The historic Rosemary District is defining itself as Sarasota’s subversively hip haven for all things creative. From gourmet food, fine art and artisan-crafted gifts to cutting-edge home décor, every store is dripping with style. Don’t be fooled by the funk: The spas, hair and nail salons flocking here are underground elegance at its best. 
By Carol Tisch

Greek Revival Check out Sarasota Olive Company’s newest treats: Ta Mylelia vinegars ($18), preserves (from $17) and honey desserts ($21), all reviving ancient Greek recipes. Sarasota Olive Oil Company, 500 Central Ave., (941) 366-2008.

Chelsea Chic Allyn Gallup’s edgy new loft space recalls New York’s Chelsea district art scene with works like Richard Kessler’s sculpture, Homage to Calder #38 ($2,000). Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art, 1419 Fifth St., (941) 366-2093.

Designer’s Secret Resource Partners’ just-opened showroom is trade-only; but it’s worth asking your designer for a peek at these fab wool Wilton carpets ($14 a yard) by Silver Creek. Resource Partners, 422 Central Ave., (941) 981-1323.

Pure Heaven Fans have religiously followed Kim Marlow to her new spa, Pure, in a former Rosemary District church, where custom facials ($75) and at-home alpaca fuzzy boots ($300) are divine. Pure, 513 Central Ave., (941) 364-5800.

Cut a Rug with the eminently talented Pam and Marcus Anast, fun-loving ex-fashion designers now providing all things beautiful for the home (5-by-7-foot area rugs, $545). Sarasota Collection Home Store, 622 Central Ave., (941) 955-8313.

Going Dutch? If Holland is the epicenter of European design, then Moooi is the country’s hottest design consortium. No wonder Moooi furniture and lighting (Dandelion from $2,750) is now at Home Resource, 741 Central Ave., (941) 366-6690.

Memory Lane Check out the vintage Whiting & Davis collectible bags (from $60); Everything but the Girl owner Laura Gale is modeling one here. You’ll find new and old gifts, clothing and jewelry, all by artists with an edge at Everything but the Girl, 430 Central Ave., (941) 954-8800.

Made by Whom?  The artistry of students and alums of Ringling College of Art and Design will soon be for sale at Madeby, a 1,000-foot gallery with everything from paintings and toys to Natalie Hahn’s amazing fused-glass necklace ($40). Madeby Ringling College, 734 Central Ave., (941) 875-0421.

Don’t Forget To…

n      Poke around charming Rosemary Court, where you’ll find a Zen-like yoga school with one class (exotic pole exercise) that’s causing quite a buzz. Rosemary Court Yoga, 810 Central Ave., (941) 952-5280.

n      Try Golden Spoon winner Derek Barnes’ progressive take on surf and turf: crispy pork and shrimp ($28). He says it’s bursting with fun, bold flavor. Derek’s Culinary Casual, 514 Central Ave., (941) 366-6565.

n      Follow the caravan of truckers and Jaguar owners to Nancy Krohngold’s new digs at the former home of Kay’s BBQ. The pulled pork sandwiches ($2.79) are addictive. Nancy’s Bar-B-Q, 531 Central Ave., (941) 955-3400.

Take Me Along
Beauty must-haves for gym or travel.

Kelp Line Saks has exclusive dibs on amazing La Mer skincare products in Sarasota (www.lamer.com). Devotees of the sea-kelp-based potions travel with a to-go kit ($320) with seven treatment essentials. Saks Fifth Avenue, 100 Southgate Plaza, (941) 634-5311.

Back to Basics Pack lots of punch in a little space with European runway models’ fave Diorshow Backstage mascara ($24). And don’t forget Chanel’s six new spring lipstick shades ($60) in one spiffy compact. Saks Fifth Avenue, 100 Southgate Plaza, (941) 634-5311.

Take Flight Jonathan Product’s new Jet Set Kit ($38) has five celeb-endorsed hair grooming essentials, all perfectly sized for airport screening. Comes with its own travel bag at Simply Spoiled, 1417 First St., (941) 364-3337.

Pouts-à-Porter Fans who want to keep their lips perfectly pouty are good to go with the new Lip Fusion Mini Plumper set ($49) including five fashion shades and one clear plumper. Simply Spoiled, 1417 First St., (941) 364-3337.

Dare Not Bare? Try the new Bare Escentuals shop’s Beauty on the Go (a refillable compact/mirror/mini brush, $28) and Bare Minerals Warmth face color ($20) for a pre-trip glow. Bare Escentuals, Westfield Southgate, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, (941) 953-9406.

Skin Elixir Dr. Craig Austin’s easy-to-pack AB-10 percent glycolic treatment pads ($114 for 60) cleanse the skin, reverse sun damage, reduce fine lines and are the newest sensation at The Met Fashion House Day Spa & Salon, 35 S. Boulevard of Presidents, (941) 388-3991.

Less is More At Merle Norman, most products fit airport security’s three-ounce rule, so fans never leave home without skin-enhancing loose powder foundation ($29.95), new no-shine matte eye shadows ($15.95) and more. Merle Norman, 8201 S. Tamiami Trail, (941) 924-5155.

Who’s In Store
By Carol Tisch

Joan McKeon followed her dream to create Dream Weaver, now one of the most successful art-to-wear boutiques in America. “My mom was a crafts person and a potter,” explains her son Eric Seace, vice president of operations, who recalls the kiln Joan built in the family’s back yard in Mount Holyoke, Mass.

“Every time she sparked up that kiln, the fire department showed up just to be sure,” says Seace, who remembers following the huge red glow home from school. After a few years of touring the crafts show circuit, McKeon got the idea of supporting the artists she’d met with a retail store of her own.

And after more than 25 years on St. Armands Circle (plus a location on Martha’s Vineyard), loyal fans are dressed head-to-toe in clothes made for every occasion by more than 75 of North America’s finest textile artists. “Mom does the creative—she’s known for trying on everything she buys to be sure it works on real people—and I do the numbers and operations,” Seace reports. “We make a good team.” Dream Weaver, 364 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota (941) 388-1974.

What this town needs “As Sarasota gets more urban, we need urban-chic, versatile fashions for sophisticated traveling women,” says McKeon. The reversible coat from Dianaira ($2,200) is made in go-everywhere water-repellent silk taffeta. Ask Seace and he’ll say we all need to de-stress and slow down. He’d also like more healthy food options for busy families on the go. 
 

Can’t Live Without For Seace, it’s volleyball and windsurfing. “As long as I can play and surf, I’m a happy man,” he says. McKeon’s more demanding. “I can’t live without great clothes—clothes make the person,” she confides, who carries Maria Pinto gowns (price on request). Michelle Obama made the Chicago-based designer a household name.

In the Bag Dream Weaver is beloved by artists like Rafael Sanchez, whose handbags ($900, shown) are one-of-a-kind collectibles. Now that he’s retired, Sanchez’s limited supply is sold to no one in the country but Joan.

Shoptalk
Ooh La La!

French Connection? Would you believe the owners of Palm Avenue’s newest boutiques (L’Atelier F and Paris.couture) just arrived from France and coincidentally opened shop within days of one another? At L’Atelier F you’ll find incredibly cut Fred Sun evening dresses, great Osmoge shoes ($123) and lots of fashions designed by proprietor France Engels, who’s worked for Yves St. Laurent and Lanvin. L’Atelier F, 538 S. Pineapple Ave., (941) 539-6096.

Boutique Diplomatique A few steps away from L’Atelier is Paris.couture. When Sophie Cantin came to the United States with the intent of replicating her Parisian store, she fell in love with Palm Avenue. When she learned that another Frenchwoman had signed a lease a few doors down, the two met, decided their clothes did not compete, and voilà! Look for chi-chi casual brands, Les Petites (Robe Sautoir, $350) and Dimension. Paris.couture, 606 S. Pineapple Ave., (941) 914-6020.

Fashion Francophile Wendy Getchell owns Lotus in Sarasota, and just launched a new cyber store called Knickers. At both you’ll find sweet Eiffel Tower cotton print pajamas ($152), naughty Huit lingerie (from $49) and Fragonard eau de toilette ($34) straight from Grasse, France, in an estagnon (a gold aluminum bottle that protects perfume from light and heat).  Lotus, 1451 Main St., (941) 906-7080.