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Iya’s Fashion House has hot styles for you, plus kids’ clothes that even Madonna would approve of.
By Tammy Kirks
Photo Edward Biamonte
Hip little dresses and hot accessories are some of the offerings at Iya's Fashion House.
ATMOSPHERE: White walls, bright lighting and modern furnishings provide the perfect backdrop to an array of fashionable wares (or “wears,” in this case). With roomy dressing rooms and large mirrors, Iya’s makes trying on clothes comfortable and fun.
KEY PERSON: Owner Christy Clem-Johnson opened Iya’s in December of 2006. The unusual name is a combination of her two children’s names: Isaac and Kya. Christy’s background is in social work, not retail, but she envisions Iya’s becoming a fashionable stop for women who want to look and feel good about themselves.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND: The first items Christy showed me were cotton knits by Splendid. Since they were recently touted as one of Oprah Winfrey’s favorite things, they have been flying off the racks. The T-shirts were incredibly soft and luxuriously smooth and were a reasonable $38. Iya’s is the only place in town to find them, and they have a broad selection of colors and styles.
As a fan of color and prints, I was enamored by the styles by Junior Drake. These dresses and tops are made of vibrant prints in luxurious silk satin. The tops are $120 and dresses are $250, but they are a good wardrobe investment. If that’s a bit too pricey, check out the satin kimono tops by Touch 9. The colors and patterns were gorgeous, and they were a very reasonable $40.
Summer usually means weddings, and finding the perfect dress can be challenging. Iya’s has several lovely styles by Chic Star priced at less than $60. A black-and-white print cotton dress for $49.50 would be perfect for a garden wedding or reception. Add a cardigan or jacket, and it becomes office-appropriate in a flash. Looking for a new little black dress? Check out the simple, yet elegant, style in polyester taffeta for only $59. It could easily go from day to night with a quick change of accessories.
Speaking of accessories, I found a lot of options here. I loved the geometric purses by Poesis. A medium-sized triangular purse in mock red croc is $160 but looks like something off a runway. Handbags by K.Lianna were full of color and funky prints. These leather-trimmed bags have plastic-covered maps and fashion ads as the purse body, making them art on the move. At $150, again they are a bit of an investment, but I bet you won’t see another one around.
Christy offers a small selection of clothing and shoes for girls. I loved a classic blue sundress with pink bows by Cottontail Originals. It was priced at $72, which is steep for children’s clothing, but the design and quality make it an heirloom that can be passed down for generations. Want your little fashionistas to dress like Hollywood royalty? Then check out the über-cool T-shirts by Trunkshow. These cotton tees feature limited edition serigraphs of classic rock art. My personal favorite was one with Pink Floyd and a pig on the cover. (Fans will understand the meaning of the pig.) Yeah, they’re $67 each, but if it’s good enough for Madonna’s kids, it’s good enough for me.
417 VERDICT: Does 417-land really need another boutique clothing store? The answer is yes. Iya’s has a small, but well-thought-out selection, prices for almost every budget and an owner who wants you to look and feel great every day. Stop in and see what she has to offer.
Savvy Shopper is a monthly opinion feature guiding readers to independent local stores. Have one to suggest? Please e-mail us via editor@417mag.com.
