J Ruby: A Colorful Creative Find in South Laguna

J Ruby opened in February, marking the first retail space for designer Jessica Ruby, who has been creating and refining her work for years. The Laguna Beach studio, set in the historic St. Clair building, serves as both a boutique and the home of the South Laguna Art Project, where workshops and classes are offered regularly.

Inside, the space is filled with upcycled fashion, custom embroidery, and original artwork by Jessica. The racks feature 100 percent yarn-dyed cotton shirting made in California, including her signature Boyfriend Shirt with classic or sport cuffs. A Patch Bar invites customers to personalize pieces with nautical letters, anchors, sharks, and more, all sewn on in-house.

Jessica works alongside her daughter Paige, who hand-embroiders many of the designs and helps run the studio. Together, they have created a welcoming, community-driven space that blends fashion, art, and hands-on creativity. Even Poppi, the studio pup, makes the occasional appearance.

The shop also carries scarf hats, bandana shirts, accessories, and small-batch items made from repurposed materials.

J Ruby is open Friday through Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with parking available behind the building.

J Ruby is located at 31711 Coast Highway in Laguna Beach.