Shop Small: Why Independent Fashion Designers Are Winning Over Fast Fashion in Shopping Malls

Shop Small has become more than just a holiday slogan; it's one of the biggest movements shaping the future of retail. As more consumers rethink where they spend their money, shopping small is no longer just about supporting local businesses. It's about discovering unique products, investing in quality over quantity, and building a more meaningful connection with the brands behind the purchase.

One exciting example is happening right now at Providence Place Mall, where the new Small Business Village is giving dozens of Rhode Island entrepreneurs (including yours truly) the opportunity to showcase their businesses through August 30. We are thrilled and honored to have been selected for this special space (the mayor even did a ribbon cutting), so we can show the town of Providence why shopping small matters.

Visitors can explore everything from independent fashion and artisan jewelry to handcrafted home décor, beauty products, gourmet foods, and specialty gifts.

The village features an incredible collection of local businesses besides us, including Kent Stetson Handbags, Bob's & Son Men's Fashion, Bunny's Boutique, Tallula Jewelry,  Floara Active, The Bath Witch, Anchor Toffee, Aura's Chocolate Bar, Rhody & Co., and many more. Together, they're proving that when consumers Shop Small, everyone benefits, from the maker to the customer to the local community.

The Shopping Mall Isn't Dead, It's Reinventing Itself

For decades, shopping malls were dominated by fast fashion retailers. Then came the explosive growth of e-commerce, forever changing how people shop. According to Coresight Research, as many as 25,000 U.S. stores were projected to close permanently in 2020, with more than half of those closures expected to occur in shopping malls. Retail giants like Sears, Bed Bath & Beyond, JCPenney, and many Macy's locations disappeared, leaving malls searching for a new identity.

Instead of fading away, many malls have chosen to evolve.

Today's most successful shopping centers are becoming destinations centered around experiences rather than simply transactions. Visitors now come for chef-driven restaurants, mini golf, escape rooms, arcades, fitness concepts, live entertainment, and curated marketplaces featuring local entrepreneurs. Shopping has become something to experience, not simply something to check off a list.

The future of retail isn't e-commerce versus brick-and-mortar; it's both working together. In fact, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) found that opening a physical retail location increases a retailer's online sales in the surrounding market by an average of 6.9%, proving that physical stores continue to play a vital role in helping customers discover and connect with brands.

Why Shopping In Person Still Matters

While online shopping offers incredible convenience, there are some things it simply cannot replace.

You can't truly appreciate the texture of luxurious Italian fabrics through a screen. You can't feel the craftsmanship of a beautifully constructed jacket, see colors in natural light, or receive personalized styling advice from the designer herself. Some fashion simply deserves to be experienced with all five senses.

For women investing in curated luxury, wearable art, and limited-edition fashion, shopping is about much more than clicking "Add to Cart." It's about discovering pieces that reflect their personality, appreciating exceptional craftsmanship up close, and building a wardrobe filled with timeless investment pieces rather than disposable trends.

*Amy Page DeBlasio taking pictures with customers at the Ribbon Cutting

Why More Women Are Choosing to Shop Small

As consumers become more intentional about their purchases, more women are choosing to Shop Small rather than supporting mass-produced fast fashion.

Independent fashion designers offer something that large retailers often cannot: originality.

Rather than producing thousands of identical garments, many embrace slow fashion, creating thoughtfully designed collections in small batches with exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. Every garment reflects the designer's vision, not the latest trend forecast.

Choosing an ethical fashion brand also means supporting real people, local communities, and creative entrepreneurs, whose passion shines through in every stitch. Every purchase helps preserve artistry, encourages innovation, and keeps independent fashion thriving.

The Future of Fashion Is Personal

Today's luxury shopper isn't chasing logos; she's searching for authenticity.

She wants clothing with a story. She values wearable art over mass production, curated luxury over excess, and craftsmanship over trends. She understands that true luxury often comes from owning something that very few others ever will.

That's exactly what independent designers bring to the marketplace.

At Amy Page DeBlasio (APD), we design every collection in New York and produce it in limited quantities of fewer than 50 pieces per style. Our commitment to slow fashion, collectible fashion, and wearable art allows women to build a wardrobe that feels as unique as they are.

When you Shop Small, you're doing more than buying clothing. You're investing in creativity, supporting independent artists, strengthening local businesses, and helping shape the future of retail, one thoughtful purchase at a time.

Shop Small and Visit APD at Providence Place

If you're in the Providence, Rhode Island area, we'd love to meet you!

Visit Amy Page DeBlasio (APD) inside the Providence Place Small Business Village before August 30 and experience our latest collection of limited-edition wearable art in person. Feel the luxurious fabrics, try on our signature jackets, and discover why so many women say the garments are even more beautiful in person than they imagined.

As a special thank-you, every visitor who stops by the APD store can enter for a chance to win a $200 APD gift card.

The giveaway is available exclusively to in-store visitors, so come say hello, explore the incredible Small Business Village, support local Rhode Island entrepreneurs, and discover why there's never been a better time to Shop Small.