Haute Azzaria Boutique Duo Puts Cardiff In Vogue

With Los Angeles style sense, Fashion Valley’s collection of price points and two generous spaces of selection, I can easily say the new Azzaria Boutique is the hottest shop to ever saunter into Cardiff by the Sea.

The boutique used to be housed half a mile down San Elijo Avenue before performing a bold move, considering the recession. While many San Diego boutiques simplified or shut down, Azzaria expanded.

Taking the space and formula of the former L.A. Fairchild, Azzaria’s owner Tammy Neihart opened a denim lounge in addition to a women’s clothing boutique.

Azzaria Denim Lounge is two stores down from the flagship boutique and offers men’s clothing alongside 40 lines of denim for both genders. The jean assortment also comes with highly trained employees, including Laura Fairchild, who knows what brand and fit works best for your body type.

My first glimpse of the lounge was during the grand opening party, so I assumed the Karl Strauss keg was a temporary accessory. But I soon found out it's a permanent fixture. The Lounge has a bar like table covered in denim with swiveling stools and a keg in the center.

You can take the girl out of college, but you can’t take the boozehound out of the girl. The mix of alcohol and shopping is a breathtaking experience. Sip on a beer while a fashionista picks out the perfect jeans to fulfill your denim needs. Sounds like the perfect Saturday… or Sunday… or Tuesday… pretty much any day of the week, really.

Besides the beer and denim, the clothing choices deserve a solid rave. Tammy Neihart, owner of both Azzaria elements and celebrity stylist, has incredible taste. The men’s clothing selection, which offers everything from tee shirts to clubbing button fronts and shorts, embodies a masculine cool essence. Organic cotton Henleys, subtle epaulets, contemporary plaid, and modern colors and cuts stare down the denim collection from across the lounge, begging to be taken home by a worthy fella.

But I have saved my favorite for last. While Tammy’s look is an edgy Jackie O, her boutique could dress women of various styles and assorted incomes. The fashionably cool interior and mix of high quality trends had me guessing lofty prices, but when I walked over to a stand-out cocktail dress calling my name the tag I turned over stated a mere ninety-six dollars.

I am honestly shocked. Considering the area, the lay out and the quality of the selection at Azzaria Boutique, I expected high-end charges. As you mosey around the entire store you do end up finding $300 dollar dresses, but you can also find $10 rings, sixty-dollar items and copious dresses under $100. Whether your choice breaks the bank or not, Azzaria’s unique finds are worth every penny.

The front of the store is filled with high quality casual wear appropriate for a beach community, but with a little added panache. These are the kind of pieces you wear every day (especially in Cardiff), and can last through future trends and frequent washing. You will find the more exciting goodies deeper into the store.

In the back of Azzaria, you will unearth affordable fabulosity: sexy dresses and jumpers, all the colors of the “right now” rainbow and cutting edge patterns, including a tan leafy print frock I had to own. To the right you will find the celebrity collection.

The labels include Catherine Malandrino, Black Halo and House of Harlow 1960 (Nicole Richie’s jewelry line, which I have to admit is splendid), along with many other hot collections and pieces seen on the most stylish of public folk, including Michelle Obama. Soon to be added to this high-end area is Diane Von Furstenberg.

As mentioned by a Cardiff local, before Azzaria entered the shopping scene, if you wanted to get a fabulous or fierce outfit to wear to a club, cocktail party or wherever, you had to drive forty minutes or so to hit up Fashion Valley. Now shopping for an au courant weekend outfit takes, for some, a ten-minute walk. I think I speak for all of Cardiff when I say, Thank you Tammy.

Take your new Azzaria outfit for a spin at the nearby and also-new Zenbu Sushi or Wine Steals – the swankiest dinner lounge and wine bar to hit Cardiff by the Sea.

Insider Tip: The grand opening sunset soiree was a complete success with a diverse crowd of guests sipping champagne, cocktails and Karl Straus beer from the denim lounge. Yummy appetizers and informal modeling topped off one of the best boutique events I have been to all year. View party pics.