BOUTIQUE CULTIVATES DESIGNER’S VISION
The Barlow, Sebastopol’s newest shopping and dining project, is warehouse upon warehouse of sophisticated eateries, galleries and breweries. Located on the edge of this industrial grid, Tamarind boutique offers its own interpretation of urban chic. Owner Andrea Kenner, an ex-New Yorker, fills the bright, welcoming space with clothes and accessories by local and internationally acclaimed designers. Dresses by Oakland’s “It” name Ali Golden are lined up next to Parisian Antik Batik’s bags and Brooklyn’s Ace&Jig’s embroidered tops. The common thread is a relaxed aesthetic and high-quality materials. Among the Barlow’s cultural and gastronomical attractions, Tamarind provides a curated, on-point designer experience, and a much needed style destination.
Q: What moved you to open a boutique? A: After 10 years of working in the fashion industry as a lingerie designer and product developer for private-label customers, I wanted to slow down and focus on thoughtful fashion. A boutique is the platform that allows me to curate small designers, collaborate on design and to work on a small collection for the store. Q: How did you choose Sonoma County and the Barlow? A: Growing up in Sonoma County, I was thrilled to find a space and community to reconnect to. After living in New York for 10 years, I felt inspired by the potential in the spaces of the Barlow. The building has 30-foot ceilings and was a blank canvas of concrete and metal. Q: Is there a Sonoma County style “type”? A: Sonoma County has a very relaxed style — most people wear jeans and a T-shirt. I like to focus on Wine Country chic, which is primarily fashion basics that are effortless to style and travel well. Q: How do you choose the designers and brands you carry? A: I usually look for smaller brands. I love bringing in designers who have interesting stories behind their design and production process. The draw for me begins with the textiles and hand feel of each collection, and I like to mix up the boutique’s assortment between local artists and designers from all over the world. It makes a very interesting aesthetic. Q: You recently had a men’s clothes pop-up. Are there more to come? A: Yes! I was really pleased with the feedback we got from local men on the fit and the styles. I plan on growing the men’s division, focusing on two lines and also bringing in some grooming products. Q: Who is the Tamarind customer? A: The Tamarind customer, for the most part, is a mother and daughter, ages 30 to 80s, who is interested in fashion, design, art and culture, and who loves travel and discovering new things. She is open-minded, thoughtful and consumer conscious and enjoys products that are high quality and beautifully designed. Q: Your mom and husband are very involved with Tamarind. How important is family support? A: Family is everything to me. I love that my family wants to be involved and has strong opinions, it’s nice to have another
perspective on fashion and style especially from my husband and mother, as they represent an important connection to our customers. Q: What is the inspiration behind the store’s look and feel? A: I wanted to create an environment
that felt warm and welcoming to offset the coolness of the Barlow’s concrete and corrugated metal. I used a lot of recycled wood and natural fibers in our interior design. I also knew the clothing and product was so special, I had to create fixtures that represented the uniqueness of the designs.