Edition: Concierges' Favorite Restaurants
Fall Fashion Preview
Author: Stefene Russell
In the fall, this town is crazy with changing colors - and sometimes spectacular downpours. September and October in particular require frequent wardrobe changes, sometimes to an extreme degree; you may find yourself switching from sweaters to sandals in one day's time. As the weather changes, fashions for interiors change too. You might want to enhance the coziness factor in your home as temperatures drop, or lessen it with warmer weather. Never fear: to help you navigate this season in style, we've assembled a listing of local boutiques and specialty stores which stock everything from Japanese-style sild cardigans to handmade Mardi Gras masks. And if you need it, a simple black umbrella.
Skif International
With sweaters found in specialty boutiques across the country, Skif International (5146 Daggett, 314-773-4401) is known for attention to detail and clever, dangling metal tags. They use natural silk, linen, cotton, and rayon yarns imported from Europe and each sweater is made by hand. Many can be worn in a number of ways (including upside down or backwards). Colors are unusual, including Sock Monkey (a weave of black and white) and 3-D Blue (deep blue with red accents). In addition, Skif offers cut-and-sew separates made from Bemberg rayon, cotton, and fine linen. New for 2004 is the "Riding" series: classic equestrian shirts with deconstructive tailoring. The store is located on The Hill, St. Louis's Italian district, with several excellent restaurants within walking distance, including Lorenzo's, Modesto, and Rigazzi's.
La Belle Histoire
Located in Soulard, St. Louis's historic French District, La Belle Histoire (2501 South 12th St., 314-865-4590) perfectly mirrors the neighborhood with its romantic, Old World sensibilities. Nearly all of the merchandise is made by hand, from the hand-poured candles to the delicate, Victorian jewelry. You'll also find Genii Jackets (half-kimonos decorated with spangles and pretties); one-of-a-kind purses and handbags; an exclusive line of bath and body products; and handcrafted Mardi Gras masks, which often sell out during the two-week Fat Tuesday celebrations that take place in Soulard every Spring. They also carry unusual picture frames, altered clothing, handmade hats, decorative pillows, and a revolving inventory of pieces d'art. While yo're there you may want to try the nearby Lagniappe's Cafe, which serves up Cajun and Creole specialties.
Mezzanine
They've only been open since last October, but the airy, well-lit retail space - as well as the carefully-chosen inventory - guarantees that Mezzanine (389 N. Euclid, 314-361-3777) will be around for a long while. Even in the busy shopping district of the Central West End, their strikingly dressed windows stand out, and a trip inside does not disappoint. Racks are filled with just the right amount of clothing for easy browsing, with pieces arranged intuitively by color and texture. Styles range from formal (cocktail dresses with cake-frosting details) to relaxed (brightly-colored t-shirts printed with the store's logo). Mezzanine carries local designers such as Skif and Made in Missouri, as well as Nanette Lepore, Karen Walker, Blue Cult, Ocelot, Grey Ant, Prudence, Rebecc Turbow, and jewelry by Brooklyn-based jewelry designer Alexis Bitton. New arrivals for fall include pieces from Anna Sui. While you're there you may want to check out Left Bank Books next door, which is adjoined by a European-style cafe.
MacroSun International
Although MacroSun International (6170 Delmar, 314-361-0054) has always offered Punjabi slippers, beautiful saris, sarongs, and imported jewelry, they now have more than twice as much floor space at their disposal. Freshly moved to The Loop, one of St. Louis's busiest arts and entertainment districts, MacroSun is still the best place in St. Louis to find fine imported goods; now shoppers have the luxury of browsing through double the inventory, including pieces that were stowed away at the old store due to lack of room. Specialty items include statuary, small decorative pieces, handbags, wall hangings and masks. MacroSun is just a jump from a number of stores and restaurants, including Blueberry Hill (where Chuck Berry still performs on occasion), several excellent Thai restaurants, and the Tivoli, St. Louis's own art-house theater. There are also a number of specialty boutiques in this area, including Zeizo and Lucky Shoes.
Lusso
The fact that Lusso (12A N. Meramec, 314-725-7205) is nearly impossible to describe is one of its virtues. Their specialty is offering rare little treasures, things you won't find everywhere. "Lusso" means "luxury" in Italian (though it can also mean "good stuff," "shiny," or "sparkly." All three translations apply in this case.) They've not only expanded their original store in Clayton to include clothing, accessories, jewelry, decorative pieces for the home, children's items, gifts, seasonal items and bath and body products, but now have an additional store called "Muse" inside the Contemporary Art Museum (3750 Washington Blvd.). They were the first store in the area to carry French bath line L'Occitane, and at press time offered Bounty pillows (which come in fruit shapes and are pegged to become a collector's item), kid-sized leather rockers, and clothing from designers such as Poleci and Cosa Bella. They're located in Clayton, which boasts a number of galleries, fine restaurants (Almonds', Cafe Provencale,) and boutiiques (Bella Donna, Kael) nearby.
Vie
It's appropriate that Vie (9660 Clayton Rd., 314-997-0124) means "life," in French - this shop has something for all occasions, all age brackets, and most sensibilities, whether you're a mix-and-matcher or prefer to stick with simple, elegant dressing. You'll find jeans, tees, and offbeat pieces as well as classic pants, skirts, and shirts for day or night. Lines carried include Betsey Johnson, Trina Turk, Cynthia Rowley, and Smak. In addition to its diverse selection of clothing, handbags, and jewelry, Vie (true to its name) also carries home accessories such as picture frames and candles, which are appropriate for gifting. They're loved for their comfortable atmosphere and stress-free shopping, and their location on Clayton Road puts them in close driving distance to other shops and restaurants in Ladue, as well as Clayton and downtown.
Charlot's
Charlot's (415 S. Main, St. Charles, 636-940-9450) is located on Historic Main Street in St. Charles, certainly one of the most charming places in the metro area. They carry a vast selection of scarves (many of them handmade), purses, silver charms, and footwear by Just the Right Shoe. They are one of only a handful of local retailers who carry Timmy Woods collectible art handbags, which are constructed from acacia wood with bengaline linings. These handbags come in a variety of whimsical shapes, and have been seen dangling from the elegant wrists of movie stars such as Lisa Kudrow and Vivica A. Fox. Charlot's is located in the heart of the St. Charles shopping district, and is within walking distance from shops such as Deeply Founded Beatury (Luxurious bath and body items) and Morgie's (jewelry, clothing, and gifts).
