Wooden, fanciful masks coat the walls, and mirrors with exotic-looking frames are everywhere in sight. The decorations are the last thing you’d expect in a clothing boutique, but there they were. The unique decor in Orchid Lane and next-door, the Orchid Lane Warehouse is not typical, but neither are the clothes that fill up every spare corner of the store. Leif Elias, daughter of the store’s founder describes the clothing as “fun” and “funky”. Elias’s mom wanted to bring the clothes from designers and dressmakers in South America, where she had lived previously. She tries to do this both to help Southern American people support themselves better and to bring free trade and eco-friendly clothing to people in the U.S. at an affordable price.
“Our own Orchid Lane style has evolved immensely in the past ten years,” Elias said. And compared to the hippie-styled Birkenstocks and Indian wrap skirts that Elias described from the 80’s, and what is shown in the store today, she’s right. Although the store still sells long wrap skirts and slip dresses, younger and more modern party dresses and trendy shirts are being sold now as well. Traditional items are mixed in with the ethnic jewelry and halter shirts nowadays.
As well as evolving as a brand style-wise, Orchid Lane had increased their customer diversity through increasing their amount of merchandise. Elias talked about the increasing variety of shoppers coming to the store. “We’re a mother-daughter buying team, so we have a lot of mother-daughters who shop here, who I think we have the goods for both.” Orchid Lane tries not to carry too much for one certain customer. For example, the store carries “glittens”, gloves with mitten-flaps, in every style and color, as well as simple jewelry and shirts almost anyone can wear in a way that looks stylish.
Orchid Lane has a long history. They have been in existence since 1986, and have since created the unique to Ann Arbor $15 or less Warehouse next to the original store. Orchid Lane has also opened up locations in East Lansing, MI, Nashville, TN, Raleigh, NC, and Charlottesville, VA.
Since 1986, Orchid Lane has been ahead of its time. It was one of the first fair-trade and eco-friendly stores of its kind. Orchid Lane is the innovative Christian Dior, a fashion designer who was way ahead of his time in the 1950’s, of the 21st century. Today, Orchid Lane has found the balance with being fair trade and still keeping in style.
Orchid Lane and the Orchid Lane warehouse is located on 419 East Liberty Street downtown Ann Arbor, less than 10 minute walk from Community.
