Given the frenetic pace that has come to define retail shopping in Kingston, Kerry-Ann Clarke’s Kerry manwomanhome has been a breath of fresh air since its inception in 2004. But with an über-chic redesign earlier this month, the classy boutique truly does emerge as a cool cosmopolitan oasis in this rough and tumble city.

Prominent in the redesign are two eye-catching mahogany-brown shelves — one devoted to the store’s jewellery display; the other, primarily books.

The shelves, designed by Clarke’s husband, Paul “Pablo” Burke, were made from treated birch ply but have the look of rich, dark mahogany. The jewellery shelf is built into the wall, which adds a sense of space while maintaining the floor’s intimacy. The clean but brilliant colours of the jewellery burst to life when set against the shelf’s austere dark-brown hue.

But it’s the large bookshelf at the main entrance that immediately grabs one’s eye. The ceiling-high shelf takes up an entire wall. No bright flourishes or exotic markings accent its borders and shelves. The lines are naked, modest, clean; the entire product, if left on its own in an empty apartment, would border on drab. But when set against the boutique’s cool, beige walls and softened by the chandelier’s low amber lights, the bookshelf creates a look that’s sophisticated and inviting — chicly modernist and coolly understated. In fact, the entire boutique hums with a neatly modernist vibe. Items in shelves hang loosely but neatly, giving it a clutter-free look. Smartly trimmed wall shelves are devoted to a single handbag or pair of shoes, lending these items an air of exclusivity.

The overall look of the interior is akin to the fashionable boutiques that line LA’s Rodeo Drive or New York’s Fifth Avenue. But to find the true inspiration behind Kerry manwomanhome’s revamped look, one would have to go much farther east, into the streets of the city where haute couture was born.

“My inspiration for the look actually comes from a store in Paris called Colette,” Clarke says beaming. “It’s a lovely store that carries exclusives to a lot of trendy lines. And that’s what I do here too — get the exclusives for whatever lines I carry.”

Clarke is committed to keeping the store hip and trendy. On that note, she loves to find what’s new and hot.

“I always try to source young, up-and-coming designers,” she says.

This is evident, as Clarke has built a personal rapport with Meghan Fabulous, a trendy, up-and-coming fashion designer based in the US, whose brand, Meghan Los Angeles, has attained global recognition.

“When I met her, I loved her personality,” says Clarke. “She’s young and fun and her clothes are wonderful.”

So good is their rapport, in fact, that Fabulous will be at Kerry manwomanhome tomorrow afternoon to host a trunk show. Her line of dresses and tops will be on display, and Fabulous herself will be on hand to offer fashion advice and accessorising tips to customers. The event is open to the discerning set and will be great preparation for the stylish event planned for the local premiere of Sex and the City 2 the following evening, where flirty cocktails and au courant fashion will no doubt be mandatory.

Don’t try to ally the store with any particular brand, though. Those Diane von Furstenberg sandals prominently displayed on the shopping floor (and selling quite well, actually) may not be around for long.

“I’m always changing lines. Always searching for the next big thing,” she says, struggling to contain her excitement. “I’m always mixing and changing things up — keeping things fresh.”

That’s an understatement. In December of last year, Clarke added another dimension of retail outlet to her store by stepping beyond clothing and accessories to offer clients books — coffee table tomes be exact.

Assorted neatly on that very prominent bookshelf are books on fashion and books on cities. One can learn about the last works of Picasso or delve into the idiosyncrasies of 20th-century architecture. Under coffee table books are coffee mugs. Beneath the mugs are scented soaps (produced by local maker Island Botanicals), and near those are scented candles.

To sum up the entire assortment in one word, Clarke quickly says the offerings are all about “lifestyle”.

“I wanted to do something different, nice but affordable — something lifestyle.”

The response to this new venture from the store (to the coffee table books especially) was overwhelming, Clarke says.

“We’re offering lifestyle. We’re offering those things that allow you to recreate, whether it’s for a man, a woman or a home — our store doesn’t limit you.

“At the end of the day,” she continues, “life is about feeling good, and that’s what we try to offer, while keeping it fun, accessible and keeping our prices competitive.”