With fashion moving at runway speed, even the subtlest detail can make the loudest statement. A garment’s lines, the studding here, the way light plays off fabric, the feel against skin--these are the elements that designers and seamstresses get stoked about. The DIY (do-it-yourself) fad has gone commercial and bloomed into a variety of styles on the fashion forecaster radar, from cleaned-up minimalism to offbeat opulence, from glamour-meets-grunge bohemianism to a “new modernism” of true design and silhouette.
Collectively, the following boutiques offer an array of apparel, handbags, jewelry and other accessories produced by local designers. The labels listed are subject to change because many wares are one-of-a-kind or limited editions. But even for the most fashion-conscious shoppers with an eye for workmanship and something unique, the latest looks can be found near home.
Aala Reed
Men’s fashion boutique | 1320 E. Brady St. | 414.226.2252 | Jewelry, Your Vibe | aalareed4men.com
Boutique B’lou
Women’s boutiques | 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., Pfister Hotel | 414.226.0112 | 13420 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove | 262.785.0909 | 615 Genesee St., Delafield | 262.646.4281 | T-shirts, Green 3 | Jewelry, Jeweled Designs | Hand-painted scarves, Susanne Waraksa | Knit accessories, Green 3
Boutique Revolution
Indie, vintage, recycled and handmade items | 5209 W. North Ave. | 414.807.3275 | Clothing, VGAL Designs, Asia Mynor, S.L.R. Couture, Anna Hovet, GG Collections, NANDI | Jewelry, RAW Jewelry, DQueens Crowns | thefashionrevolution.com
Fashion Ninja
Monthly Milwaukee indie fashion market | 315 N. Plankinton Ave. | 414.481.3865 | Clothing, Rosefly Designs, Elena Velez, Isis Indigo Designs, Des Arbres, Dee Von Ros, Belinda Ricco | fashionninja.com
Fred
Women’s boutiques | 522 N. Water St. | 414.270.1009 | 4407 N. Oakland Ave. | 414.967.7760 | Headbands, Jackie Barutha | fredboutique.com
I See London
Women’s boutique | 333 W. Brown Deer Road | 414.351.6132 | Clothing, Belatees | Jewelry, Tammy Spice | Accessories, Jodi Marcus, Mitchell Leather Cuffs
Lela
Women’s boutique | 321 N. Broadway | 414.727.4855 |
Clothing, Vika Brown, Shanel Regier, Laddhavan Sutana | Jewelry, Becky Bathke, Valerie Erato, Dawn Follendorf, Bonnie McKendry, Staci Schemm, Julie Schnoll | Accessories, Jodi Marcus | lelaboutique.com
Luci
Women’s boutiques | 532 N. Water St. | 414.226.0114 | Bayshore Town Center | 414.967.7933 | Clothing, VGAL Designs, Spotlight designer featured every two months | luciboutique.com
Ma Jolie
Men and women’s clothing and shoe boutique | Bayshore Town Center | 414.961.8210 | Jewelry, Sook Earrings, Bella Bella | Accessories, Mitchell Leather Cuffs
Miss Ruby
Bridal & dress boutique | 522 N. Water St., Suite 203 | 414.755.2900 | DressesDelanie Couture | JewelryJoBead, Jaxie | Hair accessoriesJaxie | missrubyboutique.com
Project M
New women and men’s boutique featuring Midwest designers | 801 E. Center St. | ClothingRosefly, Des Arbres | projectmboutique.blogspot.com
ReThreads
Indie, vintage, recycled and handmade items | 2943 N. Humboldt Blvd. | 414.263.1690 | BagsPaul Isaac | rethreadsclothing.com
Salamander
Women’s boutique | 7532 W. State St. | 414.259.0970 | JewelryWolf Design | fancifulpear.com
Shoo
Shoe and accessory boutique | 241 N. Broadway | 414.765.74665 | Recycled Leather bags(h(om)e) | ScarvesArtwear | JewelryPolly Daeger | shoostore.com
Sparrow Collective
Indie, vintage, recycled and handmade items featuring more than 90 designers from the United States and Canada | 2224 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. | 414.747.9229 | ClothingMoshiMoshi, VGear, Little Ocean, Des Arbres, Polar Ghost | JewelryPapavier, Dores, My Mish Mosh, Jessica Lemberg, Miss Miso | Crocheted scarvesMiss Miso | Screen printed bagsPapavier | fastencollective.blogspot.com
U-Turn Apparel
Consignment, recycled clothing boutique | 6905 W. North Ave. | 414.443.0143 | BagsPermanent Baggage, Vagabonde Bags | JewelryPerlina Creations, Michele St. Amour | ClothingHot Coco | AccessoriesZewing Girl | uturnity.com
Photo by Dave Zylstra
