Boutique Peek: Olive in Danville

Green is the new black at this chic, eco-friendly boutique in the Rose Garden

You support local businesses, your light bulbs use less energy, and you always carry your groceries in reusable canvas bags. But how green is your closet?

Thanks to Kristy Crowell, you don’t have to battle the commute out to Berkeley or San Francisco to shop for eco-friendly digs – it’s all right here at Olive Boutique in the Danville Rose Garden.

Growing up in a retail-oriented family, Crowell’s career aim was to work for herself doing something she loved, and that love became preserving the environment through sustainable fashion.

“I made it my New Years’ resolution one year to only buy pieces that were [eco-friendly],” says Crowell, who opened the shop last September. “I found there was so much out there, but not the places [or] resources to find it in the East Bay.”

By bringing these green – and often local – styles to her shop, Crowell hopes to change shoppers’ apprehensions about the eco-friendly fashion trend.

“Getting people to understand that eco-friendly doesn’t necessarily translate into hemp knapsacks [is difficult],” says Crowell, “but I knew once I got them in, they [would] see the amazing pieces that really [are] eco.”

And people are starting to notice: readers picked Olive as their favorite green boutique in  Diablo’s “Best of the East Bay” this year, and also snagged one of our Eco Awards in April.

Who you’ll see here: Olive’s collections generally aim for women ages 18 – 60, as Crowell’s best friends and her mother have all found pieces to suit them. She works hard to make sure all kinds of looks and a wide variety of sizes are available in her shop.

What you can expect to find: Clothing and accessories that is comfortable, hot, and eco-friendly. Look around for Clary Sage yoga pants and Kelly B dresses (both made in San Francisco), Hanky Panky organic cotton undies and sleepwear, and two new lines of organic style denim from AG Jeans coming this spring. She even carries “veggie” leather jackets made from recycled polyester, which have been flying off the racks.

The shelves are filled with products from local makers: funky, recycled metal jewelry by Kris Nations, and a rose-inspired skincare line from Duchess Marden. A cool collection of handbags made from vintage jacket pieces are available from Vancouver-based designer Ashley Watson.

Mark your calendar: Olive will be participating in downtown Danville’s Pre-Holiday Shopping and Dining Event on Thursday, November 13th from 5 – 9 p.m. where select styles will be 20% off. Purchase tickets for $5 each at participating retailers to enjoy discounts, cookies, and refreshments. All proceeds will benefit local charities.

Olive Boutique, 730 Camino Ramon, Suite 130, Danville (in the Rose Garden, across from Esin), www.shopoliveboutique.com/
 

Posted at 03:35 PM in Diablo Style | Permalink