I had never played golf before, but when I received an invitation to join me on an overnight girls trip to Santa Barbara to celebrate the launch of Malabon x HVN, I was there. Since its inception in 2017, golfwear and lifestyle brand Malbon has sought to bring the game to those more versed in art, culture and fashion than those with immediate retirement plans by emphasizing inclusivity and design beyond the traditional white and plaid of golfwear.
Following on from recent collaborations with Gap and Keith Haring, the partnership with D.J. Harley Vieira-NewtonClothing line of the same name, hvnKnown for its vintage-inspired silhouettes and whimsical prints (Rihanna and Alexa Chung are fans) according to its co-founder and co-CCO, golf felt like a natural progression for the brand. Erica MalbonWho said, “I’ve always admired Harley’s work and how she brings a feminine yet girly element to her designs. They’re classic yet fun and fresh. For me it was about how can we apply that perspective to sportswear?” (I would like to take this opportunity to mention that Vieira-Newton and Malbon are friends.)
All this is to say that, when I arrived at Santa Barbara’s newly renovated Ritz-Carlton Bacara on Thursday afternoon, I had a feeling my fellow attendees wouldn’t be a lunch crowd of women. In fact, after checking in with the team, I met model and host supermodel Jess Hart w magazineSkin Talk Laura Love with her sister Nathalie and model/artist bree coulter In the lobby. Your typical golf crowd? I don’t think so. But, of course, this was by design.
Although we were on an event, it was very busy, leaving me time to go to my room and look at some of the collection. A blue gingham windbreaker and matching tennis dress as well as a cute, white pleated skirt that inspired me to find a the seven Year Itch Vent immediately stood in front of me. While all the pieces were designed with performance in mind, “I wanted to introduce timeless looks that you can wear straight from the court to lunch with friends or for a few days on the court at all!” Viera-Newton says. She cites the pink and blue tennis courts of the cult-favorite Madonna Inn as inspiration for the collection’s pastel color palette.
practicing our golf swing
After lunch I met a few more women, including a model/makeup artist/chef matisse andrewsInfluencer Christy Tyler, and model Sadie Newman, and a magical massage, I changed into my new golf attire and joined most of the gang by the pool.
It’s amazing what can happen when you bring a group of interesting women together. Despite some of us having just met, our golden hour golf lesson felt like we were going on a giant sleepover. In between learning the mechanics of a good swing, we danced to Top 40 and told dating horror stories that weren’t worth printing. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I really do Liked Learning golf. It certainly helped that in my white polo minidress decorated with HVN’s signature cherry motif, I looked cute, too.
christy tyler And sadie newman lunch
Did I mention I’m six months pregnant?
The rest of the evening passed without any interruption. Sunset cocktails overlooking the ocean were followed by a candlelit dinner that included some of the best hotel food I have ever eaten. Midway through our meal Sarah Reiff, Jimmy Choo’s global entertainment director and Malbon’s best friend, started a geek card game. My question was, “If you could be a man for a day, what would be the first thing you would do?” Of course, pee standing up and ask for a raise.
The next morning, we had a leisurely breakfast and took tennis lessons. I’m six months pregnant, so I opted to attend later, but I watched from the sidelines as Laura Love took charge of the court. Then, alas, it was time to go home. I said goodbye to my friends, and as I drove down Highway 1 to head back to Los Angeles, I pondered the question, “Am I a golf girl now?” To my surprise, I think the answer is yes.
buy malbon x hvn
Malabon
HVN Crosscourt Windbreaker
Malabon
hvn valentina skirt
