Irma Marie Designer Apparel

Spring color abounds at Irma Marie, Designer Apparel - Fashion for Mothers & Daughters.

by Sheri Kamp

The story of Irma Marie Designer Apparel, and how it came to be, sounds like something out of a classic story book. It all begins in New York, where a young girl being raised by her seamstress mother, Marie, and aunt, Irma, falls in love with...you guessed it, fashion. While other girls were playing “tea party,” young Janet Miller was busy running her “fabric store.” Nearby her mother and aunt’s time was in high demand, as they ran their custom tailoring business out of the home. With no abundance of toys around, imaginative play was divinely accessible. On any day you could find her pretending to cut fabric (because cutting her mother’s fabrics, would mean severe consequences), running the cash register, entertaining imaginary customers with previews of the latest styles, and last but not least, doing what every smart storekeeper does, keeping the books.

So six years ago when Miller opened her very own real boutique, named appropriately after her mother and aunt, it was the culmination of years of planning and preparing to use her natural talents and acquired business acumen. Her entrepreneurial leap from homemaker to boutique owner was a natural transition… one that had been in the works since childhood.

At the time, Miller called on her son’s girlfriend, now wife, Victoria, to jump in to help manage the day-to-day operations. Victoria quickly became a permanent fixture at Irma Marie, and the two say they now enjoy an intuitive and trust-filled dynamic that makes them a strong business pair. Together, they are known for offering their clientele unparalleled customer service, personal shopping opportunities (by appointment or after hours if needed), and seeing to their every need - from assisting them by phone, buying for them when at market, to making minor alterations in-store (thanks to Janet’s lifelong skills and an eye for a “good fit.” )

“We love our customers, and we’re told by our customers that they love us, too,” says Miller. “That is the absolute best part of what we do. Helping women find something that makes them feel beautiful, and that they know is a quality piece,” she added.

“We have something for women of all ages,” added Victoria. “Our customers trust us and enjoy the personal attention we give them,” she continued. “We believe we make shopping personal and easy, even fun, an experience women don’t easily find.”

Victoria & Janet at Irma Marie, East Brainerd location.

Photograph: Lexie Bess, Lexie Bess Pics.

LOCATIONS

Chattanooga, 8174 East Brainerd Road - Suite 100

Dalton, located in The Mill, 825 Chattanooga Ave.

HOURS

Tuesday - Saturday, 11-6 and Saturdays, 10-5

SHOP ONLINE

https://www.irmamarie.com/