W
endy Foster’s upper village boutique
opened in the 1960s, when conservative
fashion of coordinated skirt suits and
sweater sets reigned but would soon be left in the dust.
That decade, as we know, brought progressive political
views and new ideas of fashion almost overnight; it was
a shift Wendy and the rest of womankind had to learn
step-by-step.
“(Fashion) was very coordinated in those days, and
people didn’t know you could do anything different,”
she reflects. “That was a challenge for me, because I
had come into this business when it was organized and
everything went together. You have to be creative to do
otherwise.” It’s no secret Wendy is a lover of uniform –
an appreciation she gained during Marymount school
days – yet she’s been able to evolve with the times while
keeping true to her style. Creating ensembles meant
opportunities for artistic expression and light-hearted
fun – and in Wendy’s case, development into a signature
look of Parisian flair and American wear, a sort of regalia
for a Montecito lifestyle.
Wendy surrounds herself with a creative team whose
dedication is noticeable and shows they value the
overall brand and Wendy herself. Additional roots of
Wendy’s success are hospitality and personal touch.
“I love to make people feel welcome,” she expresses.
“I feel I was born into service and to make people feel
good.” Adding to her humble nature, she’s a woman who
doesn’t grasp her artistry – the mark of a true creative.
“I never realized I had any talent at anything, and I still
don’t know what my talent is,” Wendy says. After more
than five decades of continued growth and success, it
seems pretty clear.
Wendy Foster
516 San Ysidro Road, Montecito 93108
(805) 565-1506
WENDY
FOSTER
BY
MEGAN
WALDREP
PHOTO BY
EDWARD
CLYNES
