If you haven’t started thinking about what to wear to all of those holiday parties coming up, Amy Schalk and Soigné Boutique have some ideas for you, as well as a chance to shop while helping a great cause. This Thursday evening, November 12th, Soigné will host a pre-holiday mixer and fashion show benefitting The Miracle League,
a nonproft organization that allows disabled and otherwise challenged children to play baseball. The Austin chapter is sponsored by the Town and Country Optimist Club.
All good causes aside, Soigné happens to be our showcase shop this week because we want everything in the store, and we love the local sensibility. Schalk, a former pharmaceutical sales rep, began Soigné three years ago because she had always loved fashion, and knew what was missing in the Austin retail scene. The solution? A shop chock full of classic, feminine clothing with a twist. Imagine a still-relevant Ann Taylor (if you can), as art directed by Marc Jacobs. Or, better, if Mary Tyler Moore‘s Mary Richards were dressing for work today, or going to a party at Ted Baxter‘s, this is where she would shop.
Look for silk-ruffled velvet, eco-friendly scarves and bags from Shiraleah, as well as perfect office to evening frocks from Ben Sherman, BCBGenerations, and Ringspun to name a few. There is also a group that made us think immediately of Marc Jacobs, called Gentle Fawn. Channel Sofia Coppola with this line, characterized by mauve-hued jersey tunics and dresses, that manages to be businesslike but doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Also note that Soigné was the first place in town to carry MEK denim, the jeans line made popular by the folks at Miss Me. The main reason to get there early on Thursday, however, is a wonderfully curated selection of glittering jewelry from the best of our local designers like Tracy Tenpenny, Urban Posh, Jewelry Vine, and Donna McBride. Reasonably-priced and uniquely elegant, these baubles are a gift-list must.
Enjoy appetizers from Sampaio’s and cocktails from Cover 3 while doing some early Christmas shopping before the fashion show begins at 7pm. Also, be one of the first fifty guests to make a monetary donation to The Miracle League and receive a gift bag crammed with goodies from fellow Burnet Road denizens like JR Salon and Breath and Body Yoga. 20% of Thursday evening’s sales will go to The Miracle League. Soigné is located at 4800 Burnet Road, in the Rosedale Shopping Center. See you there!
This article appears in November 6 • 2009.