daddy Dave for his engineering expertise and troubleshooting. Apparently it takes a village to build an Arboretum. We thank all of our team for their support. Sustainable style is coming to Healdsburg...soon!

Ewe love it…

Spring is in the air! Andi and I took a field trip from our fledgling shop to appreciate another important new arrival. These adorable lambs were born out at Bell Mountain. They frolic, bleat, cavort, cuddle and melt your heart. But they do more than look cute; as they grow and feed they will clear grasses and weeds between the vine rows helping to eliminate the use of pesticides. Just one more effort on our part to help plants, animals and people thrive in a healthy, symbiotic environment.

WE LOVE LAMBS!

Build Out: WEEK ONE

Things are moving right along at our space. A little hiccup here or there, but Kate and I are very excited and impressed by the progress thus far. Our contractors from Earthtone Construction have organized a great team who make us feel welcomed at the site everyday. Usually construction can be so noisy and intimidating that one wants to stay as far away as possible until everything is complete. Well, it is still noisy, but the attitudes of everyone on all the different projects has been so positive that it makes it enjoyable to check in on the daily changes. At this point we have walls framed for fitting rooms, office and restroom. What’s even more exciting is that we have electricity and by next week we might even have heat! Here is a shot of our walls being built:

Build Out: DAY 1

So, instead of honoring our current president by taking the day off, we decided to break ground at the new Arboretum site. We have a great team that will work super hard to get us open by April. No small task when you look at the current condition of what will soon be a haven for positive thoughts and beautiful clothes. Kate and I have chosen to rehabilitate one of the oldest standing buildings in Healdsburg. Built in the late 1890’s this space has had many different identities. We are determined to give this old building the prettiest and greenest remodel it so desperately deserves.

Here’s a look at where we’re at so far:

Just you wait. . .

Vegas Buying Trip: Fun but Exhausting!

Just returned from Project Las Vegas, where we walked and walked to find only the best and most ethical fashion-forward lines for both men and women. There were a total of three different fashion trade shows happening in Vegas, and Project proved to have the best selection. The Sands convention center is enormous and the Project show was laid out like a map of NY city, complete with a grid system including Bleeker St., Broadway, all the numbered avenues and streets, and little indoor taxis to drive you from one side of the hall to the next (not that these were ever available). Like everything else in Vegas, the Sands is massive, and by the end of the day we were more than happy to get off our feet.

Holding true to our mission, we turned a blind eye to any line that does not meet our standards.  There is a lot of great looking fashion out there, but you can count on Arboretum to bring you the finest in ethical fashion so you can feel good while looking good! Deliveries will be landing in store as soon as April, so mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss what’s coming!

Kate and I were so impressed with the collections we found we thought we’d share just a few of them with you. Some of the lines we found that we’re really excited to bring in include:  Covet, NatureVsFuture, SameUnderneath, Edun, and Matt and Nat--an awesome collection of animal free handbags! Don’t worry, there’s more where that came from; including shoes, select kids wear and accessories.

Stay tuned for updates on our GREEN BUILD-OUT and opening party!

Arboretum Opening First Store in April!

We’re excited! In only two months, we’ll be launching our flagship store in Healdsburg, California. The center of California’s wine country, we think that Healdsburg, with its century-old organic agricultural traditions, is the perfect place to found our vision of a sustainable fashion world.

Stay tuned for more information!

Contact

Please visit us at our flag ship store located at:

332 Healdsburg Avenue

Healdsburg, CA.  95448

- or -

You can reach us via telephone at 707-433-7033

Our Mission

Arboretum allows our clientele to find the style they love and the values they champion. We provide fashion-forward offerings in ethical apparel, shoes, and accessories, in the process promoting sound environmental and ethical manufacturing processes. Our customers feel positive about the impact their purchases have on both their wardrobes and the Earth.With any endeavor, it is helpful to employ a measuring stick. We are guided by the simple elegance of William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s Hannover Principles.

About Us

Kate Morison and Andrea Barrett hail from Sonoma County where a connection with the land is a part of everyday life. From the rugged coastline to the majestic redwoods, we have drawn vast inspiration from our environment. Our inspiration and shared vision lead us to build an Arboretum.

Andrea’s Bio:

With over 15 years of industry experience, fashionista Andrea Barrett finds herself happily settled in Healdsburg, California where she strives to make a sustainable living with her ever-supportive husband Tod Brilliant and fine feline companion Elvis “Nelbert” Barrett.

Kate’s Bio:

Kate Morison left her life as an urban dweller and fashion entrepreneur to pursue love in the rural reaches of Northern California. She believes strongly that a commitment to superior style and a commitment to sustainability are not mutually exclusive. She has never been happier than she is now, living with husband Ames and dog Royale.