A bit of couture here at home
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Nasrin Ansari, a local couture designer, is having a
pre-spring/summer sale on European designer fabrics, with prices
reduced 40% to 75%, through March 10. Ansari buys the same couture
fabrics that Christian Lacroix, Christian Dior, Valentino and Ungaro
use in their collections. Designers shop for fabrics here, and Ansari
designs custom evening, daytime and bridal apparel. Attention to
detail is her specialty. Ansari uses three to four layers of silk
chiffon for lining, and she does beading, embroidery and applique
work. Regular clients want specialty apparel that they can’t find
anywhere else, and some have copies of designs made. Open from 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday; and by appointment on Sunday. 3363 Via Lido, Newport Beach.
(949) 675-6614.
BEYOND A BASIC BATH
Luxury bathrooms designs are Waterworks’ specialty. Since 1978,
the Connecticut-based company has offered a whole range of classic
and modern designs of furniture, textiles, lighting, plumbing, tile
and stone. The store is a great resource for design ideas, and stocks
the best in bathroom accessories: towels, soaps, scales, mirrors,
apothecary items, and kitchen and bar fixtures. Open from 9 a.m. to 6
p.m. Monday through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and from
noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. 984 Avocado Ave. Corona del Mar Plaza. (949)
717-6525. www.waterworks.com.
SHOE GURU BRANCHES OUT
In 1914, Salvatore Ferragamo opened a shop in Hollywood designing
shoes for movie stars. In 1927, he returned to Italy, settling in
Florence, where he perfected his shoes and soon became recognized
throughout Europe. Today, family-owned Ferragamo is still known for
quality, craftsmanship and style, and it now offers head-to-toe
fashions. People of all ages shop for shoes, handbags, ready-to-wear
for men and women, and leather goods here. The new athletic shoe
line, Freedom, is especially hot. Ferragamo customers can build
wardrobes from every collection. Each season, a print on a silk scarf
is also available on twin sets, and even a Ms. Teddy Bear -- handbags
and shoes coordinate, as well. A Mr. Teddy Bear is always done in
men’s silk tie prints. Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through
Friday; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6:30
p.m. Sunday. Level Two, at South Coast Plaza. (714) 979-7654.
A ROOMFUL OF CHOICES
Italiano Home Store specializes in regional handmade objects and
exclusive furniture vendors from Italy. Ceramic pieces, papier-mache
clocks, stone pieces, Murano glass clocks, Venetian glass wine tops,
Plexiglas trays with compressed leaves, spices and candy are some of
their items. Select discontinued floor pieces are at reduced prices.
Simple and traditionally designed sofas, sectionals, iron beds,
dining tables and more. Open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through
Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. (949) 640-2458.
A MASTERY OF CLOTHING OPTIONS
Romano’s is a master tailor, tuxedo sales and rental, and fine
apparel shop for men and women. Owner Romano Palma carries mostly
Italian designers. For men, there are Roam jeans, Bruno Magli shoes,
suits and sportswear from Zanella, Stefano Peruzzi, Jhane Barnes,
BOSS Hugo Boss, Aurelio Mattucci and Collezioni L’uomo. For women,
there is La Perla, Cerruti 1881, Zanella and Fendi and Nicole Miller
shoes. Prices on select designer men’s suits are reduced 50%. 928
Avocado Ave. Corona del Mar Plaza. (949) 640-9900.
A FINE FIT FOR THE FEET
New Balance Newport Beach is Orange County’s only New Balance
store. New Balance shoes come in hard-to-fit sizes, from narrow to
extra wide. Committed to cutting-edge technology, not expensive
celebrity endorsements, New Balance spends a substantial amount of
its budget on cushioning research and development. It’s also known
for its Procare line of shoes, for clinical foot problems.
Professional fittings are another specialty here. A Brannick device
is used for measuring feet accurately.
“Eighty percent of people are not wearing the right size shoe,”
manager Hal Hollister said. “When you leave the store, we want you to
have the right fit.”
There’s a great return policy: Problems shoes can be returned
within 30 days. Sports shoes for men, women and children and a line
of hiking boots and clogs from a 100-year-old company from Vermont
are now available. Sports apparel, too. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday through Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 932
Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. (949) 720-1602. [email protected].
* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to
Greer Wylder at [email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa,
CA 92627; or by fax at (949) 646-4170.
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