Saying I love Brooklyn-based boutique jumelle is an understatement. Their mix of classic staples, Parisian-cool wares, and a grown-up girly vibe sets my heart aflutter every season and it’s reassuring to know that there is such a nice woman behind the boutique. Owner Candice Waldron took time out of her very busy schedule to answer a few of my questions about the boutique, her favorites this spring, and some other stuff:
A Detacher
S.B.: Do you have any favorite new designers for spring?
C.W.: Ostwald Hegalson: I was instantly taken with this line when I came across it last year in Paris. There was no doubt that I would be ordering this collection for the shop. Based in London, Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Hegalson create narrative prints and employ a kaleidoscope of colors in their designs. Standard Finery is designed by Williamsburg local Caron Callahan. Prior to starting her own collection Callahan worked at Barneys, Derek Lam and Steven Alan. She has created a collection “for women who love beautiful clothes but don’t need to make a fuss about them.”Anntian: I have had my eye on this Berlin-based line for a couple of years now and it will finally be available at jumelle this Spring. Anntian is designed by Anne Hilken and Christian Kurt, one of the sweetest couples I’ve met. Their line is artistic, geometric, offbeat and modern.
S.B.: Can you name a few must-have items from the shop currently circulating in your closet?
Alexander Wang
C.W.: My spring must-haves: 1. Striped boatneck tee from Alexander Wang. A slouchy, American take on the classic French breton striped shirt.
2. Bunter dress from Ostwald Hegalson. A new collection to jumelle that I am very eager about. This is a great, vibrant dress printed with what the London-based designers reference as a “striped crumbled paper print.”
3. I consistently love everything from Mona Kowalska’s A Detacher line, but this season I will definitely be purchasing the Dolores dress, a runway favorite. The wallpaper silk floral pattern is demure and romantic, but the cut of the dress is sophisticated, wearable and effortless…classic A Detacher. It also looks great paired with any of Kowalska’s “Petra” leggings.
4. Lover Mono Floral vintage print one-piece. I think Lover makes one the best swimwear collections around. I plan to wear this one-piece as a bodysuit with my favorite vintage jean skirt, old Levis, layered under a sundress and at the beach of course.
Jodphur Boots
5. Jodhpur High-heel boot in brown from Swedish Hasbeens. We had this style in black and plum for Fall, but they sold out before I could get a pair. This season I will be sure to purchase early.
6. Diamond bar studs from local jeweler Satomi Kawakita. These are the perfect everyday earrings that go with everything. Subtle, sparkle and shine.
*all of these items will be available online and in-store early March.
S.B.: What is the best part about owning your own boutique?
C.W.: I love the customer interaction. One of the constant comments we received from customers the very first day we opened the shop almost four years ago was “I am so glad you opened this shop here. We needed you.”
The majority of our customers live in the neighborhood, are loyal regulars and it has been wonderful forming close relationships with them and their families. Many have children as well so seeing them grow up has been a delight. Some of these customers have become my closest friends over the years.
I also very much love the change of season and introducing new collections to the shop – it keeps things interesting and the shop fresh.
Lover One-piece
S.B.: Other than jumelle, where are you shopping online? How about locally in Brooklyn?
C.W.: I am very much a supporter of small businesses, especially those in Brooklyn since this is my home. One of my personal favorites is Sweet William, a children’s boutique owned by friend and jumelle customer Bronagh Staley. I also love Book Court, a well-stocked, independent bookstore in Cobble Hill.
S.B.: Where do you do most of your buying each season? New York, Paris, etc…?
C.W.: We conduct most of our buying in New York and Paris, however I also do much exploring and research on my travels and vacation. Recently I discovered a line of bags (hand-made by two sisters) in Barcelona as well as hand-made leather sandals in Merida, Mexico. My sister spends a lot of time in India so she often brings back beautiful jewelry, textiles and Khadi scarves.
Bunter Dress
S.B.: What’s next for jumelle? Any plans or collaborations in the works?
C.W.: We are mounting a photo installation by Kirsten Kay Thoen, an extremely talented local photographer who was just named one most innovative women in new art photography by the Humble Arts Foundation.
We are looking forward to the arrival of new spring merchandise as well as Fashion Week and the Fall/Winter 2010 buying season, which commences later this month.
Jumelle is located in Brooklyn at 148 Bedford Avenue and online at www.shopjumelle.com
Co-founders Camilla Gale and Rand Niederhoffer opened Brooklyn boutique Thistle & Clover in March of 2008, and have since been outfitting New Yorkers (note: they sell online too) with unique and approachable style ever since. Their dedication to indie designers such as Dace and Mociun caught my eye quickly, and I’ve grown to love their warm, feminine aesthetic more and more each season. I knew the store was operated by two adorable women who met while at University in Scotland, but I had to learn more! I caught up with Rand and Camilla for our six questions interview series. Turns out their personalities are just as inviting as their boutique.
In the world of e-commerce, some online-only boutiques do it well…and others do it really well. 
As for Fall ’09 hits:
6. ) S.B.: What’s up next for I Dont Like Mondays? Any plans, trunk shows or collaborations in the works?
I’ll admit it. I’m a 
S.B.: What’s your favorite thing about owning a boutique?
