This is a reprint from the Vallejo Times-Herald article by Rachel Raskin-Zrihen, published on Thursday, October 15, 2015
There’s a lot that’s unusual about the personal and professional partnership between Beth “Serenity” Holzman and her husband, Joel Lawrence Holzman — and the fact that they think they must have known each other in a previous life is only part of it.
The married couple’s latest venture — Boutique Classique, a Modern Vintage Clothing Store at 1711 Sonoma Boulevard, near Georgia Street — opened for business Aug. 29.
The idea for the store grew out of the couple’s other operation, Joel Holzman’s glamor and pinup photography business, Serenity Lawrence Studios, LLC, in the Glen Cove Marina area, they said.
A former Hollywood celebrity photographer, Joel Holzman, 68, moved his studio north after going back to school, earning a masters degree and joining the Peace Corps. The couple met in Berkeley during a photo shoot, they said.
“This is a little spin-off of that,” Serenity Holzman said. “Specializing in pinup and glamour, we find that (the necessary) clothes aren’t automatically in everyone’s closet.”
Now, it can be.
Boutique Classique carries fashions inspired by those of the 1920s through the 1950s — decades close to the couple’s hearts.
“It’s my love — I’ve always been a ’30s and ’40s sort-of person,” Serenity Holzman, 30, said. “It’s a passion of mine.”
Her husband, on the other hand, describes himself as a “’40s guy.”
“I just love the films, the actors, the photography,” he said. “I’m a fan of the whole era. I always liked the glamor calendars my grandfather had” — a collection he credits with setting him on his career path.
Serenity Holzman’s been a pinup model, in that vein, for about five years, though she’s been modeling since age 16, she said. It’s how the couple met, they said.
“Even as a child, I’d play imaginary dress-up,” she said. “I enjoy beautiful things and this type of fashion is classy and timeless in its own way. I like the class and elegance it gives.”
Besides dresses, skirts, pants and tops, the boutique also carries shape-ware, girdles, garter belts, hosiery, bathing suits, jewelry and other items designed to look like they came out of an old Life Magazine.
An Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe fan, Serenity Holzman said she surrounds herself with retro memorabilia at home, as well as at work.
“I’ve always been a retro lover,” she said. “The original retro items are hard to find, especially in all sizes. This way, we’re able to carry everything in sizes from small to 4-X in most garments and to 5-X in the shape-wear.”
Prices range from about $30 to $180 and even higher for some of the more elaborate 1920s-inspired “flapper” dresses.
Holzman said she believes her store is unique in the number of brands offered in one place. Labels carried include Steady, Stop Staring!, Tarnia Tarantino, Leg Avenue, Unique Vintage and Rago.
“These clothes make me feel sexy and modest at the same time,” she said. “I love the great material most of it is made from; it conforms nicely to your body. The clothes are made for curvy women.”
The couple said they hope one day to join the photo studio and the boutique in one location.
Boutique Classique is open Thursday and Friday 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment. For information, call 641-1231 or visit www.boutiqueclassique.net.
Contact Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at (707) 553-6824.
There’s a lot that’s unusual about the personal and professional partnership between Beth “Serenity” Holzman and her husband, Joel Lawrence Holzman — and the fact that they think they must have known each other in a previous life is only part of it.
The married couple’s latest venture — Boutique Classique, a Modern Vintage Clothing Store at 1711 Sonoma Boulevard, near Georgia Street — opened for business Aug. 29.
The idea for the store grew out of the couple’s other operation, Joel Holzman’s glamor and pinup photography business, Serenity Lawrence Studios, LLC, in the Glen Cove Marina area, they said.
A former Hollywood celebrity photographer, Joel Holzman, 68, moved his studio north after going back to school, earning a masters degree and joining the Peace Corps. The couple met in Berkeley during a photo shoot, they said.
“This is a little spin-off of that,” Serenity Holzman said. “Specializing in pinup and glamour, we find that (the necessary) clothes aren’t automatically in everyone’s closet.”
Now, it can be.
Boutique Classique carries fashions inspired by those of the 1920s through the 1950s — decades close to the couple’s hearts.
“It’s my love — I’ve always been a ’30s and ’40s sort-of person,” Serenity Holzman, 30, said. “It’s a passion of mine.”
Her husband, on the other hand, describes himself as a “’40s guy.”
“I just love the films, the actors, the photography,” he said. “I’m a fan of the whole era. I always liked the glamor calendars my grandfather had” — a collection he credits with setting him on his career path.
Serenity Holzman’s been a pinup model, in that vein, for about five years, though she’s been modeling since age 16, she said. It’s how the couple met, they said.
“Even as a child, I’d play imaginary dress-up,” she said. “I enjoy beautiful things and this type of fashion is classy and timeless in its own way. I like the class and elegance it gives.”
Besides dresses, skirts, pants and tops, the boutique also carries shape-ware, girdles, garter belts, hosiery, bathing suits, jewelry and other items designed to look like they came out of an old Life Magazine.
An Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe fan, Serenity Holzman said she surrounds herself with retro memorabilia at home, as well as at work.
“I’ve always been a retro lover,” she said. “The original retro items are hard to find, especially in all sizes. This way, we’re able to carry everything in sizes from small to 4-X in most garments and to 5-X in the shape-wear.”
Prices range from about $30 to $180 and even higher for some of the more elaborate 1920s-inspired “flapper” dresses.
Holzman said she believes her store is unique in the number of brands offered in one place. Labels carried include Steady, Stop Staring!, Tarnia Tarantino, Leg Avenue, Unique Vintage and Rago.
“These clothes make me feel sexy and modest at the same time,” she said. “I love the great material most of it is made from; it conforms nicely to your body. The clothes are made for curvy women.”
The couple said they hope one day to join the photo studio and the boutique in one location.
Boutique Classique is open Thursday and Friday 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment. For information, call 641-1231 or visit www.boutiqueclassique.net.
Contact Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at (707) 553-6824.
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