VERONICA NOVOTNY
STAFF WRITER
The Gentile Gallery bustled with students and shoppers as women’s household Totus Tuus Maria (TTM) hosted its semesterly Boutique Immaculata from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 12.
Neatly folded cardigans, blouses and pants lined the tables while dresses, scarves and jackets hung from clothing racks around the edges of the room. The set-up included signs designating prices and even a dressing room so ladies could try on those cute outfits that had caught their eyes.
The boutique also featured select “stylists,” members of the household with an eye for fashion who helped customers find pieces to suit their own personal style.
Junior Ashley Barham, who co-organized the boutique, said, “Everyone in household brings clothes to donate,” and they also ask friends and family members to consider contributing their own gently used pieces.
“It’s all by donation,” Barham said.
Ladies visited the boutique throughout the day, picking out pieces and sometimes reserving them and then returning later to pay for their selections. The checkout table included a selection of enticing brownies and other baked goods.
After visiting the boutique, sophomore Annie St. Denis said, “I love the variety of clothes, and the brownies are delicious!”
The boutique constitutes TTM’s major fundraiser and gains funds for the household to go on retreat, purchase household-themed gear such as sweatshirts and provide for any other financial needs encountered by the household throughout the semester.
Freshman Megan Clavell, who stopped by the boutique with a friend, said, “It’s really cute, (and) I appreciate that the … household does this. It’s fun to window shop.” After visiting the boutique earlier in the day, Clavell returned to buy two items from the sale, demonstrating that TTM’s fundraising efforts were a success.