The Beginning of an ERA We at Divas and Devils have a great love and appreciation for fashion. We believe that clothing is an art...art that you wear...art you change daily. Clothing, like a fine painting, says so much about you without having to say a word. Your body is a canvas that you can design to express your creativity, individuality, and uniqueness. I have a divine admiration of couture designers like CHANEL, YSL, Balenciaga and Galliano, however, my true passion comes from a style where vintage meets couture. My true style icons are the brave characters who show no fear in mixing a $2.00 mans shirt from the flea market with a pair of Prada platform mary-janes and throw over your shoulder a leopard coat they find in their grandmothers closet. Divas and Devils and Velvet Vintage have provided an environment that exact replicates this ideal place where couture meets flea market treasures. It's a place wear our customers are able to find their true selves and create a look that is all their own. This is a story where fashion and love co-exist in many ways. Based in Tallahassee, FL, these free-thinking owners of this one-of-a-kind boutique are soul mates. Clutch Magazine describes Michelle and Carlos Torregrosa as "hip, personable, knowledgeable, but most importantly, down to earth." In the summer of 96', Michelle opened Velvet Vintage. Her obsession for vintage came from her childhood. "In the 70's, my parents owned a custom van shop. Our van was decked out with velvet button-tucked walls, round bed and infinity lights. Every weekend we'd roll down the highways rockin out to Hendrix, Seiger and the Doors while mom hand embroidered jeans. My grandmother used to take me to garage sales and flea markets decked out in her leopard coat and cat eye glasses! I guess my future was inevitable." A year later later, Carlos followed his passion for music and fashion and opened Divas and Devils directly next door to Velvet Vintage. Back then it was a record store catering to club DJ's and electronic house music and hosted a limited selection of designer clothing. The two hip boutiques complimented each other so within a year they opened the wall between the shops, separated only by a wrought iron gate. Divas and Devils and Velvet Vintage are not the stores today, that they began as 12 years ago. They began purely as grass roots being supported by a young, underground clientele that frequented daily, often being a local hangout. Through the years, as the owners grew and evolved, so did the stores. They have always been a direct reflection of who they were at that particular time in their life; always morphing into something new. Today, they've quadrupled in size, 12 years later, they have blossomed into a highly respected Tallahassee staple. We are proud to be able to support on of the largest inventories in the southeast featuring a denim bar boasting over 3000 pair of designer jeans available from all the top manufacturers. There extensive inventory also includes the latest in designer dresses, tops, shoes, jewelry and accessories. The boutiques owners understand the pulse of the customers needs. Their customer is looking for originality and specialty. In staying true to keeping their "specialty" store "special", Carlos and Michelle have to stay two steps ahead of everyone else. Once a brand becomes too saturated, we move forward replacing those items with something fresh and new. They take pride in being trend setters; not followers. Another way we remain "specialty" is by offering personalized customer service. We strive to give our customer a new and complete shopping experience. Our experienced and fashionable sales staff has vast knowledge of style and fit to best assist our valued customers. We extend a special invitation to you to spend an hour or an afternoon with us and pledge to make your shopping experience one that will make you want to return again and share it with your friends. Walk in peace and do it with style. The End of an ERA Well.... I locked the doors tonight for the last time at 2401 west Pensacola street suites C,D,E,and F. As I was moving out, painting, cleaning and finally locking the door, I couldn't help but think about how wonderful these past 15 years here have been. All the people who have come in and out of that door and have supported me have allowed me to live my dream. Becca, you will forever in my mind be 18 years old wearing a hippy dress, barefoot and coming to work from a George Clinton concert. Jolie, who knew when you walked through my door that day that you would be making a friend for life. I swear someone put something in my drink and please throw away all those 80's clothes. Jen Rider, please just let me dress you up one more time. Those knobs did really look good in your hair that night. They matched those snake skin pants. Jen Lueck, my gold and silver twin. I laugh at thoughts of you and me in my garage pricing things at three in the morning for my soon to open store. I wish you weren't so far away:( Cripper, did I really let you work my store? I finally got rid of the croamed male mannequin today. I wish I still had that orange jumpsuit to match your orange thong. I also thought about all the employees who have come and gone through the years. Together with all our hard work, we have succeeded. So many of your smiling faces ran through my head today. Jessica Sherman, my very first employee. I loved you in those patchwork pants and matching jacket. Cara, I remember when you came to me asking for a job with your denim overalls on. You told me that was your favorite outfit. Now, your one of the most stylish girls I know. DJ scully, Willy Mix and Will and Dave. Boy how times have changed. Who would have though the clubs would close at 2AM, and DJ's would mix there music from ipods. It's a lot less to carry around, that's for sure. Sally Poe, you are my ray of sunshine who tried to quit several times but I wouldn't let you go. Megan, my poolside buddy. Summers aren't the same without you. Matt, I'll always be your Tallahassee mom. I hope you didn't throw out your jorts. Joey, first my neighbor, then my employee and always my friend. I love you best with your mullet wig on. Karla, I thought of you most as I was painting over all the walls you and I painted and wallpapered years ago. I miss you. Kat, happy birthday you crazy kid. I love you tons. I was actually telling stories today of some of our NY escapades. Seedy hotels, karaoke, and Beacons closet. Thanks for always helping me carry my many bags. Amelia Badilia, you just make me smile. You are always up for an adventure with me. Photo shoots anyone??? Mermaids at Wiki Wachi, exploding convertibles and Polaroid cameras oh my!!! Lara, I've never since had an employee dress like you. A tight corset, a floor lenght skirt with a train, combat boots, a crown of braids on your head and the sweetest personality. You truly are a Renaissance princess. Malcolm, we've never really had fun and have no memories:) Just kidding! I can't even begin to list them all. Thanks for always being the best sport and going all out for our many occasions be it a birthday, a Christmas float or a fashion show. I can always count on you and You ROCK!!! Ali, you are like my creative soul mate. I could sit with you for months sewing, making head bands, and coming up with great ideas. I wish you lived closer. We would have like 15 projects going on at once. Lauren, Meghan, Katie , Rosie and Cari, Nelson, Laura, Katie, Liz, Gedhonne, and Allison. Stacey, you wouldn't take no for an answer and I'm so glad you were so persistent. You were one of the hardest workers I had and you mean a lot to me. Erin, Michalina, Maria and our last employee at Pensacola Street, Ryan, you have helped me more than words can say with this move. Thank you so much. Mar bear, we work so well together you came back for seconds!! You are irreplaceable!! You have helped me so much and I don't think I could have done this move without you!!! Work isn't like work when you're doing it beside a best friend. I don't want to say too much because you will get a big head... oh I forgot, you already have a big head. So sorry that hat doesn't fit you but I'll take it:) Brownies anyone??? You All hold an important place in my heart and you are the ones that make up this Divas and Devils family. Thank you for all your hard work and loyalty. Thank you for 15 years. Mom and Dad, thank you for believing in me and when I called and said I wanted to open a little vintage clothing store, you said," you can do it and how can we help." I never stopped for a second to think about what would happen if I I don't succeed. That's something you had never taught me. You taught me to go after my dreams and the stars are not to high to grab. Phoenix and Talon, I took a mirror off the wall today and saw your scribbled name. You guys grew up in those stores and they are such a part of who you are. The bathroom was your nurseries and the racks; a place to hide in. The employees were always crazy about you and each influenced your life in unique ways. I love you both more than anything. You make my life complete. Sweet Elvis, you were and always will be our King. People still walk through the doors and ask about you. We miss you so much. Little Duncan, you were like a bull in a china shop. You were back up, put your head down and ram into the door to let yourself out. I always think of you. Miss Daisy, thanks for coming into our lives. You will rule 1300 north Monroe Street. Last but definitely not least, Carlos. There is no one else I would want to embark on this journey with. We sure have done it all, seen it all, haven't we? I think back to the day you brought me Elvis, Elvis' puppies in the store, dressing in crazy outfits (did we both really own and wear leopard pants?) DJ Pharaoh, the iron gate, Diesel parties, Angelic Soles, we threw 2 of the meanest Halloween parties that Tallahassee has ever seen, on and on and on forever......Whenever I came to you with one of my crazy new ideas., you always backed me up and helped me make it happen. Thanks for loving me and never saying," WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU WEARING????) You let me be exactly who I am and I love you for that; amongst hundreds of other things. SO..... What now? Well I'm ready for round two. I can't wait to see what 1300 north Monroe brings. Come make new memories with us. I can promise a lot of fun and some good stories to tell. Walk in peace AND DO IT WITH style. LOVE MICHELLE This sketch was found when they took out the old steps during remodeling. I found it to be so fitting and made it our invitation for our Grand opening. The Beginning of a New ERA After 15 memory-filled years, Divas and Devils and Velvet Vintage have moved. Once again they have followed their hearts and brought their dreams to life. For years they considered moving to midtown but the location they wanted was occupied and had been for the past 20 years. Never ones to settle for second best, they held out and waited, knowing something perfect would come along. And it did! They got a phone call in early January of 2010, informing them that their building would soon be on the market. With all the excitement in the world, they packed up and set out on a new journey. Walls were knocked down and new ones erected, windows were replaced and wallpaper shipped in from London, iron railings were installed and wood floors laid down. Construction work was not happening; a new home was being created. This building along with its location, brought a new vision. Divas and Devils and Velvet Vintage would no longer stand as two separate businesses. The two would now become enmeshed as one. This new concept needed a new name and it only seemed appropriate that it take on the corporate name of HOUSE of STYLE. And that is exactly what this boutique is...it's a HOUSE of STYLE. It's the same feel, same great customer service and same eclectic collection, only better and more grown-up. Their window displays are spectacular and have been noted as the best in Tallahassee. They continue to host the largest denim selection in northern Florida and strive to bring you anything but the ordinary. Every piece of this collection is hand-selected with love and offered to you. They love their customers, love to see them wearing their clothing, and love to see them happy. They welcome you to stop by and spend an afternoon with them. Their passion for style is quite addictive. Divas and Devils gave a new life to the corner of 6th and Monroe, and 6th and Monroe breathed a new life back into Divas and Devils in return. They are finally at home!