“Fashion in the fast lane: Back-to-school styles come to Apricot Boutiques”

Fashion in the fast lane: Back-to-school styles come to Apricot Boutiques

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 10:36 PM PDT

Submitted Photo: Apricot Lane Boutique owner Cristi Hargroves said her four stores, including locations in Allen and Frisco, will carry fall fashions such as jeggins, military-inspired clothing and burnout shirts.

�In time for tax free weekend, Apricot Lane Boutiques has tips and fashion trends, so that school supplies don�t have to be the only purchase to start off the school year. Even college students and mothers can add denim, flirty dresses and unique jewelry to their back-to-school lists, creating a new look for the fall.

Expect to see layering pieces such as lightweight cutout vests and novelty faux leather jackets take students from a summer look to a casually covered look. Cristi Hargroves, owner of four local Apricot Lanes, expressed the popularity of vintage plaid shirts with embellished metal studs or crystals and soft burnout shirts among other trends.

�It�s all about denim right now; it�s about the boot, the skinny and the jeggin,� Hargroves said, referring to the cut of the fabric.

Jeggins are a combination of jeans and leggings, skinnier than skinny jeans, almost like denim leggings. The military influence is also predicted to be very strong this fall, with patches, metals and olive green colors permeating designers� fall lines.

Apricot Lane, a west coast, celebrity-inspired boutique, is staying on top of the latest fashions by sending representatives to trade shows to find up and coming brands. Hargroves was in Las Vegas this week already looking at holiday deliveries that stores around Dallas may not carry.

Apricot Lanes has more than forty locations all over the nation, including franchises in Allen, Garland, Frisco and Highland Village. The franchise doubled its size this year and has been ranked more than once by Entrepreneur Magazine to its� Top Franchise List.

�I think it�s because each store can carry different brands,� Hargroves said. �We pick up lines, because celebrities are wearing things. People like to buy what the celebrities are wearing.�

Across the country, Apricot Lane�s best selling accessory has been its Humanity Bracelets � a brand popular among stars like Drew Brees, Eva Longoria Parker and Erin Andrews. A portion of the profits from Humanity goes to support non-profits around the world, with the slogan �Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.�

The company was created to link art and humanitarianism. A graphic image on the outside of the bracelet goes along with a written message on the inside that tells stories about social justice and the environment.

�These Humanity bracelets are really popular with the young girls,� Hargroves said. �I think the cost has a lot to do with it and the cause � how it gives back.�

As a special offer to Apricot Lane clients, the store is giving a free Humanity leather wrap bracelet with the purchase of a regular-priced denim piece and a trendy top through Aug. 31.

For shoppers who prefer specific labels, Apricot Lane features Miss Me, 7 for all Mankind, Rock Revival, Fidelity and True Religion brands for the wardrobe. Hargroves has a 16-year-old daughter, and though unusual, the two can find outfits they like in the same store.

�It�s definitely a store that moms and daughters can both come and shop at,� Hargroves said, adding that college women make up a large portion of customers as well.

�After the back to school shopping weekend, Apricot Lane will follow with a celebrity-inspired party at the Stonebriar Mall location from 4 � 7 p.m. on Sept. 3 and at Watter�s Creek in Allen on Sept. 4. The �Apricot Lane Gives Back with �Humanity�� event will give clients the opportunity to preview the new line of Humanity shirts and accessories and meet Helena Cho, owner/founder of Humanity.

�It�s going to be a fun event,� she said. �They�re going to bring in a lot of their merchandise too � special products that people maybe have never seen.�

There will be a red carpet, an area for �paparazzi� to treat guests like celebrities and take photos, and raffle prizes. Attendees who would like to try on the latest fashions can have their own �star� dressing room and informally model clothes while a DJ spins music.

Apricot Lane will also be doing trunk shows with the Forth Worth designer for G Wear in late September. The brand features organic cotton T-shirts, where the fabrics are made out of recycled material.

For information, visit www.apricotlanedfw.com. �

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