AN EYE FOR FASHION

The

past few years have been times of change for many people – a lot had no choice what with the pandemic, but some took the arrival of the ‘new normal’ as an opportunity to follow a passion.

Businesswoman Rachelle Foley had spent more than a decade with a successful industrial company in Townsville, working her way up from sales/reception to manager and part owner/director.

But in January 2021 she decided it was time to pivot – she sold out of the company and, with her daughter Dani, dived into the world of fashion.

They opened Rachelle’s Unique Boutique in Flinders Street in the city, and set about stocking it with just what the name promised – unique fashions.

The ladies have very recently moved the shop to a new location in Castletown shopping centre, but the philosophy and the eye catching fashion on offer have not changed.

“I did a lot of research to find the clothing and the suppliers that I was after,” says Rachelle.

“I ordered stuff and tried it out and searched until I found the right contacts.”

The result is Rachelle’s Unique Boutique, which stocks international labels that can be found nowhere one else in Australia – they include designers from New York, Jaipur in India, and her best selling range, Miss June, Paris – direct from, yes Paris!

“One of the best things about this clothing is that it’s so user-friendly – the designs will fit most body shapes, and we’ll fit up to a size 20 in a lot of these outfits, yet they can be worn by a size 12 just as well,” she says.

These are not the drab, shapeless offerings you usually see for the so- called ‘fuller figure’. They are whimsical, fun, full of flair and bursting with colour.

“I love colour – big, bright and beautiful colour can make you happy,” says Rachelle.

“You want to feel good, feel beautiful, feel confident in what you are wearing.

“And you also want to go out without seeing someone else wearing the same item!”

Rachelle imports very limited numbers of each item, and many are one- only, so the chance of meeting someone at a party that’s got the same outfit on is virtually nil.

As well, many of the clothes are lightweight, uncrushable, making them easy to pack for travel, particularly the range from India, and they can be worn in a whole range of situations – dressed up with heels and bling, or toned down for casual occasions.

The boutique also has a range of accessories, from gorgeous boots to interesting jewellery, bags and more.

Rachelle said while she and Dani enjoyed running the shop in the city which jump started their adventure, and they learnt a lot, they feel the new location will be a great success.

“There’s a constant flow of people and a whole lot of those who have yet to discover what we’ve got to offer, it’s very exciting.”

You want to feel good, feel beautiful, feel confident in what you are wearing

Look for Rachelle’s Unique Boutique at the Woolworths end of Castletown.