Cindy Reich, former owner of Wink Boutique on Bissonet, just a few years back, is back on the fashion scene in Houston with a new boutique, Whim, in Hollywood Square on West Alabama and has proven that absence truly only makes the heart grow fonder…..we’re lovin’ it!
Having been out of the country for the opening of this much-anticipated new boutique to come onto the local fashion scene, I had to miss the Whim Opening Party, but was able to have my own special one-on-one with proprietor/buyer, Cindy Reich, in her chic new modern boutique, stocked full of great contemporary styles from many of the emerging designers that she has sought out in her NY marketplace, just to our liking. The following is my first hand look and chat with Cindy…
Proprietor/Buyer of Whim Boutique, Cindy Reich
Cindy, who left the local retail scene, closing Wink Boutique on Bissonet seven years ago for personal family reasons, was missing the business and being in the fashion-know just a little too much and made the decision to “go back to school” as she called it. I’d say she was quite a quick-study as she dove into the NYC Contemporary market and combed the showrooms seeking out just those special emerging guys/gals that no one else in town was carrying and bought them for her newest boutique venture, which opened very quietly in Spring but had it’s grand opening this month for Fall.
Reich’s plan for Whim, is to showcase advanced contemporary women’s ready-to-wear from both unknown and established designers such as Jenny Kayne, Grey by Jason Wu, Warm by Winnie Beattie, French label La Prestic, Spanish label Massob, LA-based Katharine Kidd, Sphere One by Lucy Downes, NYC-based Allina Liu and newest addition, Maiyet plus Robert Rodriquez, who is back on the scene after selling his former business. Personally I was always a fan of both that designer and his clothes and can’t wait to see what his newest collection will be like. She also showed me a few styles from her good friend and longtime Houston fashion gal, Lisa Aronson, who has designed an exclusive evening collection that will be carried in Whim as well!
Not new to the Houston retail landscape, Cindy Reich having originally owned Wink on Bissonnet from 1999 to 2008, has traveled far and wide to various markets around the world, seeking just the right product to purchase for her Houston customer. Wink took off, and she was the first Houston boutique to bring in lines such as Catherine Malandrino, Rebecca Taylor, and Nanette Lepore as they launched their businesses. She also stocked cult labels such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, Moschino, and Michael Kors. All of this gives such credibility to her ability to seek out the designers that are emerging on the scene today, destined for greatness and a great match for what modern Houston women want!
Always having a passion for style, design, and retail, Cindy finds things that women feel good wearing – that make them feel special; where they won’t see themselves coming and going. She aims to provide established women a place to come, relax, and try on wearable new labels. The space itself resembles a boutique in Venice Beach or a modern gallery – think elegant, chic, sophisticated with a California cool vibe.
Some ‘Party Pics’ from the one I missed…..Grand Opening Night at Whim Boutique
Cathy Echols, Phil Hudson / Gail Alexander Davis
Jenny Weber, Allison Bagley, and Becca Gips / PaperCity’s Kara Smith and Jailyn Marcel
Lysa Elkins, Lisa Aaronson / Saba and Sarah Jawda
photos courtesy of Julie Soefer Photography