Interview with Entrepreness Anne Bocci of Anne Bocci Boutique & Gallery

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March 12, 2010 by Cecilia D. | Comments (7)

Anne Bocci is a sweet and personable individual who not only takes pride in her boutique and her own jewelry designs, but also the creative work of others. When it comes to supporting and promoting independent designers and artists, call on Anne to be the one to receive that distinctly unique line with an open mind. Packed floor to ceiling with indie apparel, art, designer clothes, different jewelry, and oddities, Anne works like a museum curator to pick out the best lines that represent her boutique and her customers’. Anne’s boutique and art gallery, located in the heart of Multnomah Village, is cozy and vibrant–especially on a fun First Friday! In addition, Anne carries clothing designs from current Project Runway contestant, Seth Aaron Henderson!

Read our interview with Anne …

What three words describe your boutique best?
Tiny, artisan, eclectic. Hmm, maybe just a little unique shop in Multnomah Village. Since my boutique is teeny-tiny, I must choose my designers and pieces carefully. One of the designers I have had in here since day-one is Seth Aaron Henderson, a NW emerging apparel designer who is on Project Runway right now.

You also call your business a “gallery”- what kind of art or artists do you showcase?
When I first had the idea to open the boutique three years ago, no one was really mixing fine art with fashion. I love art and artists and wanted to showcase painters, wood turners, and mixed media artists alongside fashion designers and emerging artists. Maybe just blurring the line between boutique and gallery in the traditional sense. It used to be that tradition meant that fine art must be displayed on a clean white barren walls with nothing much around it. But these days, artists are seeking alternative spaces. Art venues aren’t necessarily limited to traditional galleries anymore. Now it’s becoming more common and other boutiques and venues are mixing the two. Not a week goes by, where a fine artist or designer doesn’t come to show me their pieces. I wish I had a bigger space!

At a fashion event, what would you most likely be doing?
Definitely, I’d be the one to make sure all the guests’ glasses were full, making the introductions, and seeing that everyone was having a good time.

Do you have a mentor or role model in your life?
My mentor is the father that raised me. As a baby I was adopted. I know today that I’m truly blessed to be raised my dad who provided a stable loving environment. He took over raising me and my adopted brother because our adopted mother was hospitalized. When I look back it was quite a feat for my father to care for two small kids by himself. When Mother’s Day comes around, I often find myself sending dad a card.

What do you love most about your job?
I like to personally interact with my customers. I’m not one who sits behind a desk and looks up from reading a book. I really want to help pick out that jaw-dropping silk red dress or create the perfect statement necklace or earrings to go with a dress they already have. The other thing I like most about my job is the customers. Getting to learn about their lives, their tastes, and their likes and dislikes.

I also love working with the designers and artists directly and am thrilled when I can call them directly to let them know their pieces have sold. One of my best-selling lines is Suzabelle from Seattle. She’s known for her coats and dresses and was named by Forbes Magazine as “the emerging designer to watch.”

Since I’m the owner, buyer, webmaster, party planner and sales person, I do like that I’m totally in charge and can make decisions at the drop of a pin for the customer. I can make the call, the mark-down, or the ultimate decision right then and there. It’s not like I have to call the manager or home office to get an answer. I remember when Gorden Dent, one of my handbag designers, first cold-called me on the phone wanting to show me his line. I said, “Sure, come show me now.” He was totally blown away because he had phoned so many boutiques and stores only to hear that the manager or buyer wasn’t available to see him.

I can see you really love you job! Last question for you, Anne — What do you have to say about shopping locally?
Lately, so many people now are instant businesses with their Etsy accounts, home parties, temporary pop-up stores and online sales. I just want to thank everyone who supports a true brick and mortar store. There’s something to be said about walking into your neighborhood boutique and touching and feeling the garment, trying it on, and hearing the story of how it’s made. Thanks for supporting your local family businesses!

Anne Bocci Boutique & Gallery
Proudly showcasing independent artists & designers

7824 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR 97219
(503) 452-3711
Open Tuesday-Saturday 11:30-5:30PM
Until 9PM every First Friday of the month

7 Responses to “Interview with Entrepreness Anne Bocci of Anne Bocci Boutique & Gallery”

• Dora (Banda) Tuza Says:
  
  March 12th, 2010 at 4:52 pm

  Awesome interview…..I was so moved and touch with this interview….I understand your passion for what you do…..I ran my flower shop with the same concept….being owner,designer,buyer, sales associate…and the list goes on….customers feel your passion…just from reading your interview and following you on Facebook…you have the enthusiasm and love for what you do and that definitely carries over onto your customers…….I can’t wait to visit you shop…..I would purchase on-line but I want to experience the whole Anne Bocci Boutique and Gallery first hand….you should be so proud…..Love to hear success stories and how they unfold……

  All the Best, Dora

• Chris Cone Says:
  
  March 12th, 2010 at 6:50 pm

  If we just had ten more Anne Boccis in Portland, we could rule the world… benevolently of course.

• Anne Bocci Says:
  
  March 13th, 2010 at 4:16 am

  Thank you so much for taking the time to just chat with me. I heart CRAVE and all those who have the passion to do their craft and live in this city. xoxo anne

• uberVU - social comments Says:
  
  March 13th, 2010 at 5:24 am

  Social comments and analytics for this post…

  This post was mentioned on Twitter by annebocci: On the table now, maybe the floor tomorrow. http://tinyurl.com/yb7j634...

• Lindsay May Says:
  
  March 16th, 2010 at 9:54 pm

  Cool interview! I will have to come by as I live in Multnomah Village.

• Carole Ivy Says:
  
  March 17th, 2010 at 1:13 am

  I have shopped at Anne Bocci’s Boutique for years and am thrilled to have her in our special neighborhood. Anne’s store is a true “experience” and it’s very exciting to see all that creativity and beauty in one place. Everyone must come on First Friday to enjoy this remarkable woman and her fashions.

• Julie Says:
  
  October 30th, 2010 at 8:58 pm

  I want to visit your shop! I have unique mixed media art. I am an emerging artist with something VERY different from others. Should I bring my examples in sometime?

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