Editor's note: Shyne will be participating in the More Unpredictable Fashion show on April 26 at PLAY! Dance Bar. Purchase your tickets here.
When you open a clothing boutique in a relatively small, renovated space in east Nashville in one of the worst economic climates in decades, you'd better have something special to offer shoppers - and Shyne does.
The 950 sq. foot store on Fatherland St. boasts unique, fashion-forward brands not offered by many Nashville shoppes. Store owners Corey Jones and Latda Khamphengphet are helping the local economy as well as a few rising local designers who display their original brands at Shyne.
"We want people to stand out and not look like everyone else around them," Jones said. "We lead the pack and introduce exclusive new lines that haven't even touched ground in Nashville or Tennessee. That's my motivation."
Shyne offers hard-to-find labels such as Privacy, Vintage China and Anoname and recently brought in the unique, hand-made Cajun Moon Designs of Nashville's Heather Kennedy. Kennedy, who graduated from O'More College of Design last year, said being picked up by Shyne was an ideal way to get a jump start fresh out of college.
"I am thrilled that Shyne has picked up my line because now even more people will be able to see what I have to offer," Kennedy said. "It is a great boost of confidence for me as well, because I know Jones and Latda like my work and believe in it enough to have it in their store, and if they like it, I'm hoping someone else will like it too."
Jones said he is happy to offer new designers a place for their brand to live and grow, because in this economy, symbiosis is an important part of survival.
"This is the perfect economy to make people realize we can make a hell of an impact here if we pull together," Jones said. "After school, they need a home to place their designs and we're available to help them out. New designers hear 'no' so many times. I don't want to be that person who turns them away at the door."
Shyne's offerings extend far beyond the store's racks. The store also provides style consultation and concierge service for busy clients. Work with one of the store's fashionistas to build your style profile, outlining your likes and dislikes. The consultants will then scour the latest designer pieces that fit your specs and email photos to you for consideration. Choose the ones you like and Shyne will order them and hand deliver them to your home or office.
It's all part of Shyne's mission to bring big-city exclusives to its Music City clients.
"We have access to pretty much anything," Jones said. "If you like it, we'll order it and put it on you."