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Illi on Westlake is just one of the new boutiques popping up in unexpected areas.
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RSS for Seattle Style FileSeattle neighborhoods are far from being saturated with great boutiques (there really can't be too many, can there?) But these hot new shops are popping up in unexpected places, filling the fashion gaps in the city. When it comes to stores, more is always better, n'est pas?
I'll admit it: I did drive around the block a few times before I could find this shop and convince myself that there really was a very cute boutique in this little pocket of fashion no-man's land, on the edge of Belltown. Those of you in the know will recognize that this chic shop on Westlake Avenue near Lenora Street has replaced the Joker Day & Night Restaurant that occupied the triangular space a few years back.
So, coordinates established, this upscale boutique opened by Janelle Bakke targets women in their 30s and 40s (but easily crosses the span above and below). Bakke wanted to offer options to women who want classy but sexy styles by up-and-coming and established designers (often called "bridge wear"). This shop looks like a little (triangular) slice of retro Milan with exposed wood and box beams, and a palette of creamy white, warm orange and gold walls with diaphanous window treatments.
If you love Italian designers and one-of-a-kind cocktail dresses, you'll find them here. Labels include Jean Paul Gaultier, Moschino, Orwell (think hand-painted cotton zip-up sweaters), and Missoni. Denim aficionados will find styles by Genetic, Aerea and Yves Castaldi. The Sissi Rossi handbags are so lush you'll ignore the price tag. Bakke carries selected interesting jewelry lines such as Bo J.C.'s semi precious 18k gold couture (read: one-of-a-kind). She also features the Laundress fabric care line which comes in fabulous scents and is great for silks, cashmere, and wool.
Prices range from $65 for trendy T's to $1,200 for exquisite handbags.
Women with shoe fetishes can stop their whining about the lack of luxury shoes in the area. Angela Self stepped in to fill that niche when she opened her boutique, Posh on Main in Old Bellevue, one of the Eastside's newest fashion destinations.
The former physical therapist and shoe lover missed the high-end shoes she'd grown to covet in New York and San Francisco and decided women here should have access to beautiful soles (and pumps, and sandals, and boots...) One of her favorite designers is Holly Dunlap, who stamps the soles of her overtly sexy Hollywould line with these words of wisdom: "Because it's hard to look sassy when your feet hurt." Other designers include Miss Trish of Capri, Emma Hope, and Courtney Crawford's designs. (Self wore a pair of Crawford's sexpot peacock feather embellished party shoes at her grand opening.)
The shop itself is gorgeous. The decor features delicious shades of chocolate, pink, and latte, invoking cravings for strawberry truffles and Neapolitan ice cream. Women can perch on the cocoa-colored ottoman amid sumptuous satin pillows and try on their potential purchases. Shoes are displayed in inset nooks, backlit as if they were fine art. "People love the beauty of the boutique," says Self. The sweet and welcoming 35-year-old proprietress serves chocolates and champagne on Saturdays, just one of those little extras when you splurge on a pair of fancy heels. Prices range from $200 to $700.
Pioneer Square is known more for its galleries and good-times bar-hopping than fashion, but this inviting new shop will attract fashionistas who like hidden gems. The newly opened boutique strives to provide good quality, value, and pieces that you can wear more than one season while keeping up with the trends. The shop is spacious, with super-tall ceilings and a relaxed atmosphere, and is awash in modern hues of ivory, brown and lime.
Owner/designer Beth Nielsen loves clothing with a vintage edge. Her label features pretty spring-ish tablecloth skirts ($118) made from vintage 1930s/1940s tablecloths, recycled cashmere sweater designs and 1940s-style jackets made from new and vintage fabrics. Along with her own label, she carries a trendy mix of clothing and lingerie including Velvet T's, Twinkle tops, Taverniti denim, and gifts like Flicker and Voluspa candles.
Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island for another boutique option. This modern but cute shop is pretty in pink and crisp white. Owner Sarah Wen carries a variety of trendy, sporty, and feminine pieces. Clothing includes affordable options such as jackets and pants by Tulle (under $65), tailored jackets and pants by Saltwater from London, and To The Max trend pieces. Premium denim brands include Hudson, Miss Sixty, and Meltin' Pot. Wen loves affordable accessories and has a must-have selection of Boma sterling silver jewelry, $5 resin bangles, and Jackie O sunglasses for $15. Pricier Kim White vintage fabric handbags run $90-$220, but are worth it for their individualist impact. Stop by on the first Friday of every month, when everything in the store is 25 percent off and a new local artist presents their work with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A fashion oasis in Eastlake, this new shop has a long list of favored labels for men and women. A chance meeting with an Italian lingerie designer was the inspiration for the name, which comes from the name of a small rural Italian town. The décor is contemporary, featuring rich tones of gray, black, and white with sleek white leather chairs for lounging and romantic black and white photography of Italy on the walls. Stop in for the latest in denim, or just some conversation and a glass of wine while you shop.
The boutique carries clothing for a varied clientele, from well-off college kids to contemporary workers to moms wanting to keep up with the trends. Styles are classic but updated and feminine for women. You'll find timeless Diane Von Furstenberg dresses, lacey numbers from Tracy Reese, contemporary pants and jackets from Theory, and darling tiered skirts for spring from Calypso. For men, there are True Religion and Joe's jeans, plus cool T's by Splendid and Velvet.
If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, E-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com.
Kathy Schultz is a Seattle-based free-lance writer. If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, E-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com.
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