Local teen opens Best Kept Secret Boutique in Summerlin

During her early high school days at Faith Lutheran, Lauren Feather obsessed over brand names such as Juicy Couture and True Religion. Like most generations before her, the brands of choice came with price tags that made her parents groan. Unlike most generations before her, Feather's penchant for labels had a very short life span. Why? She discovered Forever 21.

That's when it hit her: You don't have to spend a lot of money on clothes to look great.

At the time, it seemed like the best kept secret a teenager could have. Hence, the name she chose for her new store in Summerlin: Best Kept Secret Boutique.

Just a few years later, at 19, Feather still lives by the creed and hopes to give shoppers on her side of town a go-to resource for that quick, but killer outfit.

"We have Boca Park and Tivoli Village, but there's nothing like this out here," she says. "Just because it's Summerlin doesn't mean people want to spend a lot of money."

She got the idea to open her own boutique from her family trips to Southern California. The shopping was a highlight every time. Not only did she appreciate the concept of a boutique as opposed to a big department store or trendy chain, she liked that the boutiques in Southern California weren't super pricey like most of the ones here. If only Vegas had something similar, she thought.

That got the wheels turning. Feather approached her father, Bill Feather, president of Planet Hollywood Resorts, with the concept and he listened to what his daughter had to say. It sounded like a decent idea, so he met her halfway.

If she worked out the business plan and all the numbers herself, he would fund it. Knowing how fickle teenagers can be, it was a smart move. Determined to get her boutique, Feather was just as smart. She returned with everything it took to prepare and plan the launch of a fashion boutique. A few months later, her idea had its own front door.

Best Kept Secret is full of trendy, affordable clothes. On a recent Tuesday afternoon, a faux leather bomber jacket for $45 was the most expensive piece in the store. Other favorites include sheer long-sleeved blouses with lace cutouts in back ($28), boxy '80s inspired tops ($20), kelly green denim ($32), wide-leg pants ($26), hobo handbags ($26), ankle booties ($26) and monster-sized earrings ($11).

It may sound like the makings of a teenage dream, but Feather gets spillage from seniors in Sun City, too.

"I've started picking out things for older women," Feather says. "But I make sure it's something I would wear, too."

For instance, loose floral blouses and knit capes appeal to her senior shoppers but still have that granny's attic feel so many young women are after these days.

The clothes in Best Kept Secret are trend-driven and the design is, too. Chandeliers fall from the ceiling and distressed wooden shelves make for the same drastic contrast fashion runways have boasted for several seasons running (think lace and distressed denim).

One of the standout features in her boutique has to be the boyfriend bunk. Feather came up with the idea after years of shopping with her father and two brothers.

Instead of having her shoppers tell their impatient male companions "it will just be another minute," she decided to make the fellas comfortable. A couch, although it's puffy and pink, invites them to take a load off. And, magazines such as GQ, Sports Illustrated and Road + Track keep them occupied.

For the clothes she buys for the boutique, Feather gets ideas from magazines and celebrities. For instance, Cosmopolitan magazine photographed Mila Kunis in bright purple denim recently. Shortly after she saw that shot, Feather brought in colorful denim. Jennifer Aniston and shows such as "E! News" also lend inspiration. To get in touch with startup designers who can sell their goods at reasonable prices, the teenager worked the floor at the MAGIC trade show. There she met representatives from Lush and Iris Basic, two brands with a big presence in her store.

In the future she'd like to expand to college towns around the country, such Eugene, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. She's currently attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and hopes to become an event planner.

Growing up, her friends looked to Feather's closet for help in the fashion department. Today they do the same, except her closet now has a cash register.

Her mom, Lisa Feather, can't help but be impressed by her daughter's ambition. "I'm just really proud of her," she says. "That she discovered this and followed through with it. I still don't know what I wanna be when I grow up."

Best Kept Secret Boutique is located at 1930 Village Center Circle, Suite 4, 255-1100.