We at Le Top always get excited about another premier retailer joining our family of fabulous stores that carry our clothing. We had the privilege of interviewing store owner, Lisa Newberry, about her cool style and being a young mom with one of the hippest boutiques in Southern California. Read more about her store, her inspiration, and parenting advice.
1. What was the inspiration behind the name Papillon?
Lisa: Papillon, means butterfly in French. This is very significant to me because when my Grandmother Lois passed away, whenever we’d see a white butterfly, we’d know that Grandmomie was there with us. When I first decided to open Papillon, I remember seeing a white butterfly floating around me for several days leading up to my signing on the dotted line. Since then, 4 years later, I still see the white butterfly and still feel her support, just as she supported me throughout my childhood.
Papillon is a wondrous insect that symbolizes new life. They’re vibrant, brilliantly colored, carefree and very unique. This is how I would describe a child. This is how I would describe Papillon…a unique children’s boutique!
2. Describe the neighborhood where your store is located. Did you grow up in the local area? Is it the same as it was growing up?
Lisa: Papillon is located in Marina del Rey, CA. Marina del Rey is an upscale beach city that borders on the areas of Venice, Santa Monica, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista. I grew up in Santa Clarita, California but since graduating from UCLA (a few years ago), I’ve moved around a bit, but always managed to make my way back to the Marina. It’s a beautiful community to raise a family, go for a walk, ride a bike, eat out and of course, shop.
3. Spring break is coming up in the next few months – with Southern California always being on the warmer/sunnier side, what are 3 vacation essentials a parent should buy for their child’s wardrobe? For a boy or girl…
Lisa: Three vacation essentials a parent should buy for their child are:
- a floppy hat
- white linen or organic cotton pants or dress (with a light sweater for layering)
- and flip flops or a neutral color tennis shoe.
Oh, and of course 2 -3 swimsuits. I’ve found that when we vacation, the most important thing on Sasha’s agenda is to be in the water; whether it’s a pool or the ocean. She could careless about what she wears any other time. As much as we want our kids to look fashionable at all times, it matters more that they are comfortable, fuss free, and can spill an ice cream sundae on whatever they’re wearing without us moms stressing out about it. Did I mention I’m a stress case/Virgo sometimes when it comes to being a mom? 🙂
4. Let’s talk Southern California…where are your favorite family hangouts?
Lisa: My family and I live in Marina del Rey, so we have the luxury of biking down to Venice Beach or the Santa Monica Pier on a whim. What we love most though, is to do family dinners and BBQ’s at the house with all of our cousins, parents, everybody! If we do go out, we love 26 Beach (huge burgers that Sasha LOVES), Cheesecake Factory (great outdoor seating on the Marina where kids can play in the sand & on the jungle gym), or the local bowling alley, where we all, as a family, can enjoy hours of silly fun. Of course that doesn’t mean I win, but we still have a blast!
Owner of Papillon, Lisa Newberry
5. Tell us…before you “had kids or grandkids, what is one thing you swore you’d never…?” Please share!
Lisa: Before I became mommy to Sasha, almost 9 years ago, I swore I’d never make her wear something she didn’t want to wear. When I was growing up, I hated wearing dresses. But I didn’t have a choice. Of course now, I love dressing up in fancy, hip, unique clothes, including a tutu that Sasha & I both love to rock sometimes when we go out. Sasha doesn’t particularly like to wear dresses, or pink, but if she can add her own little style & flair, then all is good.
Lisa: I love all holidays…Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, birthdays, and the tooth fairy. Valentines Day is just another excuse to do something fun with my daughter (and of course my significant other). I’d dress Sasha in a red or pink tutu (well, since she hates pink, let’s go with red), leggings, converse and a rocker tee shirt. She’s a tomboy, I’m a musician, so this would be a nice compromise for both of us.
7. With all of the celebrity pregnancies going on from Natalie Portman to Kate Hudson to Nicole Kidman’s surprise baby….which celebrity mommy would you want to meet and why?
Lisa: What’s funny is, just last weekend, I met a mommy-to-be that I’d been wanting to meet for a while – Denise Boutte. She plays Dr. Sasha Brown on “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.” I always enjoy Denise’s acting and she has a style that is fierce that I’m sure she’ll carry on to her daughter, who is due to arrive in April. My daughter’s name is Sasha Brown. Denise said to us, “The real Sasha Brown.” What fun it was for Sasha and I to meet her. She was so pleasant and appreciates things that are unique and fabulous. I’m sure she’ll be a regular at Papillon and she’s going to love Le Top!
8. Any special events or fun New Year traditions that you have planned at your store for the next few months?
Lisa: Every month at Papillon, we offer special events, such as book readings & signings, jewelry making parties, trunk shows, holiday bazaars, mom’s night out events, Monday Madness days and more. Shopping at Papillon is always a fun and unique experience!
9. Tell us your best parenting tip you know or would want to give to a new parent.
Lisa: As a parent of an 8 year old, I still feel like I’m learning…from my parents, my friends and my twin brother and sister-in -law who are parents of 5 children – 4 under the age of 12. BUT, I will say I have learned that parents should be patient with their children and realize that no matter how young they are, they are still individuals and have their own little mind about certain things like what they want to eat, decorating their room, how to fix their hair and of course, what to wear. As a storeowner, and a fashionista since I was a young girl, it can be a challenge at times, but realizing that Sasha has her own style and flair has made me appreciate fashion even more. It just makes things more fun having Papillon, and makes it more challenging for me to find unique lines (like Le Top) that she actually enjoys wearing.
10. What collection or piece from Le Top or Le Top Baby line or Rabbitmoon do you love from the Spring 2011 or Fall 2010 collection?
Lisa: Le Top Baby is a new line for Papillon. When I first saw it in the showroom and online I just had to have it. It’s fabulous! We’re looking forward to launching it this Spring!
Papillon
4712 ½ Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
310.301.1711
papillonkids@verizon.net
http://www.papillonbaby.com/
Le Top blog 