our team.
If you haven't met all of our Undeniable Fashionistas, now is your chance! While we each have distinct personalities and styles, our common bonds are a love for all things fashion and helping women look and feel their best. Come visit and spend some time with us - we'd love to get to know you too!
Alicia Russman, Owner
While I've never worked in retail or fashion before opening Undeniable Boutique, my career has revolved around creativity. I've been in marketing and business development for nearly 20 years and most recently served as the director of creative services for a web technology company. I've written most of my own job descriptions and have grown many new teams over the years. This experience has greatly helped me launch Undeniable Boutique.
I see fashion as a creative expression of a person's individuality. I love helping other women define their style and find the perfect outfit. Both my mom and dad have a great sense of style and always imposed on me "looking the part" is important. My fashion advice is to wear things that make YOU feel good. I've been shocked by how many women exchange items because their spouses, kids or friends didn't like it. If you love it and feel great, wear it with confidence!
As the owner and buyer, I love every brand in the store but the one that makes me giddy when a new delivery arrives is Uncle Frank/IvyJane. I adore their creative, retro designs and comfort. Similarly, Yumi of London/Uttam Boutique and Dear Creatures exemplify vintage style.
Debby Shover, Buyer/Merchandising
I've owned and operated my own antique/collectible business for over 27 years in upstate New York. I travel extensively, constantly looking for the most unique, unusual vintage items for my clients. When Alicia asked me to be a part of the UB team, I was over-the-top excited. Always having an eclectic eye for merchandising, it didn't take long to accumulate displays with a retro feel, which fits perfectly with the concept of Undeniable Boutique.
If I were to offer my advice to someone about fashion, it would be keep an open mind, explore new things...you would be surprised how your comfort zone changes. Fashion can affect the inner you; it makes you feel wonderful when you find just the right thing and it is nothing like what is in your closet.
One thing I love about UB is the range of unique styles that fit many figures and any age. Living in New York, I don't get the opportunity to see all the styles, but do have a wonderful selection already in my closet. My favorites are Joy Joy and Voom. The feel of the materials, the way they fit and the fabulous colors are just my style. I've seen Uncle Frank/Ivy Jane at trade shows and look forward to trying on every single piece.
Lena Shrestha, Manager
I'm a community and cultural development professional with (almost) a master's degree in Cultural Sustainability. I'm passionate about engaging our communities to establish a neighborhood where people can work and play together – actually forging connections with each other. I found Undeniable when I was shopping one day, and the fact that these ladies cared about me and my life, not only my style, really blew me away. I've had a variety of professional experiences, from teaching CPR and lifeguard training courses to designing educational art exhibits to community development ... and now retail! I'm excited to be a part of this team.
I think of my style as an expression of who I am and -- when I'm feeling a little daring and trying something new – who I want to be. My style has grown into classic silhouettes with interesting details... with a little bit of rocker/hippie chic thrown in! The best strategy that I've learned over the years is to ask two questions in the dressing room: 1. Do you love it? and 2. Are you comfortable? If you can answer yes to both of those questions, you will always be true to yourself.
My favorite brands that we carry at Undeniable are Joy Joy, Darling, and Muse. I also love the unique artisanal jewelry that comes in – always a great way to add personality to the simplest of outfits.
Susie Cole, Customer Service Associate
I worked in Marketing in the IT Consulting industry before becoming a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) to two children, a boy seven and a girl ten. After ten rewarding years at home, I've found a way to balance work and family life by taking part time consulting positions, and most recently joining UB's style team to pursue and enjoy my love of all things fashion!
The best fashion tip I've learned is to be true to your own sense of style! My favorite brand in the boutique is miilla, with Soul Revival running a very close second!
Emily LaFalce, Customer Service Associate
I'm a young college student from upstate New York studying marketing at George Mason University. And I'm passionate about fashion! In addition to working at Undeniable Boutique, I'm an intern for HerCampus.com, a website that gives girls advice about fashion, beauty and boy troubles. It also promotes events held by school organizations across the nation. I hope to use the knowledge I gain working at Undeniable and interning for HerCampus.com to someday work for a fashion magazine in public relations and marketing. The best fashion advice I ever received was actually from my father. I was a tom-boy until I was about 14 so he told me that I had better start dressing like a girl because I was holding myself back, and taking away from my beauty by wearing oversized t-shirts and basketball shorts. At the time, I rolled my eyes at him but now when I look back at pictures, I'm grateful he said something.
My fashion advice is to not be afraid to rock something awesome! Customers sometimes come in and don't try on certain things because they're afraid of patterns or maybe a color is too bright. Don't let your closet get caught in a rut. Add some color to a wardrobe that mainly consists of beige, black and grey.
My favorite line in the store is hands down, Darling. Every piece that comes in catches my eye. Darling is very feminine and bright and flatters most body types.
Jennifer Tidd, Visual Merchandiser
My background for most of the last three decades has been in fashion retailing in the windows of high end department stores and boutiques, taking merchandise I am given to market to customers as a visual merchandiser, and turning clothing into a story women want to live. When I hold a piece of clothing on a hanger, I don't see fabric, but the person who inspired it and try to interpret it for the person who will live in it. I've always considered myself to be a time traveler, which is why I studied history in college, love digging around on tables at flea markets here and abroad, and adore retro clothing and trinkets that have a story. If it's something new, I create a story for it in my imagination. This is why I have always preferred retro looks, because while some details come and go as fashion trends, there are some looks that always feel right. I think that is what I love most about Undeniable Boutique, because on any given day, I can walk in, look at a rack and see a cocktail clad Coco Chanel, Carol Brady, and Rhoda Morgenstern standing in the shop discussing style with me. As a mother of four sons at home mostly these days, my passion for history and travel are never diminished by the mundanity of my suburban existence. Instead, each day, before I venture out, I decide what fascinating woman in history I want to channel into my day and that is who I become. When the sun rises the next day, I may be someone entirely different from a different space and time. Since actual time travel is not yet possible, I use retro clothing and accessories to satiate that desire in me not only to study history but to make history.
My favorite vendor we carry at UB depends on my mood that day, but today, as I write this, I think I am most moved by the exquisite detail of our Tommy Was line, which inspires both the artist in me and my inner hippy-chick. Coco Chanel once said, "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." When I dress, I look in the mirror everyday before I walk out the door to make sure I am "irreplaceable." My friends often tell me they lack the courage to wear some of the things I wear, to which I would only respond, and I lack the desire to look like everyone else around me.
Kellie Fitzgerald, Customer Service Associate
I’m currently a student at George Mason University where I’m working towards a degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminology and Forensic Science. I came to Fairfax all of the way from Sudbury, Massachusetts. How I ended up here is still a question, but I wouldn’t change it for anything! When I’m not at work or in classes, I’m usually socializing with friends, playing with a dog, or running around for my sorority! I’ve been in customer service for years, but nothing has been more rewarding than working with the women who come to Undeniable Boutique.
The best fashion advice I was ever given is to always reflect who you are on the inside with how you dress on the outside. When people see you, your clothes are the first impression they’re given! Always wear what is a reflection of you and rock what makes you feel great! Advice I always give is never hide behind boring clothes, bring out and flaunt your inner Undeniable Fashionista everywhere you go.
My favorite line in Undeniable (and I can tell you this from looking in my closet right now) is Esley. The style is cute and feminine, and the price points are just as great. That being said, I have personally found favorites in every line that we’ve carried, many of which have ended up in my own undeniable wardrobe!
Rhiannon O'Coin, Customer Service Associate
I'm currently an Art History student at George Mason University, but call Charlottesville, VA home. I've worked in retail and fashion for four years and loved every minute of it. My experience with trends and styles of past seasons has taught me what works best for diffrent body types as well as personalities. When I'm not in class or working, I'm usually flipping through magazines to get ideas for new outfilts or planning an activity for my sorority.
The best fashion advice I've ever gotten and one I live by is 'don't bare it all.' Women want to look and feel sexy, but when showing skin, you need to pick one and only one body part to show off. If you choose cleavage, pick a longer skirt of pants. If you want to highlight your legs, cover your top, something should be left to the imagination.
I love the designer Elsey. It's fun and flirty but the beauty is in the details of the pieces as well as their cuts, which look great on so many women. The prices also are too good to resist! Soul Revival is another one of my favorite brands at UB. The brand is edgier and the details make them unlike anything else found in this area.
