Mother-Daughter Duo Launch Eugénie Boutique in Newport Beach
Eugénie, a new boutique founded by mother and daughter Kary and Sally, just opened at the newly renovated Mariners Mile Square in Newport Beach. The boutique curates designers and pieces that are hard to find, with each item purchased in limited quantities.
The name Eugénie was inspired by a trip the two took to France. “We went on a trip a few years ago and found ourselves at the Hotel du Palais, in Biarritz, France, where we enjoyed champagne at sunset, discussing how much fun we were having discovering amazing brands that we cannot find at home,” they said. “It was there that we decided to take the leap and start a business together. During the planning process, when it came time to actually name the business, we remembered those moments in Biarritz in the Hotel du Palais, and discovered that it was the seaside Palace of Empress Eugénie. She had been married to Napoleon III and was quite a fashionista in her day and the more we researched her, the more we identified with her. She was a pioneer of fashion, and a champion of women’s causes which we truly admire.”
Sally has been immersed in retail since 2013, working at some of Southern California’s most beloved brands. “She stuck with it and enjoyed growing and learning along with connecting with our community,” Kary said. “Most recently she was managing The Great in Lido Marina Village and prior to that, she was at Jenni Kayne.”
For Kary, this new venture represents a fresh chapter. “This kind of business is new for me,” she said. “I’ve spent the last 20-plus years raising my children and was excited for something new.”
Their passion for fashion runs deep. “We have always loved fashion,” they shared. “What excited us most is finding brands that are not easy to find. Originality is important to us, and we have forged amazing friendships with our brands, who care about this as well.”
The community response has been overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone that has walked through our door is so excited to discover new brands,” they said. “The feedback we hear is that it is a very fresh and exciting collection of apparel and home goods. While we do carry a few labels that are a little more common, most are small, up-and-coming designers, who are keeping their productions small in order to maintain the quality of their pieces. Most of our brands are women owned which we are very proud of. Additionally, most of the clothing comes with a back story that we’ve been excited to share.”
Eugénie’s collection is carefully curated. “Over the years, we’ve discovered so many brands through our travels all over the world,” they said. “We started by reaching out to these designers to see if they would be interested in working with us before we had even identified our location. Crazy! Everyone was so encouraging and aligned with our vision. It all came together so naturally. We carry only a size run of each style. It’s fun to know that the chances of you running into someone wearing the same thing as you is slim!”
The boutique also offers shoes, bags, belts, scarves, socks, jewelry, and apothecary, along with select home goods that will expand over time.
As the holiday season approaches, Kary and Sally are already looking forward to hosting gatherings at the shop. Stay tuned for updates by joining their list here.
2700 West Coast Hwy #175, Newport Beach. 949.933.0358.
