Estrella & Riley (E&R, to the local residents), is a small Lingerie store at Paseo Nuevo shopping Mall, Downtown Santa Barbara.
Founded in 2000 by two friends that went to High School together in nearby Montecito, the store is thriving next to national stores like Nordstrom, Sephora and Victoria's Secret because of some creative marketing. Both Estrella Cruz and India Riley came from affluent families, and having spent a lifetime partying or being invited to parties, it was only natural that when they started their Lingerie business, that the parties continue.
They hired the same young, fresh faces that frequented their establishment, to showcase their Lingerie Collections at their pool-side Catwalk shows in their homes in Montecito, and everyone along the West Coast was invited.
Because parking at Paseo Nuevo is difficult at the best of times, what usually happens is that the majority of Sales take place at their residences. Afterall, with free drinks and nibbles, a luxurious pool, Tennis courts, a Basketball court, 18 hole golf course, an 8-lane indoor Bowling Alley and 9 rooms of Designer clothes, shoes and handbags for guests to try on and 'rock' whilst they are guests of E & R, it is hard not to support your hosts by buying a piece of two from their latest collection.
Although Victoria's Secret has an almost cult following now, due to their glittery Fashion Shows, Supermodels and Celebrites, Victoria's Secret (at least in Santa Barbara) is seen to be the 'poor relation' at Paseo Nuevo. This is simply because Victoria's Secret have so many stores nationwide, so to spend the amount of money it would take to compete against E&R, on just one of their nationwide stores doesn't make commercial sense.
Since Estrella & Riley is their only store, Estrella and India are able to devote all their time and attention to it, and enjoy continued dominance in Santa Barbara.
They don't sit on their laurels either, and Monday Mornings are generally spent improving the comfort of their current lines, discussing new designs with their team, and planning their next show.
Estrella pushed her gold-rimmed Bulgari sunglasses onto her forehead and looked into their accountant's pale-blue eyes.
"C'mon Karl, you know I don't care about maximum profit. I know no one cares about quality, but I care. We're not going for a silk mix OR a cotton mix! VS (Victoria's Secret) can do nylon, not us. We're started out selling 100% silk and 100% cotton, and that's how we roll!"
Karl looked at India for support, but she just winked at him, "You heard her Karl!"
Estrella started stuffing design drawings and Lingerie into her white Versace shoulder handbag. "Right, I'm gonna run these down to the store. You gonna see Will tonight?"
From farm9.staticflickr.com
India was wearing a beautiful sheer aqua-coloured, chiffon, asymmetric Maxi dress and 5 inch Gucci gold sandals. She was starting to feel chilly.
She stood up and after pulling on a white cotton cardigan, she wrapped her long, slender arms around her best friend's waist and rested her head against Estrella's bare shoulder.
"Will's coming over at 8. Wanna come with?"
"Love to babe, but I promised Annabel I'd go to that new Korean restaurant tonight. I'll WhatsApp you what we order!"
