NEW ALBANY — As a New Albany native, Amanda Gibson knew that her Dress & Dwell store would need to be in the most ideal location. And even though she now lives in Louisville’s Highlands, she said she loves the charm of historic downtown New Albany.

“We wanted the people on this side of the river to enjoy interesting and nice clothing. There was also a need for it with the development here,” Gibson said about her store that features both fine clothing and quality home decor.

What is popular in terms of clothing or home furnishings depends on the season, but Dress & Dwell seems to have strong sales in both areas.

“We love to have an assortment for different types of customers, and home decor is great for customers,” Gibson said.

For Derby, Dress & Dwell sold custom hats, fascinators and headbands created by New Albany resident Britini Knable of HEADcANDi by bLynn designs.

Knable has always admired fashion, and at an early age she gravitated toward hats and bridal wear. After high school, she strengthened her passion by studying fashion, and by working alongside milliners at the Illinois Institute of Art. Afterward, she traveled to New York City to work with world renowned milliners. With Louisville serving as a hat destination, Knable knew it was then time to return home to create the hats that she sells at Dress & Dwell, and across the nation.

Gibson stressed that the clothing sold at Dress & Dwell will set the person wearing it apart.

“We only order three or six selections of an item,” said Gibson, who searches for the perfect threads at runway shows in New York and Los Angeles.

Dressing the home is equally important, and one never knows what will be showcased at the boutique. Throughout the year, Gibson visits furniture markets, antique shows and outdoor markets located across the country. Attending the shows are always fun, and Gibson never knows what she will find. Current trends are often found at the shows, which include the popular antique and industrial styles.

With a degree in apparel merchandising from Indiana University and a degree in interior design from Chicago’s Harrington College of Design, Gibson is also available to consult with others about designing their perfect space.

“I suggest finding your own style, and mixing it up. I love to do a mix of old and new. Just find unique antique pieces that mean something to you and add the new pieces,” said Gibson, who also interned at Chicago’s Buckingham Interiors + Design.

Gibson brings her design talents home with Dwell Interiors, and her philosophy is “design should be a collaboration of the uniqueness, character and experiences of the one who dwells in the space.”

When Gibson is not traveling to different shows, she participates in fashion shows. During the Derby season, clothing and hats from Dress & Dwell were spotted at the Fillies Networking Luncheon fashion show in Jeffersonville, the spring fashion show at Horseshoe Casino and HEADcANDi was recently featured on “Great Day Live.”

“The fashion shows have been great exposure and people find us,” Gibson said.