Meet Saint November
Located in Santa Rosa, California, Saint November hand-makes small batch clothing and sewn goods for utility, celebration and everyday life. We speak to founder, Theresa Hughes, to discuss her store and what goods sits besides Selvedge.
When and Why Did You Open Your Store?
I opened my store in 2021. I was looking to expand my working studio and was fortunate to find a charming old shop with a storefront in our town's small arts district. Transitioning from a private studio to a public showroom has been a wonderful experience, allowing me to meet customers directly, share ideas, and understand their needs when shopping for garments.
Apart from Selvedge, What Else Do You Sell?
In addition to Selvedge, I offer a range of handmade garments in seasonal colours and fabrics, predominantly using cotton, hemp, and linen. During the winter, I love to include wool when I can source it. My store also features a sewing section with cloth cutting shears, thread snips, and grosgrain ribbon. During wedding season, I offer spools of silk bouquet ribbon, hand-cut and dyed using botanical dyes made in my kitchen. Additionally, I carry a beautiful selection of locally made ceramics, hand-printed cards, hand-poured candles, and a line of organic cotton tees and tanks from Los Angeles. Most of the vendors I collaborate with are women-owned small businesses, and I enjoy sharing their stories with my clients.
Can You Tell Us About Your Neighbourhood/Community? Why Is It Special?
My neighbourhood is the small arts district known as the Sofa district, located just outside of downtown. It boasts a handful of independently run businesses, including a bakery, cafe, camera shop, jeweller, photographer, restaurant, black box theatre, vintage shop, and several artist studios. There's also a lovely old park with a community garden and bocce court, and a fantastic taqueria for a quick lunch. Every business in the Sofa district works hard to maintain the neighbourhood's unique charm, making it one of Santa Rosa's hidden gems.
What Has Inspired You Recently?
I recently watched a movie that left a lasting impression on me: "La Chimera" by Alice Rohrwacher. The film explores themes of art, artefacts, and values, presented in a fairy-tale-like setting that feels both modern and timeless. The costumes and settings were captivating, each character's attire reflecting their inner world. For example, the oversized suit of the main character symbolised his internal conflict between honour and survival. This visually rich storytelling has deeply inspired me.
Can You Share a Story About One of Your Loyal Customers?
One of my loyal customers is Marion, a retired probation officer and neighbourhood local. She often stops by during her daily walks. Initially, she was unsure about buying handmade clothing, but after discovering that I could make custom adjustments for her, she invested in a simple pair of charcoal grey pants. Over time, I've seen her confidence grow as she started purchasing more unique and well-made items, including a striped pant and a handmade hat from a local maker. She even got a pedicure, showcasing her evolving self-care routine. Now, Marion frequently visits to complete outfits for nights out and trips. Her positivity and down-to-earth nature make her a joy to have in the store, and I love seeing her discover her own creativity and confidence.
Images courtesy of Saint November
Find out more and visit Saint November:
www.saintnovember.net
When and Why Did You Open Your Store?
I opened my store in 2021. I was looking to expand my working studio and was fortunate to find a charming old shop with a storefront in our town's small arts district. Transitioning from a private studio to a public showroom has been a wonderful experience, allowing me to meet customers directly, share ideas, and understand their needs when shopping for garments.
Apart from Selvedge, What Else Do You Sell?
In addition to Selvedge, I offer a range of handmade garments in seasonal colours and fabrics, predominantly using cotton, hemp, and linen. During the winter, I love to include wool when I can source it. My store also features a sewing section with cloth cutting shears, thread snips, and grosgrain ribbon. During wedding season, I offer spools of silk bouquet ribbon, hand-cut and dyed using botanical dyes made in my kitchen. Additionally, I carry a beautiful selection of locally made ceramics, hand-printed cards, hand-poured candles, and a line of organic cotton tees and tanks from Los Angeles. Most of the vendors I collaborate with are women-owned small businesses, and I enjoy sharing their stories with my clients.
Can You Tell Us About Your Neighbourhood/Community? Why Is It Special?
My neighbourhood is the small arts district known as the Sofa district, located just outside of downtown. It boasts a handful of independently run businesses, including a bakery, cafe, camera shop, jeweller, photographer, restaurant, black box theatre, vintage shop, and several artist studios. There's also a lovely old park with a community garden and bocce court, and a fantastic taqueria for a quick lunch. Every business in the Sofa district works hard to maintain the neighbourhood's unique charm, making it one of Santa Rosa's hidden gems.
What Has Inspired You Recently?
I recently watched a movie that left a lasting impression on me: "La Chimera" by Alice Rohrwacher. The film explores themes of art, artefacts, and values, presented in a fairy-tale-like setting that feels both modern and timeless. The costumes and settings were captivating, each character's attire reflecting their inner world. For example, the oversized suit of the main character symbolised his internal conflict between honour and survival. This visually rich storytelling has deeply inspired me.
Can You Share a Story About One of Your Loyal Customers?
One of my loyal customers is Marion, a retired probation officer and neighbourhood local. She often stops by during her daily walks. Initially, she was unsure about buying handmade clothing, but after discovering that I could make custom adjustments for her, she invested in a simple pair of charcoal grey pants. Over time, I've seen her confidence grow as she started purchasing more unique and well-made items, including a striped pant and a handmade hat from a local maker. She even got a pedicure, showcasing her evolving self-care routine. Now, Marion frequently visits to complete outfits for nights out and trips. Her positivity and down-to-earth nature make her a joy to have in the store, and I love seeing her discover her own creativity and confidence.
Images courtesy of Saint November
Find out more and visit Saint November:
www.saintnovember.net