Azalea Boutique

This is such a gorgeous leather jacket from Doma ($627) – check out the bluish/black dye – very subtle. The washed leather is super soft and stretchy so it fits snug without restricting arm movement. Did I mention that all our leather jackets are currently 15% OFF?

Clothing industry is full of passionate, creative, amazing people and their ideas. As customers, we get to enjoy the products, get to express ourselves and our style through the pieces they created. Like many things, sometimes I ponder on how do these ideas come to be realized. How is this jacket I am wearing constructed, produced, where is its origins? I always appreciate it when the people behind these creations care to educate us on such information.

“…To make historically correct garments it’s important to understand the machinery on which the originals are made. Some of this machinery is over 85 years old.” – From the Garbstore.

Garbstore is a men’s line launched in 2007 by Ian Paley from London, former founder and designer of One True Saxon, Senior Designer Paul Smith Jeans, Designer Thomas Burberry & Levis Strauss. His mission: Quality.

Garbstore website has a beautiful documentation feature on their factory in Guangdong, read this great article here. A lot of designers in quest of quality usually resist the idea of manufacturing in China, but Garbstore actually is deeply proud of it.  ”Garbstore isn’t about making in a particular place or in a particular country, we manufacture in the best possible environment for the products we aspire to make.”

garb| clothing or dress, esp. of a distinctive or special kind.  store| a place where things are kept for future use or sale.

Some of the things we got at the store:

They are totally sold out everywhere, but, we still have them! Don’t pass this up – these are super colors for Spring. Get them ONLINE.

More from Mason Spring 2010:

Remind me why I choose to live on the West Coast? It’s been raining. It’s been windy. But not today! Sun sun and more sun! Time to whip out those oversized sunglasses, blouses, sandals, and knickers. Featuring Tom Ford Sunglasses, Acne, Rogan, Eryn Brinie, Echo Scarves, Grace Hats, and to-die-for Surface to Air shoes.

Photo location: outside the store on the sidewalk. Models: Steph and Nina, Photog: Kahley.

We blew out last time we got these, but they are now back in stock! Available at the store. Get a couple. They are cheap. (and nicely made).

Vintage washed italian lambskin ($525) – YUMMY! Olivia Harris by Joy Gryson bags now available at the store!

“In 1991, Co-owner and Creative Director Inder Bedi was challenged by a mahatma to go vegetarian for thirty days. It was during this time that Inder devised the business plan for an eco/vegan fashion house. First written as a university project in 1995 and eventually launched as MATT & NAT. 21 water bottle initiative has further stepped up our commitment to social responsibility and to the environment; all linings are made from recycled plastic water bottles. A message inside of each bag will let you know exactly how many bottles were recycled to produce your accessory.” – www.mattandnat.com.

Check out some of the bags we have at the store – I love the guys’s black travel bag, its really modern, functional, and the leather is so supple ($285 – its a really good price for what it is):

Here is the “Tundra” style for women $225, the zipper details are fantastic!