SMART LIVING
From House
to Hanger


More and more Birminghamians
are purchasing their clothing at
in-home trunk shows.
By Jenny Watkins
Stacy Flippen drove all over town, searching for just the right clothing for her first baby girl. “I couldn’t find anything for her to wear,” she says. Instead of buying attractive, yet common dresses and outfits, the disheartened mommy paid a seamstress to create her own distinctive ideas that she dreamed of her daughter wearing. And after receiving compliments and inquiries about where she purchased the unique clothing, Flippen opened a booth during the Cottontails Arts, Crafts & Gift Show where she sold her burp cloths, diaper covers and appliqués, in addition to taking orders from thrilled customers. “I got the orders out in two weeks and then my friend asked me to have a show at her house,” she says. Her blossoming business, later called Hollywood Baby, “just happened upon me,” according to Flippen.

Hollywood Baby, a custom-order line for children, is offered at in-home trunk shows, where parents can see examples of fabrics and patterns, and order clothing that they yearn to see their children wear. The company, which is less than 10 years old, already produces approximately 15,000 garments per season and maintains nearly 20 representatives in 15 states. And, despite the company’s growth, Flippen plans to continue selling her merchandise through trunk shows so that she can maintain the level of customization she provides.

Flippen isn’t the only one who’s sold on the quality of clothing offered at trunk shows. Mountain Brook resident Peggy Bonfield, has represented Doncaster, a women’s line sold in home shows, for years and especially appreciates the customer service that her business model is able to give. In an in-home trunk show, hostesses invite their friends and a company representative, who comes to that hostess’s house and displays clothing that their particular company has to offer. Representatives and consultants like Bonfield are able to devote one-on-one-type attention to customers in the comfortable in-home setting. “I am able to give the best personal service—a beautiful product that I’m proud of—with no compromise,” she says. “It is what my generation grew up with.”

Trunk show shopping is obviously beneficial to the customer for many reasons but it’s also a flexible career for representatives as well. Alyssa Weisberg, a consultant for CAbi, also a line of women’s clothing, is able to maintain a challenging career while at the same time, serving as a stay-at-home mom. “One of the great things about this business is that you can build it around your own schedule,” she says. “I’m able to do all of the stay-at-home-mom kinds of things but it’s a real business so I work my schedule around getting my work done while my son is at school and on evenings and weekends as well,” she says.

To become a representative or shop at an in-home trunk show, check out some of these companies that have representatives in our area.

CAbi
A moderately-priced line of designer women’s clothing
Cabionline.com

Carlisle Collection
A clothing line for women who desire fashions which
are “current without being trendy, classic without
being staid”
Carlislecollection.com, 212-246-4275

Doncaster
A 75-year-old women’s line, sizes 2-24, with everything
from jeans to dress up
Doncaster.com, 800-669-3662

Etcetera
“A complete collection of clothes to wear in different
ways on different days;” fresh, visionary and all about
personal style
etcetera.com, 256-519-2747

Hannah Kate
A Birmingham-based company that sells a nostalgic
line of children’s clothing with funky new trends for
older girls
hannahkateonline.com, 871-6362

Hollywood Baby
A Birmingham-based company that offers custom-order
children’s clothing from a variety of patterns and
fabrics to newborn to size 14
hollywoodbaby.net, 290-0290

WorthWear “From carpool to cocktail,” a coordinated line of
separates
Worthwear.com, 879-4592


January Birmingham, Alabama

  

 
Digital Newstand

View Magazine

bmag buzz

What are you doing
this Weekend?
 



 
bmag bonus


This Month's Giveaway ...
Tickets to the Rigling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, which will be in Birmingham from Jan. 28-Feb. 1.

Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter,
the bmag buzz, and be automatically entered for your chance to win!