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Taglines/Names   URGENT - Need Help Fast!  
 
This question has been closed, and points have been awarded.
Need Help Naming My Boutique
Posted By: Ndykstra7* on 2/28/2007 2:43 PM (CST) 250 Points
I am opening a boutique in Michigan that will offer upscale designer clothing and unique home accessories/furniture (think Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters). focus is 18-40 yr old women.
I will be selling designer clothing (jeans / business casual / going out) and unique home accessories and furnishings -- mainly revamped furniture (think shabby chic painted furniture). I have the possibility of opening multiple locations in the future, so the name should not be "site/location specific".
Here are some names that are already in use, but will give you an idea of what I like and am looking for: Piperlime, Anthroplogie, Paperdoll, Jade. I want something unique and not "trendy". Some names I have "toyed" around with are: Pepperberry, Pomegranate, Anik or Anique, or Nikki Lee's (my nickname and middle name). I was thinking tag lines of: "fashions for the body and home" or "unique clothing and home accessories". I am open to any and all feedback/suggestions -- Please help me!!

Posted by: peanutpeanut Member Response
2/28/2007 2:49 PM (CST)
monique

unique fashion and home decor
 
Posted by: proeditor Member Response
2/28/2007 3:46 PM (CST)
Hi,

What a fun venture for you. I used to live in Michigan but now I'm in Atlanta, and we have that exact kind of small boutique here called Bilt House (the owner's last name, but also reminds one of the Biltmore House).

I can't remember their tagline, but it is something like your idea, "fashions for the body and home", and I think that works very well.

For names, I like Nikki's (but not Nikki Lee's, which sounds like 1950), but none of your other suggestions really grab me. I especially wouldn't recommend Pomegranate because that's too hard to spell. I also like shorter words or strange combinations.

Other ideas:
Nikki's Manor
Avenue N
Charm
Attire
Array
Pink Pepper

Best of luck,
karen
 
Posted by: retail Member Response
2/28/2007 4:19 PM (CST)
Snowflakes
Pink Snowflakes
Nick's
Rare Finds
Rare Accents
Ikkin (Nikki spelled Backwards) may be too close to Icky
Novel
Novel Notions
Novel Designs
Paragon
Paragonal
Novel sole
SoleNovel (The only Unique One)
Native Distinctions
Proper
Proper designs
Distinct Decor
Distinct Decorations (DD's)
Distinct Designs
Designs of Distinction
Cool Clothes

I think I like SoleNovel best you could even shorten it to a new word like SoNovel...
 
Posted by: Brand-in* Member Response
2/28/2007 4:52 PM (CST)
This sounds like so much fun for you! Hope these help!

"Anteke" Apparel

Fun Fashions

Ambiance

Mood

Plethora- due to the many different types of items

Nicki's Lane/Nick's Lane

Good luck ; )
 
Posted by: NovaHammer Member Response
2/28/2007 7:06 PM (CST)
You said it your self already I think!!

Along the lines of a Femme Fatale, but updated by your boutique to include your client's whole environment.
It sounds like your boutique embraces a left of center appreciation for all things old or new which possess a certain 'je ne sais quois' that very few can recognize without guidance.


Building off - Vamp!
IMHO I suggest ReVamped. (You did say it!)

The Vamp character is a woman who, while not necessarily attractive, has a certain allure (usually this striking, exotic, overtly sexy glamour), and is usually a heartless, man-eating seductress.

The term is short for vampire, another term for a femme fatale.

In drama, the vamp is the sexual counterpoint for the naive, wholesome ingénue character.

The sultry lower voice of the mezzo-soprano is usually reserved for the vamp character in musicals or opera.

Now 'ReVamped' she knows exactly what she wants to wear and surround herself with and how to carry it off.
It isn't what everyone else has, it is more of an attitude; whether wearing jeans or buying a reconditioned chaise longue!!

She's not a little girl anymore.

Perhaps a Tag line to remember and open discussion for more than a moment....to make potential clients look twice. Something like..

Disambiguate Your Home and Personal Style.

Together they would be..

Re-Vamped.
Disambiguate Your Home and Personal Style.


Have Fun .... I'm sure your Graphic Artist will!
 
Posted by: Harry Hallman Member Response
3/1/2007 6:18 AM (CST)
Nikki, I think your name is great for a lifestyle boutique. I would call it Nikki Lee. Problem is someone has the URL and it is a porno site. Perhaps your last name would work. Keeping your own name allows you to personalize the business and it is not a trendy and can change as fashions do. You can also make up a last name to go with Nikki.

As for the tagline I am not sure they work very well. There has been some research that shows that even companies with millions to spend on ads can not get their taglines to be remembered.

With a store like yours it will be all about the styles you carry.

Harry Hallman
 
Posted by: proeditor Accepted Answer
3/1/2007 8:44 AM (CST)
Certain questions get my brain working overtime, and yours is one of those. I woke up this morning with ideas in my head. I hope these help.

I'm in your target market, I love to shop, and I love shabby chic. Does it go without saying that "Revamped" wouldn't draw me into the store? I also disagree with Harry when he says your taglines don't work. I think for a new retail store like yours that sells a somewhat unusual combination of merchandise, you need a tagline that is very descriptive. I remember driving by the store I mentioned in my earlier post, and thinking, hmmm, clothes for me and my house; I'll have to check it out.

So here goes on my brainstorm. You could combine these in different ways, but I like words like Rose (especially appropriate for shabby chic), Willow, Lee, Nikki, Birch, White (again shabby chic), Plum. I like the way some sound like names of people (my favorites are marked *):

Lee & Birch
Rose & Lee
Rose & Birch*
White Willow*
White Plum (or Plum, Plumberry, PlumCrazy, PlumSmart)

all with the tag "fashions for you and your home"

and two other ideas:

Address (or Nikki's Address)
...dress yourself, dress your home

Niche (or Nikki's Niche)

LeeHouse

I'll probably think of more as soon as I hit enter.

Cheers!
karen
 
Posted by: tdbill Member Response
3/1/2007 9:39 AM (CST)
Unique Boutique

Nikki's Nuance(s)
 
Posted by: Ndykstra7* Author Response
3/1/2007 11:31 AM (CST)
Thanks for all the suggestions!! I like where "proeditor" is going with this -- names that are a little more natural sounding. I do think I want to stay away from my first name -- Nicole's kindof reminds me of a lingerie store and Nikki's sounds a little too young for my target market (and the whole porno thing Harry mentioned!).
I also agree with the tagline being descriptive -- I want people to drive by and know exactly what the store is. Some of the suggestions I like are reVamped, Rose & Birch, White Willow, Plumberry, and LeeHouse. I think I'm leaning towards Plumberry - it's easy to say and remember -- although I do like LeeHouse because it has some of my identity included (my middle name).
So it would probably be something like: LeeHouse - Fashions for the body and home. If I go with ReVamped -- I don't think this tagline fits.
Let me know what you think!!
 
Posted by: Phoenix ONE Accepted Answer
3/1/2007 2:13 PM (CST)
Some great items above, Karen paved a nice imagery. I agree with not using Nikki or Lee.

I also think ReVamped sounds like a muffler shop! Does not denote high end fashion or style--- I think the Vamp concept would be lost!

In trying to keep with your descrips: I would offer the following:

Apple Blossom Boutique, Fashions in Bloom
>(apple blossom is the state flower of Michigan)

Fashion Buds, where fashions blooms.

Mirabelle Couture, simply sweet in fashion and style

FYI >(Mirabelle is a dark yellow plum predominantly grown in northeast France)

You could also go another way "Cute" :

Chic by Choice, Lee's fashion emporium

Lee's Little Shoppe of Fashion, a place of style. (this name could create an unforgettable logo)

Hope these help

Good Luck & Happy Marketing ~
 
Posted by: NovaHammer Member Response
3/1/2007 3:44 PM (CST)
Most of your business will come from Word of Mouth versus driveby I believe as customers share your excitement so a memorable name will help them and you.

A low Common Denominator name may suggest less sophistication to those 'Cher like' personalities I think you hope to attract.

Maybe you will sell buckets of designer Mufflers; after all it does get cold up here. ;)
 
Posted by: KMACK16 Member Response
3/1/2007 4:11 PM (CST)
How about "The In's & Out's"

what you'll see and what you'll want!
 
Posted by: vaasst* Member Response
3/2/2007 10:03 AM (CST)
Hi,
It sounds like you have been getting some wonderful ideas and you have a business that should blossom!

"unique fashion and decor"

ExclusiveCraze: unique fashion and decor

CoutureDecor

DistinctiveCraze: unique fashion and decor

MatchlessManner: unique fashion and decor

just off the top of my head...
hth,

[URL deleted by staff]
 
Posted by: mhickman118 Member Response
3/2/2007 4:06 PM (CST)
I live in the Detroit Metro area and am familiar with alot of areas here in Michigan. Where will your store be? I know you don't want an area-specific name for expansion purposes, but where the first one is located will sort of help with the right tone for the area. Please advise.

Mary
 
Posted by: proeditor Accepted Answer
3/2/2007 4:28 PM (CST)
Hi again Nikki,

So far, I still like the names and tagline you mention in your last post, except I can't help thinking that Re-Vamped is totally wrong, because as Phoenix One said, it sounds too industrial.

I also like vaasst's tagline idea: "unique fashion and decor" but I think the word "unique' is a little overused. So maybe "simply chic fashion and decor."

Anyway, I had another name idea -- again appropriate to shabby chic but still chic enough for your clothes too:

Chelsea Gardens

karen
p.s. inspired by my sweet doggie Chelsea!
 
Posted by: proeditor Accepted Answer
3/2/2007 4:32 PM (CST)
Actually I meant to say "Chelsea's Garden" but either one would work. And I just this moment thought of another tag to go with it:
cultivated fashions for you and your home

Bye for now,
karen
 
Posted by: thetarg* Member Response
3/3/2007 12:55 AM (CST)
I don't know if this is appropriate ... but isn't all this a bit arty farty ? How will the name / tagline alone drive business ? It may sound chic and trendy but what does it say about your shop and what you sell ?

I have seen many 'trendy' fashion / homeware shops emerge from no where, open with a million dollar fit-out and a clever name ... only to disappear a short time later ... because no-one understands what it is they represent.

Sorry if I sound negative but your target market 18-40 is pretty broad ... I have an 18 year old daughter and she certainly doesn't want to look like a 40 year old, nor does she own a property that she needs to dress.

I'm Irish and you can call me dull if you like ... but I think I'm pretty on to it. I guess its hard for me to comment on what turns Americans on but it was summed up for me in 1980 when I visited your wonderfully diverse country and saw a women's clothing boutique in California called 'frog on a banana leaf laughing' !

Time for a Guinness.
 
Posted by: Ndykstra7* Author Response
3/3/2007 3:39 PM (CST)
Thanks for more suggestions -- I think I want to stay away from the "cute" names and words like chic, decor, etc. My original name for the boutique was going to be anique, but I was thinking it looked and sounded too close to antique - and I had some negative feedback -- what do you think? I do still like Plumberry, white willow, and rose & birch -- but I still feel like I just haven't "hit the nail on the head". I think I'm going to stick with the tagline "fashions for the body and home" - very self explanatory to draw people in.
Mary -- the first boutique will be located in Norton Shores in a new development called Eastowne (www.eastowne.com) -- on the corner of Seminole and Seaway (business 31). If all goes well, the second will be located in Holland.
 
Posted by: KathySmithFilms* Member Response
3/3/2007 4:46 PM (CST)
Hi Ndykstra7
Amazing survey above...I vote for

Plumberrys - Designs for you and your home or "fashions for the body and home"

I just goes perfect with that location and shows pride.
Kathy
 
Posted by: TCL* Member Response
3/5/2007 11:00 AM (CST)
I can't resist putting my two cents in here. As a member of your ultimate target market, I think I have a bit of unique perspective on your naming dilemma.

I live in a small, tourist-centric city, where "designer" boutiques open (and close) every five minutes. Frankly, I find none of them the least bit interesting, and their pricing schemes are generally ridiculous...but I digress (sorry).

Here are names of some of the boutiques in my city - obviously someone liked them enough to use them!

Bliss
Spoil Me Rotten
Serendipity
Zane
Amaryllis
Company C
Cream
Edith & Edna
J'adore
Simply Chic
Tavecchia

So you see, few of these names invoke anything even remotely related to "fashions for the body and home" - and yet each one of them sells exactly that. What I'm getting at is, it is irrelevant what you name your boutique. If you don't create advance buzz among the hipsters in the neighborhood, you're doomed. So even if you name your store "Pile o' Bile" people will still shop there if their friends do.

Good luck!
 
Posted by: proeditor Accepted Answer
3/5/2007 12:36 PM (CST)
Nikki,

I thought with the name Dykstra, you might be from Grand Rapids or Holland. My husband grew up in GR and is half Dutch.

The Eastowne development looks very nice. Having your shop there (rather than by itself somewhere) bodes well for your success.

I hope you're not discouraged by the negative comments in the postings by TLC and thetarg. I think your brand (including your name) can be an important factor in your success. Of course, you still have to run the business right, etc., but the name and other brand elements can definitely help you attract the right customers. The wrong name can hurt you. Something that's hard to spell and pronounce like Tavecchia doesn't work well. That's why I'm not crazy about Anique. To me a catchy boutique name makes me want to check it out at least once. Here in Atlanta, one just opened called Cherry Pie ("satisfy every fashion sweet tooth"), and their advertising is a little retro. It looked fun, so I made a special trip to visit it. They have a wonderful, eclectic array of clothing.

That said, several of the suggested names so far would work well for you, but it has to be something that you really like too. Since you seem to be a little unsure so far, here's a suggestion. Do you have a designer who is going to do a logo for you? You could give he or she a couple of the names and ask for a few designs. I just had a client who couldn't decide between two names and after the designer gave them a two design concepts for each, it immediately became clear which name worked better. The visual element is so important in your signage and advertising.

Other thoughts:
Plumberry is "cuter" than White Willow or Rose & Birch (but still not too cutesy).

White Willow and Leehouse sound more sophisticated. Rose & Birch and Lee & Birch are interesting and different.

I think all would be easy to remember and all bring to mind the type of store that I think you're talking about.

Are you familiar with Forth & Towne, the new concept for women from The Gap? Well, I loved the name and advertising but was very disappointed in the store. The name sounded sophisticated, but the clothes seem very cheaply made to me, and the store didn't have a special feel at all. I mention that, because I think they branded the store incorrectly. The actual store didn't live up to their branding. http://www.forthandtowne.com/#1.0

I think both Rose & Birch and Lee & Birch work well because of the double name. I think that's why I liked and remembered the name Forth & Towne. And I would imagine that the experts at The Gap did a lot of research when they chose it. Just don't disappoint your customer like they did!

Again, good luck.

karen
 
Posted by: Ndykstra7* Author Response
3/5/2007 3:06 PM (CST)
Thanks again everyone. Karen -- thanks for your help and enthusiasm -- and, yes, I did grow up in GR and have lived here ever since! You are right that I'm still a little unsure about the name. I am an interior designer with graphic experience, so I am planning on designing my own logo (with a little help from my graphics friends) -- so the logo examples probably won't help me decide on a name.
I think right now I'm going to "throw around" some of the name ideas to friends and those in my target market to see what they think. I have had some positive feedback about plumberry, but I'm still a little unsure -- I do still like the Rose & Birch and Lee & Birch -- but I keep going back to the idea of a shorter one-word name that's easy to say, remember, and can be easily put in a smaller logo to fit on price tags, etc. Another name I thought of was nest.
Any more thoughts / comments would be great to help me finally make a decision!
 
Posted by: Ndykstra7* Author Response
3/6/2007 10:09 AM (CST)
Ok, I was laying in bed last night thinking about my boutique, how I was going to design / decorate it and a name came to me...

Bloom
"Fashions for you and your home"

There's not much to it, but I think that I could do a lot with it graphically -- Blossom had been a suggestion above and it had gotten my attention, but the problem was it reminded me of the TV show and most of my friends I asked said the same thing -- but that's how bloom came in.
I like that it's a short name - easy to remember and it goes with how I'm planning on designing the interior (very graphic flowers in black and white on some accent walls).

Let me know what you think
 
Posted by: Ndykstra7* Author Response
3/6/2007 10:09 AM (CST)
Ok, I was laying in bed last night thinking about my boutique, how I was going to design / decorate it and a name came to me...

Bloom
"Fashions for you and your home"

There's not much to it, but I think that I could do a lot with it graphically -- Blossom had been a suggestion above and it had gotten my attention, but the problem was it reminded me of the TV show and most of my friends I asked said the same thing -- but that's how bloom came in.
I like that it's a short name - easy to remember and it goes with how I'm planning on designing the interior (very graphic flowers in black and white on some accent walls).

Let me know what you think
 
Posted by: proeditor Accepted Answer
3/6/2007 10:23 AM (CST)
yes, I like Bloom!

I don't know whether you're going to want to trademark it, but you might run into trouble there, because I'd guess a florist is using it. However, sometimes you can get around that by registering it as "Bloom Boutique" or "Nikki's Bloom Boutique," and then just putting Bloom on your sign.

Nest is OK too, but there was a home accessory store here by that name (no clothes) that closed and moved to Highlands, NC. http://www.nesthighlands.com/
Very cute place.

You've got good instincts, Nikki, and those middle-of-the-night ah-ha's should always be listened to! The interior design sounds great.

Again, good luck. I've enjoyed our "conversations." Let us know what you decide.

karen
 
Posted by: Ndykstra7* Author Response
3/8/2007 10:24 AM (CST)
Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions / comments -- it has really helped in the process.
I have decided to go with:
Bloom
"Fashions for you and your Home"

Wish me Luck!
 
Posted by: TCL* Member Response
3/9/2007 3:23 PM (CST)
I realize that this question is closed but I would like a chance to respond to proeditor's accusation of my previous response being "negative."

Owning a business is not all parties and fun and pretty clothes. It is a truly risky venture, particularly when you are targeting an already saturated market, and it requires more hard work and commitment than most people can even imagine. Having a "good" name and tagline is certainly not going to guarantee your success. That seems obvious to me, but perhaps it is not obvious to others.

I merely tried to point out to the asker that she should consider not only what kind of name appeals to her, but also the impression that the name will have given her customers before they even walk through the door of her boutique.

I apologize if I came off as negative, but if you're not willing to face reality then perhaps you should reconsider owning a business.
 
Posted by: NovaHammer Member Response
3/15/2007 8:40 PM (CST)
.... will the customers be called Bloomers?

Vintage clothing link ...http://media.www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2005/02/28/Ne...
 


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