Jewelry from KIST

On Saturday, March 19th, 2011, Pittsburgh’s own Crazy Hot Clothes and KIST Boutique teamed up to host a “fashion luncheon” in a private room at Panera Bread Co. in Robinson Township at the Pointe. The event was open to the public, and was a nice preview of what both companies have to offer their clientele.

Both KIST and Crazy Hot Clothes had items for sale ranging from trendy jewelry and gorgeous scarves, to authentic vintage dresses.

Nicole Couch of Crazy Hot Clothes started her company in September of 2009. They  are a web-based brand, but do many presentations ranging from runway shows to trunk shows and home parties all around Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. While some boutiques will stock her items, Crazy Hot Clothes basically operates on the web only — and has cultivated a national following. Like many Pittsburghers, though, Couch stays true to her hometown. Her husband and her both agree that working with people in Pittsburgh – from other boutique owners, models, fashion designers, hair and makeup artists, jewelry designers, and more – makes what they do fun. They give their interns (who range from fashion merchandising to photography students) a lot of credit, too, in their success.

So, what makes Crazy Hot Clothes stand out from any other Pittsburgh boutique? For starters, they offer unique fashion that is

Select pieces from Crazy Hot Clothes

accessible. Their prices are reasonable, and since all of their clothing is authentic vintage, there’s a good chance that you’ll be owning a “one of a kind” piece.  The clothing ranges from high-end to no-label and is all relatively priced. ”I didn’t want to JUST do vintage, I wanted it to do vintage and have it  be relevant,” Couch explains. For example, the big trends for spring include 70′s styles, patterns/prints, and denim – so for now, she will look for a lot of that as she seeks out merchandise to sell. At the inaugural Pittsburgh Fashion Week in 2010, they chose to run with the “ladylike” style that is becoming popular due to throwback show’s like Mad Men with its sexy 60′s style. Crazy Hot Clothes strives to find clothes, though, that do not look cheesy or costumey. Nicole’s goal is to teach people how to pair vintage pieces with modern clothes that they already have in their closet, so that they aren’t wearing head-to-toe vintage and looking like a caricature of themselves. She suggests pairing vintage jeans with a trendy shirt, or a vintage dress with more modern jewelry and accessories.

…which brings us to KIST Boutique. KIST, owned by Keri Bozich, also started about a year or so ago. Growing up, she was always into fashion. “I feel like accessories can make or break your outfit,” she says, “and if you don’t have a lot of money, you can always use jewelry and accessories to change it up, and update your wardrobe!”  (A great idea for us “recessionistas!”)

Keri currently operates KIST Boutique solely on the Internet — specifically, via Facebook. She travels to New York City and Chicago trade shows, meets with manfacturers and wholesalers, and selects specific pieces to sell through KIST. Judging by the selection laid out for sale at the luncheon, Bozich has impeccable taste – and KIST truly has something for everyone, ranging from chain-adorned cuffs, to oversize pearl necklaces, fun watches, ribbon and rope pieces, and more!

KIST and Crazy Hot Clothes can both be found on Facebook and Twitter. Crazy Hot Clothes online boutique is available at www.crazyhotclothes.com.

- – Event coverage by Ashley Marie Boynes