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Business & Tech

Fashion Friday: Fun, Summer Fashion Trends from Head-to-Toe

This week, we take a look at some of the season's hottest new trends in clothing, shoes and accessories from one of the area's newest boutiques.

Looking for some of the hottest trends in summer fashions, shoes and accessories? Chances are you'll find them at one of the area's newest shops — Toulon Boutique in .

. It's a women’s clothing boutique named after a small, port city in France known for its affordability, relaxed atmosphere and fun.

Although there are still a few novelty gift items in the store left over from the purchase of the boutique, Toulon sells a variety of unique, fashions appropriate for all ages. Brands the new store carries include Angie, Radzoli, Nikibiki, OOFOS, Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops and yoga wear by Omala and Twist. Toulon also carries locally owned Before and Again one-of-a-kind casual clothing and offers special orders by request.

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Julie and Larry Mangels bought the boutique in April, fulfilling a long-time dream of Julie’s, to own her own business. Shortly after the purchase, they changed the name to Toulon to reflect their idea of what a boutique should be – fun, relaxed and affordable.

“We had been thinking about owning our own business for a while," Julie said. "It was about the time that Addie, our granddaughter came along, we learned about the boutique." Having her own business affords Julie the ability to be the caregiver for her grandbaby.

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“It is such a joy to be able to take care of my granddaughter while my daughter is working and going to school,” Julie said.

Before her granddaughter came along, Julie spent much of her career working for a non-profit serving adults with disabilities. Before that, she was a third-grade teacher. It is no wonder that serving the community and ultimately, the world is at the heart of her vision for Toulon.

“I hope to get to the point to where the majority of the products we carry and the vendors from whom we purchase serve a greater cause,” Julie said.

She has a good start with some of the brands she already sells.

Toulon carries Monarch jewelry, whose mission is to end sex trafficking in the St. Louis-metropolitan area. A total of 100 percent of Monarch sales goes directly to their efforts.

The boutique also carries Jenny Kraus belts, bags and purses. Every single item is hand woven and hand embroidered by artisans in the Peruvian highlands. Because they are handmade, no two are exactly alike. Jenny Kraus serves a group of people who had limited means to support themselves, and she has made it possible for them to have a stable future. Read more about the story and the company here.

Click through our photo gallery for some of the hottest trends in summer fashions, shoes and accessories!

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