Tucked away, just off Bridge Street in St. Ives, is the charming, fashion boutique - La Muse. Lovely window vignettes, featuring ball gowns, evening wear, jewelry and other exquisite bits and pieces, distinguish La Muse, as being very different to the other shops of St. Ives.
I called in on La Muse's proprietor, Corrine Harwood-Davey, to find out more about this dreamy boutique.Corrine told me, that La Muse officially launched in 2003 and has been going strong ever since. Being a woman who knows the fashion business, she realised there was a potential niche market for ball gowns and prom dresses in St. Ives, when she had an overwhelming number of requests from customers.
Corrine estimates that her clientele travels from as far away as fifty miles to shop for special occasion attire and possibly, further afield. The boutique's busiest times are - January to June - with Spring months being the prelude to Prom, as the ultimate busiest. Prom dresses and gowns are available from size 0 to 24 - and special orders possibly arriving by next day - depending on the company and gown style. La Muse also provides alteration services for gowns, at a very modest cost.
The choice of gown styles and luscious colours are endless. Most afternoons in La Muse, you will find a gaggle of excited girls, fresh out of school for the day - trying on prom gowns and playing Princess. It's not unusual for entire families, Mum, Dad and even Grandparents, to help with the decision of which gown to purchase. After all - Prom, is a very special event for these young women.
In addition to a stylish selection of shoes, La Muse carries hire-out hats as well - £25 for the week !
The jewelry in La Muse is very smart indeed. Corrine hand picks every piece when at exhibition - bits from Spain, France and Italy. She also commissions handmade designs by a local jewelry artisan from St. Ives.
If you were to explore the back room of the boutique, you would find a whimsical display of children's things in a pretty, vintage armoire. Clothes, slippers, hats, jumpers, pajamas, soft fuzzy rabbits and many more playful items !
The women who work at Muse are extremely helpful - suitable fashion consultants so to speak - they give solid fashion advice and will assist with selecting a party dress or a sporty outfit for that holiday abroad and also accessorizing the entire outfit.. La Muse is so much more than prom dresses - it carries scarves, handbags and sophisticated coordinates: trousers, jumpers, summer dresses and adorable shirts and tops. Most of the day wear clothing are from small, individual, European labels.
La Muse hours are: Monday to Saturday - 10 to 6
It's a lovely little shop !
La Muse
1 The Broadway
St. Ives, Cambridgeshire
PE27 5BX
01480 494400