Sara Michael Story 

Sara Michael was established by two silk textile designers, Sara Lusvardi & Michael Felker who have been producing designer men’s neckties and women’s scarves for 15 years.  The Sara Michael brand celebrates Malibu’s extraordinary mosaic hand painted tiles which have adorned southern California’s architecture for 84 years.   

In 1926, “Malibu Potteries” was created by the Rindge family (who purchased what we call Malibu today from the Spanish Government) & Mr. Rufus B. Keeler, Ceramicist.  The Rindge family and Mr. Keeler were responding to the booming demand for Spanish Revival architecture which was in high demand in Southern California in the early 1900’s, following the Spanish American War.  Shortly after “Malibu Potteries” began producing intricately hand painted tiles on the sands of what we now call Carbon Beach, the studio was destroyed by a tragic fire; but not before their tiles had transformed Southern California architecture forever.

What inspired the Malibu Tile project for Sara Michael was simple.  “Malibu Potteries” was the product of several American artisans who designed and painted the “Malibu Tiles” at a time when most ornamental mosaic tiles came from Europe obviously with European styling.  Ironically, 84 years later, Americans still live in a world where the majority of our fashion and design input is fed to us by European stylists.  In honor of Mrs. Rindge and Mr. Keeler, Sara Michael invites you to share our vision of Malibu’s Americana Style by adorning yourselves with our ornate mosaic printed clothing and accessories.  Sara Michael is unique and very special.  It is produced for unique and special people who value our western individuality and style.