Styled Just for You
Walking into Christie’s, a newly opened boutique in Mission Hills, is like visiting your most hip BFF before a big night out and having her dress you head to toe from her really cool closet.
The owner, Elizabeth Leffler, a bubbly and confident blond from Collinsville, Illinois, a small town of 24,000, known as the Horseradish Capital of the World. Leffler designed the store with ease in mind. It is laid out in the mode of an East Coast “style house”- a boutique with one-of-a-kind pieces and constantly changing designers. The clothes that catch your eye immediately are the easy to wear floral shift-dresses, (all the rage this season) paired with funky colorful shoes, huge hoop earrings and denim in every shape, style and price range.
Leffler bought the store last year from the original owner, named Christie. Though she has retained the name for now, she’s thinking of naming it after her grandmother, a fashionista in her own right, whose drawings of 1930’s gowns have inspired Leffler to eventually create her own dress line.
Leffler began her career in fashion as a stylist-intern with famed music photographer Paul Natkin. Who has photographed such musicians as Tom Petty, Prince, John Mayor and Freddie Mercury. Leffler quickly discovered that what she really enjoyed was working one-on-one with clients.
Leffler moved to San Diego to pursue her degree at the Fashion Institute of Merchandise Marketing. Thereafter, she began her quest to become a professional stylist. She came up with the idea that all women could use a little help while shopping. She would boldly walk into stores, pretend to be a customer, and offer her services to women while they were in the dressing rooms trying on clothes. Weird concept, but it worked. Leffler styled fashion shows, handed out cards, and interned herself wherever she could. Finally, she built a name for herself as a personal shopper, style consultant, and closet make-over specialist.
Through her experiences, she has made some very good friends with local designers.
Bcat Threads, by Brooke Catherine, can only be found in Christie’s. Catherine designs clothes in a 1940’s style with a modern flare. Her Victorian corset-like cropped jacket, paired with a high wasted skirt, are sexy pieces that maintain enough coverage to be worn for work or play.
Elise M handbags by Miriam, an LA designer. Miriam’s bags are the hot Vegan bag of the moment. Vegan “leather” looks like the real thing, but doesn’t use any animal bi-products, keeping the price low and the animal rights people happy.
ABBL by Liz Samford, a Swimwear designer based in North Park. For summer, Samford will be exclusively at Christie’s taking appointments for customized swimsuits. She’ll take your measurements, you pick the fabric and style. In a week, you’ll have a suit made just for you.
Leffler says she styles women with their insecurities in mind. She makes over their closets to encourage them to keep only those clothes that they love and helps them figure out what looks good with what, what colors work for them and what makes them feel their best.
Leffler’s the friend that helps, but doesn’t criticize. She is honest but not brutal. And has all the clothes and accessories you’ll ever need to look classic, trendy or totally unique. One trip to Christie’s and you’ll know it too…Leffler is the perfect BFF.
http://www.christiesboutique.com/