Pretty, sophisticated yet understated clothes, eclectic music, and helpful staff greet those who enter Camp Hill’s newest clothing boutique, Little Black Dress.
Located on Market Street in Camp Hill, Little Black Dress, with its distinctive yellow awning, sits between Nino’s Bistro and Body Logic Therapeutic Massage.
Lisa Bedway DeCavalcante opened Little Black Dress, which shares her initials, on Sept. 1. After 12 years of retail experience as a buyer and co-manager of a local boutique, she wanted to create a unique clothing experience.
“Little Black Dress tries to fill a niche that isn’t currently being addressed in the retail scene in the greater Harrisburg area,” said Bedway DeCavalcante.
That niche is affordable, comfortable and unique designer clothing. The shop carries everything from exercise wear to swing dresses.
An Edge, a Twist
Little Black Dress recognizes that women’s lives and personalities are multidimensional, busy and diverse. So, their clothes should negotiate the many aspects of their lives.
According to Bedway DeCavalcante, women, at the end of the day, should “never feel like ‘get me out of this outfit,’” and clothes at Little Black Dress are “no Spanx required.”
Comfort and good design aren’t mutually exclusive, however. Little Black Dress carries clothes that are not only comfortable but also fashion forward— designer lines such as Cartise, Lucky Brand and Julie Brown Designs.
The store offers what Bedway DeCavalcante called “staples with an edge, a twist.” The python print exercise leggings by Pheel, the Barbara Gerwit two-toned gray, long sleeve T-shirt with a twisted back panel, and the slate blue Baci top with dolman sleeves exemplify this edge.
Sales associate Jocelyn Hambrook has known Bedway DeCavalcante for three years and is excited about seeing the vision of Little Black Dress come to life. A 20-something, she is particularly enthusiastic about the Lysee Leggings and Turk Collection for the younger set and what she calls the store’s “cool vibe.”
Little Black Dress desires to meet the needs of fashion newbies as well as sophisticates. Women unfamiliar with designer fashion can come to Little Black Dress and get help maneuvering the brands and making good choices.
Asking questions serves as the first step in assisting women through fashion decisions. If a woman isn’t sure what to purchase, Bedway DeCavalcante asks about her type of work, likes, dislikes and personality. Based on that information, the staff makes suggestions about what might work.
This represents another hallmark of Little Black Dress—customer service. Staff members take pride in providing great service, whether a person is spending $20 on accessories or $2,000 on a new wardrobe.
“We know the clothes well, and we know women’s lives well,” said Bedway DeCavalcante.
Not Everywhere
At Little Black Dress, the expectation to understand the customers’ wants and needs is paramount.
It offers designers that women know and want, such as its two denim lines, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans and Kut from the Kloth. However, it also stocks lines that women may not know as well, such as Barbara Gerwit. In fact, the store may stock a limited number of a specific garment to allow for uncommon clothing expression.
“You aren’t going to see these clothes everywhere,” said Bedway DeCavalcante.
Julie Nagle of York visited the shop during its first week of business. She said that the clothing is ”very nice quality” and that there aren’t many shops in the area like it.
Two doors down at Underneath It All, owner Kimberly Over hasn’t been in the shop yet, but is looking forward to visiting.
“I am so happy to see a new business in there, and I wish them the best of luck,” she said.
Bedway DeCavalcante wants to collaborate with other small businesses in Camp Hill to support one another. For example, Blooms by Vickrey, a few blocks up on Market, supplies the shop’s flowers. One Good Woman, just behind Little Black Dress, will provide refreshments for the Oct. 4 premier party.
Little Black Dress seeks to offer clothing that women will feel comfortable and confident in when attending events, working, relaxing and, as Bedway DeCavalcante put it, “shlepping bags” from the grocery store.
The clothing staple, the little black dress, offers women economy, flexibility and style in their wardrobe. The boutique Little Black Dress desires to do the same.
Little Black Dress is located at 1845 Market St., Camp Hill. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sunday. For more information, call 717-525-7488, email lbdcamphill@gmail.com or visit www.littleblackdresscamphill.com.
