Fashion Gurus Wanted for Patch Local Voices

Calling all boutique employees, local shoppers and anyone with a passion for fashion. We want to see your ideas on Patch!

Patch is seeking fashion experts to contribute to our Local Voices platform and help educate the masses on the right shoes to wear with that pencil skirt, next seasons top color trends and more.  We would love for owners or employees of local boutiques to post an "Outfit of the Week" or for a savvy consumer to keep us up-to-date on the latest trends with regular posts on what's happening in the fashion world. If you love to photograph fashion, you can showcase that passion as well with a Local Voices post.    Part of the Patch mission is to strengthen communities and improve the lives of their residents, but we can't do it without you. Our Local Voices section allows members of the community—from cooking enthusiasts to local politicians …

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Business Spotlight

Accessories Boutique Joins Downtown Kirkwood Shopping Scene

With less than a month under its belt, Kirkwood's Sparkle is seeing success.

The location of Sparkle Boutique near the intersection of South Kirkwood Road and Monroe Avenue puts owner Diana Slay exactly where she wants to be. Slay opened Sparkle Aug. 22, and already she is seeing success in Downtown Kirkwood at 217 South Kirkwood Rd. "The foot traffic's been great. We've had a lot of activity," she said, adding the location is a perfect spot to catch the eye of drivers. Sparkle is a boutique store that sells accessories and gifts. The business carries fashion items like purses, hats, sunglasses and jewelry but also gift items like candles and soap. Many of the products are locally made. "With so many little boutiques around, it seems like Kirkwood's become the destination for specialty shops," Slay said. "I figured…

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Business Spotlight

East + West Brings Men's Fashion to Downtown Kirkwood

How Kirkwood's newest fashion boutique aims to deliver St. Louis men a unique shopping experience.

Emerging men's designers on the East and West coasts don't have a lot of exposure in St. Louis, according to Brian Simpson, owner of East + West. The 28 year old who grew up in the Kirkwood area is on a mission to change that.  Formerly a financial planner, Simpson recently opened East + West in the heart of Downtown Kirkwood with his wife Lauren. The boutique is one of the few in St. Louis catered toward men's fashion. "I wanted to create an atmosphere and culture that’s comfortable for guys to come into," Simpson said. "What I’ve tried to do is have a very antique Americana feel to the store with a lot of industrial metal and antique wood. It's designed in a setting that feels like a guy’s store." East + West will focus on delivering …

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Fashion Friday: Fun, Summer Fashion Trends from Head-to-Toe

This week, we take a look at some of the season's hottest new trends in clothing, shoes and accessories from one of the area's newest boutiques.

Looking for some of the hottest trends in summer fashions, shoes and accessories? Chances are you'll find them at one of the area's newest shops — Toulon Boutique in Webster Groves. The new shop recently opened in the same location that was formerly Jennie Annie’s. It's a women’s clothing boutique named after a small, port city in France known for its affordability, relaxed atmosphere and fun. Although there are still a few novelty gift items in the store left over from the purchase of the boutique, Toulon sells a variety of unique, fashions appropriate for all ages. Brands the new store carries include Angie, Radzoli, Nikibiki, OOFOS, Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops and yoga wear by Omala and Twist. Toulon also carries locally owned Before …

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Fashion Friday: Maxi, Mini and High-Low Dresses

Stay cool while looking hot in the latest dress trends of the season.

Summer days are hot and nothing is cooler than slipping into a dress and a pair of heels, sandals or wedges. You’ve worked hard on your tan, so show it off. Patch found the some of the hottest dress fashions of the season at Alixandar Collections on Clayton Road in Ladue and Splash on Ladue Road in Ladue. Read on and then take a look at our photo gallery for ways to wear your favorite look this summer. The short dress Cozy Day Dress in Ivory by Free People is as comfortable as it is pretty. This knit dress has plenty of detail in the fabric. Fun and flirty, yet sweet and innocent, this dress has it all. Add this lovely, multi crystal, large necklace to complete the look. Find the dress at Alixandra Collections for $118 and the necklace for…

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FASHION FRIDAY: Summer Dresses From Blush Boutique

A few samplings of BLUSH Boutique's summer offerings.

Summer's here to stay, according to a photo album from BLUSH Boutique Facebook. Here are just a few items from the album that features a range of summer looks (including accessories). Like BLUSH Boutique Facebook and follow the Downtown Kirkwood business on Twitter for constantly updated styles.

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Business Spotlight

Fun in the Sun Sports Brings Coastal Fashion to Downtown Kirkwood

Downtown Kirkwood's newest boutique serves up coastal inspired activewear.

Nancy Kaiser McGee had the idea of opening an activewear boutique when she retired in Florida. But then, she thought, why wait? Fun in the Sun Sports and Leisure opens in Downtown Kirkwood Friday. The activewear boutique at 121 N. Kirkwood Rd. brings coastal style and exercise fashion to a demographic of consumers that no one knows better than McGee. She is her customer, an area mom who not only lives an active lifestyle but supports her family’s activities. McGee, her husband and children live in Glendale and her kids attend Kirkwood schools. “The response has been overwhelming from everyone who has been in the store and gotten a preview,” McGee said. The entrepreneur, who led the St. Louis market for Banana Republic for 10 years, has …

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Paperdolls Boutique Debuts Bold Summer Collection

A trunk show at the Downtown Kirkwood fashion boutique offers shoppers an exclusive chance to preview and order Tracy Negoshian's Summer 2012 collection before the looks hit stores.

Fashion lovers have an exclusive chance to get an up-close look at Tracy Negoshian's bright and bold Summer 2012 Collection through a special event at Paperdolls Boutique Wednesday. The Downtown Kirkwood business will hold a trunk show from 7-9 p.m., where shoppers can view samples from the collection and place orders before the looks hit St. Louis stores in May. The collection showcases bright colors and bold geometric prints. "A lot of the prints are kind of nautical themed and more girly," Paperdolls Event Coordinator Lisa Fanetti said. "She likes to mix a lot of patterns with her clothes." Negoshian's clothes are very wearable and appeal a wide age range of women. "She really doesn't target a certain age group," Fanetti said, adding …

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Fashion Friday: Daisy Clover Boutique in Webster Groves

The women's clothing boutique has some great summer looks.

The Fashion Daisy Clover Boutique in Webster Groves carries a wide selection of casual clothing, from jeans and tees to cute dresses. You can accessorize your look with the jewelry and accessories they sell or with pieces from Scratch Boutique, which is located in the back of the store. For a great everyday look with a few pops of color for summer, try a pair of Joe's Jeans ($168) with a white Lilla P three-quarter-sleeved tee ($82), a yellow Urban Expressions bag ($90), gold Sara Patino earrings ($58, from Scratch), a camelian JK bracelet ($65, from Scratch) and a multi-colored ikat scarf ($45). White jeans are in this summer, and Daisy Clover has a pair of skinny Paige Verdugo ones ($164) that look great with a blue Lilla P blouse ($140…

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Patch Picks: Boutiques

This week, we single out five local boutiques, each one offering something a little different from the next.

Shopping locally is a great way to support your community by keeping your neighbors in business. This week, Patch picks five locally owned boutiques that offer a refreshing relief from the big box stores. Let us know in the comments what your own picks are.

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