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Visette Boutique new home like a luxury closet hidden in the middle of Pike/Pine’s growing fashion retail scene

(Image: Visette)

Four years after its opening, Capitol Hill dress design shop Visette Boutique will be moving up the Hill.

Capitalizing on an expiring lease, owner Visal Sam took the opportunity to move locations and, in turn, expand her store.

“It was a perfect storm for us,” she said. “The situation provided us with an option to go with it and benefit from it.”

Sam, whose boutique primarily focuses on special occasion dresses, aims to push women out of their “fashion box.” She feels that everyone has their own style and it is very difficult for industrialized and mass-produced clothes to truly fit someone’s look.

“If you want something really beautiful you don’t know where to go because everywhere else is generic” she said.

(Image: Visette)

Inspired by New York showrooms, Sam wanted to bring the same level of fashion and individuality to the Pike/Pine scene.

“We don’t want to be generic” she said, “we are unique in that we are the only store of our kind in Seattle.”

She loves spreading uniqueness to her clients as well.

“It’s so nice to go into a party and know that no one else will look like you. We guarantee that for our customers.”

“Most of the brands we work with only make one or very few of each dress when we order them,” she said. “This ensures a very special situation where there is a limited quantity of very high quality clothes.”

All of the pieces in store and online are selected by Sam from local and international independent designers.

Sam also pointed out that Visette clothing comes in virtually all sizes so everybody is able to find something that will suit. Additionally, Sam provides in-house alteration and styling advice to ensure clients a perfect fit.

According to Sam, the new space in the heart of Pike/Pine will offer a much more private and curated feel.

With a larger showroom and location tucked in the back of the building, Sam said the new store feels almost like a luxury closet.

“It is like a shared secret between us and our customers. The women who come have no worries. They feel like they are at home” she said.

Visette is joining an area of Capitol Hill with a growing retail fashion scene. Independent fashion shop Ritual and its black rainbow-array of dark, moody creations debuted on E Pike late last year while Sway and Cake is also on a block by block mission to fill Pike/Pine with fashion.

Leaving the lower Pike location where she first opened in 2015 left a bittersweet feeling, said Sam. Sam had spent two years looking for the location and meticulously designed the interior herself. She said she is sad to say goodbye to her old location but excited for all that is to come. Sam said the previous location provided a great learning experience, helping her grow a customer base and understand its needs.

“We are very grateful for our last location” Sam said, “without it we would never be here. Without having the public and that sidewalk exposure we would never have known that this was our next step.”

Their new location is scheduled to officially open this month but you can visit Visette Boutique anytime throughout its move at 1417 10th Ave Studio D. You can learn more at visetteboutique.com.

Audrey Frigon is the CHS fall/winter intern and a student at Seattle Preparatory School.

 

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Melinda
Melinda
4 years ago

So glad they’re relocating! Went by the old place & was sad it was gone. Hope they have a street window- their windows drew me in.

Lojo
Lojo
4 years ago

I’ve purchased several dresses at Visette, and have appreciated the personalized service. I’m sorry to lose that daily window shopping experience but will check them out in their new location.