Sharing a passion for service and style
There is such an interesting variety of fashion retailers sharing their stories here, with specialists in dressing women, men or children. Yet there are consistent themes running through these profiles. It’s clear that the love of fashion is foundational; helping procure quality clothing that meets a very specific need is a deeply satisfying vocation; and providing a joyful customer experience is more rewarding than making a sale. Beautiful!
Kim Ariesen
Studio Style
Kim Ariesen loves meeting people at her Port Stanley fashion boutique, Studio Style. “I love to engage with clients and see them happy when they leave.”
She always wanted to own a shop and her education and experience brought her to Port Stanley. A career in corporate and independent organizations provided key skills: sales, management, merchandizing, team leadership and teaching.
“I had all those experiences before I opened Studio Style. It was the right time because I had worked in a lot of different areas. It gave me the confidence,” she says.
Kim is also is grateful to the community and gives back through a variety of fundraising, special events and donations of end-of-season clothes to shelters.
• studiostyle.ca
Meleny Bodaly
Buragina’s Men’s Fashions
Meleny Bodaly enjoys doing “everything from the top down” at Buragina’s Men’s Fashions.
“It’s fun to see what’s coming ahead, when it comes in and putting outfits together. I get to see it from my initial vision to when the alterations are done and it’s going out the door.”
Being so involved provides Meleny with strong knowledge of the merchandise and customers, enabling her to match their needs and styles. “I can narrow things down for them so it’s not overwhelming. I can read what they’re comfortable with and will fit what they’re looking for.”
While unexpected for a woman to own and run a menswear store, Meleny notes there are more women joining the sector. “Also, my customers appreciate the female perspective on their purchase.”
“They know I won’t steer them wrong.”
• buraginas.com
Karina Bogle
White Balmer Shoes
Karina Bogle’s passion for footwear began in high school, working at a shoe store. After an education in marketing and experience with a shoe distributor, she returned to her hometown Stratford store and purchased it. “I love working in the store,” she says. “I have always liked the customer interaction and helping people find what they’re looking for.”
Karina also likes to show people they don’t need to sacrifice style for comfort. She coined White-Balmer’s slogan “Step comfortably, stylishly” to embody what the store does.
Karina trains her staff to know the brands they sell as well as how to measure and properly fit. “What sets us apart,” she says, “is our commitment to personalized service.” As well as footwear for women, men and children, she carries handbags, accessories and shoe care products.
• whitebalmershoes.com
Rebecca Collins
Collins Clothiers
This year marks 60 years since Collins Clothiers opened in London as a bridal store under Judy Collins. Now her grandson Curt and his wife Rebecca operate Collins Clothiers, which includes six corporate stores in Southern Ontario and 175 dealers across the country.
Judy’s son Brad joined the company in the 1970s and expanded the business to include tuxedo rentals. “This is still the mainstay of the company,” says Rebecca. Curt introduced men’s retail clothing in the 2000s, grew the wholesale side and added dry cleaning on site, she says.
Rebecca has been with the company since 2000 in different capacities and says her most fulfilling role is hiring employees. She has connections with community organizations that assist people with disabilities and barriers to employment. “I also like to give an opportunity to youth who might not get one.”
• collinsclothiers.shop
Lisa Ferguson
Hangar9
Lisa Ferguson and the team at Hangar9 build a wardrobe around a client’s lifestyle needs using nine essential pieces — hence the name. They analyse each client’s personality and colour to customize their best look. “To buy wisely, it takes time, thought and effort,” Lisa says. “We eliminate that stress for you.”
Service is the core of their business, and education is a key component, she says. “We teach quality versus quantity. We teach about fabric, style and colours. What do you need to get through your day? We plan your wardrobe around it.”
“We know who our client is so we buy for her — jeans to sequins, shoes, handbags, accessories, nylons — the total look.”
• Hangar9.ca
Elaine Green
Peekaboo’s Children’s Boutique
Easter and wedding season are just around the corner and Elaine Green, owner of Peekaboo’s Children’s Boutique, has beautiful special occasion clothing to help celebrate life’s big moments. All of Elaine’s items are ethically-sourced European imports. “I bring in clothing that you can’t find in London,” she says.
For Easter, Elaine has clothes in stock with bunnies and bows in lovely pastel colours. She has been receiving requests for flower girl dresses and has added ring-bearer attire, christening gowns and first communion dresses.
There are also everyday items for kids at Peekaboo’s, located at 100 Kellogg Lane. “I had some cute track suits and they went really fast. They have little hats with them and are adorable.”
Elaine is a proud grandmother of four. “They are my models for my outfits.”
• peekaboosboutique.ca
Sharon Lehman
LifeStyles Women’s Wear
Sharon Lehman, owner of LifeStyles Women’s Wear, says she’s always loved fashion. Couple that with an entrepreneurial family background, and it was inevitable she’d own a clothing store. After post-secondary education at UWO followed by the Fashion Institute of Canada and experience in Toronto, Lehman opened her own place over 30 years ago on Richmond Row.
“The concept for LifeStyles is to carry everything women need for a busy life,” says Sharon. The concept hasn’t changed, but the needs have. “Women don’t dress up as much. Evening wear for holidays used to be a thing — it isn’t now.” The office suit has been replaced by knits. Wedding guests look for something they can wear again.
Lehman and LifeStyles stay busy, in part because they ensure an enjoyable experience with personalized service, while continuing to offer “modern collections with premium quality clothing made to last.”
• lifestylesww.ca
Paddy Richardson
Plumage Studio Accessories
Paddy Richardson began sewing by hand when she was only six and had her first sewing machine before the age of 10. “I’ve always loved textiles. This is all I’ve ever really wanted to do,” she says. The owner of Plumage Studio Accessories in The Market at Western Fair District, Paddy draws her inspiration from her childhood in the country. “It was like living in a fairytale and I use that as inspiration.”
The award-winning milliner, who was also a finalist in the independent handbag designer awards in New York, has nearly 40 years experience in the industry. She uses heritage material and fine leathers to create timeless handbags, homewares and hats. “These are classic but current styles,” says Paddy.
She also imports men’s tweed caps from Ireland, which are a top seller. “Many men have memories of their grandfathers and fathers wearing these.”
• plumagestudio.ca
Bobbi Thompson
Style 360 Selective Consignment
When Bobbi Thompson decided to start her own business, she wanted it to involve sustainable shopping. In 2009, Style 360 Selective Consignment opened its doors as a curated boutique, specializing in upscale resale of women’s clothing and accessories. “By continuing the life cycle of like-new and gently used items, it gives the pieces new life; it’s a win-win-win,” Bobbi explains. “Consignors get a return on pieces they aren’t using; customers get fantastic pieces at a fraction of retail prices; and we’re keeping items out of the landfill.”
“Stores like mine have helped change people’s minds about resale,” Bobbi says. “A trusting relationship with both our incredible consignors and customers, along with excellent customer service, is the reason for 15 years of success and growth. We never get tired of hearing what a great experience it is shopping at Style 360!”
• style360.ca
Bettina Weber
Boutique Firenze
Bettina Weber, owner of accessories and gift-ware shop Boutique Firenze, says supreme customer service is key to her success. She travels to Italy each year to select handcrafted gloves, scarves and other items for her business and fell in love with not only the products there, but the attention given to customers. She models Boutique Firenze on this same service. “My store is a representation of everything I think is important in relations with customers: personalized service, fair pricing, quality interactions.”
Bettina also has a passion for fundraising for non-profits. The Salvation Army and Ontario Nature are just two of the organizations that have benefited from her efforts.
And this year Bettina is also marking 20 years in her role as Middlesex County’s Community Emergency Management Coordinator. “I love being of service to others.”
• boutiquefirenze.ca
SHARLENE WHITLOCK
Leslie’s Clothing
Growing up in London, Sharlene Whitlock was immersed in the world of entrepreneurship, watching her parents build successful retail businesses. That same passion led her to carve out her own path in fashion, becoming the co-owner and buyer for Leslie’s Clothing, her family’s boutique in Bayfield.
With a sharp instinct for style, Sharlene curates collections that blend modern trends with timeless elegance, ensuring her boutique remains a destination for both long-time patrons and new generations of shoppers. For her, fashion is about more than clothing — it’s about confidence, connection and the experience of finding pieces that make people feel their best.
Creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Sharlene has built more than a boutique. She has fostered a community where women feel seen, supported and inspired with every visit.
• fb.com/LesliesClothing
