“I’m not an extrovert, I had to develop it, I was the bookworm, the youngest in a big, boisterous family,” says Stephanie Woodland Kelly. “I have five brothers and a sister. When I got to college I had to learn how to develop those skills. I’m glad there were no mobile phones back then. The mistakes I made…it wasn’t a big deal.” 

On November 14, we will host our holiday trunk show for Ann Mashburn. They sent us so much good stuff! The Addie Sweater Dress, Superfine Funnel Neck and Joy Mule are just a few of the pieces I wanted to get for the store and they were nice enough to send for the event. I think the thing they do best is sweaters.

When we go to New York and place deliveries we try to be mindful about what the weather is going to be like when the items we’re looking at actually arrive. So when we pick pieces from the resort season delivery, we want to make sure you don’t have to wait until spring to wear it!

Hard to believe we’re writing about the last events of 2024! This year has been a busy one and we’re a bit sad to see it come to an end. We know that November and December tend to be everyone’s craziest months so we wanted to make sure we let folks know sooner rather than later about our upcoming events. The Hive kicks off November with two great trunk shows: Ann Mashburn and Think Rolyn.

I’ve been gushing over wool and knits from Argentinian makers since last fall when we brought hand-knit wool sweaters to American In Paris. We couldn’t help but notice that lately, this voluminous, textural style seems to be popping up even more. The Fall 24 runways boasted texture, fringe, and volume.

I know people love the ease of a dress. I get it: the throw and go option of a dress simplifies your morning. I just don’t wear many. Maybe it’s my body type, maybe it’s just what makes me feel comfortable, but I tend to gravitate towards sets. Yes, I have written about my love of a track suit. It runs deep in me. But my affection really lies with anything that coordinates.

I first met Ana at an evening event at American in Paris. Her long, shiny black hair caught my eye and I enviously asked if it was naturally straight or if she had to blow dry, flatiron and put a ton of product in it like me. She smiled and said “blow dryer,” but I knew that she was just born lucky with great hair. When Renée and I arrived for her Street Style shoot, we knew she needed little direction, she carries herself with incredible style and grace.

Every season we try to add a new line or two to our selection. Often, it is items we have been buying personally from other stores and we realize, why aren’t we carrying the line at The Hive? That happened with both of these lines I’m writing about today. I purchased my first Closed denim jacket a few years back. As it is with most items I track down, I saw someone wearing it at market. She owned the store Meridian in Bozeman, Montana and really I wanted her entire outfit.

Sometimes you get an item that just fits everyone right. It’s the item that if it makes it into a dressing room, there’s a 99.9 percent chance it will go home with the individual trying it on. That’s the case with the Rene Pull-on pants from Apiece Apart. They are the perfect pull-on pant.

When I ask Tristan what he’s really enjoyed learning about the jewelry business he says it's the mystery of estate jewelry. He says it’s one of the most popular and browsed upon cases – because everything inside is so unique. He also loves the possibilities that come with redesigning pieces and family heirlooms, so that future generations can wear a piece of their family history.

I own a lot of shoes. It might be reaching the 200 number. Despite my very large collection, there are always a few shoes each season that I wear over and over again. Last year when I walked into Franklin Showroom, which represents Freda, I almost started to tear up when I saw what I knew would be my replacement for these overly loved Tibi shoes. The style is called the Marie Slingback.

I know folks have come in and said it doesn’t seem that we have as many shoes as before. Since I’m the buyer for the store, I promise you, we have as many shoes as we did before. We’re always working on making sure we have what everyone needs. We really want to make sure that when you find that perfect outfit, we can help you find that perfect shoe to match. Most recently, we have been unpacking loads and loads of everyone’s current favorite new shoe brand, Freda Salvador.

There are lots of great reasons to cut off all your hair. Going through a personal style crisis after having a baby is one of them. In the years since, I’ve had two more daughters and experienced similar moments of reinvention and rediscovery. It feels like each new baby challenges me to get back in touch with myself, my image, with what makes me feel seen and understood.

Faux leather, vegan leather, pleather... call it what you like, but if you’ve been keeping an eye on the fashion scene, you’ve probably noticed that this alternative to leather is stealing the spotlight. Gone are the days when this eco-friendly alternative was considered just a cheap knockoff of the real thing. With fabulous brands like Generation Love, Pistola, and Lavender Brown leading the way, vegan leather is now all about luxe looks without the guilt.

When Emerson Fry introduced their denim line, Twin Doves, we knew we had to give it a try. The same foundations are true of their denim as their ready to wear line. They use quality fabrics and cuts that are wardrobe staples. They are also the softest jeans ever. Sometimes it takes time to “break-in” our jeans, but these already have that feel that you get after you have had a pair of jeans for a few years.

I am late in writing about our outlet, P.S. The Hive. I would love to say it's a new idea, but many of you might remember Treat, a store that was in Old Town I guess about a decade ago. The concept was basically to make a local outlet store for independent boutiques. Think Nordstrom Rack, but for all the little guys out there. That is basically what we are doing at P.S. The Hive.

The beautiful finishes set with brilliant gemstones and diamonds by designer Mazza are rich in Italian heritage of Torro del Greco, reflect a legacy that spans four generations and is enriched by his travels across Italy. Marvel at the meticulous craftsmanship evident in the bezel-set jewelry, burnished style settings, and distinctive Florentine finishes that effortlessly complement the carefully selected, one-of-a-kind gemstones in his collection.

I kept seeing Suzanne Thibeault’s face on social. She was in group shots on LinkedIn, at openings on Insta…in recaps of networking events. Who was this woman? Then I saw her in person. I felt like one of the cool kids when I was invited to a VIP party for the opening of Atlas Brew Works and Andy’s Pizza in Carlyle, and there she was. I introduced myself by sharing that she was my professional girl crush, because she was making moves. She was not freaked out.

This weekend we’re celebrating our 21st Anniversary by hosting our biggest ever Citizens of Humanity Trunk Show. I don’t think we have ever had this many styles and such a great variety of cuts and washes. We have skinny jeans, straight jeans, wide-leg, both cropped and long, barrel jeans, slouchy jeans and cargos. The event goes on all weekend and you can always shop online, too!

What a year 2024 has been! When we celebrated our 20th last fall, I could not have predicted that within 12 months: I would not have a men’s store, I would have an outlet (I like to call it a local version of Nordstrom Rack) and that The Shoe Hive would close its doors at 127 South Fairfax St. and merge into our space at 315 Cameron St. I feel tired just typing it.