After a string of recent fashion shows around town, there is a buzz in the air regarding an increasing local trend in fashion-related events and boutiques. Up until this point we have seen a few boutiques experimenting with locally-made fashion, though mostly have only dabbled in a line here and there. That’s all about to change with the opening of ‘anatomy’ – a custom design women’s clothing shop that will soon open at 569 Elmwood Avenue. That’s where proprietor and designer, Ali Eagen, along with proprietor Mark Clayback, are setting up shop to introduce Buffalo to completely unique, feminine-yet-eclectic clothing and accessories that promise to become a one of a kind sensation (both the store and the clothing).
Ali is a Fashion Institute of Technology graduate and has logged some serious hours with Abercrombie and Fitch, before deciding to return home to plant a flag in the ground. She has already tapped into the Buff State Fashion and Textile Technology Program in order to utilize the city’s natural resources, including eager interns, found right down the street from her store. If you consider the affordable rent for the size of the space, a growing support group of fashionistas and a block that has seen some nice recent investments, Ali and Mark’s own investment in the boutique is rather timely. The shop will also hopefully send a signal to local Buff State fashion grads to consider similar moves, while offering interns a firsthand look at the business side of the industry in the meantime.
‘anatomy will specialize in two distinct areas of retail. The shop will offer ready-to-wear outfits – dresses and skirts designed by Ali and manufactured in NYC. There will also be a made-to-spec aspect of the store that will keep a local team of seamstresses busy. That part of the business is 100% custom, where a customer can walk in, pick out a fabric, color and a design, get measured, and in a fairly quick turnaround time (a couple of weeks) expect to see the prom dress, brides maids dress or ball gown hanging on a store rack. That’s one way to make sure that no one else is wearing what you’ve got on. It’s good to see a shop of this nature open on Elmwood – now if we could only get a business to move into the vacant Off the Wall restaurant location!
Ali hopes to have the ‘anatomy’ doors open within a month, and samples of Ali’s creations can also be seen at Mass Appeal on November 5th.
anatomy
569 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo NY 14222
716-882-1500