Staff Report
Published June 29, 2012

Gwen Rawls, an Italian shoe boutique, will open soon in Columbia’s Trenholm Plaza.

The boutique will carry Italian designers Roberto Cavalli, Baldan luxury shoes, Luciano Padovan, Loriblu and Luis Onofre, as well as Rawls’ own signature brand.

Rawls plans an early August opening at Trenholm Plaza and will be located near Cafe Caturra at 4840 Forest Drive, Suite 17. Store hours will be Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A South Carolina native with a love for European fashion, Rawls has traveled throughout Europe but always found herself returning to Milan to explore the world’s fashion capital.

“During my travels, I met more and more shoe designers and was consistently impressed with the extraordinary craftsmanship and artisanship one only sees in Italy,” she said.

“I dreamed of a boutique right in my own hometown that could offer the same Italian brands that have defined my sense of style,” she added.

Rawls said most of the designers featured in her store will not be seen anywhere else in the United States.

Rawls has also worked with several Italian designers to create her own brand that will be exclusive to her boutique.

In addition to Italian shoes, the store will carry a limited collection of handbags, with special styles chosen by Rawls.