Shakabuku Designs is featured in Diablo Magazine
Thank you very much to Kristen Carey for interviewing our owner, Andrea Sousa, for the March 2010 “Boutique Peek!”
http://www.diablomag.com/D-blog/Diablo-Style/March-2010/Boutique-Peek-Shakabuku/
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Boutique Peek: Shakabuku
“Bling” up your wardrobe at this fun new DIY clothing store in Livermore.
BY KRISTIN CAREY
Nestled in the heart of downtown Livermore, you’ll find a rockin’ new boutique with humble beginnings. Shakabuku Design, originally started out of a garage as an embroidery and garment printing business, has become a hot spot for expressing personal fashion in its new First Street location (opened last October). Owner Andrea Sousa said she was struck with the idea in the middle of the night after the tremendous reception her product received at last years’ Livermore wine festival. “I shot straight out of bed and said ‘bling bar,’ and called a friend to remind me of the idea in the morning,” recalls Sousa. Loosely translated as a swift, spiritual kick to the head that alters one’s reality, Shakabuku is a place where you can turn a plain article of clothing into your own fashion statement with a little re-purposing and by adding a touch of “bling.” Think Ed Hardy meets Kat Von Dee, for a fraction of the price, and you’ve got yourself some Shakabuku.
Who you’ll see: “We have an adult-looking theme, kind of a café/art kind of thing going on, but we cater to women anywhere from ‘tweeners’ to cougars,” Sousa chuckles. “And we find ‘cougar’ to be a complimentary phrase!” In all seriousness, Shakabuku makes a great venue for mother/daughter bonding, having fun with friends, or simply exploring your creative side.
What you’ll find: You won’t find any run-of-the-mill Hanes t-shirts in Sousa’s shop. All of the merchandise she offers is fashionable high-quality apparel, including burnout and slub materials. Choose from a variety of tank-tops, long- and short-sleeve shirts, hoodies, zip-up jackets, and board shorts in the summer. And, of course, there’s the “bling bar”, which (in the tradition Livermore’s thriving wine community) offers “flights” of rhinestones with which to decorate shirts.
Mark your calendar: Not only will you find Shakabuku participating in various town events and festivals, but Sousa’s store makes the perfect location for birthday parties or a girls’ night out. Sousa keeps her doors open late to accommodate small private parties, perfect for 10–12 people. “You bring the food and beverages, and we’ll do set-up and clean-up,” Sousa explains. Not a bad deal.
Shakabuku Design, 2044 1st Street, Livermore, (925) 447-3700, shakabukudesigns.com.
