September 2016
Outback in the Temple of Venus, located at 275 E. Main Street, is part clothing store and part healing gathering space for an ever-growing base of customers. Owner Devi Jacobs describes it as “clothing for all the adventures of life, a lifestyle that is creative and fun, comfy and flattering, for women of all sizes to feel comfortable in their skin.”
Devi has had a fascination from an early age with clothing and its power to generate happiness. As a young girl, she designed and sold clothes for Barbie dolls and used the money she made to buy ice cream for her family.
Her love of designing and producing clothing stayed with her, as did her goal of using what she created to bring people joy. Thirty-five years ago, she founded her first company, Outback Adventurous Clothing. Her Outback and Devi labels were distributed nationally to more than 3,000 boutiques and department stores, and she opened retail stores in Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, Mill Valley and Arcata. She opened her Ashland store in 2015.
“My mission has been to bring spirit into business,” Devi said. “I want to bring people harmony, inspiration, ease, beauty, love and joy. As Kahlil Gibran said, ‘Work is love made visible.’”
You’ll find Devi’s philosophy applied throughout her work. Her nationally distributed designs carry inspirational messages on the labels. She’s even put her unique spin on her business title—CEO, which she defines as “chief executive oracle.”
She is particularly proud of the “hostesses and stylists” who staff Ashland’s Outback in the Temple of Venus, and of her carefully-curated collection of clothing, jewelry, and accessories, all offered at discounted prices. There is plenty of comfortable space for customers with couches and snacks, tea and water. “During First Friday Art Walks, our customers love the store’s delicious spread of food and drink,” she said.
Most important, Devi says, is the atmosphere of friendship and fun that she and her stylists create for customers. “It is fun to watch spontaneous parties break out, whether it’s in the living room or the dressing room, where many a best friend has been forged.”
Devi adds that the Ashland store is one of her larger shops and well-suited to private parties, classes and events. “We’re looking forward to hosting more of these, especially during the winter,” she said. “We now have Healing Sundays, where people can come in and get a sampling of different healers.”
For more information, call 541-708-0695 or visit outbackinthetempleofvenus.com. You can also like them on Facebook and visit their stores in Berkeley and Richmond, California.
