Plus, Megan Molton's New Mount Pleasant Studio
House of MBR will open its flagship store this fall, bringing North Carolina artist Michelle Bradley Robertson’s vibrant, painterly fashions to Market Street. “House of MBR was born in North Carolina, and it’s been shaped by customers throughout the Carolinas, so bringing our flagship to Charleston feels less like choosing a location and more like coming home,” says the designer. Robertson launched the brand three years ago, at age 50, after struggling to find clothing that made her feel confident. Her solution: transform her abstract impressionist paintings into textiles, creating colorful pieces designed to flatter women of every age and body type. What began with a small collection of caftans has grown into a vintage-inspired line of dresses, tops, and skirts, as well as accessories and pillows, each featuring one of Robertson’s original prints. Produced in small batches in Los Angeles, House of MBR has earned attention from Vogue, Southern Lady, and House & Garden UK. [ 141 Market St., www.houseofmbr.com ]
Interior designer Megan Molten has unveiled a new Mount Pleasant store that brings her modern coastal aesthetic to life. The 8,000-square-foot space combines an immersive home furnishings store with a coffee bar, cocktail lounge, and design library on the first floor, while the second houses her full-service design studio. The former pharmaceutical sales representative launched her interior design firm and online shop in 2018 after social media followers responded enthusiastically to photos of her own home. She then expanded into a shoppable warehouse and studio off Long Point Road. Molten has collaborated with Mitzi on a lighting collection, Cooper Classics on mirrors, and Mitchell Black on wallpaper. Although the store quietly debuted earlier this summer, an official grand opening is planned for this month. [ 816 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., www.meganmolten.com ]
Frances Valentine is making its South Carolina debut this fall, opening a boutique in the former home of Croghan’s Jewel Box on King Street. Founded in 2016 by Elyce Arons and Kate Spade, the brand is known for its bold prints, vibrant colors, and timeless designs—a continuation of the style the pair first brought to Kate Spade New York decades earlier. The Charleston shop joins the brand’s growing list of boutiques, including locations in Palm Beach, Atlanta, Naples, and Sag Harbor. [ 308 King St., www.francesvalentine.com ]
