Hetty Spaghetty
Last week Keep The Wolf visited Sally-Anne and her 1 yr 40's/ 50's boutique Hetyy Spaghetty in Dunstable. Sally - Anne told us about her love for 40's and 50's clothing explaining how a growing passion for that era and its clothing made her decide to open the boutique. Many styles found in the boutique are made and reproduced from original patterns by British and American designers making it a diverse and a overall fun collection of garments. All designs and accessories are hand picked by Sally insuring you get the best from these amazing eras.
The boutique tells a kicth story of the much loved era's Sally is fond of, ranging from glamourous evening dress to fun tea dresses along with shorts, skirts and, much more. We chatted to Sally and asked how she was able to create such a fantastic environment, she told us that it was a fun experience being able to take time to search for furniture and fittings for the boutique and was clearly very successful in finding some real vintage gems. Along with the vintage furniture she found it very easy finding clothing as Sally owns a large collection of dresses hitting the 900 mark so is a pro at shopping!
This year Hetty Spaghetty will be selling at clothes show live bringing some of their favourite brands from the boutique. Therefore, don't miss out on seeing
clothing from Tara Starlet, Stop Staring and many in store brands.
The Dressing room
Last Saturday Keep The Wolf newbie Sally Forder (photographer) & I went to visit a Multi award winning boutique The Dressing Room in St Albans. The boutique runs a very successful website but this doesn't effect the over flowing foot fall to the boutique as we saw on our visit. The dressing room is a fashion haven for all style conscious women around, playing host to brands such as Paul & Joe Sister and Melissa footwear. We loved the classy look of the boutique along with the splashes of glamour from the funky Glass bubble lighting piece to the quirky black and white conner outside the changing rooms where friends can wait with a complimentary drink and five star service.
Deryane founder of the dressing room was able to answer few question for Keep The Wolf fans
What made u want u to set up the dressing room?
After a 12 year career in Fashion retail, working up from a sales consultant through to Area Manager to Operations and buying Director for stores such as Warehouse, French Connection and LK Bennett I decided to open the dressing Room in St Albans in may 2005 providing beautiful affordable fashion in a laid back, luxurious environment with a new, exciting brand mix.
Why did you choose St albans?
I had run stores for other retailers in St Albans so I knew the market well. The customer base in St Albans was my perfect target market for what I wanted to create with the Dressing Room and I knew that there was a gap in the market in the area.
From what we saw when we visited you are constantly busy with staff to satisfy every need for every shopping need for every women, did you ever imagine your boutique being so popular?
I was always confident that I could bring something unique and interesting to the area, so I never doubted that it could work. However, I am thrilled with how well the concept has been received and how I have been able to expand the business three times in a short period of time.
What do you feel sets your boutique apart from all the others?
The making of the business is the dynamic between the team and our customers. We work hard to create a relaxed, easy going but luxurious environment for our customers. The product is also key, we mix established designers with niche and local brands and offer collections from affordable to aspirational designers to create a unique product mix that cannot be found elsewhere. All of the team are trained stylists so we work hard to ensure people are given the ultimate shopping experience.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion is exciting, fun and can transform the way you feel.
Who are some of your favorite designers?
Current Personal favourite brands are American Vintage and Equipment shirts. I also love Isabel Marant's style.
What do you look for when buying collections for the Dressing Room?
I look for exciting yet wearable pieces. Items that can easily fit into my customers wardrobe and update her look in an instant, setting her one step ahead of her peers in terms of fashion.
What do you believe makes a quality article of clothing?
Quality is about wearability. I expect a quality item of clothing to wear well, fit well and make you feel good every time you put it on.
What matters to you most as a boutique owner?
I want my customers to have a fantastic shopping experience and my team to build great and fullfilling careers in retail.
What do you enjoy most about your job ?
I love the fact that every day is different. One day I will be on the shopfloor, the next I will be sorting out invoices and budgets or staff training and the next I could be flying to Paris for a buying appointment. Retail is a fantastic career as you learn so many different skills throughout your career - you have to be good with people, good with numbers, have an eye for display and be able to style people.
What are some of your favorite clothing stores/websites?
I think Liberty has a unique look and feel that is fabulous. I also love the quirkiness of Colette and Merci in Paris. A Website that I think serves their target market well is net-a-porter, it is amazing how that business has grown in such a short space of time.
Will we ever see another Dressing Room in another location?
No. I am happy with the one store, I feel it is better to one store that is the best in the country than dilute it by having multiple stores. Plus, we now have a strong online presence so we are available worldwide.
What does the future hold for The Dressing Room?
I will continue to keep the brand mix exciting, always looking for new and fresh product. The store will continue to go from strength to strength and the online store will become a bigger part of the business.
What do you feel sets your boutique apart from all the others?
The making of the business is the dynamic between the team and our customers. We work hard to create a relaxed, easy going but luxurious environment for our customers. The product is also key, we mix established designers with niche and local brands and offer collections from affordable to aspirational designers to create a unique product mix that cannot be found elsewhere. All of the team are trained stylists so we work hard to ensure people are given the ultimate shopping experience.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion is exciting, fun and can transform the way you feel.
Who are some of your favorite designers?
Current Personal favourite brands are American Vintage and Equipment shirts. I also love Isabel Marant's style.
What do you look for when buying collections for the Dressing Room?
I look for exciting yet wearable pieces. Items that can easily fit into my customers wardrobe and update her look in an instant, setting her one step ahead of her peers in terms of fashion.
What do you believe makes a quality article of clothing?
Quality is about wearability. I expect a quality item of clothing to wear well, fit well and make you feel good every time you put it on.
What matters to you most as a boutique owner?
I want my customers to have a fantastic shopping experience and my team to build great and fullfilling careers in retail.
What do you enjoy most about your job ?
I love the fact that every day is different. One day I will be on the shopfloor, the next I will be sorting out invoices and budgets or staff training and the next I could be flying to Paris for a buying appointment. Retail is a fantastic career as you learn so many different skills throughout your career - you have to be good with people, good with numbers, have an eye for display and be able to style people.
What are some of your favorite clothing stores/websites?
I think Liberty has a unique look and feel that is fabulous. I also love the quirkiness of Colette and Merci in Paris. A Website that I think serves their target market well is net-a-porter, it is amazing how that business has grown in such a short space of time.
Will we ever see another Dressing Room in another location?
No. I am happy with the one store, I feel it is better to one store that is the best in the country than dilute it by having multiple stores. Plus, we now have a strong online presence so we are available worldwide.
What does the future hold for The Dressing Room?
I will continue to keep the brand mix exciting, always looking for new and fresh product. The store will continue to go from strength to strength and the online store will become a bigger part of the business.
You can find Key brands on the-dressingroom.com: American Vintage, Antik Batik, Butter by Nadia, by Zoe, Current/Elliott, Day, Designers Remix, Maison Scotch, Pyrus, Paul & Joe Sister, Dylan George, Paige, MiH, 7 for all Mankind, Ash, Luxury Rebel, Lola Cruz, Melissa footwear plus many more.
01727 853577
www.the-dressingroom.com/
6-8 High St
St Albans
Herts
AL3 4EL
St Albans
Herts
AL3 4EL
Treasure Trove
Situated in the historic Georgian Village of Woburn stands the Treasure Trove formerly known as the Trojan horse. This picturesque town is also home to the woburn abbey, Woburn safari park and a host of popular restaurants.
The Treasure Trove sells high street to designer clothing for men and women, divine accessories ranging from designer bags to hand made jewellery and fine art pieces.
The Treasure Trove acts as a unique dressing agency bringing only the best Garments to the people of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.
This boutique is a personal favourite of keep The Wolf where many a treasures has been found !!
01525 290 004
4 Market Place
woburn
Buckinghamshire
MK17 9PZ
