Manhattan South: Bringing West Coast Chic to Birmingham
Manhattan South brings a laid-back West Coast vibe to Birmingham with effortlessly chic clothing, including some new sophisticated, modern looks for fall!
Tucked into an unassuming strip mall in the heart of Cahaba Heights,Β Manhattan SouthΒ is a charming boutique bringing a touch ofΒ CaliforniaΒ to the South. Walk into the shop and anΒ adorable miniature pup named Mannie might stop to offer a greeting as she trots around her home away from home. The interior of Manhattan South is clean, bright and airy,Β with a subtle West Coast vibe. It feels different than other Birmingham boutiques, and that is exactly what Manhattan Southβs owner Lesley Decastro-Vedel wants. She isΒ driven to make the shop stand out among Birminghamβs boutiques.
βI used to love going to Manhattan Beach,β saysΒ Lesley. βI just love the West Coast style and feel.β And almost all the buying for Manhattan South takes place in Los Angeles, with trips to New York sprinkled throughout. βIt makes Manhattan South different and unique, so that our clothing doesnβt look like every other store,β she says.
Growing up, Lesley was never into fashion and claims that she wasΒ βawful at putting anything together.β TheΒ computer and information sciences Auburn graduate wasΒ attending graduate school at Samford when she took a trip to London, and thatβs where her lifelong foray into fashion began. TheΒ adventurous and curious traveler began exploringΒ and found herself in the affluent Chelsea area, and got lost on cobblestone streets, exploring pint-sizedΒ stores that completely transported her. These charming, one-of-a-kind boutiques were a revelationΒ to her. βI was just mesmerized by these little stores,β Lesley explains. βThey were so clean and not cluttered. I had never experienced anything like itΒ before.β
And just like that, she knew what she wanted her future to look like. She went back to her entrepreneurship professor and said, βIβm going to open up a shop.β Although her professor and family worried about the travel-inspired ambitions of the 25-year-old, Lesley stayed true to her vision and committedΒ to making it happen. She began researching in 2005 and spent two years turning that constant research and hard work into a reality. In 2007, she opened the doors of Manhattan South and has been there ever since.
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The boutique features looks for all types of events. Cocktail dresses, structured skirts and elegant blouses are accompanied by luxurious fur coats and vests. Move a bit further into the store and youβll find a pant of every variety from black jeans to high-waisted trousers, as well as a vast selection of comfortable, top quality t-shirts, lounge wear and basics. Sparkling earrings, necklaces and braceletsΒ adorn the counters and tabletopsΒ of the boutique with clutches and handbags artistically propped on shelves. Lastly, a selection of sunglasses that range from classic aviator to brightly colored specs catch the eye as theyΒ reflectΒ the boutique lights.
There is no typical Manhattan South client, a fact thatΒ Lesley embraces as it allows her to constantly think outside of the box as she curates the boutiqueβs collection. The store is always looking for ways to cater to each clientβs personal style, including special ordering and shopping with specific clients in mind. Some clients even sit down with her, look through the books for that seasonβs collections and pick what they want.Β Lesley has formed personalΒ relationships with designers, whom she will call uponΒ to createΒ customized looks for her clients.
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With fall right around the corner, Lesley is gearing up to offer new labels that will bring a more structured, elevated style into the mix. Expect beautiful crisp, white, tailoredΒ blouses made from Italian cottons and silks, and contemporary art-forward looks with bold asymmetrical cuts. Lesley is delighted to showcase a new line from Australia called TY-LR, a contemporary, streamlined look that is altogether sophisticated and ultra-modern, as well asΒ ARYN GLASSERβs premiere fashion line, which features a pant that Lesley says βis great quality and fits just right.β
One ofΒ Lesleyβs favorite things to do β and mainΒ source of creativeΒ inspiration and fashion finds β isΒ traveling. She jokes that she hasΒ to travel at least once a month, but her best work is done when sheβs discovering new styles that one only sees on the streets of Europe, in the back alleys of Greece or even on Manhattan Beach in California. And thus, one ladyβs travel obsession becomes another ladyβs wardrobe inspiration.
Manhattan SouthΒ is located at 3122 Heights Village in Cahaba Heights. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (205) 977-3871 or visitΒ stores.manhattansouth.net.
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Bailey Torkelson
Bailey is the StyleBlueprint Marketing Manager. She loves a good meal and glass of wine with great friends... or a reality TV binge with her cat, Luna.