Getting Trendy in the Tri-State

From stylish boots and booties to cozy scarves and sweaters, fall fashion makes it easier to say “so long” to summer.

This year, there’s a new haute couture hotspot to help you get updated from head to toe. Pretty Penguin Studios, located downtown at 325 W 5th St, offers services for all your makeup artistry, hair styling, wardrobe styling/consulting, and photography needs.

The concept combines all areas of fashion into one building, says co-owner Angelo Culvert. It began in late 2012 as a home-based business, and opened a storefront boutique in 2013. The beauty of everything under one roof? “You can come in, pick out your outfit, get your hair and makeup done, and have a photoshoot,” Culvert says. “No other company out there offers this experience. At Pretty Penguin Studios our goal is ‘To provide quality fashion and beauty services competitively priced with a personal touch.'”

Pretty Penguin Studios co-owner Angelo Culvert

The idea for the boutique was inspired when Culvert and his partner John Ritter realized their “yin and yang” relationship was perfect for launching a business together. Culvert received his fashion design and product development degree after years in the hair and makeup industry, interning with GQ, and pursuing photography as a hobby. “John got his degree in engineering at the University of Cincinnati and he’s been in sales since the age of 16. So, he’s very business oriented,” Culvert explains. “We make a great team, me the artist and John the businessman.”

Today, Pretty Penguin Studios carries a range of brands and labels, which are hand-picked from a variety of different venders that fit the aesthetics of the boutique. They also stock their own pieces and custom work. “We carry all different sizes and are here to style you,” Culvert explains. “Not only do we make some of our own clothing, but we will also do custom designs for customers. We’re working on becoming a fashion house and we want to offer everything that is fashion.”

In addition, because of the growing demand for on-site services, the Pretty Penguin Studios team regularly travels to provide hair/makeup/wardrobe styling across Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis, Lexington, Louisville, and surrounding areas.

So far, Culvert says the response to the concept has been overwhelmingly positive. “Our price point is affordable and we only carry quality, new clothing and accessories and, of course, our own designs as well,” he says. “We’ve worked with quite a few artists both in and out of the area and done hair, makeup and photography for a few weddings where we also received only positive responses.”

Culvert says the Pretty Penguin Studios team is working on Le Mode Avant – A Fashion Show. “This is going to be our very own fashion show,” Culvert explains. “Pretty Penguin Studios has previously work on shows and several other projects but I’m most excited about Le Mode Avant.” The event will take place at KAZE OTR on August 31 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The fashion show will feature Culvert’s original designs and the corresponding trunk show will feature several local artists such as L’BAE, Fiberge, Portia Renee E-Boutique, Tara Lea Smith Jewelry, FennoFashion, and Caledonia Chic Designs.

According to Culvert, there’s a powerful consumer movement to “shop local.” So, this event – and the business as a whole – showcases the latest fashion trends, but also emerging trends in retail buyer demands.

To purchase tickets or learn more about the event, click here. To learn more about Pretty Penguin Studios, visit their website at www.prettypenguinstudios.com, “like” them on Facebook, or visit the boutique at 325 W. 5th Street in Cincinnati, across from the Duke Energy Convention Center.