These five online stores provide a diversity of options
With online shops on the rise, people no longer have to go to a store physically to make purchases — they can buy items with the click of a button. Known around the world for its culture, food and traditions, Louisiana is not as frequently recognized for its online shops, and many go unseen or unheard of.
SoSis
Based out of Baton Rouge, SoSis, or Southern Sisters, launched in 2014. Sisters, co-founders and LSU alumnae Chelsey Blankenship and Annie Claire Bass created the store to provide the everyday girl a trendy place to shop on a budget.
Although it is an online shop, SoSis hosts pop-up shows where customers can browse merchandise at a physical location.
“We find that once people see our products in person, even if it’s just once, they will shop with us again online,” Blankenship said.
After the floods in Baton Rouge, Blankenship and Bass gave customers the opportunity to donate to flood victims by buying a LYLAS, or “Love Ya Like a Sister,” T-shirts.
Blankenship announced SoSis will open its very first storefront location in Port Allen sometime this year.
Mimosa Handcrafted
LSU alumni Courtney Gay, Madeline Ellis and Dawson Ellis are the proud owners of Mimosa Handcrafted, a solid cast brass, bronze, silver and gold jewelry company that creates customized jewelry, home goods and more.
After they married, Dawson convinced Madeline, who had been making jewelry as a hobby since elementary school, to build a career out of her childhood passion.
“I don’t design any pieces that don’t have any meaning behind them,” Madeline said. “It’s hard for me to make jewelry that’s like, ‘Oh neat, a circle!’ I like to think that I accomplish whatever the concept is in the most minimal package.”
Mimosa Handcrafted began as an Etsy shop that acted as Madeline’s “home base” while traveling.
“Etsy was kind of an experiment, but then it turned into accessibility for customers to buy pieces at their convenience, so they don’t have to make the purchase right on the spot [while at a show] or find me,” Madeline said.
Compel Clothing
Kelly Tien, owner of Compel Clothing, sought to bring affordable and convenient fashion to Lafayette.
Although primarily online, Compel Clothing offers mobile fittings and pop-up shops.
Before creating Compel Clothing, Tien worked long shifts at previous jobs that never allowed her to shop at local boutiques. By bringing the store to customers, she said she hoped women like her would have a place to shop conveniently.
“I heard a really great saying before when Compel Clothing was all just an idea, and it was ‘If you can’t sell in your own backyard, how are you going to sell in somebody else’s?’ and it made me really put that into perspective,” Tien said.
Compel Clothing is holding a pop-up shop hosted by the Baton Rouge Fashion Council on Sept. 24, and Tien hopes to gain more University customers.
Chokolat Creme
Rouge based T-shirt company Chokolat Creme started in 2013. With a brand focusing on “wearing what you’re feeling,” Chokolat Creme creators Samjah Iman and April Joy said their ideal customer is trendsetting college woman.
“Our individual experiences coupled with our collective passion to unify and empower ambitious females through fashion, prompted us to bring you Chokolat Creme,” Iman said. “Chokolat Creme is female empowerment, ambition and awareness personified through the art of fashion.”
Iman called her T-shirts “conversation starters” because they catch people’s attention and prompt them to ask questions.
Their goal is to create more T-shirts and begin selling them in college bookstores and unique boutiques around the state.
Creme De La Creme
Creme De La Creme, another Baton Rouge based boutique that offers apparel and accessories, also calls for the trendsetting woman.
“Creme encompasses the girl on the go,” owner LaTasha Gray-Grant said. “She’s a modern woman with a classic style, an all-around Renaissance woman who is independent and owns her own style.”
Creme De La Creme began as an online accessories boutique in 2011.
Since its inception, Creme De La Creme evolved from assorted accessories and handmade statement pieces to a complete boutique.
“When Louisiana folks like something, they share,” Gray-Grant said.