THE HEAD OF SALES AT A NEARLY HALF CENTURY OLD FREEHOLD BOUTIQUE INTRODUCES A NEW COLUMN AND A VISION FOR ONGOING SUCCESS

BY KIMBERLY GAMBALE

Happy New Year from our cocktail and special occasion boutique, one that has been offering cutting edge, elegant, and show stopping style to enhance life’s most memorable celebrations for almost 50 years. Together with my mother, Diane, who founded Diane & Company, and along with my sister, Christina, we are known for exclusive selections, expert tailoring, and well informed service and the result is a nationally famed resource when shoppers need to outfit for proms, pageants, and other special occasions.

In the last few weeks, we’ve been transitioning from holiday mode to showcasing the next big things in designer couture, and, over the course of the next several installments of this column, I will share these discoveries exclusively with INDUSTRY readers, and am thrilled to do so.

We realize customers have choices. Over the years we have refined our approach in all aspects of the store including inventory and customer experience to separate it from others. Everything we do is one on one, for example; everyone who walks through the door receives the same level of personalized service. We also train and test our staff to keep them on their toes, including encouraging them to suggest alternatives a customer might not have initially considered, and we rejoice when they leave delighted with a great new look.

Our personal fashion consultants might urge you to try, but don’t push you to buy. To fulfill each client’s vision, our ever changing inventory is diverse and bountiful, with many exclusive and one of a kind designs. Among our manufacturers are Stephen Yearick, Fernando Wong, Portia & Scarlett, Mac Duggal, and Sherri Hill (seen here is a stunning piece from Sherri Hill’s line of prom and pageant dresses).

Trunk shows, we’ve found, are a prime opportunity to view new pieces and styles in a comfortable, congenial atmosphere. But we run our shows a little differently; they feature a variety of sizes, multiple designers…even showcase a variety of collections.

For early 2020, we are seeing a lot of bold color, particularly Royal Blue, as Classic Blue has been selected as Pantone’s Color of the Year. Ball gowns continue trending, too, along with eye catching appliques, beading, and brocades.

Our winter Trunk Show calendar includes “Ideas by Barbara” (Feb. 14 – 16), Mac Duggal Plus “Fabulous” (Feb. 21 – 23), Nicole Bakti (Feb. 28 – Mar. 1), and Mac Duggal Evening (March 13 – 15). Some are walk in, though other events are by appointment (see details on our website).

Prom season is already underway, too, and we look forward to sharing this year’s styles and trends in that realm, as well as how to complete other looks for all special spring occasions. Join our online mailing list to keep updated on upcoming shows, fashion events, sample sales, and more.

Diane & Company
3440 U.S. 9, Freehold / 732.625.8001
dianeandcoonline.com