A family fashion affair continues

Mannequin legs hang from the ceiling, sequined tank tops line the window and a salon is thriving behind the counter.

Lisa Richter, the owner and visionary of Life by Lisa enters the store dressed in a pink and red swirled dress, black leggings and lime green tennis shoes. Her back has given out and she has a sprained ankle. With stiletto boots, her favorite fall trend, out of the question, she still appears as a fashion advisor. 

Richter grew up in Cedar Falls, but spent most of her childhood surrounded by clothing. Mary Richter, Lisa’s mother, owns three women’s wear stores in Cedar Falls, Charles City and Mason City.

“I slept in the fitting rooms,” Lisa recalled of her childhood.

As her story unfolds, it appears the fitting room may have been her calling. Richter has continued to eat and sleep with fashion.  She models overseas, manages her mother’s three stores and most recently opened her own. With so many responsibilities, it would be easy to become overwhelmed, but Richter displays a constant smile and looks forward to a weekend vacation.

“I get to go to IKEA on Sunday!” she exclaimed.

Although she looks forward to getting a few extra store fixtures, IKEA has nothing on

Life by Lisa’s décor. Blue and red glistening walls are accented with modern light fixtures and topped off with mannequin parts strewn about. Even the plastic legs and torsos have personality; each part was spray-painted and decorated by Richter and her boyfriend. Her mother’s personal favorite is the green hand cleverly placed on the dressing room door.

The store fixtures are refreshing for the Cedar Falls downtown, but the merchandise is what truly sets Life By Lisa apart from other local counterparts. The most interesting and intriguing pieces are displayed on the wall of wigs and extensions.

Richter’s staff is fully trained, and within an hour three women enter the store and are successfully fitted with matching hair pieces. The Richter family is the largest HairUWear dealer in Iowa, featuring pieces by Jessica Simpson and Raquel Welch. Richter herself owns a dozen wigs, an easy feature to change your look for a night out.

While most boyfriends cringe at the idea of entering a downtown boutique, Life by Lisa is setting a new trend. Richter’s inner skater boy is unleashed in the form of graphic tees and funky hats made for everyday wear. No need to go alone boys, the fashion wear for girls is a main focus of the store, with feather headbands, cashmere tights and cute tees appearing right on time.

Richter is excited for the store’s grand opening the first week of December.

“I want to make the store really user-friendly for everyone,” she said.

With hair pieces, hats, tights, tees, dresses, body care and more Richter is opening her lifestyle to everyone in the downtown store. Richter will leave customers with more than a new shirt in their shopping bags. She will be displaying her favorite quote, by Maya Angelou, above the register as personal detail of herself.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Life by Lisa is located is located at 321 Main Street in Cedar Falls.  For more information about the store, call 319-266-6497.




 

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