Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1224189
NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 48 APRIL 2020 "Fast fashion" is a term applied to inexpensive clothing that's produced for the masses. It typically refers to items that may last for a season—if you're lucky! Simply put, fast fashion comes and goes, and quality is not a term often applied to the concept. Also, like many things made on the cheap, it's available seemingly everywhere. Now consider Newburyport's new shopping experience, Edit Shoe and Style Lounge, which is the opposite of fast fashion. And while opening Edit is a new business venture for owner Kim Lively, she's no stranger to the world of retail; she's also the founder of children's clothing boutique Lively Kids and current owner of the leisure-wear shop Meraki, both located in downtown Newburyport. From the moment you step foot in Edit (note the mini red carpet and velvet ropes on your way in), you feel transported to another place and time. The space is reminiscent of the coolest boutique hotel in New York City or Paris—or anywhere else chic enough to pull off a palette of deep jewel tones offset by sparkling chandeliers. Together with Phil Bean (who owns and curates the amazing selection of menswear and men's shoes at Edit), Lively has created a shopping experience that's unlike anything else in Newburyport. Conceived as a "style speakeasy," the store is described by Lively as "a fashion edit up front and a style lounge in back." She wants people to enjoy themselves from the very first visit, which isn't hard to do when there's music, bourbon, bubbles, and a style concierge at your fingertips. Being an unconventional store, Edit's hours are also somewhat nontraditional. They're open Thursday through Sunday and feature evening hours, allowing time for people to stop by before PHOTOGRAPHS BY ELISE SINAGRA E AT + D R I N K A new clothing concept comes to Newburyport. BY LAUREN TORLONE MAHONEY CURATED CLOTHES S H O P + R E N E W dinner or while they're out and about in Newburyport. Private appointments can also be arranged Monday through Wednesday. Every item brought into the store by Lively and Bean is selected with care, whether it's an amazing leather jacket, a hand-stitched silk blouse, a killer party dress, or a pair of Italian leather shoes. Products are selected for their well-made, hand-crafted, and thoughtful nature. Both Lively and Bean love to feature a variety of brands, including designers you might recognize mixed in with emerging labels. They favor environmentally friendly processes and creative designers who share their passion for affordable luxury. "We are all about editing your closet, choosing pieces with intention, and editing your style so you have pieces that reflect you," says Lively. "We seek out designers who are doing something special…[and] we're conscious of what the manufacturing process is." This is a sentiment echoed by many consumers, she says, "who have much less of a desire to fill a landfill these days." At its core, creating an intentional and thoughtful wardrobe is what Edit is about. The shop has an impressive shoe collection, as well as a men's edit and a women's edit. The store also boasts a "travel edit" section, which changes regularly and features travel-inspired shoes, outfits, and accessories. There's no front desk, and that's very much by design. "Retail should be an experience," says Lively, and it's amazing how much the absence of something like a checkout counter helps contribute to this vibe. It also leaves plenty of room for comfortable couches, where you can relax and make your visit to Edit the unique shopping experience Lively designed it to be. With labels from Italy, France, Germany, California, New York, and more, the store makes it clear that the Edit customer is someone who desires shoes and clothing in elevated form. If you want fashionable and stylish—and lasting rather than fleeting—this is your shop. CONTACT 21 Middle St., Newburyport, 978-971-8217, editstylelounge@gmail.com, editstylelounge.vip Kim Lively conceives a new shopping experience at Edit Shoe and Style Lounge in Newburyport.