Four local boutiques team up for Spring Style Show

Light and airy trousers. Flowing floral dresses. Shimmering stacks of quartz bracelets.

Spring is in the air, and four local boutiques are ready to show you the latest trends to dress for it with the Quad Cities Spring Style Show coming up on Thursday, March 30, at The Bend Event Center, 910 Bend Blvd., East Moline.

The show — hosted by Katsch Boutique (Davenport, Geneseo and Coralville), Brick and Mortar Boutique, Rock Island), Theo & Co. (Davenport) and 838 Boutique (Bettendorf) — will run from 5 to 8 p.m.

It will feature pop-up stores to shop the latest and highlighted styles, a fashion show with more than 60 looks for men and women of all ages, as well as presentations from boutique owners about spring fashion trends and styling tips. Guests also will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, raffles to benefit local charities and more.

“My favorite part of these types of events is meeting and having fun with customers,” said Katsch Boutique owner Amy DeFauw. “I believe the key to life is enjoying each and every day, so I hope I can provide a space for others to have a little fun and learn about the amazing small businesses in their community.”

Ms. DeFauw also appreciates the chance to make fashion and current trends more accessible for everyone in the community. “Oftentimes, our customers feel like fashion is so foreign, and they don’t know what looks best on their bodies,” she said. “Fashion shows are a great opportunity to showcase our merchandise, relevant trends and assist customers with personal styling.”

The spring show collaboration is the first of its kind for Katsch Boutique, Ms. DeFauw said. Katsch had hosted a pop-up event with Brick & Mortar in 2019 as well as other style shows in the past, but this is its first time collaborating with other boutiques in this way, she said. 

The 2019 pop-up alone was “a huge success,” she said, adding that more than 500 people were in attendance. Now, she’s excited to collaborate with even more small, local businesses and reach more people in the community. 

“838 Boutique loved to be part of this event,” said 838 owner Sherri Beyer. “I considered this a remarkable way to present each boutique’s style.” 

Ms. Beyer underscored the inclusivity of the event, reiterating that it indeed is for folks of “any age who (are) interested in boutique fashion available in the Quad Cities.” She added that runway models will be “regular, everyday ladies” of all sizes, showcasing the vast variety of apparel and accessories that are available to purchase locally.   

“I hope (attendees) come away with the inspiration of spring styles that they can wear,” Ms. Beyer said. “I also want them to see our great styling that we have done and that we can do for them in-store.”    

Tickets are $30 each and must be purchased ahead of time online or in person at participating boutiques.  

At the show, “guests can expect a fun and relaxed environment,” Ms. DeFauw said. “I hope guests learn about a new small business they can support and see the true passion our businesses have for delivering great styles to our customers.”