What's in Store ...
Caterer and event planner Susan Callender find the fashion of her dreams on Newbury Street
Susan Callender’s envy-inspiring wardrobe makes her a standout on the social scene. And we can guess why: The tall, elegant owner of Boston Unique Events—an upscale catering firm—knows how to dress the part, typically sticking to clean lines and classic colors. We shadowed her on a recent shopping trip.
At Chanel (5 Newbury St., 617-859-0055), Callender eyes a delicate blue top with white bows. “I like this, but I just don’t wear much navy,” she says. “Black, soft pink, and off-white are my colors.” She snaps up a high-collared black jacket and enters the dressing room with her ubiquitous bag of tricks (three different bras and strappy sandals). “You need to be prepared to try on anything,” she says.
She departs without making a purchase, saying she often takes time to consider a big investment. “If it’s the last thing I think of before bed and the first thing I think of when I wake up, I’ll buy it,” she says.
Next up is Akris (16 Newbury St., 617- 536-6225). “Michael Tilley makes me feel special,” Callender says of the store’s assistant manager. Indeed, Tilley offers us champagne as Callender lingers over a strappy herringbone-pattern summer dress and a beige cotton coat.
Our final stop is Serenella (134 Newbury St., 617-262-5568), where Callender shops for edgy, high-end gowns such as the Roberto Cavalli one she found here last summer. Owner Leslee Shupe immediately pulls dresses she thinks Callender might like. Callender ponders them all thoroughly, before heading home to sleep on it.
At Chanel (5 Newbury St., 617-859-0055), Callender eyes a delicate blue top with white bows. “I like this, but I just don’t wear much navy,” she says. “Black, soft pink, and off-white are my colors.” She snaps up a high-collared black jacket and enters the dressing room with her ubiquitous bag of tricks (three different bras and strappy sandals). “You need to be prepared to try on anything,” she says.
She departs without making a purchase, saying she often takes time to consider a big investment. “If it’s the last thing I think of before bed and the first thing I think of when I wake up, I’ll buy it,” she says.
Next up is Akris (16 Newbury St., 617- 536-6225). “Michael Tilley makes me feel special,” Callender says of the store’s assistant manager. Indeed, Tilley offers us champagne as Callender lingers over a strappy herringbone-pattern summer dress and a beige cotton coat.
Our final stop is Serenella (134 Newbury St., 617-262-5568), where Callender shops for edgy, high-end gowns such as the Roberto Cavalli one she found here last summer. Owner Leslee Shupe immediately pulls dresses she thinks Callender might like. Callender ponders them all thoroughly, before heading home to sleep on it.
Originally published in Boston magazine, May 2006
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