Elaine Fallon Imports Has the Answers

By Cherie Ronayne

That’s the question Elaine Fallon is asking right now on her website, elainefallonimports.com. Do you need to update your wardrobe with some key pieces for Fall but are uncertain about what to buy? Ask Elaine.

This charming and articulate Boston native has the inside scoop on up-to-the-minute, beautiful styles for Fall. Her intimate approach and personal attention to clients has made a name for her in the Worcester-area and beyond. On frequent buying trips, she’s been known to hand-pick items for clients, and her friendly and casual attitude towards showing her items to small groups – trunk shows, they’re called – offering wine, cheese and fashion options and advice in her studio has earned her a loyal following.

Originally trained as an Occupational Therapist, Elaine had plenty of coursework in all art forms, as the specialty requires. But as a child, she was continually exposed to beautiful clothes; her mother worked on Newbury Street at Louis’ of Boston, the famed men’s wear store. Eventually, Louis’ began carrying women’s clothing and her mother’s beautiful wardrobe grew (Elaine and her sisters often joke with their mother, “Don’t leave us your jewelry, leave us your clothes!”). For Elaine, style as an art form and occupation finally won out. While she spent her career as a practicing Occupational Therapist, she would often vacation in Ireland, bringing back beautiful items and getting requests from friends for more of the same, so much so that it slowly became a side business. Last May, with encouragement from friends, she left occupational therapy for good to concentrate on Elaine Fallon Imports.

What has she hand-picked for the best of the Fall trends to bring to her clientele in Worcester? Colors! Purples and oranges – just perfect for the foliage season – to be used as bright accents against black or as unique signature pieces. Elaine specializes in finding the most unusual items – “…clothing with the most artistic integrity,” she says. It’s art to wear. She also says fitted clothing is a perfect look for this Fall – tailored but with an edge and for larger sized women, looser but still fitted. And accessories are big right now. She recommends scarves, gloves and bags in bright colors as a great way to update any wardrobe. (Elaine’s tip: Don’t be afraid to get more mileage out of a beautiful scarf by using it as a sash. She’s carrying a line of vintage scarves that is perfect for this type of accessorizing.) And she’s also carrying gorgeous sweaters and sweater coats in great colors and textures that will appeal to any woman because this season, there’s a trend for warmth! Functional yet beautiful is also a trend and Elaine has some gorgeous tops in taslan that fit the bill. Taslan is a Japanese fabric similar to taffeta, and with that crinkly texture but a bit lighter weight, it is the ultimate in wearable, packable clothing. Pair one of these tops in unusual colors with tapered black pants and you’ll have a chic and always crisp outfit. “It’s one of the prettiest years I’ve ever had,” she says of the beautiful colors and fabrics.

Elaine purchases from a select group of designers whom she is confident her clientele will like. She’s also a customer (and her own best advertising) and uses her own sense of impeccable style to guide her. And she’s a savvy business woman, using her website to expand her business (she has customers from all over the world) and to keep in touch with customers through a special e-mail club. Signing up for the club allows customers advance notice of special sales and free shipping at certain times of the year, birthday gifts, discounts and previews.

Don’t miss an opportunity to see Elaine Fallon’s Fall collection: All Season Long. Call 508.799.0724 or e-mail: info@elainefallonimports.com for an appointment for you or a small group of friends to see the fabulous new fall/winter collections arriving daily at 19 South Lenox Street in Worcester.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 at 3:16 pm and is filed under Lifestyle, Vol. 6. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.