I vividly remember shopping for my 8th grade dance dress. It was my first time going to a dance with a date! My dress had to be perfect. Looking back, it wasn’t an easy task. My friends and our moms tackled many department stores to no avail. It took some extensive searching to find an appropriate, yet still stylish dress for my very awkward 14-year-old frame! I wish there had been more stores catering to tweens and younger teenagers. The process would have been a lot less stressful for sure.
It’s hard to believe that I am heading down the “fancy dress” road with my own daughter. I am not ready to accept this fate, but at least I have found the perfect boutique to help ease the shock of my little girl growing up! Since my feature in Suburbs 101, I have connected with so many inspiring women in the Connecticut area. These girl bosses are leading the way. Stella, founder of Stella M’Lia boutique is one of them.
Stella, a mom and ex-corporate banker, is the founder and operator of this fabulous boutique. Stella M’Lia is a tween and teen-centric brand of special occasion dresses for 8-14 year old girls. Launched in 2010, it consists of party dresses inspired by designers like Valentino, but executed in a way that’s young, fresh and relevant to the party-going teen girl. Age appropriate, yet super fashion forward, they are mere perfection. Every girl will look and feel confident in these flattering and fitting dresses.
I have spoken with so many moms who struggle to find the perfect party dress for their tween. Department store dresses are either too mature or too juvenile in style. It can be a very daunting and overwhelming experience! For this reason, I am so excited to have stumbled upon Stella M’Lia.
Mia, of course, had to get in on the action. Hardly a tween, she insisted on this black dress with scalloped white details and pockets! She opted for a fun hairstyle and Dr. Marten’s boots for a youthful and very playful look. This dress is fancy enough for a special occasion, but can also be toned down with more casual accessories too.
As much as I wish time would slow down, I look forward to all the fun shopping ahead and quality time with my girls! I know Gianna and Mia will be adorning many more Stella M’Lia dresses in the years to come!
