Haute Expectations: R&B Artist Ne-Yo And Actress Monyetta Shaw Open Atlanta Boutique

R&B artist Ne-Yo and actress Monyetta Shaw, who also happens to be pregnant with Ne-Yo’s baby, have opened an amazing boutique in Buckhead. This weekend, I went to check out Emerlyn & Ester and was blown away by the subtle elegance and tailored selection of this just opened boutique. In fact, I did not see one piece I didn’t love. Emerlyn & Ester, named after Mo’s grandmothers is a perfect replication of Mo’s effortless fashion sense. As soon as I walked in, I was engulfed at the beautiful selection of pieces, including  dresses with elegant detailing and structure from Simple, great pieces from Allison Parris and Hannah Jo and  a selection of denim from Marc Allison, Siwy and Robin. They also have a selection of totes, including structured leathered bags from RomyGold and Lodis as well as (Atlanta exclusive) Hammitt.

Stylist and manager D. Rashad Manning warmly greeted me as I walked in the store.   He recently moved to Atlanta from Miami to work on this project with longtime friend Monyetta and her beau Ne-Yo.  But as much as Ne-Yo’s name has caught our attention, it is Monyetta’s (referred by her friends as Mo) style that really rules this perfectly edited Atlanta boutique carrying clothes, bags, shoes and jewelry.  Hand selecting each piece for the store, Shaw has brought in a great lineup of designers from bigger names like Catherine Malandrino, to a roster of lesser known designers. As a jewelry lover, I fell in love with the rings by Soixante Neuf and the Freelook watches. Mo assures me this is just the beginning, so I can only imagine what is on the way.

After grabbing pretty much everything I saw on the first level, I walked up the pink carpeted steps to what they refer to as “elevated elegance”. The whole boutique has a comfy, dressing room air to it, but the upstairs really pulls this concept together. Currently, upstairs has the dressier items, such as pieces from Catherine Malandrino and detailed beaded clutches but we can expect to see more red carpet, one-of-a-kind gowns in the next few months.  Thumbing through the dresses, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in my own dressing room at home. And they encourage this comfort, offering white plush chairs downstairs for guests to sit in while visiting. 

Be on the lookout for new pieces that will arrive in time for fall, including a selection of shoes and other great pieces you won’t find anywhere else in Atlanta.

While the celebrity factor takes a back burner to the fabulous fashion vibes, it will come in handy for the grand opening party on Nov. 11.  Just days before Mo’s baby shower (Ne-Yo’s daughter is due at the beginning of January), red carpets will be rolled out of the double doors, for a tastefully celeb-filled party. Ne-Yo will come in handy here,  assuring that the red carpet factor remains high. Coinciding perfectly with the Soul Train Awards (which will be filming the night before), he can ask friends and fellow industry vets, such co-host Terrance Howard  and Soul Train headliners Erykah Badu and Rick Ross to stop by before heading out of Atlanta. 

It is a busy time for Mo and Ne-Yo, but we wish them the best with the store and of course with the birth of their baby girl.

Emerlyn & Ester is located at 3209 Paces Ferry Place. 404.848.8494