What began as a simple eBay consignment business is now Raleigh's newest boutique. Dress., a women's designer boutique offering high-end consignment and new pieces, opens Thursday in Glenwood South.
Owner Pam Liebling Mullaney started selling secondhand designer clothing from her eBay store, PeaceandLove Shopping, in 2008. Building a network of women looking to consign their own pieces, as well as those looking for designer clothes without the hefty price, Mullaney decided to turn the virtual store into a brick-and-mortar establishment.
"I love the face-to-face interaction and helping people find the right pieces that work for them," she says. "Moving to Glenwood Avenue gives me more room, a great location and the ability to have standard store hours for my customers."
Dress. offers clothing, shoes, handbags and other accessories. The store is at 14 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh; 523-6021 or www.dressraleigh.com.
Target's 'treasure hunt'
Fashion lovers count on Target for designer style at budget-friendly prices. With its designer collaborations and Go International lines, the store has brought high-end fashion to the masses. Now Target is taking it a step further with The Great Save event.
Billed as a "warehouse club-style" event, the sale will offer bulk food items and other such merchandise found at warehouse club stores such as Sam's Club and Costco. But for the more fashion-conscious shopper, the sale includes "Treasure Hunt" items, which include designer clothing, purses and fragrance, at deeply discounted prices. Merchandise such as Via Spiga handbags, Calvin Klein sunglasses and Ralph Lauren Polo shirts are included, at savings up to 60 percent off.
The sale is being held through Feb. 21 at 1,000 Target stores nationwide, and online at www.target.com.
Relax and just buy
Local online boutiques Clothes Hound and Silpada bring their lines to 101 Lounge in Raleigh for a shopping event 5-8 p.m. Friday.
Clothes Hound carries clothing and accessories from designers such as Free People, French Connection and Karlie.
Silpada is a jewelry retailer specializing in sterling silver. In addition to special deals, shoppers can enjoy complimentary cocktails and enter a raffle.
101 Lounge is at 101 Palladium Plaza, 444 S. Blount St., Raleigh; 833-8008, www.shopclotheshound.com, mysilpada.com/belynda.evans.
Farewell to a fashion legend
The fashion world lost another of its pioneers this month.
Eunice Johnson, widow of Ebony magazine founder John Johnson, and creator of the Ebony Fashion Fair and Fashion Fair Cosmetics, died Jan. 3 of renal failure at her home in Chicago. She was 93.
In 1961, Johnson began producing and directing the Ebony Fashion Fair, a traveling charity fashion event showcasing top designers, bringing high fashion to an African-American audience. The show has launched careers too; "Shaft" star Richard Roundtree was a model, as was author and wife of former Defense Secretary William Cohen, Janet Langhart Cohen. Legendary model Pat Cleveland toured with the show when she was 15.
To date, according to the Johnson Publishing Co., the shows have raised an estimated $55 million for local charities.
Alongside her husband, Johnson also created the Fashion Fair Cosmetics line in 1973. Sold at Belk, Dillard's, and Macy's, the line was one of the first to cater to the cosmetic and skin care needs of African-American women.
In addition to her fashion work, Johnson was the secretary-treasurer of Johnson Publishing, and publisher of Ebony and JET magazines. She is also credited with creating the name for Ebony.
