Online Designer Boutiques Blog

Our ongoing Designer Spotlight series highlights our favorite boutique designers. Just like we love to know the stories of the online boutiques we’re buying from, we are equally interested in the stories behind the items they’ve chosen to carry.  So the next time someone says, “where did you get that?!” you’ll have your very own story to tell! Now, let us introduce you to Free People, available at She Boutique in Marblehead, MA.

If there is any brand that exudes femininity, it’s Free People.  It’s lace touches, feminine details and soft designs will make anyone feel girly. We may all know Free People, but most have never heard its story.  Dick Hayne opened his first store in the 1970s in West Philadelphia, PA.  Upon opening up a second location, the named changed to Urban Outfitters (sound familiar?).  As Urban Outfitters’ private label division grew, it took on many personalities: Bulldog, Ecote, Cooperative, Anthropologie, until 1984, when it became the Free People you know today.

Who do they design for now?  Their designs cater to “a 26-year-old girl, smart, creative, confident and comfortable in all aspects of her being, free and adventurous, sweet to tough to tomboy to romantic. A girl who likes to keep busy and push life to its limits, with traveling and hanging out and everything in between. Who loves Donovan as much as she loves The Dears, and can’t resist petting any dog that passes her by on the street.”

Sound like you?  We thought so too!  Free People gives every female freedom in the clothes they wear, so check out Local Hem’s online boutiques collection of Free People items today!

- Bridget

Our ongoing Designer Spotlight series highlights our favorite boutique designers. Just like we love to know the stories of the online boutiques we’re buying from, we are equally interested in the stories behind the items they’ve chosen to carry.  So the next time someone says, “where did you get that?!” you’ll have your very own story to tell! Now, let us introduce you to FX Dressed, available at She Boutique in Marblehead, MA.

Alright, as a Maine resident… I had to do a designer spotlight on this amazing Maine designer. FX Dressed is the work of Mainer (yes, that’s a Maine term) Jessi Sader. Drawing her inspiration from vintage and antique textiles and patterns, Jessi’s collection reflects the simplistic designs of past eras of now overlooked clothing.  These pieces are all reminiscent in design, structure and craftsmanship of the earlier eras that set the stage for today’s fashions.  To stay true to the inspiration, all pieces are handmade on antique Singer sewing machines.

FX Dressed takes everything you love about vintage clothing and revamps it to work with all the modern woman has to offer.  FX Dressed really is “romantic, playful and infinitely wearable.” For romantic warmth that transcends eras, check out FX Dressed’s Shimmer Knit Sweater or Golden Tunic (both on sale!).

- Bridget

Our ongoing Designer Spotlight series highlights our favorite boutique designers. Just like we love to know the stories of the online boutiques we’re buying from, we are equally interested in the stories behind the items they’ve chosen to carry.  So the next time someone says, “where did you get that?!” you’ll have your very own story to tell! Now, let us introduce you to Roberta Roller Rabbit, available at She Boutique in Marblehead, MA.

Take a mini vacation from the not-quite-springtime-chill with our newest designer: Roberta Roller Rabbit. This colorful, block printed clothing, accessory and home apparel line was named after a fable found on a discarded piece of fabric in India.  The fable starred “Roberta Rabbit” and the designer, Roberta Freymann, took her Indian inspiration a step further.  She started her line designing kurtas, a traditional Indian tunic that is frequently used as beach and resort wear. 100% cotton voile, the kurta is the foundation of the line and continues to be the most sought after piece in the entire collection.

Roberta Roller Rabbit Signature Kurta Tunics

The colors and patterns used by Roberta Roller Rabbit instantly transport its wearer to sunnier destinations.  The patterns are applied to fabric by use of handmade irons or woodblocks and raw mixed paint, and then dried in the sun.  Made by hand, each piece contains its own unique characteristics arising from printing differences.  Born in the sun, these unique, beautifully bright fabrics and patterns are transformed into the items you see at the online boutiques at Local Hem.