@losgatan
vol . 5 , no. 52 : august 26-september 1 , 2026 : losgatan.com
monte sereno picnic p4 : post office investigated p6 : mayor's message p9 : girls field hockey p12 Laura Ness / Los Gatan
SHOE DESIGNER TEAMS-UP WITH MÉLODIE FOR A SEPT. 2 POPUP Flor de Maria’s highfashion heels sported by the rich and famous
Gabrielle Whelan plans to leave role in November
Obadiah Casperson, Contributor
Drew Penner, Editor
This year in footwear, I spy a maximalist style, as Los Gatos’ very own Flor de Maria continues to stun on red carpets and award show afterparties. And now she’s preparing for a popup event on Main Street, in partnership with upstart retailer Mélodie Luxe. This high-fashion designer, Flor de Maria Rivera, has been leading the way through the high-profile fashion landscape alongside industry titans. That included a turn at the 2026 Met Gala, as Miranda Kerr was spotted wearing the Flor’s Taylor Swift-inspired, crystal-embellished heels—then kicking back in them at the after party too. For Rivera, the way heels make a woman feel is what gives shoes their soul. “For me, the most exciting part of designing is creating shoes that are not only beautiful, but that make a woman feel glamorous, confident and unforgettable,” Rivera said in an email interview. Since launching in 2019, Flor de Maria shoes have appeared on musicians, models and actresses—becoming a staple in the closets of figures like Mindy Kaling, who wore a pair of snakeskin heels on Jimmy Kimmel Live recently. These luxur y heels have adorned the feet of Eva Longoria, Alex Consani, Winnie Harlow, Zara Larsson and Kesha, just to name a few more. ➝ Flor de Maria, 8
TOWN ATTORNEY READY TO HANG UP HER CLEATS, STUDY ART Town Attorney Gabrielle Whelan has announced she’s stepping down. “I am retiring because I have served as a municipal lawyer since 1995 and it is simply time for the next chapter,” she told the Los Gatan in an email on Monday. “Los Gatos is obviously a very beautiful Town, and the work has been incredibly stimulating.” She says she’s enjoyed working on “cutting-edge legal issues” for “a very informed and engaged” population. “I have loved my time working with the Town Council and Town staff—they are dedicated, principled and extremely intelligent,” she said. “My plan for retirement is to rest, travel and take art classes.” Whelan informed Council in June she’d decided to quit. She’s planning to continue in her role into November. On Aug. 17, Council authorized a search to find Whelan’s replacement.
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LOOKING UP Ridge Vineyards’ Cosimo Linstadt at the bottom of the company’s wine cellar stairs. Join writer Laura Ness for an ATV tour of the Santa Cruz Mountains site. P10.
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