Boutique 224 | Women Owned | Cedar Rapids,Iowa

Meet Lori Iben: Founder of Boutique 224

 

Hello, beautiful souls! I’m Lori Iben, and I’m absolutely thrilled to share my passion for empowering women through sustainable fashion. It’s the heart and soul behind Boutique 224. My mission is to not only make you look amazing but also help you feel confident, empowered and make a positive impact on the world through your fashion choices. This boutique isn’t just a business to me; it’s an extension of who I am-a reflection of my values, dreams and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

Since I was in elementary school, I’ve been captivated by the allure of fashion, from the moment I eagerly picked out new, fall school clothes alongside my mom. One of my fondest childhood memories was pouring over department store catalogs, meticulously coordinating outfits, and ensuring perfect harmony between my tops and bottoms. It became a chance to not only express my sense of style, but to express my authentic self. My enthusiasm for clothes, shoes, jewelry and purses never waned. In fact, I worked at a local women’s clothing store, and every hard earned paycheck promptly found its way back into the store because my love for clothes and all things fashion was insatiable

As a teen in high school, I had the opportunity to participate in small-town fashion shows and be featured in the fashion edition of our local newspaper. The sheer delight I experienced from these ventures fueled my love of fashion and my desire to own my own business. Encouraged and supported by my husband, Jeff, and our wonderful family, I took the leap and turned my dreams into reality. Today, I am overjoyed to see Boutique 224 come to life!

At Boutique 224, I’ve poured my heart and soul into carefully curating a collection of clothing that is infused with my passion for empowering women and with sustainability in mind. I want every woman who wears our clothes to feel like a beautiful force of nature-confident, strong, and unapologetically herself. Every garment has been handpicked and designed to celebrate the diversity of body shapes and sizes, ensuring that every woman who graces Boutique 224 finds something that makes her feel absolutely radiant.

As I've grown older, my understanding of fashion has deepened. I realize the importance of sustainable clothing and how our choices can impact the world around us. I want to break away from the cycle of disposable clothing and create something meaningful. That's why at Boutique 224, our tagline "2day, 2morrow, 4ever" encapsulates our committment to providing sustainable fashion that you can wear confidently today, tomorrow and for years to come. "2day" signifies our dedication to offering sustainable fashion that you can wear and enjoy immediately, "2morrow" represents our forward-thinking approach to fashion, and "4ever" embodies our belief in timeless fashion. Our goal is provide you with garments that remain stylish and relevant, season after season. When you shop at Boutique 224, you're not just buying beautiful garments; you're investing in a movement towards a more conscious and responsible future.

So, my dear friends, thank you for being here on this incredible fashion journey and joining our community that celebrates and uplifts women. Together, let's redefine fashion and build a world where confidence, empowerment and sustainability leaves a positive mark on our planet and in our hearts.

With love 2day, 2morrow and 4ever,

Lori Iben

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Author Box

About the Author

Lori Iben is a woman entrepreneur and fashion enthusiast who transitioned from a 25-year career as a middle school teacher. Inspired to help women feel comfortable in their own clothes. She founded an E-commerce clothing store. Boutique 224 is a women-owned online boutique that aims to empower women through fashion.