With spring almost here, many Auburn students are in search of the perfect Spring Break wardrobe, as well as the most unique formal dress for fraternity and sorority functions.
Many found wardrobe relief Monday when Delta Zeta hosted a trunk show featuring attire from fashion label Leona.
Amanda Askew, sales director and close friend of Leonard, said she loved being able to do trunk shows in the Auburn area.
"We're available at Simply Charming," Askew said. "But these trunk show prices are unbelievable."
Women from all over campus were invited to browse a selection of high-end boutique clothing created by University of Alabama graduate Lauren Leonard.
The clothing line included long and short dresses, shorts and blouses.
The show was showcased from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the DZ chapter room.
Not only were these new clothes available for browsing, but there were also discounts available, including 15 percent off Leona's new spring merchandise as well as 75 percent off various other garments.
Adair Ackley, senior in political science, said she enjoys browsing trunk shows.
"I like boutique styles because there aren't many pieces available," Ackley said. "I've gone to different events like this since my freshman year."
Askew said Leonard, always loved sewing and designing.
After graduation Leonard went to New York and interned with Milly, a fashion label founded by designer Michelle Smith.
Once returning home, Leonard decided to create her own line and founded Leona in the fall of 2007.
Since her debut in spring of 2008, she has become one of the largest women's apparel brands in the Southeast United States.
"I've seen some of her dresses around Auburn," said Allie Self, senior in biomedical sciences.
Leonard described her clothing as fun yet sophisticated.
"Every piece has a special and unexpected attribute and these unforeseen quirky details give the classics a contemporary feel," Leonard said. "Pieces are designed to show just enough skin to be subtly sexy, leaving the rest to the imagination."
Ackley said she enjoyed Leona's style.
"The design and material is really nice," Ackley said. "They have good formal dresses." Leonard's clothing line has been featured in many magazines including Lucky, Atlanta and Nashville Lifestyles and has also been worn by Taylor Swift in People and Kristen Bell in Lucky.
Leona's tops range in price from $120 to $200, while bottoms range from $120 to $250 and dresses range from $215 to $350.
Many prices were reduced to below $100, a rare find among highend boutiques.
"I wish these (clothes) were always on sale," Self said.
Maria Iampietro, sophomore in journalism and member of Delta Zeta, was excited to have the show in her own chapter room.
"My friends kept calling me to come down here," Iampietro said.
Iampietro said she was familiar with the clothing line and was impressed.
"It's simple," Iampietro said.
Askew was impressed at the amount of interest the show brought.
"One of our interns, Alyson Young, was a Delta Zeta (at Auburn)," Askew said. "She recommended the trunk show."
Leona is available in stores worldwide and is available to everyone online at shop.leonacollection.com.
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