Boutique of the Week: Vestique

This week’s featured retailer is brand new to the Columbia shopping scene and we are ecstatic about its arrival. Vestique is an incredibly chic boutique that just opened its fourth location in September at 631 Harden Street in Five Points. The store is co-owned by Caroline and Morgan who originally started selling clothing solely online. As the online sales began to immensely grow, the two took a leap of faith and decided to open up a brick-and-mortar store. In two short years, they have opened Vestique boutiques in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greenville and Columbia! From gameday dresses, great statement jewelry, or their more than amazing sweater selection, this store is a go to place to buy something for any occasion. To find out a little more about what makes this store special, we sat down with Amanda, Vestique’s Columbia and Greenville manager.

Fashion Board: What kind of girl do you envision in Vestique’s clothes?

Amanda: What’s really cool about Vestique is that there is a wide range of people who can shop here. We carry many styles that a mother, daughter and even grandmother would love to wear.

FB:  What makes your store unique from other local shops in Columbia?

A: Our diverse since of style makes us unique. We use private labeling and we go to LA twice a season to pull and meet with designers. Our affordable prices also set us apart from many other shops. Everything in the store is under $100. We want our customers to get an entire ensemble for a reasonable price.

FB: How do you reach out to customers about new products?

A: Vestique started as an online store out of Raleigh. We are constantly using our website, email, Facebook, Twitter, blog and Instagram!

We love boutiques that love social media! Follow Vestique for store updates!

Twitter: @shopvestique

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vestique

Instagram: vestique

We’re are so excited about this new addition to Five Points and can’t wait to see what Vestique has in store—yes, that pun was intended.

Fashionably yours,

Anna Mathias, VP of Public Relations

Boutique of the Week: Britton's

“First Impressions are Lasting Impressions,” is the motto of our next featured retailer, Brittons of Columbia. Brittons of Columbia is owned and operated by Perry Lancaster. Located on Devine Street, Brittons prides itself on the exclusive brands they carry such as Southern Tide, Eileen Fisher, Vineyard Vines, and Little Brown Dog. Brittons has a wide assortment of merchandise for both men and women, ranging from suits to t-shirts to key rings. Along with this vast range of products, Brittons is in fact known for their bowties. Along with participating in the USC Fashion Week, Brittons will be hosting an event called “Tie Us Together” on February 9^th, 2014, where they hope to break the world record for the most bowties tied all at the same time. So watch up on your YouTube videos now and try to learn how to tie a bowtie so you too can participate in breaking a world record. We were lucky enough to talk with the man himself, Perry Lancaster, about Brittons of Columbia. Keep reading to see what he has to say!

Fashion Board: “What kind of person do you envision in your shop’s clothes?”

Perry Lancaster: “In our store, for men’s and ladies, we have a customer from age 12 to 80. We are dressing four and five generations, we have been in business for 66 years.”

FB: “What makes you continue to participate in USC Fashion Week?”

PL: “I am totally a partner in the program of Fashion Board. I am really excited to be apart of everything I get asked to do. I feel like it is a great partnership for having a local store in Columbia for 60 plus years to give back to the community, to give back to the Fashion Board, and to give back to the Retail School. It’s a win-win situation for everybody.”

FB: “What makes your store unique from other local shops in Columbia?”

PL: “The personal service and the uniqueness of clothing we bring to Columbia. We bring the collections and lines that cannot be found anywhere but Brittons, even in the south. We even carry South Carolina brands; we are very known for South Carolina brands. Brands that were start up companies here in South Carolina.”

FB: How do you reach out to customers and let them know of the new products you have?

PL: “It can be Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, print media, and every other imaginable media.”

Go like and follow Brittons to hear about all their exclusive sales and their newest items!

Twitter: @brittonstweets

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrittonsofColumbia

Instagram: @brittonsofcolumbia

Get excited to see Brittons of Columbia present in the upcoming USC Fashion Week and don’t forget to start practicing now how to tie bowties to help break the world record!

Fashionably yours,

Kristy Martin

Fashion Board Member

Boutique of the Week: Gwen Rawls

Located off of Forest Drive in the Trenholm Plaza is an unassuming boutique entitled Gwen Rawls, owned by Gwen Rawls herself.  Upon entering, you immediately feel swept away by the breathtaking shelves of exclusive imported Italian footwear and handbags. Each shoe has a story of its own, whether it is an elegant, timeless pump or a sexy stiletto boot. They are as unique as the women who wear them and are designed for their high fashion as well as comfort. 

As if the luxurious shoes and handbags are not enough to entice you, owner Gwen Rawls and partner-in-crime Coty sure will. This dynamic duo is the definition of fabulous. Rawls says the shoe that best describes her own personality would be the pump, the Cesare Paciotti studded python pump to be exact, which I had the privilege to try on. The shoes and handbags that Rawls sells are the epitome of luxury, from the looks to feel and everything in between. 

What Rawls loves about pumps is that they are classic, sexy and can go from day to night in a New York minute.  When it comes to role models in the fashion industry, Rawls’s would have to be Roberto Cavalli, a designer whose shoes are sure to make you swoon.  She feels that his designs exude sexuality, power and confidence.  

Coty compared Cavalli to a “toned down version of Alexander McQueen.” 

 If you are wondering where you can see these beautiful creations, be sure to look out for her features in Columbia Metropolitan magazine and most recently Fig magazine.  Even better news for all of you shoe and handbag lovers, Gwen Rawls will be featured in the finale show during USC Fashion Week this March.  Mark your calendars fashionistas!  

In closing a motto from Rawls herself: “Enjoy life, focus on the positive and most importantly be true to you!”    

Fashionably yours,

Claire Walker, Fashion Board Member

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GwenRawlsShoes

Twitter: @GwenRawls
Instagram: @gwenrawls.

Boutique of the Week: Bohemian

               In the heart of Five Points, Bohemian provides Columbia with the latest trends while still allowing the shopper to have fun with fashion and make the clothes their own. While southern style consists of a lot of chevron, monograms, and Lily Pulitzer; Bohemian provides clothes with more of an indie, fashion forward feel. 

Store manager Anna Williams envisions a shopper at bohemian as “a fun girl with her own sense of style”.The store carries clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry for shoppers of all ages with a variety of fun, stylish brands.

 “We carry a great mix of brands you don’t usually find in Columbia such as Wildfox, Mink Pink, and Obey.”

Adding to that stylish ensemble are Splendid, Free People, Sanctuary, as well as up and coming designers (both local and nation wide).   Bohemian is all about not taking fashion too seriously by finding humor in more funky pieces.

“We have cat sweaters,” Anna adds with a smile on her face.

Bohemian utilizes social media to get information out about the store and to highlight new trends and products that come in. The store relies on their Twitter (@shopbehmian) and Instagram (shopbohemian) as well as their website, shop-bohemian.com. While remaining professional, Bohemian never stops having fun while bringing a chill vibe to their store. The friendly sales associates make your shopping experience enjoyable and laid back, while helping you find what you’re looking for and giving suggestions on what to pair it with.

Bohemian continues to support both Fashion Board and USC fashion students by participating in USC Fashion Week.

“We really enjoy being a part of Fashion Week. It is great how it allows student to participate in aspects of fashion and retail they usually wouldn’t be exposed to. It puts their education to use and puts our clothes on the runway,” said Anna.

We appreciate their partnership and their great sales. Shop bohemian to find the latest and greatest trends from the brands you love.

Fashionably yours,

Kelsey Spencer, Fashion Board Member

Styled By: Rachael Dornellas

Photographed By: Morgan Epperson

Boutique of The Week: Van Jean

This week, the retailer’s spotlight goes to Van Jean. Van Jean is located on Devine Street and has a wide assortment of designer jewelry, handbags, clothing and shoes. It’s perfect for sophisticated women of all ages who appreciate quality and style in their wardrobe. Whether it’s for a political event or a football game, women are able to find elegant pieces and look their very best. Van Jean was started by Melissa Blanchard in 2004 and she differed herself from other retailers immediately by using well-known, up-and-coming designers. Melissa wanted to carry designers that were difficult to find in a southern city. Van Jean carries 3.1 Phillip Lim, Helmut Lang, Dannijo, J Brand, Tory Burch, Tibi, Milly, Rag & Bone and so much more. Melissa visits New York and Miami regularly to bring back exclusive Ready-to-Wear items that the Columbia area is grateful to have. We were fortunate enough to get to chat with Van Jean’s buyer Aya Alshafei. Aya is a USC graduate and former member of Fashion Board. Here’s what she had to say!  

Fashion Board: What kind of girl do you envision in your shop’s clothes?

Aya Alshafei: We have a very mature customer. Someone that enjoys fashion. She lives a small town life but dresses like a city woman. 

FB: What makes you continue to participate in USC Fashion Week?

AA: A lot of us graduated from USC and want to support our alma mater. I was in Fashion Board and I know what it's like to work in a good organization that focuses on fashion and helps the community. We also like that Fashion Week spreads the word that fashion is ever changing.

FB: What makes your store unique from other local shops in Columbia?

AA: Definitely the exclusive lines we carry. It’s hard to find these lines in the city let alone the state. We carry exclusive and Ready-to-Wear clothes that you see on the runway. We like that our shop stands out in a college town.

FB: How do you reach out to customers and let them know of the new products you have?

AA: We update our social media daily. Instagram is our number one social media page and we like to post new arrivals or staff favorites, like our Manager’s Outfit of the Month. Our Instagram is linked to Twitter and Facebook. We also send out email blasts to customers.

Like and follow Van Jean and be the first to know about their newest arrivals!

Twitter: @ShopVanJean

Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopvanjean

Instagram: @shopvanjean

Also check out Van Jean on the new app The Near By (it’s like Instagram, but for local boutiques): @Vanjean

Fashionably Yours,

Sara Dixson

Styling by: Rachael Dornellas

Photography by: Morgan Epperson