November 2, 2006

Designer Fashions for less comes to Almaden

Wife of former Sharks player opens boutique at Almaden Oaks Shopping Center

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Want to look like a million bucks but don’t want to drop a few g’s? Designer Boutique, a new shop in Almaden, will help you do just that and at a fraction of the cost.

Owner Karin Maley displays her designer jeans with sales clerk Stacey Stapes at her new Designer Boutique store at Almaden Oaks Shopping Center. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Billed as designer fashions for less and carrying brands like Juicy Couture, Chanel, True Religion, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Prada, BCBG, Gucci, Coach and others, you can dress like your favorite celebrity without breaking the bank.

“It was my husband David’s idea,” said Karin Maley. “He said find something that no one else offers in the area. I started looking at Santana Row and Valley Fair shops with huge markups. And there were no boutiques. I wanted to offer our community something they didn’t have.”

And with that and lots of planning Maley started having parties at Almaden Roasting Company presenting name brands at tremendous discounts. She started looking for retail space and when the space next door to the coffee shop at the Almaden Oaks Shopping Center became available, she opened Designer Boutique this September.

Maley listens to her customers and finds the right goods at the right prices when wholesale shopping. Carrying many different types of designer jeans, a plethora of handbags, clothing, shoes and makeup, there is something for everyone. And she’s equally excited when she talks about seeing the same jeans on “Desperate Housewives” or an outfit Jessica Simpson wore or a handbag Julia Roberts carried that is at Designer Boutique.

Surprisingly, if you asked Maley what she wanted to be when she grew up in Almaden, designer duds shopkeeper would have been at the bottom of the list. She is a self-admitted “tomboy” and spent her days swimming and watching sports instead of paging through Vogue looking at the latest fashions. As a young adult she traveled and lived in San Diego, Baton Rouge and LA among other cities and says she “definitely got my education through experience.” When she met her husband David, a pro hockey player for the San Jose Sharks, 11 years ago, she “knew that was it.” Now he’s a radio analyst for his old team and supports her business venture. The couple married three years ago and have two children, 2-year-old Ryan and 6-month-old Shae.

“I’m learning as I go,” said the slim, attractive Maley who could easily pass as a model. “I listen to what my customers want and I find it for them.”

Right now Maley is preparing for the Christmas season with pre-made gift baskets that include designer fragrance, lip gloss, nail polish, samples of Arbonne and a gift card for a pair of jeans, Juicy Couture top or bottom.

Karin Maley’s Designer Boutique presents name-brand fashions for less.

Shopping parties are also being scheduled featuring Almaden jewelry designer Rachel Eva, products from exclusive Swiss care line Arbonne and clothing at additional discounts. New shipments have arrived of the popular Juicy T-shirts, along with coats, and shoes by Kenneth Cole all at tremendous discounts.

Equally important to Maley is giving back to the Almaden community that she loves—a portion of each sale will be donated to her alma mater Branham High School.

“It’s a fun place to work,” said sales clerk Stacey Stapes unpacking a Fendi spy bag.” I’m trying to save money but it’s really hard to do working here with all these great clothes and bags.”

“I saw Karin’s goods at the coffee shop and I’ve been coming back ever since,” said Almaden resident Linda Marino. “I like the clothes and there are really good buys here with all the latest designs. And she’s always bringing in new items.”

When Maley isn’t shopping for Designer Boutique customers, she spends time with her two children, and loves to golf and watch sports with her husband David in their Almaden home.

Designer Boutique is located at 6055-30 Meridian Ave. at the Almaden Oaks Shopping Center. Maley may be reached at shopdesignerboutique.com.