If you’ve fallen into the habit of buying clothes online, there’s a good chance you’ve developed a few low-level neuroses along the way. You may feel anxiety around finding things that fit and flatter your shape, finding pieces that are made with care and meant to last, or finding clothes that legitimately make you happy instead of simply keeping you covered.
Tova Gannana is on a mission to make shopping for clothes fun, enlightening and surprising again. She collects quality vintage working women’s clothing for her Bainbridge pop-up shop Bijou, and offers personalized shopping advice to help people look their best.
“It’s a completely different way of looking at clothing. I really know each piece in my collection — the beading, the history, how to clean and care for it,” she says. “Bijou means ‘jewel’ in French, and I chose that name because these pieces feel like a little jewel in your closet.”
Bijou’s next pop-up is Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Earth and Vine Wine Bar in Lynwood Center on Bainbridge Island.
Timeless vintage
Gannana came to fashion from the film world, and now travels the Pacific Northwest visiting estate sales, shops and even the store that supplies TV shows like The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, collecting pieces for Bijou.
“I go far in my car for these pieces, but I don’t buy bags of clothing. I only want to take the things that are good,” she says. “Nothing feels costumey. It’s all timeless vintage, made to last for the ages, not a specific time period.”
She focuses on quality dresses, suits, pants and blouses, not jeans and t-shirts. She has clothes for all sizes, all ages, and says both men and women have found success shopping her collection.
“I will not buy anything drab — even if it’s beige, it’s got to be the kind of beige that lights up a room.”
Tova Gannana is an expert at pulling clothes from the collection at Bijou to suit your needs.
Bijou pop-up Tuesday, Dec. 7
When people schedule a one-on-one shopping session at Bijou, they get a personalized experience.
“I’ve spent two hours with a single customer. I’ll tell them if something isn’t going to work, and pull pieces that fit their body and the occasion they’re shopping for.”
Some people need a dress for a specific event, or pants for a new job. One woman came in nine month’s pregnant, and wanted joyful ‘aspirational’ clothes for occasions in a few month’s time when she’d be able to go out and meet friends again.
“People want to wear beautiful clothing, but sometimes it’s hard to figure out how.”
Bijou’s next pop-up is Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Earth and Vine Wine Bar in Lynwood Center on Bainbridge Island. Gannana is bringing all of her party frocks to outfit locals for the holiday season. Come enjoy a glass of wine and browse the Bijou collection! Follow Bijou on Instagram @bijou_pop_up. To schedule a personal shopping session email tovagannana@gmail.com.
