Interview - Cecylia Kee Part 2

In Part 1, we learned about Cecylia's experience going from working as a vet, to starting her own boutique. In Part 2, we learn more about some of the challenges facing retailers today.

6. You only stock designers who manufacture their products in their own country. Are you finding it increasingly difficult to find designers to stock given that so many are shifting production offshore?

Yes, many are turning to overseas manufacturing and the GFC really has not helped. But we have found a whole shop full of them!

7. What did you wish you knew when you first started your business?

That the average size in Australia is size 12, not 8.

8. Do you think there is enough support for small businesses? (e.g. from the government, council, community)

Maybe there is, but we haven't received much, aside from our dear friends at Madam Virtue. It may be just that we are so young, a mere one-year-old boutique.

9. Do you find that the Australian fashion industry is collaborative and supportive, or is everyman (or woman!) for themselves?

As a Gen Y, I would say that there is much more acceptance of collaboration and support all around. Again, I've only been in it for a year, so my judgement is probably flawed. But there will always be some who would prefer to keep their secrets to themselves, whichever era they are from.

10. Since opening your boutique, what has been the most surprising and
unexpected thing you’ve experienced?
That I would meet someone every day who inspires me from a different angle.

11. What do you love most about your job?
These interviews! :) Taking my family, hubby and Theodore to fashion shows.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you Cecylia for taking the time to give us an insight into the tough retail world! All the best for the future! I have no doubt your beautiful store will continue to go from strength to strength.

Check out some of the wonderful events Cecylia has hosted at her boutique here and here!

To check out some of Cecylia's enviable wardrobe click here and here.

Check out Cecylia Boutique's website here.

Like Cecylia Boutique on Facebook here.

Check out Cecylia's fantastic blog here.

So many beautiful things to buy!

A stunning Sophia Kokosalaki burnt orange dress

The beautiful changerooms

Beautifully set up clothes, shoes and accessories make
it easy to find a complete outfit!

You can always find the perfect statement accessory at
Cecylia Boutique!

Images by Stylus Muse

Interview - Cecylia Kee Part 1

The fashion industry is notoriously competitive, not only for designers, but for retailers too. With a lot of boutiques having to close down during the GFC, it has been a challenging time for stores, particularly with the rise in online retailing. One boutique that is going against the trend and is developing an increasingly loyal fanbase is Cecylia Boutique in Armadale.

I was lucky enough to interview the stylish and always lovely co-owner Cecylia Kee to learn more about some of the challenges facing retailers today.

The stylish Cecylia with her adorable "assistant" Theodore

1. You were originally working as a vet. When making your career change, what made you decide to open your own store instead of trying to find a job in fashion working for someone else?

I have worked in fashion retail for 3 leading labels for 2 years, whilst I was studying full-time at Melbourne Uni. I learnt most of my sales and buying knowledge at Miss Sixty, Third Millenium and Hussy. I've always had compliments about my name and its spelling so it's long been in the back of my mind to open my own boutique.

2. How have you found Australian consumers different to those from around the world? (e.g. you said your customers preferred finished hems as opposed to raw hems)

The majority of Australian customers are discerning but also less experimental. They tend to stick with labels they've heard of or read about, rather than to venture out and discover who's new and hip out there. That said, that is a generalisation. Thankfully, I have seen a fashion-forward pack that are willing to give other designers a go and are very capable of looking like the elite fashion leaders, without having to read every fashion magazine religiously. Their style is innate and I applaud these customers.

3. From a retailer’s perspective, how important is social media (e.g. Facebook, blogs, etc) in the world of fashion today? How have you used social media to support your business?

Social media has been our primary means of reaching our customers both in Melbourne, interstate and overseas. Blogs have become the new magazine, they have more of a personal spin, bridging the gap between the fashion dictators and the consumers.

4. With so many stores and online retailers available to consumers, how do you maintain a loyal customer base?

We have a really adorable pooch called Theodore who is a gun assistant. It's difficult for our customers to pat him over the cyberspace. Aside from stocking really unique labels and wearable styles, we offer a very personal service to our VIPs, we prepare desserts and bubbly if we know they are coming to visit. We hold runway parties for our customers, which is a very specialised service that I know not many boutiques across the globe do. Our customers repeatedly tell us that 'they've never experienced such good customers service before'. We really treat our customers, we treat them as friends.

5. From a retailer’s perspective, what are some of the major issues facing the fashion industry today?

Online shopping! It saddens me when some people try something on in the store and then buy the same thing from an online store. This is just not on. If you wish to support an online store, then go for it, but don't do it at the expense of another retailer. I hope we don't have customers like that. I wish someone would make an ad similar to 'the burning of DVDs' about the 'burning of the real retailers.'

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my interview with the lovely Cecylia! 

Lots of stunning and unique jewellery!

Love the range of Repettos

Check out the incredibly detailed Sophia Kokosalaki
leather skirt! It's like a work of art!

The shop is filled with beautiful little details like
these little hands which have been painted gold and
turned into hooks!

Images by Stylus Muse

Cecylia's Bloggerversary Celebration

To celebrate the second anniversary of her blog, Cecylia boutique co-owner Cecylia Kee hosted a lovely high tea at her shop. The theme was Anna Dello Russo, so guests wore a lot of bright colours and edgy outfits. Fashion bloggers were treated to a spread of macaroons from la tropezienne patisserie and cupcakes from Cupcake Central. The lovely ladies from Adorn Mineral Cosmetics provided a make-up tutorial on complexion, and treated guests to mini-make overs. 

Check out some of the wonderful outfits and fantastic food:

The lovely ladies from Adorn

Yum!

The stylish Suzi

Cecylia in her hot leather pants!

The adorable Theodore

Jasmin from Friend in Fashion taking part in the make-up demonstration

Some of the well dressed guests

Getting my make-up done

The Adorn girls making up some of the guests

Suzi and I with some lovely teacups

Phil and Chian

Suzi, the fantastic make-up artist Aimee, Phil, Chian and Theodore

Jess from What Would Karl Do. Great hat!

Jess and Cecylia looking very stylish!

Leeyong from Style Wilderness. She made her amazing dress
from a scarf!

Leeyong and Cecylia

I've got shoe envy!

What I wore:
Dress: Josh Goot
Shoes: Sportsgirl
Ring: Sass & Bide

Thanks for a fantastic afternoon Cecylia! Here's to many more years of fashionable blogging!

A Week In The Wardrobe Of - Cecylia Kee Part 2

Here is Part 2 of my Week In The Wardrobe Of feature with Cecylia Kee (to see Part 1 click here):

THURSDAY

Top, pants, bangle: Vintage

Bag: Vintage Christian Dior

Ring: YSL

Shoes: Nine West

FRIDAY

Dress: Miss Lyndel Yeo MLY

Belt: Vintage thermometer

Shoes: Chloe 

SATURDAY

Jacket, jumpsuit, brooch and sunnies: Vintage

Bag: Vintage Christian Dior

Sandals: Country Road

SUNDAY

Jacket - Zara

Dress - Gifted

Necklace, belt and watch: Vintage

Shoes: Country Road

To see more of Cecylia's great style, visit her blog. Cecylia Boutique is located at 1113 High Street, Armadale, Victoria. Click here to visit Cecylia Boutique's website.

Images courtesy of Cecylia Kee.