Shop's Manolos cost less than in the Sex in the City Series

Six seasons of Sex and the City have apparently made a lasting impression on the American female psyche. Just ask Catherine Ansel, owner of Couture, a designer resale boutique in West Park Village where shoppers can find everything from Manolo Blahnik shoes to Versace suits.

"I'm so glad for the show," said Ansel, pulling out a silver Narciso Rodriguez slip dress from a rack of cocktail attire. "Before the show, not many people knew of Christian Dior, Manolo. But now they can tell."

The Narciso Rodriguez dress - as seen on the popular HBO television show - was originally $800. At Couture, it was priced at $179.

Ansel, 34, grew up outside Paris and has worked in fashion in several cities, including New York City and Los Angeles. She credits Sex and the City with making high-end designers more accessible to everyday women, even if a woman's first designer purchase comes from a secondhand boutique.

"You can get a quality item, a designer name, say a suit you can wear for 10 to 20 years," Ansel said. "You put it on, the material feels different, even the fit is different."

Couture, 9904 W Linebaugh Ave., sits among other trendy shops in West Park Village. It has the look and feel of an expensive boutique, from the oversized antique mirrors to the plush carpeting.

"I looked everywhere in Tampa, but West Park Village has a little European feel," said Ansel, whose French accent and Gallic mannerisms give the consignment shop a distinct European feel.

There are numerous choices, including suits, dresses, pants, skirts, tops, handbags and shoes. There's even a jewelry case containing designer baubles, from earrings to pins.

Prices on the high end of her merchandise range from $299 for a Christian Lacrox burnt orange sweater and skirt, $199 for a new, black Gucci bag, and $99 for a pink leather Versace wallet.

There also are racks of less-expensive items such as shirts, skirts and tops from $10 to $30.

"I've sold more at the $20 range than the higher price," said Ansel, who opened the shop last month. "Labels such as Gap, Express and Ann Taylor can't sell for more than about $9.99 because they can be purchased new in the mall for just a little more on sale."

For the most part, though, European designers such as Armani, Valentio and Oscar De La Renta abound at this Westchase boutique where women seem more likely to sell their clothes than buy them. And while some who shop there don't mind saying so, others prefer discretion.

"Some women don't want people to know," Ansel said.

That's why she prefers to call her business a "design resale boutique" rather than a "consignment shop."

"Most consignment shops are too crowded," she said. "You're not sure if the clothes are even clean."

Ansel suggests shopping consignment if you're simply clothes shopping. But if you're looking for something specific, then consignment might not be your best bet.

"It's the luck of the week," she said.

Ansel helped a friend run a similar shop in Los Angeles, and some of her inventory comes from there. She said she moved to Westchase from Los Angeles six months ago because her 8-year-old daughter, Alex, wanted to be closer to her father and her half-siblings, who also live in Westchase.

She said some of her inventory comes from women who live in Westchase and that she plans to make a trip to Europe for more merchandise.

"I want to go to parts of France where clothes are made," Ansel said. "I can get a good deal and pass it on to my customers."

Ansel, who has owned or managed several clothing stores, said she chose a consignment concept because it's a good way to start a business without spending a lot of money up front.

"I don't pay for inventory until it's sold," she said. "The business concept is a great one."

She said consignment also makes sense for consumers.

"People who spend tons of money on clothes buy things every day," she said. "They often bring in Versace, Guccis with the tags still on them or only worn once."

Ansel, a fashion consultant, also hosts fashion shows and after- hours parties where shoppers can sip wine while they peruse the garments.

"I'm always happy when people try things on. It doesn't matter if they don't buy," she said. "Just give the clothes a chance."

- Jackie Ripley can be reached at (813) 269-5308 or at ripley@sptimes.com.

Hours
10 a.m. to 6 p.m Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and closed Monday.

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