KC: Color has always been important as well. We don’t necessarily think about color in terms of trends. The construction is intention- ally understated because we want the fabric, the movement, and the woman to come forward. BW: Why is producing the collection in New York important? KC: Being close to the making of the clothes is essential. Design isn’t finished when something is drawn. It continues through the cutting, fitting, sewing, and refining of a garment. SR: There is also knowledge in local craftsmanship that is very difficult to replace. Supporting that community matters to us, but it also directly affects the quality of the clothes. BW: After 15 years in Malibu, why return to Southern California and choose Fashion Island? KC: Fashion Island stood out. There is an openness to it and a rela- tionship with the landscape that feels very different from traditional luxury retail. SR: We felt there was a natural connection between the collection and the way women live here. Our clothes can be very refined with- out feeling formal, and that makes sense in Southern California. BW: What have you learned about your Orange County clients? SR: There is a willingness to experiment with color and silhouette, but also a very practical understanding of how something has to work within someone’s life. KC: The Orange County client is much more diverse than the ste- reotype might suggest. There isn’t one Newport Beach woman, which makes it much more interesting. BW: How do you want the Fashion Island boutique to feel for clients? SR: We want it to feel calm and personal. The experience should feel natural and conversational. KC: We want people to have the time to look, touch the fabrics, try things they might not normally choose, and understand the collection without pressure. Ideally, someone leaves not simply having bought something, but also feeling that she discov- ered something. BW: What does luxury mean to you now? SR: Time. The time to make something properly and the possibility that someone will continue to value it years later. KC: And confidence. Luxury doesn’t need to continu- ally announce itself. Often the things that remain inter- esting are the things that reveal themselves gradually. Rubin & Chapelle 249 Newport Center Dr. Newport Beach, CA rubinchapelle.com 43 BALLIET + WANG LUXURY LIVING
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