GIGI’S KISS OF STYLE BOUTIQUE

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PASSION FOR FASHION

Trendy boutique offers upscale fashion

Story Sarah Simmons | Photography Rachael Layne

Some people just ooze style. From the platform boots on her feet to the confident, red-lipped smile on her face, even the industrial, yet feminine-style of Crystal Graf is commanding. And she’s sharing that fashion sense with the Tri-State through Gigi’s Kiss of Style boutique.

“I love clothes, and I love shoes and I love purses. I mean, that’s my favorite hobby, clothes, so it just made sense,” Graf said of her desire to open her shop. “Me and my husband talked about it and he said, ‘Go for it,’ so I did.”

While fashion has been a lifelong passion for Graf, things began to take shape for the shop in 2016. “I started doing a lot of research to find out what all was entailed in opening a boutique. What the requirements were, where I could go to get clothing,” she said. “Then, I talked to a lot of business owners as well.”

Every eclectic item in Gigi’s is hand-picked by Graf.

“I go to the different shows. I go to Atlanta, I go to Dallas, I’ve been to the Miami show.”

Attending these shows in person, instead of sourcing her offerings from online, has advantages. “I go because I like to see and touch and feel it,” said Graf.

In addition to hand-picked items from fashion shows around the country, there are also vintage options and for a wide range of tastes.

“I try and do everything, from teenagers all the way up to our older women that like to dress trendier. We do a lot of ‘60s, ‘70s. I also, in my vintage dresses, carry ‘30s, ‘40s, and flapper dresses. We carry jeans that were real popular — the patchwork. We carry the bell bottoms that were popular. Just very different, very unique stuff,” said Graf. “And I can’t say as there’s one style, because I just look at what I think is going to appeal to people or that appeals to me. There’s nothing in my shop I wouldn’t wear.”

This November will mark three years the shop has been in business. After closing due to COVID-19, it was relocated from Wheelersburg to its current home in downtown Portsmouth.

“So far it’s been really good. Portsmouth has been really good

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for us. The people here are great. They’ve done wonders for us,” she said of the move. “I love Ohio, love Portsmouth. I think this whole area is growing. It’s been a long time coming.”

And the location is important, because you cannot find Gigi’s Kiss of Style merchandise on the internet.

“I do no online, I’m brick and mortar only. I have no intention,” Graf said.

And something else she finds important is the actual experience of shopping.

“I think people should come in and visit local businesses, so I’m all about staying within brick and mortar.”

And even if you’re on the other end of the Tri-State, it will be well worth the trip if you’re interested in unique items that aren’t easily found in our region.

“I try to bring in something that you can’t go local here to get anywhere within maybe a two, three, four hour range,” said Graf.

When asked what items were most popular, Graf answered without hesitation. “Our shackets. And most people don’t know what a shacket is. A shacket is a shirt and a jacket that you can intermix wearing from a shirt to a jacket. That and our bell bottom pants are the two most popular items we have. In line with that would be our unique vintage dresses which I can get anything from all the way back in the ‘20s all the way up into the ‘70s, ‘80s, and even current styles, but mainly they go for the ‘50s and ‘60s.”

But you’ll find more than just women’s clothing if you choose to visit.

“We brought in some men’s jeans, we want to see how they go over. If they sell well then I’ll go ahead and put in a little bit more room for the jeans. I also brought in kids bell bottoms, size 3 up to size 8, we’re going to try them out

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and if the kids clothes sell then we’ll bring in that. We are going to do some construction here and expand inside a little bit,” said Graf of their growing selection and space.

The shop is currently transitioning to their fall and winter lines, showcasing all new apparel. And just in time for the holidays, they’re also expanding their Brighton selection.

“Not everyone realizes that we carry Brighton jewelry, we carry Brighton belts, Brighton purses. We have just recently expanded our whole line.”

Graf said that by the time of publication, her location will “have double the size of Brighton jewelry in than we currently have.”

And while you’re there, you can find something for everyone on your shopping list.

“For kids, for parents, for moms, for grandparents... Even men now, and some of the kids. Anything you’re looking for, we pretty well have. We carry a broad line of Mary Francis purses which you cannot find anywhere around here. We carry artwork from local artists, we carry a few home items just for gifts, for birthdays, anniversaries.”

You can visit Gigi’s Kiss of Style boutique at 515 Second Street in Portsmouth Sunday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through the end of December, when they’ll close again on Sundays and Mondays at the conclusion of the holiday season.

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