Beachwood Place is certainly a destination for any fashion-loving Clevelander with big name national retailers dotting the esplanade and upscale department stores flanking every entrance; it is THE place in northeast Ohio to shop one’s heart out.
The holiday season inevitably draws in hoards of shoppers looking for just the right “something” for a person near and dear or a little treat for themselves. The regulars though who piled in for the basics from the old standby stores were all elated this past weekend when they visited Yellowcake, the ultra-cheerful and artfully decorated pop-up boutique that overtly caught the attention of shopoholics swarming the mall’s every inch.
Yellowcake, the brainchild of Cleveland’s own Project Runway alum Valerie Mayen, offers sturdy wool architectural coats done in vivacious shades of fuchsia, azure, canary, or any color you like. The coats are in a word, fabulous, and are a true must-have for any fashion addict who appreciates details like stand-up funnel necks, structured shoulders done perfectly with exaggerated peaks and pleats, seams that nip here and there for the perfect silhouette of cool, and of course unique details like epaulettes or shapely pockets that add to the overall allure.
The temporary and cheery pop-up shop was a true hit with shoppers who subtly tried to steal a glimpse of the petite and pretty designer who was on hand to measure any folks who wanted their very own custom made Mayan Yellowcake original.
So how much is a Yellowcake treasure? “Coats typically run anywhere between $260 and $680 depending on the amount of work that goes into them, and they take about 2 to 4 weeks to make,” says Mayan. “Accessories like hair pom poms, hats, and headbands are between $58 and $98".
Mayan’s favorite material to work with is wool, which she sources mainly through intermittent trips to New York City.
When asked whether or not living in The Big Apple was part of her future plans she said, “No. New York is overly saturated and can be distracting. Cleveland is a great place to live.”
What about Cleveland style? Mayan says, “Cleveland style is definitely changing. People are getting a lot bolder now, more unique and daring with what they wear and how they choose to dress.”
Those who missed out on meeting Valerie at Beachwood Place the weekend of December 18 may have another chance in February when Mayan might organize another pop-up shop downtown, or you can simply visit the talented designer at her studio located downtown.
You can contact Valerie directly via email to set-up an appointment time and consultation at yellowcakeshop@gmail.com.
For more information on Valerie and her fabulous Yellowcake designs, visit www.yellowcakeshop.com.
