Sunday, June 28, 2009 | Life, In this Issue..., Style, Atlanta
Haute and affordable

Lila boutique offers chic on the reasonably cheap

Photos/Spark St. Jude

By Alison Abbey

Lila’s Salima Manji is all about fashion sense for fewer cents.

What she sells: Melie Bianco bags, Hobo accessories, Level 99 and AG denim lines, Collective Concepts (a funky, edgy dress line), flirty tops from Ark & Co., knits from CMR, Tokyo Milk perfumes and more.

Why Inman Park: “We opened in October 2008,” says Manji. “This area was a new development near the existing historic Inman Park neighborhood. I had been living here and watched it develop. I like the feeling of the area: It has a great energy and diversity, which I really appreciate. I though it would be a great area to grow with.”

The biggest challenge: “We have only been open for a short time, but I think our biggest challenge is people’s perception that they won’t be able to afford anything,” she says. “First-time shoppers often comment that they were afraid to enter for fear of breaking the bank. No need to fear! With the exception of a few luxury items, most of the items in the store are well below $100. Our motto is ‘cutting edge fashions, common sense prices.’”

Favorite things: “Right now I am loving this lightweight seersucker shorts jumper from Piko. It’s sophisticated, yet fun. CMR has all these great, bright, solid-color knit maxi dresses that are so flattering and wearable for summer. And I just received these retro print shifts from Collective Concepts that are perfect for making a statement.”

What’s next: “Right now, I am just focusing on making Lila as wonderful as it can be. I would love to set up a Web site in the coming year so that customers can shop from home. And we will be having awesome sales in July!” SP

Lila is located at 240 N. Highland Ave. Suite C-2. 404-584-5452.