By Martha Thomas
Simply Divine, the Maple Lawn boutique, which recently opened a new shop in Ellicott City is named for its goal. “We want every woman to feel simply divine,” says owner Angelina Rivero Brannigan, who founded the women’s clothing store in 2007.
Janina Huff, fashion director for Simply Divine sees it all the time when dressing women for the myriad fashion shows the shop sponsors. “We don’t use professional models,” she says. “Sometimes women come into the store with a perception of what they look like. Then they put on the garment and look at themselves.” They like what they see, Huff says. “I wish I could take a picture of that first look.”
Huff would also like to correct some misperceptions about the swanky shop, where elegant cocktail dresses and cashmere wraps share space with resort attire and trendy accessories.
“You don’t have to be a model to shop here,” says owner Angelina Brannigan. “Our most popular sizes are 12 to 14.”
And not everything is expensive, Huff points out. “We learned right when we opened – the recession hit,” she says. “We knew we had to tailor to our clients’ financial needs. You can find something beautiful for $40 or $200.”
Simply Divine provides clothing for the annual Pretty in Pink fashion show at Turf Valley each year, a parade down the runway to raise money for Blossoms of Hope. The shop also sponsors the annual Maple Lawn Fashion Show, contributing proceeds to different charities. The shop also works with a variety of local charities, including the Maryland Food Bank, Success in Style and the Cancer Society.
Angelina’s mother, Tina Rivero, helped her daughter start the shop. The two would visit boutiques at various vacation destinations when Angelina was growing up. “She always said, ‘Mom, one day this is what I want to do,'” Rivero recalls. “I said, ‘Keep dreaming sweetie, this is a dream that can come true.'”
The average American woman wears a size 14 dress.
Women’s Wear Daily
Nine Essential Wardrobe Items
(from Tim Gunn and Stacy London, fashion consultants)
1. Trench Coat
2. Basic Black Dress
3. Day Dress
4. Skirt
5. Jeans
6. Crisp White Shirt
7. Cashmere Sweater
8. Shoes (Stiletto, Pump, Flats)
9. Black Slacks
Leopard print has appeared in fashion since Ancient Egypt. It was seen as accent on outerwear – like muffs and capes – in 19th century Paris, on 20th century movie stars (see Carole Lombard in “Twentieth Century,” and is still going strong today.
