Shop sustainable, forever-fashion at St. Louis’ Ardently

“It has always been my dream to create a space of my own,” Mucelli says. “I have always been passionate about the environment and doing our part to maintain it – every little thing we do makes a difference.”

After growing up in St. Louis’ metro east and graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in textile design, Mucelli says she serendipitously stumbled upon the merchandising world and realized she could – ardently – champion her two passions.

Located along St. Louis’ Cherokee Antique Row, Ardently prioritizes quality over quantity, stocking select new women’s clothing and accessories from eco-conscious labels. “We provide effortless fashion for earth lovers,” the shop owner says, noting 85% of the merchandise is made using natural or recycled fibers.

When it came to picking her dream shop’s location, Mucelli chose Cherokee Street for its history and walkability, as well as the friendly surrounding neighbors of Benton Park. “Cherokee Antique Row has a very old character and charm to it,” she says. “The architecture is lovely, and the street is easy to stroll. The diversity is incredible, and the neighbors are fantastic. It’s a very warm and welcoming environment.”

Mucelli carried that feeling into Ardently, with the contemporary corner shop’s expansive windows and light, airy interior lined with Earth-friendly fashion.

Inside, the owner says environmentally conscious consumers can build the ultimate sustainable capsule wardrobe with the shop’s easy, breezy styles that can be layered, mixed and matched, and rotated, depending on the season. “Building a sustainable capsule wardrobe is about making sure your foundation pieces are quality basics [that are] easy to wear and can go with anything, [so] you can throw [them] on and go about your day,” she describes.

Mucelli says the shop reflects her own personal style; she curates the store’s collection of high-quality, neutral-hued closet staples, with occasional pops of color – including red, the trending color of the moment. “I buy in small quantities to make sure I keep up with a unique selection,” she notes.

At once fashionable, comfortable and sustainable, this winter’s selection features knitwear including tops, sweaters and dresses; satin skirts; scarves; handbags; and gold-plated and brass jewelry.

“Our fitted knit tops are made with bamboo, so they’re soft, stretchy and comfy, and also have a sustainable story to them,” Mucelli says. Among the store’s environmentally conscious brands, NLT (No Less Than) is ethically made from start to finish in Los Angeles, reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

As for this season’s styles to shop, Mucelli notes that oversized is on-trend: “I love an oversized look – it’s comfortable and easy to wear and also impactful if it’s done well.” For the holidays, she says to be on the lookout in the shop window, where pieces are rotated weekly, for elevated night-out looks – “perfect for all the [seasonal] parties.”

Shop Ardently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Ardently, 2001 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-467-8570, ardentlystl.com

Photos by Christina Kling-Garrett