shop local Archives - LAFashionsnob.com

Local Nomad- Phoenix, AZ

Jan 16 2017

Local Nomad, shop local, Phoenix AZ

Local Nomad, Uptown Plaza, Phoenix AZ

Local Nomad is tucked away amongst a small plethora of shops in Phoenix’s Uptown Plaza. It recently opened late last year, and was founded by Lauren Danuser. Lauren had dreamt of one day owning her own boutique that offered a variety of unique, handmade goods from all over the world. It wasn’t until 2015, while on a European vacation with her husband, that she really gained her true inspiration while perusing local small boutiques in Paris, Copenhagen, and Berlin.

Local Nomad Shop, Uptown Plaza, Phoenix AZ

After leaving her job in corporate retail, Lauren decided to take the plunge and make her dream into a reality. How she came up with the name- Local Nomad, was also clever…”The name Local Nomad came to me in the shower one day – I tend to come up with most of my creative ideas in the shower! The name is an oxymoron but it stuck because it aligned perfectly with my concept – locally made goods from different cities around the world. There are so many talented makers and it’s been so amazing connected with these people and supporting fellow entrepreneurs through the process, ” Danuser explained.

If you look closely at the cash wrap’s design, you can make out the outline of what I think is Camelback Mountain…but that’s just what I personally see. I also think that the mirrors also mimic a mountain shape, which is totally appropriate; seeing as we live in a mountainous state.

Local Nomad, Uptown Plaza, Phoenix AZ

When the shop opened, I knew I had to check it out. The exterior and interior have a modern, yet raw edginess, in terms of decor. “I worked with my architects on the design and we decided to go with birch plywood for the storefront and fixtures which gives the store a warm, inviting feel. We also decided to include geometric elements in the shop – in the fixtures/shelves, ceiling design and cash wrap. The cash wrap was really fun to conjure up. I had a vision of having little cacti sitting in shelves within the cash wrap and voila!” Lauren was referring to her architects- Mihir Bavishi and Oscar Lopez .

Local Nomad Shop, Uptown Plaza, Phoenix AZ

The shop specializes in products for unique gifting, as well as apparel and accessories for men, women, and children. “Some of my favorite brands we carry are Gopi Shah Ceramics– handmade in San Francisco, Compartes Chocolate from Los Angeles, Ali Golden– an indie clothing line out of Oakland CA, and Wary Meyers candles which are handmade by a husband and wife team in Maine,” Lauren said.

Local Nomad Shop, Uptown Plaza, Phoenix AZ

Shop Location: 100 E Camelback Rd #168, Phoenix, AZ 85012

Shop Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 10-7

Friday & Saturday: 10-8

Sunday: 11-6

Follow Local Nomad:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

KisaKisa Clutches Create Buzz Among Houston’s Fashionable Set

Oct 03 2016

Kisa Williams’ round clutches have the fashionable crowd in Houston buzzing. Williams launched her brand- KisaKisa in 2015 and creates round statement clutches in a variety of prints and colors. She has an intense passion for what she does, and pours her heart into her work. Every clutch is handmade in Houston. I very recently commissioned her to do a custom piece for me, inspired by cactus, the desert, and the Southwest. I just received my bag and OHMIGOODNESS…. she NAILED it! I just can’t sing enough praise for her talent and an eye for something DIFFERENT!

Below are photos of the handbag in the desert. I thought it was only fitting, as desert and cacti/Southwest go hand-in-hand…

KisaKisa Cactus Clutch, made in Houston, Southwest print, desert, mountains

LAFashionsnob: Tell me a little about yourself…

Kisa: I’m from Austin, Texas. I moved to Houston in 2001 when I transferred with my job, Houston Board of Realtors. I can remember sitting on my mom’s bed in my PJs, watching her get dressed. It was like an art form. She had pride in the way she looked. Everything was perfect, from her hose, to her lipstick that matched her handbag and shoes. I can remember her having so much jewelry; and she would allow me to try it on and play dress up. That is where my love of accessories was born. Since I was a sick child, she made sure I had other activities to do besides going outside to play. So she drowned me in markers, colored paper, glue, and glitter; and I had the big pack crayons with the sharpener on the side. I can remember I had a Scooby Doo coloring book. I felt so sad for them [the characters] because they were in the same outfits all the time. So I colored Velma Dinkley’s outfit different, I made her turtleneck purple with small pink and yellow flowers. Her A-line skirt was boring, so I colored it black and white polka dots. Her socks matched the yellow flowers in her sweater. I also gave her gold glitter shoes.

I decided to go back to school late in my life, my 40’s. I have had many other jobs: real estate, nanny, clerical, and I was even a foster mom for awhile. I felt like I had a creative side, but just didn’t know how to express it. HCC [Houston Community College] showed me how to tap into my creative side and do something spectacular. I owe everything to them. The professors not only teach you, but they mentor you as well. I’m not a number, I’m KISA. I can remember sitting across the table from my professor at Chili’s on 59, and pulling out my badly made sample handbag to show her. She was like, ‘OMG I love it!’ She advised me on the size of the bag and other minor changes that I made.

LAFashionsnob: Speaking of handbags, what inspired you to start making the clutches?

Kisa: I have always been a handbag girl. I would often be asked, “Where did you get that bag?” The first chance I got, I took a handbag class with Professor Ken Simmons at HCC, and that is where it all started. I took a very simple concept and made it my own. I owe a lot to Simmons. I’m going to name a bag after him.

LAFashionsnob: Why are the clutches in the shape that they are?

Kisa: I did know at first why I was drawn to the circle, but while having lunch with a close friend- Sarah Shah, she pointed out to me that the circle is the shape of a sickle cell. I was born with Sickle Cell Anemia, the disease causes my red blood cells to be in the shape of a sickle. When the bag is open, it is the shape of a normal blood cell. There is no cure for the disease… YET. I hope to being awareness and raise money with a signature red bag.

LAFashionsnob: What makes your handbags unique?

Kisa: My bags are unique because they are circles, and made out of fabric, not leather. I was so tired of seeing square and rectangular shaped bags. I wanted to do something different. I mix colors and fabrics in a unique way, something different than black and brown.

LAFashionsnob: Where can we find your handbags?

Kisa: www.kisakisafashion.com, @kisakisafashion, Pinterest, and Mio Boutique on Westheimer in Houston.

KisaKisa clutch, fashion, style, Houston made clutch

Unique Los Angeles/Urban Outfitters Mini-Market

Sep 05 2009

It was an exceptionally beautiful, yet hot day in Hollywood when Sonja Rasula had her first Unique Los Angeles + Urban Outfitters Mini-Market held on the Space 15 Twenty parking lot; which was also sharing the space with the Hollywood Farmers Market.
The event showcased 60 local designers, including some familiar ones from the Unique Los Angeles Shows. My friend, Liz Abbott of Leatherette Heart was showing her line, including her famous MJ Mugshot tees…Liz was wearing the logo on a dress….I’m hoping she will start manufacturing the MJ dresses soon, because I want to snatch one up. Leatheretteheart is on Etsy.com and facebook!
Julia LoVan was also there, selling her dresses, tees and totes. She had recently showed her collection at Project Ethos: Lift Off…(unfortunately, I was out of town for the event) and had an album with the dresses, which are one-of-a-kind and made from recycled clothing. You can contact her at: julialovandresses@gmail.com or shop her wares at Etsy.com.
Julia introduced me to the designers of the jewelry line, Avery Jasper, Aurelie Davis and Jill Green. They offered jewelry made from bullet casings and one necklace I was particularly fond of is the Key Necklace… A long necklace with a vintage key at the end….this should be staple to very Angelena’s wardrobe. My other favs were the necklaces with the religious pendents. Check them out at www.averyjasper.com.
The other familiar brands that were there: Rojas, SeaPony, myfriendroze, Elisa Gonsalves, Voz Clothing & Art and others. The above brands contact information can be found at the previous Unique Los Angeles posts.

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