Bella Gina Boutique isn't your run-of-the-mill clothing store. In fact, it's not even your run-of-the-mill boutique.
But to understand the meaningful concept of this boutique, you must first understand its owner, Gina Pellegrini. As an experienced financial team building consultant—so experienced, in fact, that she's owned her own firm for more than 25 years—Gina is a believer in one very important thing: following your passion.
Thus came Bella Gina Boutique. What started as a dream in her early 30s, the boutique began as a pop-up shop in 2018. It has recently found a permanent home in the shopping strip off Pioneer Trail. With the help of her niece, Kristina Pellegrini-Genadek, Gina opened the doors of Bella Gina Boutique in June 2019.
"I honestly couldn't have [opened my permanent location] without Kristina," Gina says. "She works with me both at the consulting firm and in the boutique, and she is my right-hand girl."
Gina and Kristina work closely together to curate the boutique and provide guests with a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. When it comes to determining which brands to carry in-store, Gina is passionate about finding labels with a unique message. She sources a variety of both local and international brands that not only create quality, long-lasting goods but also serve a larger purpose.
A handful of the notable brands Bella Gina carries are Seeds Jewelry, LUA and Mona B.
Seeds Jewelry is owned by a mother and daughter duo from Minnesota that started their business with a mutual love for making beautifully handcrafted jewelry and empowering others. They travel to Haiti, teaching women jewelry-making skills and in doing so help to provide jobs for those trying to raise a family. The result is artfully crafted pieces of jewelry from artisans both in Minnesota and Haiti.
LUA combines centuries-old craftsmanship with bohemian style. Their most popular products are their hand-dyed scarfs and fashion accessories. And what makes the brand truly stand out among others is the co-founders' harmonious partnership with designers, silk farmers and artisans in Vietnam. This partnership allows them to produce fashion pieces from plant-based materials that showcase traditional dyeing techniques of the Far East, while providing a sustainable livelihood and humane work environment for the cherished communities in Vietnam.
Mona B. is a lifestyle brand that specializes in sustainably produced canvas bags. They have a zero-waste manufacturing process that repurposes every last inch of excess material and wastage. Most notably, they work with local communities in India who gather used military tarps that can be up-cycled into canvas bags. Each tarp is unique, and the repurposing of excess materials for design accents, details and small constructional components means that no two bags are the same.
Bella Gina also carries the fashion-forward Italian brand Bella Amore; Atlanta-based brand Cobblestone Living; traditional tie-dye-inspired brand Brightly Twisted; Italian shoe company A.S. 98; New York City label Miz Mooz; Australian brand Vigorella; distinctly fine-arts-focused brand Through Jimmy's Eyes; Vaan & Co.; and many more!
Gina says her goal is to always provide her guests with an exceptional experience. By offering a wide variety of purposeful brands in a range of sizes XS to XL, she does just that.
Gina also opens up the boutique for private shopping events. She curates the experience by offering different themes such as wine and cheese or Mimosa Morning—or you can choose your own theme!
The boutique space is a perfect balance between intimate and spacious. Plus it's decked out with some one-of-a-kind decor you won't see anywhere else.
"The boutique has some very eclectic decor. Our front counter is made of vintage suitcases, and we've got chairs hanging from one of the walls," Gina says. "It's unique, and we put a lot of focus into decorating the space with up-cycled pieces."
Bella Gina Boutique
10165 Hennepin Town Road #109, Eden Prairie
