Looking for some new designer clothing at a reasonable price? Look no further than Bella & Harlow, located at 4221 Magazine St.
Owner Sarah Celino opened this feminine boutique on Nov. 15, just in time for the new year and new styles.
Popular brands that Bella & Harlow carries are Miss Patina, Trolly Dolly and Shoshanna. Celebrity favorite Shoshanna is carried in high-end department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
Although Bella & Harlow carries prestigious brands, you will not need to pay top dollar for these feminine pieces.
“I’m 26, so I’m not going to pay $300 for a shirt. Everything in my store is priced reasonably. All blouses and skirts are under $100. I want it to be affordable,” Celino said.
Business marketing sophomore Zoe McCormick loves Magazine Street but finds it difficult to shop on a college budget.
“Sometimes it’s hard finding affordable clothes on a college student budget, but I love Magazine. Luckily, I have found a few stores like Bella & Harlow, Blink and Francesca’s with some really great things that fit my budget,” McCormick said.
Celino wants to appeal not only to college students but also to women as old as forty.
“I’m not carrying mini skirts or club wear. I’m selling clothes you can wear to a job interview and then go out to dinner after. I’m appealing to feminine, professional women,” Celino said.
Criminal justice senior Tori Wallenburg will soon be graduating from Loyola and interviewing in the real world.
“Affordable clothing is ideal, but so is quality in regards to interviewing. Clothing can oftentimes be a direct reflection of yourself. A store specifically geared towards being not only affordable but also professional is a breath of fresh air,” Wallenburg said.
Another important part of Bella & Harlow is their locally made jewelry.
Along with some national brands like Jan Michael and Sweet Romance that the store carries, a large portion of this boutique’s jewelry comes from owner Celino and a few local artists.
“I make mostly earrings with different stones and metals. I actually make the jewelry right in shop. On a rainy day, I’ll just sit and relax and make some earrings,” Celino said.
A very unique portion of the store’s jewelry comes from local designer Laura D’Arcangelo.
D’Arcangelo makes earrings and necklaces using repurposed bullets from her boyfriend’s hunting trips.
“While bullets are a sensitive subject in our country right now, Laura is only recycling and reusing what would otherwise just be tossed out. They are really interesting pieces,” Celino said.
To make room for new spring inventory, Bella & Harlow will begin marking clothing and accessories down starting in the second week of January and going until the end of the month.
Celino said pieces will be 25 to 50 percent off, so stop by Bella & Harlow for some trendy, affordable finds.
Melanie Potter can be reached at [email protected]
