Fashion:  New Stores in Ferndale

By, Whitney Lawren

Who has the hottest trends and fashions in the Metro Detroit Area? Fashionable Ferndale of course. Downtown Ferndale has numerous boutiques that have just opened up in the last few months as well as some that are having their grand opening in just a few weeks. With the economy being so uneasy nowadays, you need somewhere close by to shop for the latest trends at a sensible price, while supporting your local community.

            The Exquisite Collection Boutique located at 195 W. Nine Mile Rd. Suite 102 is one of the new boutiques in Downtown Ferndale. The young and vibrant business owner Adrienne France from Detroit opened her boutique on December 18, 2009. Her influences for opening her boutique came from selling the body shapers called Body Magic. Adrienne started selling the products in January 2009 the majority of her clients lived in Ferndale, and she enjoyed the community, she decided to open her boutique in the heart of Ferndale.  Adrienne is also a single parent and her daughter just started kindergarten so she needed flexibility in her work schedule, so what’s more flexible than being your own boss? The Exquisite Collection features the body magic body shapers as well as lingerie, trendy women’s wear, handbags, and accessories. In a few weeks Adrienne will be incorporating shoes and cosmetics into her boutique. The fashions are for mature women in their early twenties and beyond. The garments are priced very reasonable and affordable to meet the needs of the customers on a budget while still maintaining the posh look. The Exquisite Collection’s motto is “beauty from….start to finish” Adrienne says that the motto covers the whole business because it is a one stop shop. The store’s grand opening and website will be coming soon in a few weeks so look out for them. While you’re waiting you can check out some of the latest fashions by becoming a fan on Facebook @The Exquisite Collection or on Twitter @Exquisite Cache’.

If you really wanna rock out then check out the Rockin’ Soul Boutique located at 22751 Woodward Avenue.  Previously located in Detroit in the New Center Area, the boutique has been open since March 1st in its current location. The owner Mark Hunter, who has been in the fashion industry for nine years, got his influence to open his boutique from being a sharp dresser and getting compliments everywhere he went on his stylish outfits, this is why the store has so much style and pizzazz. The Rockin’ Soul specializes in women’s and men’s wear, the clothes range from casual and contemporary to very trendy. The target market that the store attracts is anyone from their late teen years to people in their thirties and forties looking for the latest styles. The boutique has dresses, jeans, shirts, shoes and accessories. Every garment in the store is very modish and detailed, you would think it was expensive, but the clothes are priced for the penny pincher. The grand opening will be coming soon next month so look out for it.

          Who do you dream of becoming? When you step into Queens Dreams you can transform into whoever you want to be. This boutique is located at 23337 Woodward Avenue, just recently had it’s grand opening on March 9 and the owner Jim Calleja is calling all genders to come in and become the queen that you were meant to be. Queens Dreams is has new and gently used clothes for women, transsexuals, and drag queens. With the sizes running form small to 6x everyone will be accommodated in this boutique.  If by any chance you do not see what you are looking for Jim will special order it for you. If you are going out for a night on the town they also have a make-up artist and a seamstress available for you with a 24 hour notice of course. The styles of the garments are very diverse and they range from casual everyday wear to formal evening wear, with prices this low you’re guaranteed to find something you like. This is definitely your one stop shop because Queens Dreams has undergarments, shoes, wigs, and jewelry, children’s jewelry and clothes coming soon. The owner Jim who is a Ferndale resident decided to open his own boutique because of the economy. He has over 25 years experience as a district manager in the food service industry and could not find a job. Jim’s motto is “can’t find a job, make one yourself,” that’s exactly what he did. So if you want to let you inner queen loose, take a visit down to Queens Dreams where you’ll find all your fashion needs.

        If you want to have an Exquisite Collection, a Rockin’ Soul, or if you have Queens Dreams, then come to Ferndale and shop for the latest and greatest garments. Not only will you be supporting your community but you will also be saving because the prices are so reasonable. These were just a few of the new stores that have opened up in the last few months, but there are plenty more just like them. Come to Fashionable Ferndale where all your clothing needs will be met.