Business Spotlight: Black & Bold

By Chelsey Smith

Business: Black & Bold

Owner: Tara Pierce

Fun fact: Tara wore blue velour animal print pants in jr. high school.

Quotable: “It’s a come in and see kind of thing; there’s not one word to describe it.” – Pierce on Black & Bold

Background

Tara Pierce’s love for retail sprouted as a child, playing shop with her sister. Her passion became reality in adulthood when she quit her office job to open the boutique.

Pierce is the sole owner of Black & Bold.  She opened the store in June 2008 on 122 Street and Jasper Avenue. Last summer, she packed up and moved to her current location on 124 street and 108 avenue.

Story

When asked about retail philosophy and vision, Pierce puzzled the question seriously before exclaiming, “I’m just being me!”

The store’s popularity has grown and spread throughout Edmonton — sometimes Pierce is approached on the streets and at restaurants as “that girl from Black & Bold”.

The store is adorned with hanging chandeliers, sparkly fixtures, and large oval black and white photographs of Pierce’s relatives.

The boutique is filled with a variety of garments, accessories, jewelry, and shoes.  Pierce carries stock that ranges from $30  to $300 in price, and feels there is something for everyone in the store.  It’s the kind of place that a girl, her mother, and her sister, could all go and find something they love, Pierce said.

Black & Bold does not specialize or cater to a demographic, Pierce says that her consistent clients range from 13 year-old girls to 80 year-old ladies.

“It has more to do with style” said Pierce.

“Girly girl, edgy rocker chic, Chanel lady, tomboy.”

Pierce loves to mix and match and believes in expression and creativity through fashion. Getting dressed is an art form and it says a lot about a person’s personality said Pierce.

Watching people put outfits and accessories together is her favourite part of the job.

Pierce writes a blog named “That Girl from Black & Bold.”

“I think a lot of the girls have fun with it.” said Pierce,  adding that it is another creative outlet for her.

Pierce also holds in-store private shopping events, fashion shows at venues such as Hundred Bar and Kitchen and The Red Piano, and involves the store in other local happenings.

What’s next

Pierce is reworking the layout of the store to make room for next season’s clothes. She will be attending Western Canada Fashion Week at the end of March to see one of the store’s contributing designers, and “her girl” Kelly Madden.  Pierce will also be planning some more fashion shows of her own.