Kristin Palm

(313) 483-1326

kpalm@wayne.edu

Nicole Bien-Aime

(313) 338-8910

Vbboutique7@gmail.com

Date: May 3, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Voluptuous Bien’Aime Boutique, a women’s clothing boutique specializing in curvy styles, celebrates its grand opening in Detroit’s Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12, 2018. Located at 19326 W McNichols, Voluptuous Bien’Aime inspires curvy women with a fresh and unique mix of styles that flatter the shapes and sizes of all women.

Owner Nicole Bien-Aime launched her company in 2013, selling primarily at pop-up locations. A lover of fashion who was labeled plus size when she began her journey, Nicole’s shopping experience felt more like a job than an experience. After routinely spending all day searching for the right outfit, she decided to launch a clothing business catering to curvy women. The boutique will offer a curated collection of head-to-toe apparel and accessories in sizes 0 to 5X. The boutique will also offer exclusive personal styling services, detailed style assessments, in-store personal styling parties and mobile styling services.

“I am thrilled to be opening a neighborhood business that specializes in stylish looks for curvy women who, incidentally, make up nearly 70 percent of women shoppers,” says Bien-Aime. “I am so grateful for the programming and resources provided within the city that are helping my business grow to its full potential and supporting my small minority business to thrive within the city.”

Bien-Aime received support from TechTown Detroit’s Retail Boot Camp and SWOT City programs, both of which serve neighborhood retailers with brick-and-mortar locations in Detroit. She was one of five 2017 Retail Boot Camp graduates to receive a Kickstart Award. The Kickstart Package includes up to $5000 worth of subsidies to be directed toward a permanent or pop-up space, inventory and/or a point-of-sale system.

She is also a graduate of ProsperUS Detroit, an entrepreneurship support program of Southwest Solutions designed to empower low and moderate income, immigrant and minority individuals. She received support from the Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation as well, including real estate assistance and a pop-up venue at Grand River WorkPlace.

“Neighborhood small businesses are essential to sustainable economic development in Detroit,’” says Amy Rencher, director of TechTown’s SWOT City program. “Voluptuous Bien’Aime fills an important niche for Detroit residents who seek to shop local, while helping strengthen one of our city’s most vital commercial districts.”

Voluptuous Bien’Aime’s grand opening will feature a ribbon cutting, light refreshments, music, raffles and a mini-fashion show. The event takes place during Grandmont Rosedale’s Shop Small event celebrating the neighborhood’s many small businesses and the opening of a new pop-up park located at the corner of Plainview and Grand River.

Regular boutique hours are Monday by appointment only, Tuesday and Wednesday 3-7pm and Thursday–Saturday 12-7pm. For more information, visit vbienaimeboutique.com

11am: Ribbon Cutting

11am-7pm: Music, light refreshments, champagne, mini-fashion show, raffles, special discounts and limited special gifts.

Invited guests: State Senator David Knezek

State Representative Sherry Gay-Dagnogo

Councilman James Tate

11am -7pm: Light refreshments, raffles and special discounts

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