NICHE FEATURE: DC BOUTIQUE
Putting the joy into shopping Does the thought of getting dressed for the day, or even an occasion, make you excited? Or do you often worry at the prospect of finding something to wear? Journalist Emily Miller off visits DC Boutique in the one use per person with code quaint village of Kirby Muxloe and discovers at checkout before the joy in shopping again
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NICHE10 31/08/2022
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C Boutique, which opened its doors in Kirby Muxloe in 2017, is so very welcoming. I’m sure my resulting faster heart rate is shared by others as they step inside. Home to rails of carefully curated pieces of clothing, the ranges are purchased by owner Debbie Clark, whose eye for detail and pieces that her customers will love has made the boutique the retail destination of choice for women who want to feel good in the clothes they are in. “I just wanted to offer a good value range of fabulous clothing and accessories that you don’t see on the high street – all at an affordable price in a location that was fun and not intimidating,” Debbie told me. Greeted by smiling, relaxed staff and rails of tonal coloured clothing, accessories and shoes to accompany the palette and look, I can tell immediately I’m going to like it here. The pieces, which are handpicked by Debbie, come from all over the world and you can see that her eye for fashion buying is that of a stylist – a stylist that her customers appreciate and trust.
“We have lots of lovely customers here at the boutique and when I’m buying, I do sometimes have people in mind, but more often, I choose pieces that I know will work for real women, things I know my friends and family would love to wear and, of course, for the seasons ahead,” she tells me before waving goodbye to a regular customer, DC Boutique bags in hand. The boutique’s atmosphere is truly welcoming and not the least daunting. It’s clear the customers think so too. Complete strangers chat amongst themselves, helping each other choose outfits and celebrating each other’s dressing room reveals. It’s a real shopping destination and one that people travel far and wide to visit. “We have customers locally of course, but so many visitors come from places like London and Birmingham simply because they want something different, it’s hugely flattering,” she says, beaming. This warmth translates to their online community too, fresh from a fashion show the night before, orders are flooding in to
I JUST WANTED TO OFFER A GOOD VALUE RANGE OF FABULOUS CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES THAT YOU DON’T SEE ON THE HIGH STREET
the store and online – the easy-touse website is a delight – with real images of the store’s friends and family modelling the latest looks available. Their unique Facebook Live coverage in particular is lots of fun and is a great way to be able to see the latest ranges modelled on real women with whole outfits, taking away the pain of knowing what to put with what. Catch the live fashion shows on facebook.com/dcboutique.uk. “We find that our customers like to see the clothes ‘in action’. They often order complete outfits from our Facebook Lives all from the comfort of their own home. it gives them the confidence to put things together that they might not have ordinarily done.” That’s the key really here at DC – it’s all about making women feel good in clothes and in the process of buying them. “More than anything I want our women to feel good, that’s what we are all about; making shopping exciting and fun, as it should be!” Shop the collections at dcboutique.co.uk and visit the store in Cherry Tree Ave, Kirby Muxloe, LE9 2LQ. Ask about thier loyalty scheme when you shop. NICHE | 77
