Shop Local Profile: DeNada

This is the fourth and last installment of our holiday Shop Local Profile series. We hit up our favorite designers, retailers and artisans for their holiday shopping secrets. For our last installment, we featured Sill Life Terrariums and this time, we feature a designer who we’ve been buying for years — DeNada.

Local hero 4: Virginia Arrisueño, DeNada knits, denadadesign.com and at Redeem.

Soft, Peruvian alpaca yarn gets knit into chunky, edgy-looking scarves, hats and wraps via Arrisueño’s design studio, in biz since 2009. The unisex styles are both warm and statement-making.

What inspired this fall and winter collection?

Last year, when we started working with alpaca, it was heavier, thicker and in darker colors. But this year, I think everything has lighter tones and feel. And I added some pops of color —chartreuse, mauve.

What’s the most unusual gift you’ve ever gotten?

My brother loves to joke around, and he tends to give me very odd gifts … he’ll get me things like a stamp that says WTF  or he’ll buy me gag gifts. It’s not that they are useful, but they bring a smile to my face.

How can you make sure a gift isn’t a dud?

If you’re giving something like clothing, observe the recipient and see what kind of colors they wear. If the person wears black, don’t give them a fuchsia handbag. And get a gift receipt!

What’s on your wish list this year?

As I get older, I rarely ask for gifts. I just like spending time with my family. My goal is to live Christmas through my three-year-old son, Atticus. But I would like a spa gift certificate. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten my nails done!

Post by DC Style Factory stylist, Jenn Barger. Jenn has 13 years’ experience working as a fashion  journalist in the nation’s capitol. She has written countless gift guides for The Washington Post and now is working with DC Style Factory clients to find the best and the brightest gifts this holiday season. Email [email protected] to work with Jenn.