C. Wonder: Luv

Chris Burch created an upbeat, super fun, affordable shopping experience, C. Wonder, reminiscent of the Fiorucci days of the 70's. If you can't remember that far back, try Jonathan Adler meets Kate Spade?

Looking + feeling oddly identical to his Tory Burch empire, these stores are for the label conscious groupies with clothing + home accessories priced $30-$300.

For Valentines Day , the stores have partnered with the organization More Love Letters. For the true tongue-tied romantic, in-store poets will write  a personalized lovey-dovey note from you to present to your flame. Just fill out a brief questionnaire, make a $20 purchase + within minutes your feelings are put to paper (with some hired help). As a testimonial, the store manager was visibly holding back tears after reading the prose written for her to present to her beau.

Cool personalized  re-invention of  in-store holiday excitement.  A fresh twist on Valentines Shopping.

 Opening in a few choice locations, just a couple weeks before the Christmas Holidays, these retail gems could have easily been missed in the holiday hustle, but not due to their lack of color!

Seems like all the accessories were produced in the same factories as the pieces found in the elite bigger sister's locations. C. Wonder has celebrated the Palm Beach bright plastic + loads of gold "look".  The clothing is pure pigment bright in color - a bit too Upper East Side for this Downtown Gal.  If I should ever crave a good pair of bright orange chinos, I'll know where to get them. Obviously, not my personal style but satisfies my sweet tooth craving for exciting retail.

Create-Your-Own is the element that makes this shopping experience so personalized.

- Reversible Leather Belts: choose your own strap / choose your own buckle -Industrial Watches: pop out the watch mechanism / choose your own band -The Monogram Shop: blankets, totes, aprons, silver frames + glassware -Charm Bar: build-your-own bracelet/ necklace

Kinda like arts + crafts class.

Not a thing in the store is overlooked.  The music...the merchandise...the mix... the furnishings. Speaking of music, on my first visit there was a live DJ spinning the most fun disco music. As for personalization, the music + lighting can be adjusted from a touch screen in the fitting rooms - sort of a waste of high tech, since much of the store is composed of items that don't require try-ons.

Flower Power Scooter anyone?  So campy.

Unfortunately + hard to believe, but the website is a big disappointment.  Somewhat cheesy. With the in-store experience is so great , proving they get it in such a big way, that maybe I'm not getting it?

The big thinker, Mr. Burch, has the store equipped with mobile Point Of Sale check-out technology. No longer do you have to wait in a check-out line at the main counter.  A  sales associate is waiting to scan your purchase, at your moment of decision, ready to print a receipt + bag your item from any number of locations throughout the store. Just your cc + fingerprint are needed.  High tech chic, indeed.

Fun, preppy + affordable. What's not to luv? Share the luv.  Happy V' Day.

 Photos: Mindy Miles Greenberg/Encore Decor, Ltd.