Finally realizing their Textile Dreams

Barbara Diamond

Julie and Martin Venzal had a dream and now it is open for business

at 450 Ocean Ave.

Textile Dreams features her clothing designs made with his

hand-dyed and hand-made fabrics.

“We began by participating in the Craft Guild,” said Martin

Venzal, who also serves the customers. “Then we sold to stores like

Ivory Moon and Thee Foxes Trot. We did the Sawdust on-and-off for a

few years.”

After 13 years in Laguna Beach, the couple finally opened their

own store July 31. It is tucked between Anastasia’s and D.N. Evans,

where Garden Gate used to be.

Venzal describes the clothing as contemporary wearable art with a

historical touch. Many of the pieces are made from damask tablecloths

and napkins from the late 1800s to 1930. Dying, designing and sewing

is done in Laguna Beach.

The Spanish Consulate in Los Angeles picked the Venzals to make a

jacket as wedding present for the future queen of Spain, Princess

Letizia.

Catherine Zeta Jones is a customer. Councilwoman Toni Iseman wore

a Venzal jacket and scarf to the Festival of Arts Benefit Gala

Sunday. Thurston Middle School teacher Gay Pivaroff bought a little

black jacket made from nylon screening material.

Some of the Venzals’ jackets get their style from the melting

colors of the dyed damask or lace overlaid with ribbon. Others are

quilted with a variety of fabrics.

Heavenly soft, woven, scarves of hand-dyed Italian yarn can be

draped at the neck or stretched over the head as a hood or lowered to

the shoulders as a shrug. They sell for a most reasonable $22.

Three piece outfits start at about $250. Pieces can be purchased

separately. Pants outfits range in price from $225 to $275. Want a

particular color? Just ask.

“We have had some of our things compared to Shubui, but ours cost

less,” Venzal said.

He said he has sold his ombre-dyed, open-weave, ribbon scarves to

Macy’s, Nordstrom’s and Chicos. Besides hanging around your neck they

would make interesting table runners or airy valances.

Textile Dreams is the exclusive Southern California seller of

Deborah Einbender’s molded leather bags, all signed.

The Venzals’ clothes have been featured in “Fiber Art” and “Niche”

magazines. She also creates wall hangings.

They met as adults working in Los Angeles, although both are from

the same town of Bilbao in the Basque area of Spain.

“Julie was tailoring for Susana of Beverly Hills and I was working

in the Craft and Folk Art Museum,” he said.

The American Craft Council recognized their work in 1997. The Mill

Valley Fall Festival voted their work as the outstanding

accomplishment with fabrics, and the Showcase of Fine Arts in

Bellevue, Wash., presented them with an Award of Merit in 1997.

“Our greatest award is when we see our customers wearing our work

and enjoying it through the years,” Venzal said.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; other hours by

appointment. For more information, call (949) 376-6907.

MONTAGE NAMES NEW LOFT CHEF

John Cuevas has risen to a new height at Montage Resort & Spa. He

was recently named the chef de cuisine at the Loft.

Cuevas previously worked with executive chef James Boyce as chef

de cuisine for the resort’s Studio, recently named one of the 2003

Best New Restaurants by “Esquire” magazine.

“John has been an integral part of the culinary team at Montage

since its opening in February 2003,” food and beverage director Todd

Orlick said. “We know that under John’s direction, the Loft will

continue to delight guests with its innovative cuisine and

outstanding service.”

Before joining the Montage staff, Cuevas was chef de cuisine at

Motif at St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, and before that he

was sous chef at the Phoenician’s Marie Elaine’s and the Market Cafe

at Lowes Coronado Bay Resort, the latter two under Boyce.

Cuevas is a graduate of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in

Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Loft offers casual dining with a menu of salads, sandwiches,

rotisserie-roasted meats and seafood. A sommelier provides cheeses

from around the world.

Wines from California, Oregon, Washington and New York are sold by

the glass, half-bottle or bottle.

The Loft has panoramic views from its fourth floor location, with

indoor and outdoor seating. It is open from 6 to 11 a.m. for

breakfast, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, 3 to 5 p.m. for intermezzo in

the Loft Bistro and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner.

For reservations, call (949) 715-6420.

HEADHUNTERS SPEARHEAD NEW OFFICE

Michael Valente and Frank Ivacic were named managers of the

recently opened Laguna Beach office of Executives Unlimited Inc., a

placement firm.

“Penetrating the Southern California market is a key component to

our national expansion plan,” said Tomilee Gill president of the Long

Beach-based firm. “Both Michael and Frank bring more than 25 years of

in-depth executive search experience to our team.”

Ivacis and Valente were formerly partners of Miller and Moore, a

Laguna Beach firm.

Valente is a member of the Orange County Technology Venture Group,

an organization of venture capitalists, and as been a speaker at

insurance and financial industry conventions for 25 years. He has

been a board member of the California Insurance Council for the City

of Hope for 10 years. His experience is in financial services

industry for a broad field of businesses.

Ivacic specializes in healthcare and financial services

industries. He served on the Victor Valley Community Hospital Board

of Directors in 1992 and ‘93, and served as vice president of the

Victor Valley Medical Transportation Board from 1993-96. He has

served as an officer of the Sales and Marketing Council of San Diego,

vice president of the Barstow, Calif. Chamber of Commerce and

president of the Optimist Club.

The new office is at 333 Third St., suite 2. For more information,

call (9490 715-1485.

* DOING BUSINESS is a periodic feature of the Laguna Beach

Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Mail to Barbara Diamond,

P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; fax to (949) 494-8979;

hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22; or call (949) 494-4321.