Curated fashion from Alla Moda
By Patricia Nugent
‘Tis the season to let your best light shine.
Ladies looking to boost their wardrobe with adorable and flattering fashions should let their fingers do the shopping at Cleveland’s hottest online boutique, Alla Moda.
Opened last year by local style maven Erika Ianiro, the site features a curated variety of hand-picked looks—from tops and pants to dresses and rompers—that are also affordable.
“I only select looks that will flatter any women, in sizes small to extra-large and 1X-3X, which I believe is why my clientele spans all ages,” says Erika, who studied fashion at Virginia Marti College and is living her “small business dream” as a boutique owner. “Unlike a lot of mall stores, that have empty racks, I’ve planned ahead and am adding gorgeous clothes to my site all the time. I ship them via UPS with guaranteed delivery dates.”
Driven by what her clients are looking for, Erika has boosted the number of tops she offers.
“Since the average woman owns about three times as many tops as bottoms, this is a great way to build your wardrobe,” she says. “I offer tops you won’t find at stores. They have stylish details and versatile silhouettes.”
Over the past year, Alla Moda has attracted a loyal clientele of shoppers, and Erika says that taking part in shows and parties throughout the community has helped her connect with people and grow.
“Personalized customer service is important to me. I love being able to put a face to a name,” she says. “I’m also always open to throwing parties for groups in someone’s home or other location. To thank the hostess, I offer 20% off anything she buys at the party.”
Ripped from the Runways
Erika devoutly follows emerging trends, from the Fashion Week runways to scouring Women’s Wear Daily.
As we transition to winter, here are a few trends she reports are having a moment:
- The “Shacket” — “This is my favorite trend right now,” she says. “Half shirt, half jacket, the perfect shacket is oversized with a roomy fit. It’s effortlessly chic and can be layered over a T-shirt or turtleneck and dressed up or down. I’m introducing several styles this month, some in flannel and color-blocking.”
- Cozy Sweaters — “Now is the time we all want to dive into a comfy sweater. My inventory includes lots of soft selections in chunky knits. One of my favorite tops is an off-the-shoulder fringe sweater in a flattering shade of cream. It’s looks beautiful with anything from jeans to a dressy skirt.”
Which styles are on their way out? Erika says skinny, distressed jeans are not as popular, giving way to more of a boot cut flair, which looks smart paired with an ankle boot.
“Padded shoulders are also not trending,” she says. “There is still sleeve interest, just not an exaggerated silhouette.”
Visit ShopAllaModa.com for a unique shopping experience. Look for announcements of future events on the Facebook page or website. Subscribe to her newsletter for weekly updates on fashions she’s adding to the site. To book your own event, email Erika at shopallamoda1@gmail.com.