Draper’s and Damon’s women’s clothing store is making a colorful splash at their new Girard Avenue location. The downtown La Jolla store’s interior comes alive with bold color on the walls, in the art, and especially the clothing and accessories, designed with the modern, mature woman in mind. Chandeliers adorn the showroom; style choices are bundled together throughout the store so clients can envision smart ensembles; lively stylists greet clients who have followed the store from its former location down the street to its new location in the town’s prime shopping district. 
Toward the back of the store next to the dressing rooms is a “catwalk” ramp for shoppers to show off prospective wardrobe additions.  Draper’s and Damon’s built their signature modeling ramp at this location between a wall of playful, framed mirrors and a seating area complete with refreshments for clients’ shopping partners (think spouses, friends, family). 
Draper’s and Damon’s has a long history of making their clients lifelong fans of the company. Virginia Draper opened her first store in Pasadena in 1927 with a vision to make “smart things to wear” for her friends. She realized that as women aged, their bodies continued to evolve but most clothing sizes and styles at the time didn’t. Almost 90 years later, the vision has been realized with clothing that is colorful and fun and most importantly, that fits. 
In-store stylists are at the ready for shoppers looking for advice or just a familiar and friendly face. Melissa Tschirgi, divisional merchandise manager, says that the stylists are a key component to the unique experience clients have at Draper’s and Damon’s. 
“Customers are like an extended family. Stylists and customers sit and chat … so we know when they’re going on vacation or they have a graduation or event. That way, they don’t waste time when they’re in the store,” says Tschirgi. “[Customers] are well taken care of and have a very personal experience.”
Tschirgi also credits in-house clothing development, design and manufacture as a large part of Draper’s and Damon’s success. Hope Gregory, the company’s in-house designer, looks beyond the runway for inspiration-embroidery, art, nature, home goods all play into the company’s eclectic design choices. And because the clients love color, it allows her to have a broad scope for her creations, which comprise almost 80 percent of the clothing sold at their stores. Their proprietary designs ensure that only 1,000 of the same design will be made and sold, making them exclusive finds for La Jolla shoppers. 
To experience Draper’s and Damon’s, visit them at 7857 Girard Ave., La Jolla.