Normally, you hear about sisters fighting over clothes. That’s not what this story is about.
Try to talk to sisters Deana Bjork and Rebecca Ward, co-owners of Ila & Lucille, and it can be hard to keep up. They finish each other’s sentences, tease one another, laugh and keep you on the phone for longer than expected. While these two women are the driving force of the new boutique in Rockford, two different women were the inspiration behind them.
Ila & Lucille isn’t just a catchy name. The two monikers are actually the middle names of the sister’s grandmothers. While one woman made clothing for her nine kids, she also had time to outfit both Bjork and Ward.
“Grandma Lucille would take us to the variety store and help us pick out a pattern and fabric and make clothes,” said Bjork, while Ward remembers Grandma Ila as “always having lipstick on and a long set of pearls. She always had to look nice.”
Memories and influences have turned into something meaningful for the boutique that primarily carries tops, dresses and jeans.
“We’re moms with kids and we still want to look hip,” Bjork said.
While the business initially started online, Ward noticed a trend with customers wanting to try things on in person. When a space opened up in downtown Rockford, like a good sister, Ward wouldn’t let Bjork say no.
The pair don’t always agree on how to stock the store. The two women have different styles but look for quality, extensively research brands, and want affordable price points, hunting for dupes for items that are more expensive.
Come fall, the shop will offer tons of cardigans ideal for layering and transitioning into the next season.
“You can wear them over a short sleeve dress, with leggings, or over a graphic tee with jeans and booties,” Bjork said.
The shop is certainly on-trend, carrying this season’s hottest prints as well.
“We’ll have leopard print, tie-dye, and camouflage is still huge,” Ward said.
The sisters aim to provide in-vogue items with a classic approach, so you always look stylish. From sherpa zip jackets to cute denim jackets, they’ve got pieces for fall that help with the fickle weather and are also all-occasion, meaning you can wear them out to dinner with friends, at work, or casually for a laid-back weekend.
Want to know more? Check the shop out at ilaandlucille.com or get inspired on Instagram at @ilaandlucille.
