Think Pink!

Accessories available at the Pink Hibiscus Boutique.

Inside Pink Hibiscus Boutique.

Can Washington DC handle another hip, trendy and effortlessly stylish boutique? Silly question, huh? Well pull your pocket books and blackberrys out, this one’s worth noting. With new shipments arriving daily, Pink Hibiscus Boutique never fails to impress. Even the most disciplined fashionista would have a hard time resisting the labels on offer. Nicole Miller, Prada, Fendi, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Michael Kors, Trina Turk, Kitchen Orange, BCBG and Missoni being just a few. Whether it’s a business suit, cocktail dress or evening gown your after, Pink Hibiscus can provide. Sylvia Pool, who launched the boutique just over three months ago after 21 years in the real estate business says, “many pieces that you find at Pink Hibiscus are sexy, classy and rich in color, fabric and design. You had better have the confidence to wear them!” Confidence isn't the problem, fighting temptation however is an ongoing struggle. I dare you to test your will...

Address:
Pink Hibiscus Boutique

2604 Georgia Ave, NW

2nd Floor

Washington, DC 20009

Store inquiries: 202 332 3333

Shake It Like You Really Mean It!

Shake Your Booty’s inviting and funky store front in DC’s Adams’s Morgan.

D.C. natives have a secret. When they want the best in funky, unique and stylish shoes that don’t break the purse strings, they head to only one place – Shake Your Booty! Most of the shoes are made by unknown designers but don’t let that deter you, cuteness does not discriminate. You can also buy some great accessories at the boutique and I hear they have started selling clothes too. With the fun and zest of a New York Boutique but the prices of a regular high-street store a girl can’t go wrong. Sorry D.C., I just couldn’t keep it a secret anymore!
Left to right: Naughty Monkey, $89.99; President, $69; Madeline, $49.99

Left to right: Sugar Shoes, $39.99; Two Lips Rachelle, $59.99; Rebels Patti

Address:
Shake Your Booty
2439 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Store inquiries: 202 518 8205

Wunderbloc

“Coclico” in NoLita, NY
Left to right: “Fille De Joie” in Brooklyn; “Mark Montano” in East Village; “TG170” in Lower East Side

New York is one of the world’s most exciting places to shop, but even an eagle-eyed fashionista can miss a trendy boutique tucked away, down some alley. Enter Wunderbloc. The ingenious new site that puts some of New York’s underground (and notorious) boutiques at your fingertips. And if you’re not a New Yorker but plan on visiting soon, this takes the stress out of finding the stores that you must visit. Not only does the site break down all the fashion haunts in each borough, it also displays photos of the most stylish people in each neighborhood (see post below). Visit www.wunderbloc.com to see the highest rated boutiques, interact with fellow style connoisseurs and start a scrap book of all your favorite boutiques/fashionistas.

A Million Little Pieces…

Latisha and Colin Daring of the Piece’s Boutiques.

Husband and wife duo, Latisha and Colin Daring of Pieces of Brooklyn, were featured on “I Like Her Style!” a while back in a “Boutique Spotlight.” The couple returns to tell us what the fashion do’s and don’ts are for next season. Plus they give us the inside scoop on what new pieces they have in their three boutiques. "We're not some faceless corporate entity. I think that's one of the reasons people continue to shop here. We have a strong passion for what we do and that translates into the way we treat our clients. We are expanding throughout the U.S. in areas that want and need unique fashion. So lookout fashionistas we're living our dream," Latisha says. Visit http://www.piecesofbklyn.com/ for addresses of their boutiques in New York (Brooklyn and Harlem) and Maryland (Sliver Springs) – each store is aptly named after its location ie. Pieces of Brooklyn, Harlem and Silver Spring respectively.

Latisha’s Top Five Favorite Fall Trends:

1. Menswear Inspired Designs in Wools, Tweeds & Plaids
2. Toeless Socks
3. Utilitarian Handbags
4. Stirrup Riding Pants and Leggings
5. High-Waist Skinny Jeans/Colored Denims

Latisha’s Top 5 Favorite Women’s Items in Pieces Boutiques:

1. Delphyne Guiraud Down Knitted Vest, $636
2. Gusus Premadonna High Waisted Jeans, $157
3. Pieces Backless Mockneck Dress, $189
4. Pieces Mandarin Collar Princess Sleeve Top, $98
5. Larok Gold Jettsetter Parka Jacket, $400

Photos from one of Pieces Runway Shoes featuring Rsoci of BET’s 106 & Park (middle).

New Yorkers should check out Pieces of Brooklyn’s Runway show taking place this Thursday…

When: Thursday September 20th, 2007
Time: 7pm – 10pm
Where: Pieces of Brooklyn, 671 Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Contact: 718 857 7211

Revival

Nicole Swasey, owner of Revival, shows off one of her great finds; Shondrella Avery, Nicole Swasey & Tia Mowry at the grand opening.

Man can achieve much in five years but only a woman could collect enough vintage treasures worthy of opening a boutique. Meet Nicole Swasey, a television and film assistant director who recently opened “Revival” in Sherman Oaks, California. “I collected [vintage] clothes for five years and had to rent storage units to keep them all in.” It took a while to find the right location, but after two years Swasey found the perfect place to house her colossal collection which includes classics from Missoni and Gucci. Swasey describes her boutique as a cross between Caribbean chic and a Parisian boudoir – the perfect back drop to showcase one-of-a-kind finds. And exactly what makes a piece worthy of showcasing? Swasey says the best finds are still in great condition (i.e. with lining) and were probably expensive even back in the day. Seventies clothing is also a safe bet. But don’t worry, the clothes at Revival are washed before they hit the shelves. “The boutique doesn’t smell like grandma’s attic!,” Swasey assures. Good to know. So who would love raking through the rails at Revival? “A trendy girl who likes to mix the latest bag or hot jeans with a vintage piece.” Apparently this is where funk and elegance go to collide and nobody should miss out on the action. Visit www.revivalvintagela.com to learn more about the store and Nicole.

Inside Revival where Caribbean and Paris décor meets.

Revival’s store front.

Address:
Revival Vintage
13940 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks
CA 91423

Store Inquiries: 818 783 8400

Credit: All photos courtesy of Nicole Swasey .

For the Love of Fashion…

Sherlita Patton and Tracy Valentine of P. Valentine.

The front of P. Valentine in Atlanta.

Inside P. Valentine.

Open for less than two years, P. Valentine is already the fashion hot-spot for celebrities such as Keisha Knight-Pulliam, Kim Porter, Usher and Outkast. Founded by Sherlita Patton (Big Boi’s wife) and Tracy Valentine, the boutique offers Atlanta natives the latest in contemporary urban wear, funky accessories and a myriad of high-end denim brands. While you’re there take advantage of services such as their personal shopper, wardrobe consultation and image enhancement – all performed by renowned stylist and image connoisseur, Fadia Kader. There’s nothing like fashion with heart.

Address:
P. Valentine Boutique
572 Edgewood Avenue, #115
Atlanta
GA 30312

Store Inquiries: 404 521 3660

Unsung Designers

Since GirlShop.com is slowly slipping into oblivion, you may be on the search for a new source of untapped designer talent. Let me poke you in the right direction. Head to UnsungDesigners.com for one-off pieces from up-and-coming talent, in fact, Project Runway’s Kara Janx (season 2) started off by selling her clothes via the D.C. based business. The online store has recently taken its idea from the virtual world into the real world. Now open on the first Saturday of every month, fashionista’s in the DC metro area can browse through their rails at the location below. Just look for the inconspicuous pink door in an alley between Felix and New Orleans cafe in Adams Morgan… no seriously!

Address:
Unsung Designers
2412 18th Street NW
Rear Door A

Washington
DC 20009

Store inquiries: 202 2341788

Left to right: Blue Hawaii Dress by Mignonette, $145; Little Black Dress by Mignonette, $225; Tweed Foldover Coat by Gina Michele, $148 all available on www.unsungdesigners.com

Té Casan

Above: Té Casan’s New York Boutique

Shoes: 1. Raised-seam heel, by Manuela Filipovic, $265. 2. Chain-mail heel, by Gaetano Perrone, $725. 3. Grosgrain bow pump, by Gianluca Soldi, $285. 4. Art Deco hells, by Manuela Filipovic, $325. 5. Evening shoe, by Fay.B, $255. 6. Satin bow slingback, by Gianluca Soldi, $275. 7. Stretch bootie, by Zoe Lee, $315. 8. Satin bow mule, by Gianluca Soldi, $250.

Above: Inside Té Casan

What’s 5,500 square feet, has seven fresh designs each week and houses protégés of Alexander McQueen, Versace, Dries Van Noten, and Vivienne Westwood? Té Casan (A Woman's Path), the shoe store of dreams, recently with an ambitious manifesto. Seven young designers from big-name design studios have been recruited to design unique shoes exclusively for the boutique. Each designer is expected to come up with a new design each week! Israeli mogul, Yaron Kopel is the money behind the project and he intends to open 50 more Té Casans over the next five years. Visit them if your in NYC or click here.

Address:
Te Casan
382 West Broadway,
New York,
NY 10012

Store Inquiries: 212 584 8000

Don’t Forget Your Pink Mascara!

Above: 3.1 Phillip Lim Rosette TShirt Dress, $451, www.pinkmascara.com

Left to right: 3.1 Phillp Lim Belted Floral Dress, $429; Sunner Florent Ruffle Dress, $277; Theory Polka Dot Dresses, $325, all available at www.pinkmascara.com

Pink Mascara store in Irvine, CA

I’ve been meaning to spotlight this store for a long time but better late than never! In some respects PinkMascara.com is like many other shopping sites that offer a delectable selection of the latest designer threads and accessories however, what I like most about this site are their continuous sales. Right now they are selling many of their Winter/Fall collections at a 75% mark down! Also browse through their Lookbook to get some inspiration on how to put your own closet pieces together. If you live in the Irvine area in California, check them out in person…

Address:
Pink Mascara

6258 Irvine Blvd,

Irvine,

CA 92620

Store Inquiries: 949 748-3980

On The Cusp…

Inside the new Cusp in Georgetown, D.C.

Georgetown has added another go-to boutique to its repetoire. Cusp opened earlier this month with the fabulous launch party that attracted D.C.’s finest. Fashionistas sipped on cocktails while they browsed through the boutique’s high end offerings. Designers such as Nanette Lapore, Chloe, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Tory Burch are all available at Cusp. Against my better judgement I visited the store and now I have my eye on this Alexis Hudson Clutch ($250)… But hey, I buy now and love it forever! Cusp is also located in California, Virginia and another is underway in Chicago (July, 2007). Untill then read their blog. Updated daily, it keeps you in the fashion loop.

Address:
Cusp
3030 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20007

Store Inquiries: 202 625 0893

Harlem Renaissance… Round II

N Boutique in Harlem, New York
The next generation of artisans have fully revived Harlem’s spirit. Starting in the 1980s during its redevelopment, interest in Harlem was reignited and people moved into the increasingly trendy neighborhood. The N Boutique represents what modern day Harlem is all about and is the destination for New York fashionistas looking for something different. The 4000 square feet store carries designer brands by Nicole Miller and Tracy Reese as well as slightly more affordable lines like Miss Sixty and Diesel. However, this boutique also carries one-of-a-kind pieces from Harlem-based an local designers. Visit www.nharlemnewyork.com for more information.

Address:
N Harlem New York
114 West 116th Street
New York,
NY 10026

Store Inquiries: 212 961 1036