I am so proud of my 2 friends Kristen Luna and Dayna Mance who recently opened boutiques in Long Beach. They are both awesome women with a great eye for fashion and trend spotting which is totally reflected in their shops. Check out what they had to say about the inspiration behind their endevors and then go shopping!!!
fox & moon
Fox & Moon boutique owner Kristen Luna. 2746 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA. (562) 206-7676
1) What is your history in the fashion industry?
I graduated college with a degree in fashion design and have been designing young women’s clothes in the fashion industry for 13 years.
2) When and why did you decide you wanted to open a boutique?
I decided about 3 years ago that opening a boutique was definitely the right path for me. I really love clothing and the way it makes a woman feel when she looks good. Designing for some pretty large clothing manufacturers really taught me a lot about this industry, but that side of it all just didn’t feel like enough. I almost felt like the “man behind the curtain” all of those years. I didn’t seem to know who was actually wearing the clothes I was designing since it was on such a large scale. I really want to know and become friends with the women who are wearing the clothes I’ve designed and also offer them the unique brands I’ve admired and been inspired by all these years. There is an un-describeable feeling that comes over me when I am able to help a woman look and feel beautiful. It’s just the best, really.
3) What is the inspiration behind what you are carrying?
Love is my inspiration. It might sound cheesy, but it’s the truth! If I look at a line of clothing and find pieces that make me feel love, I know somebody else will love them too. That’s what you’ll find in the boutique…a whole lot of clothes that I just love!
4) Can you virtually walk us through the store? What do we see? What should we expect?
As you walk through the red front door of the 4 story brick building built in 1912, the first thing noticed is probably the giant floral head dress hanging from the high ceiling, which gives off a very natural and feminine vibe in here. Both white walls have steel pipe racks draped with pretty, easy to wear garments with a subtle novelty to each of them. There is also a great display of locally designed jewelry and re-constructed vintage jewelry too.
5) What brands are you carrying? Is there a focus on local, LA based designers?
Currently, I am carrying Gentle Fawn, BB Dakota, Bobi, Ark Clothing, and Groceries Apparel. At the end of the month and in June I’ll be getting some styles in from a line called Knot Sisters and some denim pieces from Dear John. Groceries Apparel is very local…they design and manufacture their entire line of knits in downtown Los Angeles. I also carry my own hand made label fox & moon clothing. You can’t really get any more local than in your own shop! Not all of the brands in here are produced locally, but I’d like to say we are all neighbors here on this planet we all call home. We all need to make a living and survive, no matter what city, state, or country we live in.
6) What is the price range in the store?
I would consider the price range to be in between “better” and “contemporary” pricing. You can definitely walk out of here with an outfit under $100.
Prism Boutique
Prism Boutique is at 406 Termino Ave. in Long beach, CA. (562) 433-4341
1) What is your history in the fashion industry? Fashion has always been my passion. To me it is a form of art and expression. When I was young, playing dress up was my favorite. I have worked in retail since I was 14 years old. I love working with and talking to people, that is what gives me my energy. For the last ten years I worked for Urban Outfitters, inc. I worked my way up the management ladder and for the last five years managed the Anthropologie in Newport Beach. The company also sent be all over the country to manage store openings, which was an incredible learning experience. Mentoring and training, and working with inspiring people was one of my favorite parts of working for Anthropologie. And the clothes of course!
2) When and why did you decide you wanted to open a boutique? It has always been my dream and I finally felt I had the background and skills to bring it to life. If i didn’t take the risk and try it, I would look back my whole life and wonder “what if.” My husband and I want to have a family, and I felt that if I was going to take this kind of risk, the time was now. I also dreamed of working in my own community, after commuting for the last ten years. Now I can walk to the shop and I have loved getting to know more people in my community. People are craving shopping locally and buying things that are not mass produced and are more unique and special. I am thrilled to have contributed to Long Beach in this way.
3) What is the inspiration behind what you are carrying? Well, I am carrying the brands and styles in the store that inspire me and that I love to wear. There is nothing in the store that I wouldn’t wear myself. My style is very edgy, fashion forward, bohemian but also very wearable and comfortable for everyday. Sophisticated street style in a very Southern California way. I want every woman to leave with pieces that she can’t live without and that make her feel beautiful.
4) Can you virtually walk us through the store? What do we see? What should we expect? Big windows, high ceilings, clean white walls. My husband and I, along with a couple artist friends, renovated the run down space ourselves. It turned out beautifully. Everything in the store is handmade, ranging from the copper and wood fixtures to the 7ft tall macramé weaving that hangs from a piece of driftwood found on the beach. The space feels very light, airy, modern and clean. Large Moroccan rugs cover the cement floors and bring warmth to the space and beautiful cases are filled with artisan jewelry. We just finished hand painting a new display onto the windows for Summer, you must see it.
5) What brands are you carrying? Is there a focus on local, LA based designers? I have a large variety of designers, styles and brands. You may recognize Free People, Indah, Bless’ed are the Meek, TIgerlily, Lilya, LA Made, Jen’s Pirate Booty, Flynn Skye, Junim, Chaser to name a few. What also sets Prism apart is the wide array of local and worldly jewelry of all types. I have a lot handmade jewelry that is crafted in Long Beach, LA and OC. I love supporting women that are also trying to do what they love. I also have locally made stationary, terrariums, candles and accessories. There is a treasure for every woman in here.
6) What is the price range in the store? I try to provide a wide range of prices. There is jewelry ranging from $12-$130. Dresses range from $64-$184. There is a little something for everyone! 
Congratulations to both of these lovely ladies for opening beautiful boutiques in Long Beach and living their dreams! They are so inspiring! Kristen and Dayna have put so much love, hard work, and passion into their stores and you can see and feel it! Check them out!
