While the style-conscious may tote Gucci handbags or sport Prada shades, true fashionistas know that standout items are found at privately owned boutiques. Makkah's, off 25th Street, officially opened its doors on Oct. 16, 2005. Makkah's features men's and women's clothing from as far as the UK and as close as down the street. Makkah's offers something for trend-followers and trendsetters alike. When not hunting down the hottest in fashion, Makkah designs her own pieces, which go straight from the sewing machine to the store.
A close friend of her sister walks in, apparently from work as evidenced by her pinstripe black suit. Makkah floats over to her, blue denim boots leading the way. Today she's wearing a goldenrod and mahogany brown tie-dye skirt with matching headdress, which she made only this morning. Her orange-brown shirt celebrates the autumn season and compliments a svelte figure. Topping it off are oversized bronze feather earrings, bent to form hoops. She directs the girl to one of Makkah's latest labors of love, a skirt, which boasts three luxurious tiers of brown ruffles and a fitted waist. The skirt is big, but that's hardly a problem. Makkah calls up the local tailor and sends the girl down the block to get fitted.
In addition to making her own signature gear, Makkah scours catalogs for new merchandise and travels every week, keeping her customers' tastes in mind. When she sees something they might like, it comes back to Baltimore with her.
The interior of the store is as funky as the clothes within. One wall is painted a cherry red. The wall adjacent to it is royal purple. Sunny yellow descends at a diagonal, cutting the wall in half. An antique red velour couch proudly stands nearby in front of an asymmetrical mirror. The space recalls a child's play room, but this store is no nursery. A heavy-set man with an immaculately well-trimmed beard walks in. He is dressed head to toe in blue and white. Blue and white T-shirt. Blue and white shorts. Blue and white socks. Blue and white patent leather Nikes. But metrosexual is the last thing one would call this 6'5" hulking figure. He tries on a brown fur coat.
"Yeah, that the business, right?" Makkah says. She means that the coat is stylish, hip. "That's Italian. That's beava," she adds. The man nods in approval, but he leaves the store empty handed. Makkah is unfazed. The gentleman is a regular and shops at Makkah's weekly.
Although the boutique has only been open since September, Makkah's has been gaining popularity quickly. Customers come and go, easily dropping over $100 at a time. Regular items are up to $200. The coat is $1,000 -- a steal compared to hotel fur show prices, which reach double or triple that amount. One could call it affordable haute couture.
Of the clothes in her store, Makkah says, "I look for different things from different artists." Many of her items are created by small independent designers like herself. "I like the originality and the [brand name] designers are already there. You have people that are just as talented, and they produce unique pieces. And normally when you buy [from brand name] designers, it's on the mass produced level. I have to get mass production items because I sell out [of clothes designed by myself]. Once you buy mass production you are a reflection of the woman who walked past you."
For Makkah, fashion is also a way of giving to the community. It "contributes to society, to art." A black velvet shrug with ruched white tiger stripes on one side and glittering gems on the other hangs on a rack close to the entrance. The shirt was handmade by a friend, an ambitious artist residing in the area.
A man in Timberland boots and an olive green suit reminiscent of military wear walks in. Makkah knows just the thing he might be looking for. She takes out a pair of patent leather red, yellow and burgundy Nike Air Force Ones, embellished with two Chinese characters on each sneaker. Taking a seat, he eagerly tries them on. "Aww." He lets out a low wail. The shoes are too tight. He sucks his teeth and mutters, disappointed. Makkah is already on the phone, ordering a pair in his size. After the order is complete, they wander over to the lavish brown coat. Makkah smiles and says, "Ya like beavas. Ya like fur . . . and it's only $1,000." He looks at himself in the mirror and his face glows with satisfaction. "Beavas are mad at me," he jokes. He puts the furry item back upon hearing the price. Despite this, the coat will sell. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But it's only a matter of time because "a beava neva go outta style."
Makkah's
Add.: 2444 N. Charles St.
Tel.: (410) 243-4115
E-mail: makkahsboutique@
yahoo.com
