From the gals at Ellie Boutique: The racks of the fashionable Ellie Boutique will be brimming with trendy, classic, and colorful designer fashions and accessories, when the Baltimore women’s clothing store has its first Summer Sale June 15 though 19, 2010. During the seasonal sale, the Ellie Boutique will offer summer dresses and sportswear from Trina Turk, Milly, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ella Moss, and Michael Stars; jeans from Joe’s Jeans and Cambio Jeans, and t-shirts and tops from Spendid and Velvet, at 25 to 50 per cent off regular retail prices. Also on sale will be selected handbags from Mz Wallace and Longchamp and sandals from UGG, as well as accessories to complete every summer outfit. Just in time to make a splash, fashion-conscious shoppers can also find unique swim suits on sale. Summer sale purchases are also eligible for a Green Points Rewards Program, one of few offered by a women’s clothing boutique in the area. Customers receive points for every dollar spent, and the points earn gift cards ranging from $25 to $75. Ellie Boutique is located at 7701 Bellona Avenue in Ruxton Village, Towson.

In the same spot where Love Allie used to be, The Hill Fashion Consignment (1201 Light St., 410-294-8892) is now in full swing. Although owners Ben Abdallah and Anna Dickerson live in Canton, the couple decided that Federal Hill would be a great spot for their women’s consignment store. I was able to stop in after work and look around a bit. The space is small, but cozy. There are many racks of clothing, shelves of shoes and handbags, and a case for jewelry and small accessories. They currently stock some great brands including Coach, Burberry and Banana Republic, and also cater to a younger crowd with American Eagle and Bebe. They are constantly looking for new items—as long as it’s clean and in good shape, of course. —Nikki Reese, intern

Word on the street, well, at least at my gym, is that Lululemon Athletica—a yoga inspired athletic company—is opening a showroom in Fells Point. According to the site, the showrooms are “a cozier version of a retail store with a limited selection of products. Showrooms are only open part of the week so that we can be out in the community meeting our neighbours and participating in local yoga and fitness classes. We open showrooms to become part of the community to share our culture, work with local athletes and provide a retail location that is unique to that area.”

A lot of my friends are obsessed with the Lululemon pants (which hover close to $100) … and they’ve been able to control themselves because the closest shop is in Annapolis. This might be dangerous. More details as I get them. —JED

So my day started at the luxury wing of Towson Town Center and I slipped into Martin + Osa—one of my favorite stores—and was delighted to see that everything was an additional 30% off. I love Martin + Osa because it’s American Eagle for the over 30-crowd. Great stuff, reasonably priced, and always amazing customer service—which I’ve written about before. As I was checking out the guy told me that everything was final sale because THEY ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. What! The nice manager told me that parent company American Eagle is moving on to other ventures, mainly 77kids by american eagle—a new clothing line that he told me is somewhere between Janie & Jack and Crazy 8. (And sticking with aerie.) Then I check my e-mail when I get home and find out from Examiner.com that Shine Collective will “shutter their retail operation in order to focus on doing films under the moniker Shine Films; a joint venture with Shine Collective and Drury Bynum films.” Shine just moved to Woodberry a few months ago and were planning on focusing more on online shopping. I’m a huge Shine fan. I love their style and the talent they find and how they have always done their own thing. It’s a huge loss for all of us.—JED

Looking to combine their two favorite things, fashion and fitness, husband and wife team Charles and Jennifer Wiseman have opened Kingpin in Fells Point—a clothing store with a gym in it or maybe a gym with a clothing store in it. Either way, there is stylish active wear in the front and  personal training sessions in the back. There is also an on site nutritionist and a DJ that spins in shop. The décor—loud and bright—reflects the couple’s charismatic and outgoing personalities—which is also evident in the international brands they chose like British menswear line Psycho Bunny and Margarita, from Israel. 1924 Fleet St., 443-388-8796, kingpinbaltimore.com. —Nikki Reese (intern)

Christopher Schafer, Tom James Company

Christopher Schafer is a creative clothier and a passionate musician that was born and raised in Baltimore. He is a married father of two boys and  drummer for the instrumental group To The Moon. He grew up in a family of five boys—with parents married now for almost 50 years. His career in fashion began in 2007 when Chris and his wife moved to London and was hired by the Tom James Company, the world’s largest manufacturer and retailer of custom clothing. While in the UK, Christopher became a student of fashion in a city that is known for fine gentleman’s clothing. He has been back in home in Baltimore building his client base for a year and a half.

How did you get started with Tom James? I moved to London in the summer of 2007 and was recruited by the Tom James Clothing Company. I was always interested in fashion and the opportunity to learn the art of measuring and designing custom clothing presented itself. I had an amazing time in London and learned from some of the very best in the business.

Why should clients come to you for custom attire? People should have their custom clothing made by me because I will provide them with the best fitting and some of the most stylish garments they have ever owned. There is no better clothing than that which is made specifically for you and the service is unparalleled.

What clothing items (shirts, suits, tuxedos, etc) do you offer? I offer a wide range of clothing. For men it goes from casual clothing, shirts, trousers, suits, sport coats, to formal wear. On the women’s side I mostly offer business clothing such as suits, skirts, pants and shirts. I also carry Ferragamo, Cole Hahn, Allen Edmonds, and Johnston & Murphy for shoes, belts and accessories.

Do you offer any formal wear for men who have a special event (i.e. a wedding)? I offer men’s formal wear for just about any event. I can make a timeless tuxedo, tails or morning suits to some of the most fashion forward suits for special events. The sky is the limit.

Do many clients have you come to their home? Does Tom James have a location that clients can go to? I visit most of my clients at work or at home, whichever is most convenient for them. My office is located in Pikesville on Reisterstown Road, where I see clients by appointment only.

How many pieces do customers usually buy? Every transaction is different, and I love that. Typically though, my clients will work with me on purchasing outfits rather than individual pieces. It makes more sense to have garments that coordinate and go into rotation at the same time.

What’s the most a client has ever purchased or had you alter? My largest single transaction was to a client in London that purchased about $10,000 worth of clothing. I have many clients in Baltimore that purchase that each season though. My custom suits range from $499 to $13,000 so I have something for everyone.

What is the most satisfying part of your job? There are several satisfying parts of my job, such as when my clients first put on their new custom clothing for the first time. It is usually when I get the best compliments on my work without them even knowing that they said a thing. It’s great to know that the garments that I create will be worn to some of my client’s most important life events and their busy daily lives too. I also truly enjoy the fact that my clients become my friends over time.

Do you wear custom clothes? Most of my wardrobe is clothing that I have designed. When I wear garments made by someone else, it just doesn’t feel right to me. Unless it is jeans and a t-shirt, which is just for relaxing. I am also the walking billboard for my designs, so it makes no sense to wear anything else.

Have you done any wardrobes for couples? I have made clothing for couples and that is pretty interesting. It is the wife’s opportunity to dress her man the way she thinks that he looks his best. Usually the man doesn’t have much say in his choice of clothing or hers. I have also made suits for weddings which is really fun because it is such a big day and I enjoy being a part of the excitement.

What advice would you give someone who is looking for a tailored suit? The best advice that I would give someone who is looking for a tailored suit is to buy the best suit that you can afford. Consider this as an investment in yourself because this is the clothing that your future boss or future spouse may see you in for the first time.  —Nikki Reese, intern

Here’s the schedule for Saturday’s “Fashion Hound” at Mt. Washington Mill:

Whole Foods Market will be grilling and selling hot dogs from 11 AM – 3 PM. All proceeds from the hot dog sale will go to B.A.R.C.S., a local animal rescue shelter. The fashion show begins at 12PM. Local models will flaunt the latest spring and summer fashions from Holly G boutique. Joining them on the catwalk will be our four-legged friends dressed in the fanciest dog clothes and collars from dogma-life with your pet. After the fashion show, stop by Mt. Washington Wine Company for wine tasting. From 12 PM to 3 PM, try delicious wine featuring adorable dogs on the labels. Visit dogma – life with your pet to meet local author Michael Paul. From 1PM to 3PM, he will be signing his book “The Adventures of Tiller and Turnbuckle.” Stick around until 1 PM when the winner of the raffle prizes will be announced. Holly G, dogma – life with your pet, Mt. Washington Wine Company and Whole Foods Market will all auction individual gift baskets. The proceeds from the raffles will go to B.A.R.C.S.

Jamie sent me the link to the big Shine sale going on now … including Iosselliani. http://shopshinecollective.com/_catalog_60488/Sal

I’m loving …

I was sad to see that Sweet Papaya was closing and even sadder to see a Subway was moving into the spot. Belvedere Square is one of my favorite spots but it hasn’t fully recovered since losing Bratt Decor, Lilac Bijoux, and maybe even Raw Sugar. I’m not knocking Subway—it just doesn’t seem like the right place for it to pop up. There are still so many strong stores at Belvedere—Simply Noted, Nouveau Contemporary Goods, The House Downtown,  Cloud 9—maybe once the economy is officially recovered some new shops will pop up. (And while I’m talking about Belvedere Square—how about some Atwater’s love in Southeast Baltimore?) —JED

A great catalog landed in my mailbox this week—L.L. Bean’s new Signature line. It’s young and hip and promises “handsome tailoring and contemporary silhouettes.” It’s still very New England but with an uptown feel. Model Maggie Rizer with her blonde hair and sun kissed face is totally adorable in her twill camp skirt and chambray pintuck shirt. I love the Rebecca Fabric Wedge and all the resin jewelry, the madras camp shirt, and mariner leather tote. The men stuff is great too—still rugged but refined including a plain weave blazer and sportsman dress shirts. llbeansignature.com.