Huzzah!!! At long last Barnes has a proper lil' fashion boutique. And it's on Church Road, my favourite bit of Barnes. Could it get more exiciting? YEP.
The owner, Melanie Drake, is one steezy lady: raised in Argentina, mother of three (two teenagers + a 20-yr-old) yet she looks not much older than me, gorgeously carries off multi-coloured star tattoos on her arms and feet and I don't even like tattoos, is spiritual and not afraid to talk about it, transformed a disused Wine Rack into Melanie Boutique in four weeks. Wonder how long it'll take the likes of @vogue_london and @TheSTStyle to find this little gem? Not long.
Melanie said: "I think you can really tell when somebody has travelled. I've travelled a lot and lived in South America, the United States and for most of my adult life my parents have lived in Barcelona. I've taken influences from all these places."
The result is eclectic, regional, stylish, feminine, original.
"Europeans dress differently and I love that, and I love the South American look. It's all about boots and jeans and belts. Anybody who knows me well knows that really is my thing. There's lots of denims and greys and soft colours. All the fringing, I love fringing."
A momentary look of listless disappointment on her face and: "I'm not actually doing cowboy boots in the shop now, but that's my sort of thing."
Sweet Jesus we were separated at birth.
Melanie Drake with her daughter Tabitha, 16
Melanie's boutique has, in her own words, an 'ethereal feel' with an obvious celestial motif. "Stars are a theme for me," she says looking down at the pretty constellation on her right arm. Ok, so we weren't separated at birth.
But I trust when people love cowboy boots and I trust and love when people love Barnes. "I feel passionate about Barnes. I've lived here for seven years and I love it. Originally I was going more towards Barnes High Street, but then I switched to here because, I don't know whether this is a good thing to say, but the village is split and this end seems more grown up, more serious."
Totally. Never thought exactly why I like the Church Rd end of Barnes more, I just do, and she has a point.
"I want my customers to come here shopping, then go across to Sonny's, or for Sonny's women who lunch to come over. I like being opposite them and Question Air. I even prefer the proportions of the buildings here."
Shop labels include Isle Jacobsen, Des Petits Hauts, Saint Tropez, Sam Ubhi, Met Denim, Hanro Intimates and London designers, Julie Townend and Willow Cashmere. Also gifty-type items like Miller Harris candles and one-off furniture and art, including works by Bianca Smith.
Melanie, 45, graduated from London College of Fashion and honed her retail savvy at Joseph. While raising her kids she worked part-time as an interior designer, graduated from KLC and she's also an associate member of the British Interior Design Association (BIDA).
Next year Melanie promises to bring out her own line of leather jackets. Betcha there'll be a waiting list or some sh*t. I'm gunna get on it.
Lined up boutique events include an evening styling event (by invitation), an A/W fashion show, events on make-up and interiors, confidence-building and self-image talks from a life coach, even talks on parenting.
"It's very much women for women here. That's going to be a theme for me. We're going to have a strong wholistic attitude towards women. It's very well having a shop that's pretty and ethereal and peaceful, but there needs to be a strength there. All my friends are strong women, but very soft.
"This really is something I've always wanted to do and it took a lot of courage because without exception literally everything you can see I've done myself. The only thing I haven't done in this room is make those fairy cakes.
"I'm quite spiritual - it doesn't go down well in interviews when you talk about faith and spirituality, but I have really strong faith and everything's happened in perfect timing, it's how it was meant to be for me. I didn't plan it, it kind of evolved."
Simply put Melanie Boutique was written in the stars.
p.s. Melanie Boutique is even open on Sundays. Word.
I picked out my favourites to show ya'll. Here we go!
Chain mail 'Taya' pouch in pink by Sam Ubhi | £45
Chain mail 'Tolani' sac with detachable leather strap by Sam Ubhi | £99
Horse hoof locket by Sam Ubhi | £97
Soft pink denim jeans by MET | £137
Nude strappy sandles by Black Lily Accessories | £95
Decorative tank by San Tropez | £49.95
Orange boob tube by Julie Townend | £129
Fringed bag by Sam Ubhi | £265
K-Rivit leather wrist band by Beck | £23
How do I find the pale pink Met jeans?
Posted by: Gillette Hansen | 26 October 2011 at 10:32 PM
HI Gillette. Thanks for your comment. These jeans were in stock a while ago, but Melanie may be able to tell you if she still stocks them and you will soon be able to order off her website. http://www.melanieboutique.com
Posted by: Big Smoke Tavern | 27 October 2011 at 09:58 AM