FASHION SPOTLIGHT
Helping others is just her style
Posted on Wed, Jul. 23, 2008
BY ANNIE VAZQUEZ
Special to The Miami Herald
PETER ANDREW BOSCH / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Claire La Roche, here with her grandfather Albert, opened her Miami Shores boutique on her late grandmother's birthday.
After her grandmother died from pancreatic cancer, 20-year-old Claire La Roche had two goals: supporting research to cure the disease and earning a living for herself and her 84-year-old grandfather, Albert.
The answer to both came with the opening of her Miami Shores boutique, La Roche Shoes and Accessories, which carries trendy merchandise at prices under $100.
''I was going to go into the police academy, but it was going to take too long so I decided to use the money my grandmother left me and open up the boutique,'' says the young entrepreneur. ``Now I can take care of my grandfather and donate a percentage of my sales to cancer research.''
The Miami Shores native says the shop officially became hers on April 1 -- her grandmother Jeanne's birthday.
''It's symbolic that I became a store owner on that day,'' says La Roche, while glancing at a picture of her grandmother hanging in the store. ``I've always loved fashion, but I never thought of opening my own store.''
La Roche credits her friend Alicia Kuhnke, who owns Tiki Boutique, the clothing store next door, with getting her started in the retail industry.
''She helped me with everything from merchandise to designing the layout of the store to setting the wood floor,'' says La Roche, who previously waited tables at Acqualina.
So far, La Roche says business is good at the quaint boutique, which is intended to exude a princess vibe mixed with some edgy glam. Lavender walls, giant gold brimmed mirrors, a dainty tea table, and a zebra print rug all add to the ambience. The clientele ranges from teens to women in their 60s.
''My younger customers will wear a pair of heels like these,'' says La Roche, lifting up a pair of cheery red stilettos by Delicious. ''And older women will go for more conservative things,'' she says pointing to a pair of silver Novela sandals.
''I have similar stuff to Steve Madden, except my shoes are wallet friendly,'' adds La Roche. Shoes run $20-$98.
Also popular are bangles, which come in a variety of colors and styles. There are leopard and tiger prints, enamel encrusted bracelets, bejeweled cuffs and wristlets with dangling charms. Some jewelry is sold in sets, and prices range from $12-$24.
Aside from accessories, patrons can also nab the occasional tank top or T-shirt, such as a white top by Vocal that has a peace sign with wings emblazoned at its center.
La Roche says her next goal is to go back to school to get a psychology degree and expand her business.
``I get it all the time that I'm so young to have a business, but I like it a lot better than being a server.''
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