Chichi Couture sells a co-ordinated chic
When Holly Allen started up Chichi Couture in 2005, the store was located in a new section of the Avenida shopping area along Macleod Trail S.
It soon became apparent, however, that she would need to expand.
“I needed a bigger space because I have a line of clothing that we design and then I got started designing jewelry,” says Allen, who has brought together off-site studios and the store into what she calls her “dream space.”
“I have a lit 40-foot runway and we do all kinds of events. It’s a different concept than your normal retail store, but I believe in supporting up-and- coming Calgary designers and showcasing them.”
The upscale boutique moved in 2010 to the Mission neighbourhood, just outside of the downtown core and is now in a space of 2,600 square feet with three employees.
Allen says she shops the world for unique clothing, leathers, accessories, furs, shoes and handbags.
Merchandise comes primarily from New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Italy.
The in-house jewelry design studio is where Allen creates and manufactures custom pieces to complete a client’s wardrobe.
The name of the store itself is unique as well.
“It was actually Camille Paglia the feminist writer who used the word in a very de- rogatory fashion to describe the glitter girls of New York. She called them the chichi girls. But it’s also French Canadian slang for chic,” explains Allen.
“A lot of women, whether they have corporate careers or they’re philanthropic or socially active, they don’t have the time to shop. They need to have one place where they can come,” says Allen.
“They can bring things from their closets that they like that fit them well but basically what I can do is I can change them up and give them a great fashion-forward look and they can do it all under one roof.
“We can create custom pieces for them whether it’s jewelry or clothing. We can do whatever it takes so that when they go out they can put their best self forward.”