Although she hasn't been to the City of Light, Fadia Nemeh envisioned a Parisian boutique — the kind dressed in dramatic hues and dripping with crystal chandeliers — when she designed her appropriately French-named business, Mademoiselle, in 2011.
The 1,200-square-foot shop at the Promenade at Crocker Park is a departure from the chain stores that surround it: Vibrant violet and black-and-white-striped walls give way to racks of trendy tops, skirts, dresses, swimwear and evening gowns purchased in batches of six. Once styles selected from seasonal runway shows — such as a sheer black and crystal-embellished top by international fashion label Gracia ($69.95) — are sold-out, they're not replenished, offering customers virtual one-of-a-kind finds.
when you go
Mademoiselle
0159 Detroit Road,
Westlake,
440-808-8477,
mademoiselleltd.com
Bright, chunky baubles and slender gold chains shimmer beneath shiny black chandeliers, while oblong and infinity scarves ($19.95 each) lie on tables topped with glittering Eiffel Towers.
"I want people to walk in here and see an upscale aesthetic," says Nemeh. "But I also want to be affordable enough that people stay."
Accessories start in the single digits, and beaded and chiffon eveningwear made by red-carpet designers Sherri Hill and Jovani are priced at $320 and up.
While Mademoiselle has become a destination for prom dresses, Nemeh's collections — culled from New York City's latest fashions — also call to trendsetters shopping for a getaway or a night on the town.
"I have a lot of customers who come in on a Friday afternoon shopping for a top to go out in that evening," she says. "I appeal to that edgier crowd."
max out summer fashion
The maxi dress, a summer staple, gets a modern update as the black-and-white feathered pattern leads to a pop of hem-length color. "It's the perfect dress for someone who wants something trendy without going overboard," Fadia Nemeh says of the $69.95 WOW Couture frock.
