Viva a Paris Becomes Mal Malouf

Went in to Viva a Paris in the Plaza at Preston Center yesterday. It will only be Viva a Paris for five more days (until Saturday), when the store will close its doors for reconstruction, and reopen as a better chic boutique. Right now, Viva a Paris is mostly filled with clothing that I think would be better suited for our moms and grandmas, but it’s all down to 90 percent off, so it’s worth the dig. I spied men’s tees and hats for $10, women’s tanks in lots of colors for $10, and fun, thick suede band watches for cheap by the register. But there’s a magic cove toward the display window filled with all kinds of cute things to give you a preview of what’s to come when the store reopens as Mal Malouf—named for the owner. Peasant tops, baby doll dresses, the gorgeous green dress, left, for $280, a satin, vintage lingerie-inspired tank for $55, and flirty dresses filled the racks. There were a couple handbags sprinkled along the clothing, too. So take your mom to help clear out the floor before Saturday, and get excited for the opening of Mal Malouf come summer.