Dazzling shapes for women

HAYDEN - Oprah Winfrey is a cello. Renee Zellweger is a goblet.

In each case, that can be a good fashion statement or a bad one. The celebrities are used as examples of how the right clothing and accessories can make the female form more attractive.

Straight from "The Body Shape Bible," photos of Winfrey and Zellweger, along with Angelina Jolie and Uma Thurman (lollipops) Cameron Diaz (a cone) Kathy Bates (an apple) and Sandra Bullock and Katie Holmes, a pair of pears, are featured on displays at Dazzle, "quality resale fashions" at Hayden Creek Plaza.

"We wanted a place women could shop and have some resources for their body shape," said Tara Lucky, who opened the store with husband Dwight in April.

The couple formerly operated a bed and breakfast in Bellingham, Wash., and met while both were working for a real estate newsletter publisher.

"We discovered we liked working together," Dwight said.

They knew several people who operated similar stores, with an inventory that consists mostly of upscale consigned items, plus some clothing they purchased before moving to Idaho to open their store at 8134 Government Way, at the front of Hayden Creek Plaza.

"It is everything from Pap to Gucci," Tara said.

They were inspired by the idea of "helping women look and feel great," he said. They visited several cities before deciding Kootenai County was an ideal place to do business, with friendly people and a pleasant feel.

"It reminded us of Bellingham 10 or 15 years ago," Dwight said. "It felt like it was a pleasant place to come."

The displays show how the right type of clothing, properly accessorized, can accent the best of a woman's form.

Dazzle operates on a 60-40 split, with the store applying the smaller portion of the sale to the consigner in cash or store credit.

Shoes, belts, jewelry, bags "anything a woman would put on her body," are on sale, with the inventory growing daily, Tara said.

Shoppers can create a wish list, such as for an Ann Taylor top in a specific size, and be notified when it is available. One consigner from Liberty Lake recently brought in 60 of that designer's items. Items are available for all ages, Tara said.

Shoppers can sign up for prizes to be awarded at a grand opening scheduled for June 5. The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, with the couple the only employees of the store.

No problem, Dwight said, as those hours are less than they put in as bed and breakfast owners.

"It's more sane, actually," Tara added.

Information: 762-4041