Plus, discover now-open shops
Le Mar Luxe’s first fall collection features bold prints.
Luxe Life
Charleston-based lifestyle clothing line Escapada Living, which was founded by Natalia Castillo in 2009 and gained a loyal following for its bright dresses and tunics, has rebranded to La Mer Luxe. The new resortwear line offers classic silhouettes in bold prints and donates a portion of its profits to organizations that support ocean conservation. Find La Mer Luxe at local boutiques Paisley on Daniel Island, The Marina Store at Charleston Harbor Resort, Lavender Hill Designs in Mount Pleasant, and Southern Tide in Freshfields Village. {lamerluxe.com]
Full of Grace
Former attorney Stacy Mikulik has debuted a brick-and-mortar boutique for her three-year-old jewelry line, grace + hudson, which features delicate pieces designed to transition from “day to night, the office to a party, and event bridal to every day.” The downtown store opened in May, offering special collections for brides, bridesmaids, and little girls as well as custom designs. [82 Wentworth St., graceandhudson.com]
Going Virtual
Although The Community’s storefront in the Cigar Factory closed in June, shoppers can still find cute children’s gifts, jewelry, candles, and indie brands at its new online store. Hemming Birds founder Yana Wieckowski and Kay & Company event planner Randi Nuorala launched The Community in 2018 to feature small makers, including many local and female-owned businesses such as Charleston Candle Company, Lina Rosa Jewelry, and Wash with Water. Since transitioning to online retail, the founders have introduced new products such as Red Clay Hot Sauce, as well as custom gift boxes designed by artist Emily Kirby of Texture Design Company. [shop.communitychs.com]
Crystal Clear
Rachael James opened The Wild | Alabaster crystal shop in North Charleston in August with a mission to “bring crystals into our modern lifestyle in a way that is affordable, inspirational, and sustainable.” The store highlights a themed selection each month, such as the “Endless Summer” collection, which includes Mangano calcite, banded onyx, and white jade. James plans to expand to include workshops, sound baths, yoga, and pop-up shops in the future. [2000 Reynolds Ave., wildalabaster.com]
