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Business & Tech

Unique Boutique to 'A-Dress' Valentine's Day Shopping Peak

High fashion and irresistible deals will posit the venerable Vivian's Unique Boutique on Via de la Paz as a shopping destination for Monday's holiday.

Stroll into Vivian’s Unique Boutique on any given day and you may find an actress seeking a chic outfit for a red carpet event, a female attorney accessorizing her business wardrobe, or a high school deb looking for a prom dress.   In each instance, owner Vivian Foster is usually providing hands-on know-how to make these women look stunning. Perhaps that’s why she’s been a popular go-to fashion consultant to women of all ages in the Palisades since 1986.

“When my daughter was little, I put her in school here and opened a little store and that’s how I got started,” Foster said.  “Then basically I’ve worked my business for 25 years. I do a lot of community work, I do a lot red carpet events and basically I do amazing clothing for low prices. I’m here or one of my sales girls is here. I don’t leave my store alone with people who don’t know what they’re doing.”

From tiger-print dresses, colorful zip-up jackets and faux fur-lined sweaters to professional business suites, prom dresses, and stiletto heels, Vivian offers an eclectic line of attire.

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“I carry many different labels from small manufacturers to keep things unique and fresh,” she said.  “We do not want to see too much of the same look.”

Five days a week, Foster goes buying.  She brings in new merchandise almost daily. 

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“I’ve always had an eye for art and color,” she said.  “I’ve done it for 35 years even though I’ve only been here 25 years. It’s second nature to me. Knowing cuts, knowing bodies, knowing what’s high fashion, knowing what looks good on people.”

On any given day, Vivian receives a steady flow of new and return customers. With an appealing and infectious exuberance, Vivian seems to handle each fashion challenge with ease.

“I work with twelve-year olds going to bar mitzvahs and 95-year olds going to their granddaughter’s weddings,” Foster said.  “I work with tiny people, I work with size 20 people.  Not too many people do what I do, because I also have the buying power and the things they want when they walk in.  So any given person, any age who walks in can try something.”

Even though she operates out of relatively small venue, Foster doesn’t feel any competition with big-name stores, malls or online clothing outlets.

“I’m an everyday person out there,” Foster said. “You have these superstores and designers that can charge a lot of money because they target certain things and put a big label on it. Whereas I individualize everybody and still know how to dress people and have clothes that fit their bodies. That’s why they usually come in and want me-- and the reason I put my name on my door.”

Foster knows all too well that the fashion market is quick as the stock market. She’s watched classic looks and popular styles change like the wind. She also has an innate sense of how women think about their wardrobe, which has helped define her niche.

“My clothing is very sophisticated and it’s all over the map because people are all over the map,” said Foster.  “One woman alone, you can look at her wardrobe and there can be a hundred different looks in a wardrobe. Women love variety whereas men love the polo shirt and jeans, right? We have to have 7 or 8 different black skirts and 20 black tops and I know how to do that.” 

In addition, Foster knows how to anticipate her customer’s specific needs, whether it’s finding a little red or black dress for Valentine’s Day or preparing a young woman for a special night on the town.

“I carry huge lines of evening wear,” she said. “I get these designer-type gowns that are amazing, so these young girls can look gorgeous. They can get a gown here for $60 to $80.  So I really specialize here.”

Last September, Vivian’s pulled up stakes and moved her ‘unique boutique’ to 875 Via De La Paz.   For some businesses, relocation can adversely affect sales and lose faithful customers.  But Vivian’s seem unfazed by the move.

“My regulars are loyal. When I opened my doors and was a brand new business, I might have gone under,” Foster said.  “I might have met eight new clients but all my regulars came and I’m pretty busy.  A person can walk in here and wardrobe themselves for four or five different occasions for $300, which is pretty amazing. I know how to mix and match well and I spoil my regulars. In an economy like today, I’m very lucky.”

Oh, and just for fun, she’ll probably toss in free earrings with your purchase.

Vivian’s Unique Boutique is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 875 Via De La Paz. For more information, call (310) 573-1326.

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