Fashion Friday: Athena Boutiques in Frontenac

Starting this week, Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch and Ladue-Frontenac Patch are teaming up to explore fashion trends throughout the area. Want to suggest which businesses we profile in the future? Email nate.birt@patch.com.

The Fashion

Whether you need a pair of jeans or a little black dress, Athena Boutiques in Frontenac has a variety of fun and functional items for your wardrobe.

For a classic casual look, start with a pair of Lussile jeans ($170) and a square-neck white Parthenis top ($79). Add a brown Lussile jacket ($425) and a pair of brown boots to give your look a little edge for the fall. For jewelry, try a brown-and-gold Virginia Parissi necklace ($70) and matching earrings ($40).

If white jeans are more your thing, try a pair from Lussile (currently $75 on sale) with an olive Parthenis tunic ($240), a pair of Roma boots ($78) and a brown-and-gold Virginia Parissi bracelet ($70).

At Athena, you can also keep it simple with a little black dress. A three-quarter-sleeved Parthenis ($295) looks great with silver jewelry and a pair of black heels.

The store also has a strapless black Ioanna Kourbela dress ($150) that can work in the colder months when paired with a thick, black Parthenis scarf ($250) as a jacket alternative.

If you prefer a little color in your dresses, try a mid-length olive Parthenis tank dress ($158), which can be fun when accessorized with a pair of tan Parthenis arm warmers ($85) and a multicolored printed Tolani scarf ($198).

The Facts

Lisa McKinney opened Athena in October 2010 at 10433 Clayton Rd. in the Frontenac Grove shopping center.

"I chose this location because it was new and fresh, and the look of my store is very different and fresh," McKinney said.

What sets Athena apart from the rest of the stores in the area is that 90 percent of its clothing and accessories come from Greek designers.

"Our family spends a lot of time in Greece," said Jaime Kennedy Salvatori, McKinney's sister, who became a co-owner of Athena in August. "We've always envied the comfort and femininity of the clothing in Greece."

"Greek designers don't design for one style of women," McKinney said. "It's a question of finding your look, not your fit."

A lot of the store's clothing comes in one size, but the fabrics allow for the clothing to be comfortable and flattering on women of varying sizes.

"It's style and comfort at the same time," McKinney said. "The clothing fits like loungewear even though it doesn't look like loungewear."

Up next for Athena, the store is participating in Our Little Haven's Eighth Annual "Chic Boutiques" Fashion Show at the on Oct. 29.

On Nov. 2, Athena will be the home base for the store's first-ever fall scavenger hunt, during which customers will travel to various stores in Frontenac, Ladue and to pick up clues and be rewarded with a gift basket featuring products from participating venues. Those interested in participating may register on the Athena website.

Be sure to check out the photo gallery for pictures of McKinney modeling the looks described in this story.

More information about Athena can be found on the store's Facebook page.