Gambit's CUE October 2019

CUE MAGAZINE A M O N T H LY

LIFE + STYLE + DESIGN

GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS

OC TOBER 2019

Jump into Fall HOME

FA S H I O N

R E A L E S TAT E

CUE TIPS

Quick, autumnal updates for your home

Fall in love with these accessories

Home sales 2020: What’s the forecast and why

Yvonne LaFleur boutique turns 50

PLUS:

Halloween finds

CONTENTS N E ST

eco-resin gold leaf earrings

NOLA

ONE BLOCK FROM WHOLE FOODS!

NATURE INSPIRED ART • ACCESSORIES • DECOR

5 4 2 2 M A G A Z I N E S T. • 5 0 4 . 8 3 5 . 4 7 0 2 • WWW.N E S T N O L A . N E T

Wear Dat!

4

HOME Easy ways to bring

6

FASHION Accessories for

OC TOBER 2019

fall inside

everyday outfits— and Halloween

9 REAL ESTATE

FOLLOW US! FO

517 METAIRIE RD. OLD METAIRIE | 504-510-4655 | shopnolaboo.com

The forecast for 2020 home sales

10 CUE TIPS

Happy 50th, Yvonne LaFleur boutique

ON

Advertising Director SANDY STEIN BRONDUM (504) 483-3150

[sandys@gambitweekly.com] Sales Coordinator | MICHELE SLONSKI Senior Sales Representatives

MAKING GIFT GIVING EASY

Managing Editor

luxuriating

GIVE THE GIFT OF glitz AND gla m

BY MAR GO

G I F T

B O O K 2018 GAMBIT

GAMBIT

H O L I D AY

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• 800-737-5464

GIFTS FOR AND EVERYEVERYONE BUDGET

Open Tuesdays - Sundays 2001 St Claude Ave. (closed Mondays)

dynamotoys.com @dynamonola

WIN

FREE STUFF

MUSIC

EVENTS

FOOD

festival

tickets

EVENTS

THEATER www.bestofneworleans.c om/

win

31

21

AD SPACE

OCT

22

ISSUE DATE

Every Body

B O O K 2018

ffee.com

Boutique for

NEW CONTESTS, every week

B O O K 2018

www.orleansco

The National WWII Museum 945 Magazine Store St., (504) 528-1944; www.store.nationalww PAGE 26 2museum.org Magpie Vintage Bywater Clothing 4529 Magazine Jewelry Octavia Books St., (504) 891-1333 4432 Magazine 513 Octavia St., (504) 502-6206; Martin Wine St., (504) www.bywaterclothing Cellar www.octaviabooks.co899-7323; 714 Elmeer .com Ave., m Dogtopia (504) 896-7300; Metairie, of New Orleans Ogden Museum Village Shop9501 Airline of Southern ping Center, Highway, 925 Camp 2895 Highway (504) 291St., (504) 539-9650;Art 2777; www.dogtopia.com/ Mandeville, 190, www.ogdenmuseum.o (985) 951-8081; new-orleans Baronne St., 3827 rg (504) 899-7411; The Optical www.martinwine.com Dynamo Toys Shoppe & 800 Metairie 2001 St. Claude Supplies Road, Suite Mignon Faget Q, (504) 301-1726; Ave., (504) 8697; www.shop.dynamotoy 534www.opticalThe Shops shoppebr.com/metai at Canal Place, s.com Canal St., Forever New rie (504) 524-2973; 333 Orleans Swap Boutique Collection Outlet 308 Royal at Riverwalk, St., (504) 525-0100; 5530A Magazine 500 Port of New Orleans Royal St., 606 St., (504) 324-8143; (504) 510-4813; 7716 Maple (504) 345-2679; Place, First floor, 700 Royal St., (504) St., (504) 586-3536; Lakeside Shopping www.swapboutique.c304-6025; Center, 3301 www.shopforevernew Veterans Memorial om orleans.com Blvd., Metairie, Trashy Diva Luna Press Clothing Boutique 3801 Magazine (504) 835-2244; 537 Royal www.lunapress.com St., (504) 522-4233; St., (504) 891-2005; www.mignonfaget.com 2048 Magazine St., MJ’s www.trashydiva.com(504) 299-8777; Octavia Books 1513 Metairie See Give the Road, Metairie, 835-6099; gift of glitz (504) www.mjsofmetairie.co and glam Pearl Wine m PAGE 20 Co. NOLA Gifts & Decor 3700 Orleans 5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite Aucoin Hart 1C, (504) 483-6314; Ave., Suite Jewelers www.pearlwineco.com Metairie, 17, 1525 Metairie (504) 407-3532; Sucre Road, Metairie, www.nolagiftsanddec 834-9999; (504) www.aucoinhart.com or.com 622 Conti St., (504) 267-7098; NOLA T-Shirt Magazine of the 3025 Month Club St., (504) 520-8311; 3646 Magazine St., (504) 715-2270; Lake- www.nolatshirtclub.co m

GIFTS FOR LUXURIATING

A Romantic

side Shopping Center, 3301 ans Memorial VeterBlvd., Metairie, 834-2277; www.shopsucre.com (504) Wellington & Company 505 Royal St., (504) www.wcjewelry.com 525-4855; Yvonne LaFleur 8131 Hampson St., (504) 866-9666; www.yvonnelafl eur.com

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Hazelnut New Orleans 5525 Magazine St., (504) 891-2424; Suzanne Ormond Pottery www.hazelnutneworle 1202 Soniat St., (504) ans.com www.suzanneormond 899-0504; Home Malone potteryllc.com 629 N. Carrollton (504) 324-8352; Ave., www.homemalonenol a.com NOLA Boards PAGE 12 519 Wilkinson St., Suite 105, (504) 435-1485; Art & Eyes www.nolaboards.com 3708 Magazine St., (504) 8914494; www.artandeyesnewNOLA Boo orleansla.com 517 Metairie Road, Suite 200, Metairie, Bambi DeVille (504) 510-4655; www.shopnolaboo.co 818 Royal St. (second m floor); 1925 Sophie Nordic Kitchens B. Wright; & Baths www.bambideville.com 1818 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, Bonfolk (504) 888-2300; www.nordickitchens.c www.bonfolk.com om PJ’s Coffee gae-tana’s of New Orleans Citywide; 7732 Maple www.pjscoffee.com St., (504) www.gaetanas.com 865-9625; RHINO Contemporary Crafts Co. The Historic New Orleans 2028 Magazine Collection St., (504) 5237945; www.rhinocrafts.com 533 Royal St., (504) 523-4662; www.hnoc.tamretail.n et

Crescent City Auction Gallery 1330 St. Charles Ave., (504) 5057; www.crescentcityauct 529gallery.com ionEarthsavers

Lakeside Shopping Center Annex, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 835-0225; Premier Centre, The 3414 Highway Mandeville, 190, (985) 674-1133; 5501 Magazine St., (504) 899-8555; www.earthsaversonlin e.com Fisher and Sons Jewelers 5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite Metairie, 1, (504) 885-4956; www.fishersonsjewelers.com

H O L I D AY

Visit our throughout shop Featuring the for seasonal holidays each bag 3 of our favorite is 12 ounces. local blends, inspiration decor and your holiday for all tastes gift needs Let us take care selection of 3433 magazine of gift boxes with our extensive 504.524.3235 st in every DUNNA NDSONNIER.COM price range.

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Marty’s on Magazine Dunn and Sonnier Antiques, Florals, Gifts, 3433 Magazine (251) 377-3831; St., www.facebook.com/ pg/antiquesfromasia Miette

2038 Magazine St., (504) 522-2883; www.iheartmiette.com Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes

4204 Magazine St., (504) 897-6310; www.facebook.com/m issclaudiasvintage

RESOU RCES | BIG HO LIDAY GIFT B OOK

B I G

Orleans ’S

H O L I D AY

Taste of New

’S

B I G

Vintage Siam sterling silver cuff, $195 at Magpie Vintage Jewelry.

St. James Cheese 641 Tchoupitoulas Company St., (504) 304-1485; 5004 St., (504) 899-4737; Prytania www.stjamescheese.c om

Scriptura

Lakeside Shopping Center Annex, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 219-1113; 5423 Magazine St., (504) 8971555; www.scriptura.com

GIVE THE GIFT OF GLITZ AND GLAM

G I F T

B O O K 2018

B O O K 2018 G I F T H O L I D AY B I G

White faux fur jacket, $250.95 at Earthsavers.

Confetti beaded evening bag, $189 Yvonne LaFleur. at

2019

NOLA

Brandi Couvillion www.bcouvillion.com

’S

’S

“Vogue x Music,” $65 at Octavia Books.

Vintage early 20th-century silver, rose gold and niello art nouveau hunting case pocket watch, from $250 at Crescent City Auction Gallery Gallery.

B I G

GAMBIT

PAGE 6

Coutelier

8239 Oak St., (504) 475-5606; www.couteliernola.co m Federico’s Family Florist 815 Focis St., Metairie, (504) 837-6400

Jaci Blue

2111 Magazine St., www.jaciblue.com (504) 603-2929;

GAMBIT

Black druzy hoop earrings Boho Gal, $32 at Miette. by

GIFTS FOR THE WELL-HEELED HOME

Diamond-studded

cross in 14-karat yellow gold with matte finish, $1,077 at Fisher and Sons Jewelers.

In-and-out

diamond hoop earrings in rose gold, $2,750 at Wellington & Company.

Silk peacock scarf by Kathy Schorr, $170 at Historic New Orleans Collection.

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DUBOS

R LE TA FUR

H O L I D AY

E PFEFF E

B I G

BY SUZ ANN

Black and gold metallic dress

by Junarose (sizes 14-24), $69 at Jaci Blue.

PRODUCTION Pre-Press Coordinator

Resources

LUXE | BIG HO LIDAY GIFT B OOK

Sales Representatives

SARAH RAVITS, SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

RESOU RCES | BIG HO LIDAY GIFT B OOK

GIFTS FOR

[ jillg@gambitweekly.com]

KANDACE POWER GRAVES

Contributing Writers

LUXE | BIG HO LIDAY GIFT B OOK

FASHIO N | BI G HOL IDAY G IFT BO OK

JILL GIEGER (504) 483-3131

EDITORIAL

Gambit’s Big Holiday Gift Book will include our 2019 gift picks and a place for readers to organize their personal shopping lists.

’S

2

Creative Services Director DORA SISON

ADVERTISING Advertising Inquiries (504) 483-3150

Sales Assistant | KAYLA FLETCHER

GAMBIT

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

O c to b e r 2 01 9

CUE

Publisher JEANNE EXNICIOS FOSTER

NOV

26

To advertise call Sandy Stein at 504.483.3150 or email sandys@gambitweekly.com

JASON WHITTAKER

SAMANTHA FLEMING (504) 483-3141

[samanthaf@gambitweekly.com] ABBY SCORSONE (504) 483-3145

Graphic Designers

[abigails@gambitweekly.com]

WINNFIELD JEANSONNE, MARIA BOUÉ, SHERIE DELACROIX-ALFARO

KELLY SONNIER (504) 483-3143 [kellys@gambitweekly.com]

823 C A M P S T R E E T | N E W O R L E A N S, L A 7 01 3 0 504. 486 . 5 9 0 0 | cue@gambitweekly.com

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

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3

[ HOME ]

FALL IN

PHOTO BY K ATARZYNA BIAL ASIEWICZ/GET T Y IMAGES

Add autumnal colors with pillows in heavier fabrics, such as velvet, to update a room for fall.

Easy ways to refresh your home for fall

BY SUZ ANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

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DON’T LET THE WEATHER FOOL YOU. Fall is finally here.

And although there’s not much you can do about unseasonably warm days, at least you can make it feel like autumn inside your home without cranking up the air conditioning. Cozy fabrics, rich patterns and colors and festive accents will do the trick.

Two local interior designers offer advice on how to get started.

Designer Susan Currie (233 Walnut St., 504-2376112; www.susancurriedesign.com) says swathing your kitchen table with cloths, placemats, and table runners in earthy autumn colors is a quick way to update a home.

“As you continue to create your tablescape for the fall, add fall-themed bowls and small salad or dessert plates to accent your regular dining ware,” Currie says.

Mixing patterns and fall hues with white or cream china makes the room feel more festive, she adds.

Currie also suggests displaying a collection of baskets and filling them with fall foliage. Incorporate small pumpkins in the flower arrangement or place them around the basket.

When it comes to refreshing the living room, designer Kelly Sutton (3937 Magazine St., 504-302-2547; www.kellysuttoninc.com) likes to swap light, summery blankets and linen pillows for warm, fluffy throws and pillows in velvety fabrics and deep hues.

“You could bring in some navy blues, forest greens and amber and cognac colors,” she says. “The whole mood of the room sort of shifts.” You can enhance the fall vibes by adding patterns that incorporate those colors.

4

Here are a few of our

favorite fall finds

from boutiques around the city.

Pillows are easy to update because they can be stored when not in use, and you can save money on seasonal pillows by buying just a cover — if that’s an option — or snagging discounts at local retailers. If you spring for custom-made pillows, opt for a luxurious fabric on the front and a less expensive one on the back, Sutton says.

For design inspiration, explore women’s fall fashion trends and find ways to pull those themes into your home, Currie says.

“Interior design tends to follow what’s happening in fashion,” she says. “This season I am seeing plaids and animal prints down the runway. Perhaps add a plaid lumbar pillow to a chair, or show your wild side by adding a pair of spotted leopard pillows to your sofa.”

You also can layer a faux hide rug over one of your existing rugs, she says.

Elegant autumn-inspired accessories can enliven a space, but to keep your home from looking like the scene of a Halloween party, stick with classic items and ideas or things found in nature, Currie says. Cut

branches from the garden or pick up fresh fall flowers at a grocery or florist, and arrange them inside a tall cylindrical vase, she suggests.

Currie favors forsythia, with its warm yellow blossoms, and eucalyptus, which adds texture and fragrance.

“If you like neutrals, I personally think pussy willow is a great way to add texture for the fall, and it can be dried for a long-lasting arrangement on your dining table,” Currie says.

For more ideas, Sutton recommends checking out the “usual suspects” online like Pinterest and Houzz or spend some time perusing local boutiques.

“I think just taking a stroll down Magazine Street is an easy way to get inspiration and see what the shops have,” she says.

Currie agrees.

“There are so many stores out there with fall decor,” she says. “Take a Saturday afternoon field trip to pick up a few seasonal accents to bring the feeling of fall into your home.”

Handmade velvet pumpkins with real stems, $12 to $100 at Perch (2844 Magazine St., 504-899-2122; www.perchhome.com).

Available in different sizes and colors.

[ HOME ]

favorite fall finds Porcelain platter, $40 at Lucy Rose (3318 Magazine St., 504-895-0444; 600 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-218-7368; www.shoplucyrose. com), with interchangeable mini decor pieces.

(Additional sizes and styles available)

Silk velvet pillow (left), $350 at Sotre Design (3933 Magazine St., 504-304-9475; www.sotre-design.com).

Get Inspired. Get Painting. ™

Velvet pillow, $340 at Eclectic Home (8211 Oak St., 504-866-6654; www.eclectichome.net).

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

BEFORE

Brushed cotton blanket, $125 at Sotre Design.

Woven vase, $38 at Eclectic Home.

AFTER

@Chastant • Ste. 17 Metairie • 504.407.3532 nolagiftsanddecor.com

O c to b e r 2 01 9

5101 W. ESPLANADE

5

[ SHOPPING ]

Fall flair Accessories to take your autumnal outfits to a new level

BY SARAH R AVITS Vintage hat, $65 from Miss Claudia’s

Faux snake skin ankle boots, $32 from gae-tana’s (7732 Maple St., 504-865-9625; www.gaetanas.com).

Men’s puffer vest, $46 from Funky Monkey (3127 Magazine St., 504-899-5587; www.funkymonkeynola.com).

Faux leopard print handbag, $75 from Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes (4204 Magazine St., 504-897-6310; www.missclaudias.com)

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

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Blue sequined headband, $14 from Funky Monkey.

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Men’s socks, $18 from Bywater Clothing (4432 Magazine St., 504-502-6206; www.bywaterclothing.com).

Rings with various stones are 24-karat gold over brass, $85 each from Arts Kinetic.

T-strap Mary Jane heel, $80 from the National World War II Museum store (945 Magazine St., 504-528-1944; www.nationalww2museum.org)

[ FASHION ]

Sequined skull dress, $45 at Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes (4204 Magazine St., 504-8976310; www.missclaudias.com).

HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL Accessories to make your Halloween costume stand out

BY SARAH R AVITS Raven headband, $20 from Miss Claudia’s.

Faux fur hat, $79 from Yvonne LaFleur (8131 Hampson St., 504-866-9666; www.yvonnelafleur.com).

Beaded snake earrings, $22 from Funky Monkey.

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

Fringe evil eye earrings, $22 from Funky Monkey.

Black floor-length lace cape, $329 from Yvonne LaFleur.

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Cat mask, $14 from Funky Monkey (3127 Magazine St., 504-899-5587; www.funkymonkeynola.com).

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Photo: Cassagne Photography

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C UE M AG A Z I N E •

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Two (2) separate renovated cottages on a large 48 x 127 Lot in an excellent Marigny location. Main house is a 2 bedroom camelback and 2nd cottage is a 2 bedroom rental. Off street parking for several cars and room for a pool in the rear. $799,000

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[ R E A L E S TAT E ]

What’s up with fall home sales?

A local Realtor weighs in

PHOTO BY DME PHOTOGRAPHY/GET T Y IMAGES

PREDICTING THE HOME SALES FORECAST

BY SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TA F U R

FANNIE MAE AND OTHER REAL ESTATE ECONOMISTS issue forecasts for the real estate market

PHOTO BY FEVERPITCHED/GET T Y IMAGES

THANKS TO A STEADY SUPPLY OF NEW ORLEANS SAINTS GAMES,

O c to b e r 2 01 9

more approachable and appealing to a buyer? Bedestani believes hiring the right real estate agent is key.

“I often work with my clients weeks or months ahead of time to help them identify what needs to be done to properly position their house on the market and put them in touch with the right professionals to prepare their property,” she says. “My focus is to help clients get the biggest bang for their buck, using the available budget, to make the best upgrades that will add the most value to their property.”

Pictures are important.

“I probably drive my photographers nuts, asking them to shoot a room two to three times to get that great angle,” she says. “Most buyers start their search on the internet, so the photographs have to stand out and catch their eye. Once we get them into the property, we also have to make sure their experience inside matches up to or exceeds their expectations from what they saw online.”

Bedestani will stage a house to make it look more inviting and show clients ways they can use the space.

This may involve rearranging furniture or painting the walls a neutral color so the new owners can envision what to do with a clean slate.

“Fresh paint and sprucing up the landscaping is a great place to start,” she says. “Maybe you don’t have the budget to repaint the whole house, but painting the front porch or front door, freshening the trim and planting some seasonal flowers can really help first impressions.”

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

festivals and holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving, late fall and early winter are great times to live in New Orleans.

Can those elements work in your favor if you’re trying to sell your home? Perhaps.

Barbara Bedestani, a Realtor for McEnery Residential (www.mceneryco.com) says during this time of year, she typically sees increased real estate activity from visitors who love New Orleans and are looking to buy a vacation property in the city or a place to stay during frequent visits.

Some folks are simply trying to fulfill their New Year’s goal of buying a home. But year-end investment buying for tax reasons also can be a driving force behind purchases in the fall and winter she says.

“People have money to invest and are looking for tax deductions,” says Bedestani, adding that investment properties can offer appreciation and income. The money spent on repairs to an investment property is tax deductible, she adds.

Certain property classes and areas in the city have been heavily impacted by the loss of short-term rental investors, Bedestani says, but they have been balanced by investment buying from primary commercial real estate markets like New York City, Nashville, Tennessee and Chicago. Investors from those markets are gravitating toward mid-sized, secondary markets like New Orleans, where they see better values and long-run potential for appreciation, she says.

So which New Orleans neighborhoods will experience activity?

Bedestani says the bellwether markets of Uptown, the Garden District, the Warehouse District and the French Quarter always are popular, but there’s been an uptick in demand for housing in what formerly were considered secondary neighborhoods such as the Lower Garden District, Marigny and Bywater.

As home prices have risen steadily, however, buyers seeking a new or renovated three-bedroom, two-bath home in a bellwether neighborhood for under $600,000 may be disappointed.

“Those areas are still in demand, but inventory is not moving quite as fast as it was five to 10 years ago because the prices are high and the properties typically need work,” she says.

They are becoming luxury markets, with more buyers commissioning custom renovations instead of purchasing move-inready properties.

“They’ve become expensive enough that it’s become economically feasible to develop the adjacent neighborhoods,” Bedestani says.

Trendy areas in the city include the Freret and Carrollton neighborhoods, Lower Garden District, South Market District, Holy Cross, Gentilly, Central City and Mid-City, but there also has been an increase in development in suburban market pockets such as Algiers Point and Belle Chasse on the West Bank and in Metairie and Old Jefferson, Bedestani says.

How can a seller make a home

based on supply-and-demand metrics as well as trends like interest rates and other geopolitical factors, says Barbara Bedestani, a Realtor at McEnery Residential.

“It’s typically a ‘view from 10,000 feet’-type macro analysis, rather than a micro view focused on a specific market such as New Orleans,” she says.

Right now, Fannie Mae is predicting lower sales for existing homes in 2020, despite strong demand and low interest rates, due to what the financing source for mortgage lenders identifies as low supply.

“To an extent, I agree with Fannie Mae,” Bedestani says, “but on another hand, I feel that I am seeing a tale of two real estate markets. It’s a very balanced market, which is challenging in that it’s often hard to predict how the tug of war between buyers and sellers is going to go in any given scenario.”

This balanced market has been in place since 2016, so there has been an increase in inventory, but no “fire sale” (a sale of goods at a low price).

Some sellers are motivated and price competitively, she says, but others do not.

Sellers may experience extended days on the market, often with multiple listing agents, before they eventually conduct a transaction for well below the original asking price. Others with wellpriced properties that are prepared properly for market sell much quicker and — in some instances — experience multiple offers.

“The deals are still out there, but successful market participants are employing more sophisticated strategies than we have seen in the past,” Bedestani says.

Interest rates began rising in 2016, peaked in the fall of 2018 and now are back to 2016 levels. Those rates seem to have a major affect on the home sales forecast, she says.

“Low interest rates generally make the cost to borrow money more affordable,” Bedestani says.

“From 2016 to the fourth quarter of 2018, interest rates went up roughly 1.5%, which doesn’t necessarily sound like much, but when they go up 3.5 to 5%, there’s a 40% increase in the cost of borrowing money.”

It follows, she says, that buyers can’t afford as high a price for the house. Those rates declined to the 2016 range this spring, she says.

9

K N I R D OR A F E CAUS

Tickets: $15 (includes food and drink) All proceeds go to the Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund. bestofneworleans.com/toy

-Picayun s e m i T DOLL & TOY FUN e D

20 1 9

G I V E J OY to a local child

10

is Ch

s a m r i st

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2019 5:30- 7:30 PM 840 ST. CHARLES AVENUE

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

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Th

SPONSORS

BEERS

WWW.TPDOLLANDTOYFUND.ORG

[ CUE TIPS ]

FASHION BOUTIQUE

[ADVERTISING PROMOTION]

turns 50

Yvonne LaFleur started with jeans, now an upscale, full-service boutique.

BY SUZ A NNE PFEFFERLE TA FUR

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

Sugar Rush beaded handbag by Mary Frances $298, at Nest Nola, www.nestnola.net

Urban Expression’s clear snake print purse with removable change holder inside! Dual usage.

For game day and fall days! $36, at NOLA Boo, www.shopnolaboo.com

Help welcome guests into your home and make a statement this year with matching Halloween door hanger $24.99 and garden flag $16.99, at NOLA Gifts & Decor, www.nolagiftsanddecor.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT E ACH BUSINESS, LOOK FOR THEIR AD IN THIS ISSUE OF CUE MAGAZINE. TO HAVE YOUR BUSINESS FE ATURED IN THE NE X T NE W + COOL, C ALL SANDY STEIN AT (504) 483-3150.

O c to b e r 2 01 9

Customers still receive free fittings and alterations.

“I care that the garment fits, whether it’s $8 jeans, a wedding dress or a ball gown,” LaFleur says.

The entrepreneur also boasts a signature fragrance line — a floral scent imbued with notes of Italian bergamot and English lavender. The line includes a perfume, body lotion, bath gel, powder and soy-based scented candle.

“I have customers from all over who order the fragrance because they experienced it as a tourist when they were in New Orleans or as a regular customer here in New Orleans,” she says, noting that 60% of her business comprises clients from outside the Crescent City.

“Once people come, they come back, because every city in America basically has the same stores, the same chains,” LaFleur says. “There are very few independent stores with this much inventory and this variety.”

LaFleur says while her store has been open, her customers’ daughters and granddaughters have begun shopping there, expanding her client base through three generations. She believes her customers return not only for the wide array of offerings but because of the warm welcome they receive and the hospitality they experience while visiting.

“People over the years buy my clothes for celebrations in life,” LaFleur says. “It might be a trip to Europe. It might be a wedding or graduation. But people remember those clothes and the shopping experience associated with it. They come in and share that with me, and it’s just fabulous.”

Black & Gold Mermaid Sequin Clutch Fanny Pack, 4.5” x 6.5” (Meets NFL size requirements) $12.99, Sold exclusively at MJ’s, www.mjsofmetairie.com

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

NESTLED IN THE RIVERBEND, THE YVONNE LAFLEUR BOUTIQUE IS FAMOUS FOR OFFERING EXCLUSIVE FASHIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, bridal gowns, cocktail dresses, custom-made bonnets and luxurious lingerie sets, along with an assortment of accessories.

But when Yvonne LaFleur first opened her eponymous shop 50 years ago, in October of 1969, she specialized in fitted $8 jeans.

“They were new … no holes. And I altered them for free,” she recalled.

“That’s how I got my start.”

Although LaFleur was only a 22-yearold graduate of Louisiana State University when she received a $10,000 business loan, she already had acquired more than 10 years of experience in the fashion retail industry.

As a teen living in New Orleans, LaFleur says she bustled in “every major store on Canal Street,” but during her last semester of college, she worked in a small dress shop.

“I loved it, because in a big store, you have a very narrow path, but in a little shop you do every job,” she says.

“One day you do the window display and another day you do advertising, but you always do sales. You make people happy.”

Since LaFleur launched her business during the so-called “hippie era,” jeans were ubiquitous, marketable and easy to build upon.

“They gave people a baseline for their own fashion development because everybody had jeans as the common denominator,” LaFleur says.

“Sooner or later, people were buying a really pretty blouse, maybe a French blouse. They were elevating themselves into their style.”

Fashions have evolved since then, but so has LaFleur’s inventory, which spans nearly 10,000 square feet of space. LaFleur offers a curated collection of classic and avant-garde designs made with premium fabrics.

She even carries styles reminiscent of those she offered during her business’ early days.

“I like to think the inventory is elastic; it can stretch or it can snap back,” LaFleur says. “I’ve seen everything.

We had the stirrup stretch pants back in the ’70s and ’80s, and we’ve got stretch pants now. It all comes back around.”

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