Swapping the text books and scrubs for glossy magazines, Cecylia Kee has successfully made the transformation from full-time veterinarian to fashion merchant. Owner and manager of Armadale’s only boutique that serves up chocolately cupcakes and designer threads, Cecylia is the envy of every fashionista as she begins plans for her next trip to Paris Fashion Week.

Despite being new to the industry, Cecylia’s in-depth advice is useful for anyone considering a change in career paths. An impressive understanding of designers, fabrics and trade, her story is a constant reminder that it takes dedication and extensive background knowledge to successfully make the switch.    

Fans, friends and fashion enthusiasts are able to follow Cecylia’s life, tapping into the online realm with her blog ‘Shop and Tell’. Sharing travels, recent purchases and latest store collections, it’s no wonder why Cecylia is all smiles.

Love reading blogs? Need a vet? Want to shop? 

Visit Cecylia! http://cecylia.com/ 

Photography by: Jessica Eslick

What inspired you to start the boutique?  

My holidays in Europe and Singapore as well as countless fashion magazines are the inspirations for me to start our boutique. I had a chance to re-evaluate my life and my career on the holidays. Being a full-time veterinarian is great but my passion lies in fashion. Ever since I started vet school, I was dreaming of being a fashion editor or studying fashion design instead 

About 12 months ago I started planning the boutique, sourcing designers not widely stocked (some not stocked at all) in Australia and planning to launch a fashion lounge. My business partner Linda and I opened our first boutique on High St Armadale in April this year. 

How would you describe your own personal style? Is that reflected in the store?  

I gravitate toward lady-like silhouettes but also have a penchant for edgy accessories. I am also a huge vintage fan. I usually team garments from our store with vintage pieces. I only have one rule: it has to be comfortable. 

The boutique is a fine reflection of my innate style. The French-style furniture are antiques and are inviting. The mirror-clad clothes racks and display units are reminiscent of the opulent ‘Hall of mirrors’ in the Versailles, Paris, and they also add modern glamour to the store. 

Do you encourage people to get to know their local seamstress/tailors? What are the benefits of having clothes tailored to your size?  

Good tailoring is becoming a lost art. Many ladies who have unusual shapes expect every garment they try on to fit them. A good seamstress/tailor is to your wardrobe what a personal trainer is to your fitness. Having well-fitted clothes is an important part of looking well-groomed. We all know that a garment can either flatten or flatter. Your tailor/seamstress can change your wardrobe and your look. 

Where do you source the clothing from?  

My team and I attend Paris Fashion week bi-annually to scout out established and emerging designers that are not stocked extensively in Australia. Labels in our store come from Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore and the UK. Going to Fashion Week is great because we get to meet the designers and discuss their inspiration for the next season. 

Attention to detail: What should you look for? (Fabric, stitching, colour, style)  

Despite the technological advancement of man-made fabrics, they cannot compare to natural fibres. I am a fanatic when it comes to natural fabrics. They are more luxurious to wear and age better. As I am the buyer for our boutique, do not be surprised to find mainly silks, cottons, linen, wool, cashmere and leather. I feel cheated if the garment is composed of man-made fibres. 

Although Melbourne is a very noir-orientated city, I love colours and prints and you will always find gorgeous silk printed pieces in our store. It is because you will always get more compliments-per-wear with a printed garment than a plain one. 

Having done a sewing course, I know the technical challenges involved in making an exquisite garment. There is so much work involved in not only the design process, but also the cut, the hems and the details in every piece in our boutique. I love seeing designers incorporating ruching, draping and nouveau ways of creating wearable clothes. 

The clothes in our store are selected for a fashion-forward lady who knows that trends are seasonal but good style is eternal. 

What advice can you give to people who imitate famous people’s fashion sense and follow trends? 

There are famous people, and there are fashionable people. Go for the fashionable bunch, but don’t forget to add your own spin on things. It’s easier to be a fashion follower than a fashion leader but it’s better to be a leader. 

What fashion faux pas offends you the most?  

Crocs! I don’t care how comfortable they are, they are hideous. 

Is there fierce competition among other fashion stores in Melbourne? What advice do you have for those starting labels or planning on opening a store?  

I’m sure the competition is fierce. We’ve been blessed that we stock very different labels, garments, styles to other shops, and we have cupcakes. 

Be unique, try to delight every customer that walks through the door and enjoy every moment of it.