A few blocks away from the King Street Metro station in the hip “West End” section of Old Town Alexandria, a new boutique offers local residents a mix of nuevo trends from Los Angeles and New York based designers, such as Ark & Co and Trina Turk, as well as high-end consigned pieces from brand names like Gucci, Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs and many more.
(Photo Credit: Current Boutique)
Current Boutique is a world where a pair of Fendi slingbacks and a houndstooth jacket from Banana Republic coexist in harmony, waiting for a designer-loving, bargain-savvy shopper to take them home. The store, which has another location in the Clarendon section of Arlington, VA, has everything a discriminating city shopper would want: intimate boutique feel, first-class merchandise and a welcoming, knowledgeable (and stylish!) staff.
The boutique’s name speaks volumes about the type of clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories shoppers will find. In season trend pieces like boyfriend jeans and blazers, along with upcoming and trendsetting pieces like pocket-watches for women make Current Boutique a stand-apart gem among a street adorned with boutiques.
“Besides offering an amazing atmosphere to shop, we give customers the best of both worlds with a selection of affordable chic new items, handpicked from New York [and] L.A. fashion houses, and first rate designer consignment items labels,” said owner, Carmen Lopez.
(Photo credit: Current Boutique)
Affordable design jeans from True Religion and Seven for Mankind start at $50, while a pair of Max Mara heels are only $42.95. Lopez says there’s a trend for both women shopping consignment and also consigning their designer frocks.
“Consigning is becoming so popular because many women wear an outfit either once or twice and they don’t want their items just sitting in the closet, when they can recycle their designer wears and get money back on their investment. Customers that shop our store get to enjoy buying great designer clothes at affordable prices.”
"Ladies need a revolving wardrobe, they wear an outfit once or twice and pictures are posted and everyone has seen them in the special outfit so they can't wear it again."
Cpation: Current employees Sherrie Shumate (left) and Kerri Gates (right) demonstrate their interest and expertise in fashion to the store's customers. Shumate is studying Fashion Merchandising at Marymount University, while Gates, who has a full-time job, chooses to work at Current on weekends because of the revolving selection of designer apparel.
Whether or not the economy has played a role in the steady stream of business is uncertain, however, Lopez thanks social media, namely Facebook as a reason for an influx of shoppers and consigners. “Ladies need a revolving wardrobe, they wear an outfit once or twice and pictures are posted and everyone has seen them in the special outfit so they can't wear it again. Instead of having it sit in the closet women are bringing it to Current Boutique to recycle [and earn] back some [money] on their investment.”
Locations:
2529 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Phone: 703-528-3079
1009 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: 703-549-2272
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 12 - 8
Saturday: 11 - 8
Sunday: 11 – 5
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*All photos are copywrite Marie Coleman unless otherwise noted.
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