>> ... Next Generation ...

New Concept
In Jewelry

Marlee's by Tapper's opens first store in Novi.

M

aria Tapper Young is
used to seeing her
family's name in lights
(and on jewelry boxes).
After all, Tapper's Diamonds and Fine
Jewelry (founded by her father and
uncle), opened its doors when she
was still in diapers, and after-school
hours and holidays were regularly
spent working in the family's flagship
store in West Bloomfield.
Now, along with her sister-in-law
Leora Tapper, she's launched a store
of her own.
Marlee's by Tapper's opened its
first retail store in Twelve Oaks
Mall in Novi on May 1. Marlee's
is a new concept in jewelry and
accessories with a focus on creating
an innovative shopping experience
designed to enhance and celebrate a
woman's style.
Guests will enjoy the help of
in-store stylists and look books
to assist them in enhancing the
canvas that already exists in their
closet, demonstrating how to wear
something new and integrate it with
what they already own.
Young, a mother who is actively
involved in the Jewish community
and vice president of sales at both
Tapper's and Marlee's, said it was
her business background — she
has an MBA from Indiana University
and extensive experience in the
corporate world — that inspired her
to launch Marlee's.
"The jewelry business is definitely
in my blood," Young said. "But I
always had this idea, even from
the time I was pretty young, that I
would love to have my own store
someday."
Young and Tapper describe
Marlee's (named for a combination
of their two first names) as "a
space where sisters, mothers and
daughters or best friends will love to
come to shop and browse."
Tapper describes herself as
having a bit of wanderlust. For her
honeymoon, she chose an African
safari. "I love to explore different
countries and cultures," Tapper said.
"The people and crafts of each place
can tell you so much about how
people there live and what they
value. I really find it exhilarating."
An avid painter, Tapper satisfied
her desire for finding beauty in the
world around her from an early age.
While studying graphic design and
art history at George Washington
University, she began to design and
create her own jewelry. (A necklace
that she crafted in 22-karat gold

Marla Tapper Young and Leora

248-851-5030
6881 Orchard Lake Rd.
on The Boardwalk

Tapper

would contain the signature "four
heart" motif that now represents
Marlee's fourfold mission of people,
culture, place and craft.)
Tapper headed to gemology
school post-college — where she
would meet future husband Mark
Tapper.
"She was the sister I never had,"
Young said. "We're not the same. In
many ways we're very different, but I
really feel like we complement each
other and help each other be the
best that she can be. That's really
the message of Marlee's: Take what
you have that's great, and make it
amazing!"
The two women have very
different senses of style. Young's
is timeless — clean, contemporary
lines and tailored fits, with a definite
preference for un-fussy but chic
outfits, because "it's just so much
easier when you're a mom!" Not
surprisingly, she uses jewelry to add
punch and spice to her wardrobe.
Tapper classifies her personal style
as "classic chic with an edge," and
she is seriously excited to share her
ideas about style with others through
Marlee's.
"Looking good is about so much
more than the outward items you
put on. Self-confidence, state of
mind, comfort with who you are ...
it's a symbiotic relationship with the
clothes, the jewelry."
Marlee's offers a selection of
jewelry, handbags, hats, scarves,
wraps, belts and other accessories.
Close attention is paid to the quality
and craftsmanship of every item.
"We want to make sure that
everything we have available for
sale is one that Marla or I would like
to own personally," Tapper said. E

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For more information about Marlee's,

marleesstyle.com .

.

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be found on our website

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iN

May 17 • 2012

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