Local Boutique Capitalizes On the Power of Clothes To Transform Women's Lives

Local Boutique Capitalizes On the Power of Clothes To Transform Women's Lives - wgbh.org

Local Boutique Capitalizes On the Power of Clothes To Transform Women's Lives - wgbh.org
New retailers coming to Woodland Mall - mlive.com
Sisters share love for fashion by opening women's clothing boutique in Chambersburg - Herald-Mail Media

Local Boutique Capitalizes On the Power of Clothes To Transform Women's Lives - wgbh.org

Posted: 28 Jan 2020 01:56 PM PST

It's not hard to find organizations that offer free or low-cost clothing, but Susan Kanoff has created a boutique that uses clothes to transform not only the way women look, but how they feel.

A social worker by training, Kanoff made her living helping low-income families move out of poverty. In her spare time, she channeled her love of fashion as a private stylist and style blogger. When her style clients began asking her where to best donate their old clothes, she had an idea.

"I started taking them into my social work office," said Kanoff, who lives in Methuen. "I had racks set up and (if) one of my clients was having a bad day, we'd put an outfit together; going on a job interview, we'd put an outfit together. And I started to realize how powerful these clothes were and how really important they were to a woman's self-esteem."

Partnering with Family Services of the Merrimack Valley, she opened the non-profit "Uncommon Threads" three years ago in downtown Lawrence. In late 2019, the retailer Timberland helped fund the renovation of a larger space with dressing rooms, a sitting area in shades of beige and dark blue and a on the entry-way wall a message that reads: "Self Confidence is the Best Outfit."

"Our main goal is dignity and respect," said Kanoff. "We want women to feel like they're in, they're shopping in a beautiful place versus getting a handout."

Kanoff, who previously worked for the North Andover Housing Authority running the family self sufficiency program to help lift people out of poverty, works with a more than a dozen social service agencies who must refer women to be able to shop at the store. Retailers and the public donate clothing.

"We could dress a woman who was maybe a victim of domestic violence and is ashamed to go to their kid's school conference," said Kanoff. "Whatever it takes to get that woman to feel strong and powerful through the way she looks."

Kanoff estimates "Uncommon Threads" has served more than 2,000 women. Her mission has expanded beyond creating outfits. She offers clients monthly workshops on topics like the power of positive thinking and "Be Your Own Valentine."

Women first meet with an "Uncommon Threads" volunteer to talk about their clothing needs, as well as their work or life goals. Clients can get up to four outfits and two pairs of shoes in one visit – but they can also get some items not commonly found in donation shops: bras, underwear, pyjamas and even matching jewelry. The meeting looks like one with a personal shopper at a pricey store, but costs just ten-dollars - a fee that can also be waived. Otherwise, the clothes are free.

On a recent day, volunteer Jen Marin sat down for a "styling session" with 19-year-old JJ Ortiz. Shuttled around between group homes and foster care since she was 12, Ortiz said she struggled to find clothes that fit her as she grew and became self-conscious about her weight.

"I was kind of uncomfortable in my skin, who I was, how I would like show myself, like my clothes wasn't the best," Ortiz said, "But they didn't see that. They saw me for who I am."

Marin helped Ortiz try on a jeans jacket and then moved around to take a look.

"That's really cute," she said, moving Ortiz' hair back from her face.

Another volunteer stepped in to put a necklace over Ortiz' head.

Ortiz smiled, "I look so pretty," she said.

With shopping finished, Ortiz stayed to sit in on a workshop called "Feminine Rocket Fuel." She took careful notes as motivational speaker Rosie Dalton explained to the gathering of clients how to use obstacles as "fuel" to move forward.

Social worker Cynthia Claflin sat with a client in the workshop. She said she'd referred many women to "Uncommon Threads."

"Just being able to have sort of that boutique experience, feel catered to, feeling beautiful, getting clothes that they would never be able to afford on their own," said Claflin. "(They) walk out of here just beaming."

Before she headed out, Ortiz took a selfie in one of her new outfits and Marin came up behind.

"Oh, look at you," Marin said.

Ortiz giggled and gave her a hug.

New retailers coming to Woodland Mall - mlive.com

Posted: 28 Jan 2020 01:14 PM PST

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Shoppers will soon have a few new stores to visit at Woodland Mall.

Officials announced this week that four retailers — Champ Sports, Aeropostale, Sephora and White House Black Market — will open at Woodland between Jan. 31 and May.

Champ Sports is the first retailer scheduled to open. It's slated to open its 5,800-square-foot space in the JCPenny wing on Jan. 31. The retailer sells footwear, athletic apparel and accessories for men, women and children, the mall said in a news release.

"Champs Sports is a fantastic fit for Woodland Mall and our shoppers," Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall's marketing director, said in a statement. "Michiganders are always looking for active wear and gear to enable us to enjoy all four seasons. Guests will now be able to find those top athletic brands all in one place."

In addition, Aeropostale, a clothing store for teens and young adults, is scheduled to open a 3,700-square-foot store in March.

Two other retailers, Sephora and White House Black Market, are scheduled to open in April and May, respectively.

Sephora sells cosmetics, skin care, hair care, nail color and fragrances. It's scheduled to open a 6,500-square-foot location in the mall's Von Maur wing in April.

White House Black Market is opening a 2,700-square-foot location in May. The women's clothing retailer offers "complementary expert stylist services," and aims to help shoppers "transform their closets, style the current trends and create unique looks."

"We look forward to welcoming Aeropostale, Sephora and White House Black Market to our expansive selection of stores and eateries," McCabe said in a statement. "All three retailers offer a variety of products to fit every shopper's needs, further growing our list of well-known destination retailers and heightening the Woodland Mall experience."

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Sisters share love for fashion by opening women's clothing boutique in Chambersburg - Herald-Mail Media

Posted: 07 Jan 2020 12:00 AM PST

Formed by a sisterhood, Black & Blush Boutique hopes to expand the sense of family to nearby businesses as it settles into its store on Chambersburg's Main Street.

For the last year, fashion-loving sisters Brittani Black and Cortney Hanks have been selling women's clothing and shoes online at blackblushboutique.com. They started working out of the basement of Black's home in Shippensburg, until a flood forced relocation to the lower level of Hanks' home in Chambersburg.

"The orders are flying in," Hanks said Dec. 29, the first day of the boutique's three-day sale marking its one-year anniversary.

Hanks said she and Black order from wholesalers and keep inventory on hand. When an order is placed, they can typically have it ready later in the day and ship it out the next day to the customer's home. People also can set up appointments to shop at their temporary location and take purchases with them.

After selling women's fashions for LuLaRoe for two years, Black wanted to do something on her own.

"I like to dress people," said Black, 29, who enjoys putting together outfits that are modest, yet fashionable. She also works full time as an occupational therapist in Shippensburg.

Hanks offered to be her business partner, bringing with her the knowledge she gained while obtaining a degree in health care administration. She also logs some hours as a surgical technologist. They receive moral support from their husbands and their other sister, Brandi Garber of Chambersburg, who is Black's twin and an enthusiastic customer while she focuses on raising her four children younger than 4, including triplets.

Two of the wholesalers from whom they get their clothing and shoes are based in California and Alabama. The contemporary clothing for everyday women is made with high-quality fabrics and sold at reasonable prices. The boutique aims to appeal to a range of ages, from young women to senior citizens, and offers sizes small to 3X.

Black & Blush sells limited quantities to ensure high demand, but rotates them constantly to keep the inventory fresh.

"We understand that people want a quality product that they can afford to buy," said Hanks, 32, the mother of Max, 4, and Raleigh, 2.

Most tops range from around $25 to $35, and jeans are $50.

The pair have been preparing to open their first storefront, at 81 N. Main St. in downtown Chambersburg, the former home of the Chambersburg Area Council for the Arts. They are hoping to open the 1,000-square-foot space during the borough's 18th annual IceFest, scheduled for Jan. 30 to Feb. 2.

Hanks and Black intend to showcase the work of local jewelry makers/sellers to accessorize their fashions. They also are teaming up with other businesses to entice more people to shop downtown. For instance, patrons of neighbor Vanity Parlor will be encouraged to visit Black & Blush while they wait, then will be called when the salon is ready to serve them. Bistro 71 will print coupons for Black & Blush on its receipts, and fellow Main Street business Here's Looking at You will send clients down the street to the new fashion boutique and vice versa.

"I just love the sense of community with keeping it downtown," Hanks said of Black & Blush. Also, the sisters' generation is more focused on shopping at small, local businesses than big stores, which she said is a win-win for buyers and sellers.

The boutique will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and might stay open until 7 or 8 p.m. Fridays or Saturdays. Online sales will continue.