Hughes Trigg Student Center has a new addition, Douleur, a clothing boutique, which opened Friday next to the Hegi Career Center. Housed in the Computer Corner’s previous location, Douleur offers students the opportunity to shop for shirts, skirts, dresses, shoes and accessories without ever having to leave campus.
“The store carries the same brands as stores like [nearby] Cotton Island and Impeccable Pig, but it’s college, and so the prices are for students on a budget,” founder and owner Giselle Ruggeberg said.
The clothing and accessories, which range from a tight fitting black and gold dress for a night in Uptown to a casual white dress for next year’s first Boulevard, are never more than $50, Ruggeberg said.
Stocked with only seven of each item in the store, Ruggeberg hopes to keep the clothing exclusive. “With only seven of each item, you won’t see every girl on campus in your dress. The sizes may change, two smalls, two mediums, and three larges to one small, three mediums, and three larges, but there will only ever be seven [total].”
The store is also stocked with rings, earrings, bracelets and sorority paraphernalia. From National Pan-Hellenic Council to Panhellenic Council, Douleur has accessories for nearly every Greek girl on campus. A new shipment of even more bumper stickers, mugs and other items are due to arrive in the next week.
Ruggeberg hopes that after the first few months of trial in Douleur’s location, she will be able to move into the space permanently. “I have so many ideas for renovation,” she said. Still, decorated with umbrellas, burlap mannequins, and antique shutters, the space is fit for any SMU fashionista or passerby.
The store, only open for a few days, does not yet have regular hours. Based on student need and suggestions, Ruggeberg hopes to finalize the stores permanent opening and closing times in the coming weeks.