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Ici and Ici Fashion For Children Offer "Cool" Clothes and Accessories

"Ici" – as the French say – is definitely here!

"I thought that was a fun name. I liked the idea of 'Here'," says Lisa Mazzone, owner of the kids' fashion stores, Ici and Ici Fashion for Children at 41 and 39 Palmer Square West.

A shop devoted to children's fashion was certainly a change of direction for the former president and CEO of a dental HMO. It evolved out of her own dissatisfaction with the available kids' fashion and an opportunity to do something different.

"When I moved here four years ago, I couldn't find things I liked for my kids," explains Ms. Mazzone. "Having a shop never entered my mind until I came here. People would say to me they wanted something to do. 'Let's open a shop.' I live here, and I loved shopping in Palmer Square, so I thought why not!"

Now, she can't imagine being without it. In fact, she liked having one – Ici Fashion For Children – so much, she opened a second – Ici – this past August.

"I needed more than one store," she points out. "It's given me the personal challenge I want."

Eclectic Selection

The stores' selection is eclectic, including classic and traditional to trendy, with an emphasis on quality.

"People looking for high-end quality will like what they find here," says Ms. Mazzone. "We are set apart by the clothes we offer. They are unique, fun and appealing, with flair.

"We have added more of the trendier items because they were so successful," she adds, "but we stay away from the really way-out things. I'm a Mom, too, and we don't go over-the-top. Just things that have a little edge.

"Also," she notes, "it's really my taste. I find I have to buy what I like, and it's coinciding nicely with what the customers want."

The selection ranges from casual to dressy, with jeans and outerwear on hand along with more formal styles, including holiday, wedding, bar mitzvah, and Communion dresses.

Popular manufacturers, both American and imported, include Flowers By Zoe, Catimini, Petit Bateau, Helena, Lilly Pulitzer, Wes & Willy, E-Land, and Magil. Both natural fabrics and blends are featured. "I stay away from anything itchy!" says Ms. Massone.

Fashion-Conscious

Ici features trendy to traditional to sophisticated. Sophisticated black lace party dresses (very grown up, indeed!), burned velvet ensembles, and embroidered tops with spaghetti straps please the most fashion-conscious pre-teens and teens. A fleece-lined jacket with leopard-patterned sleeves and wild splashes of color is must.

Soft suede coats, creamy cords, fun sweat shirts, tights, socks, pajamas, and Skivvy Doodles Too underwear round out an intriguing selection.

Ici accessories include sparkly bracelets, colorful headbands and hair accessories, lip gloss, body glitter, and more.

Young girls can be notoriously particular, but whatever their taste, they can find it here.

Next door, at Ici Fashion For Children, the even younger set – tots and toddlers, girls up to 6, and boys to 12 – will find all they need to be in fashion. It also is a blend of informal and dressy styles, including shoes.

All colors are popular, she adds, although preferences vary with age. "Little girls love pink, and then when they're older, they prefer more toned-down colors – blue and denim, etc. But later, when they grow up, they like pink again!"

Latest Fashions

Red coats with faux fur trim will keep little girls toasty next winter, and there is also a variety of parkas. An adorable red snow jacket from France features coordinating cap, tights, turtleneck, and mittens for toddlers.

Polo shirts, turtle necks, underwear from France, all in the latest fashions, are on display, and a boy's outfit, with yellow dress shirt, yellow, black and white plaid pullover vest, and black pants will make a young man of any age look his best.

Accessories feature fun cloche hats for girls, hair clips, little bracelets, socks, and slippers, among other items.

A table-full of cool gifts sells out regularly, including CD holders (some with baseball and basketball motif), handbags, jewelry boxes, lunch boxes, novelty pens, light-up slippers, and more.

Currently, a sale features 70 percent savings on selected items, and Ms. Mazzone points out, that while quality and a fashionable look are emphasized, "I want people to know it doesn't have to be expensive to be stylish."

Gift certificates and gift wrapping are also available.

Both Ici's have become so popular that Ms. Mazzone says she is definitely here to stay.

"I look forward to continuing to be successful and watching everything grow. I live here and work here, my kids go to school here. I'm a part of the community.

"I'm still learning every day," she adds, "and I am so encouraged. It's really been a nice time, and a lot of fun. The customers have been so supportive and friendly, as have the Palmer Square neighbors. It's been just right!'

Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 to 6, Thursday and Friday 10 to 4, Sunday 12 to 5. Ici Fashion for Children: 921-7010; Ici: 921-8007.