The Go-To Boutique

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: April 2024 | Photograph By: Susan Renfro

Owner Becki Bryson and Manager Susanna Petrone

At the intersection of Main and North 4th Street, down a corridor lit with “fairy lights,” sits Allison Diane Clothing – a hidden gem tucked away in Bryson’s Corner, adjacent to Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty.

Owner Becki Bryson opened her airy light-filled storefront in 2018 with the goal to promote brands with an easy-going lifestyle.

Since then, Allison Diane has become a go-to boutique for all things effortless, offering a curated collection of chic womenswear, unique jewelry, and a diverse array of leather goods.

Step inside and you’ll discover a store stocked with whimsical and wonderful things you never knew you needed – until now. You’re likely to want everything! Whether you’re seeking a statement piece for a special date (their motto is “Dress like you’re famous”), hunting for a gift that will impress your Gen-Z niece, your sporty 60-year-old boss, your entire chat group of friends or your extremely picky mom, you’ve come to the right place.

Susanna Petrone, the store manager since its inception, has a keen eye for brands – conscious of their impact on the world we live in. Brands like Able, whose line of products include denim jackets, and jewelry made by hand in the company’s Nashville studio, employing women who have triumphed over adversity. A woman-owned company, Able is committed to ethical production, and provides high quality jobs, and living wages to women worldwide.

Petrone’s personal favorite is the in-house line by local designer Maggie Dearth, produced in small batches right here in Highlands. Dearth’s collection pays homage to local, sustainable craftsmanship, featuring t-shirts and caps adorned with Highlands’ landmarks, like the waterfalls and trails of Whiteside, Glen Falls, and Sunset Rock, each with slogans like “Highlands is where I find my peace of mind and feed my soul.”

Given that Highlands is in a rainforest, all local dwellers practically need rain coats; emotionally, it’s nice if they look as cool as in the Ciao Milano coats and jackets that the store stocks. As their website declares, “We believe that putting on a coat or jacket in rain should not be a burden, but an enjoyable excuse to wear your favorite outerwear rain jacket.”

And the discoveries don’t end there—explore their selection of trendy shoes from brands like the Charleston Shoe Company and timeless cashmere pieces. Plus, they’ve recently added a range of clothing for petites.

Renowned for their attentive customer service and thoughtful touches, including complimentary mimosas, Petrone emphasizes, “We strive for exceptional customer service: we love to have fun with our customers and enjoy the time we spend with them.”

You can contact Allison Diane at allisondianeclothing.com or call (828) 526-5404, but you owe it to yourself to give the boutique a careful browse.