Sagnom Fashion | Shop Local
By LAUREN JURGENSEN | Photos by BRIAN PETERS
A NEW BOUTIQUE THAT’S TURNING HEADS
Topeka native Natasha Tibbs brought her entrepreneurial dreams to life in 2019 when she launched Sagnom Fashion, an eclectic clothing boutique born from the ashes of the popular fashion stores that once graced the region.
“Sagnom can’t be boxed into one style of clothing because that’s not who our ideal customer is,” Natasha said, emphasizing that her clientele is as diverse as the garments in her boutique.
Her goal is to cater to different fashion tastes, as well as to overcome common “pain points” and issues that can often complicate the customer’s experience when shopping for clothes.
Natasha launched the store’s online shop on the same day as her birthday, transforming an already special day into a deeply personal milestone.
“The inspiration behind the store’s name, Sagnom, is a reference to a song by Toni Romero,” she said. “Most people don’t know that Sagnom is an acronym. It stands for ‘She ain’t got nothing on me,’ which are song lyrics. I put those letters together to create Sagnom. My store is unique and special, from the clothes to the name.”
RETHINKING TOPEKA’S FASHION SCENE
Although the store began as an online venture, it has since expanded to a brick-and-mortar location at the West Ridge Mall. She sees the new location as an opportunity to revitalize one of Topeka’s historic retail centers, and a place that she remembers fondly.
“No doubt about it, I have hope and faith that the West Ridge Mall will become the mall I once knew,” Natasha said. “I want to be a part of that change.”
Ultimately, she was driven by a desire to support local shopping. She wanted to create a business that could fill the fashion void left by the closure of several women’s clothing stores in Topeka like Debs, Charlotte Russe, Wet Seal and Forever 21.
“I was laying in bed with my husband one night and I said to him that I’m going to start a boutique, because there’s not many options for clothing here in Topeka anymore,” Natasha said. “The next day, I started doing research and made the business an LLC. I started selling online from my home, delivering local orders and shipping out-of-town orders.”
One of Natasha’s other goals has been to make shopping as convenient as possible for Topeka consumers. On its website, Sagnom Fashion has pledged that customers will not have to “travel for hours on end to keep their wardrobes updated with the latest apparel,” offering fast, hassle-free shipping and delivery to the customer’s doorstep.
The fashion-forward boutique is known for its smart selection of modern and classic styles for women, blending vibrant dresses, chic tops, contemporary bottoms and stylish outerwear with an artful array of jewelry and bags.
“Your business is only as unique as your customer thinks it is,” Natasha said. “I’ve heard customers call our clothing colorful or say that it reminds them of Miami.”
She added that some customers have described their inventory as “younger-style clothes,” but the store also stocks plenty of staples and basics that appeal to every generation.
“Our typical customer is someone who isn’t afraid to wear color, prints and different textures and silhouettes,” Natasha said. “If you’re trying to tap into your feminine self, you need to stop by and just look around. We carry sizes small to 3X.”
LOCAL SOLUTIONS, TIMELESS STYLE
Finding a balance between online retail and a physical storefront has been key to Sagnom’s success. The website allows shoppers to explore a wide selection from the comfort of home, while the physical store makes it easy for customers to feel fabrics and try on clothes — as well as seek style advice from the boutique’s knowledgeable employees.
“Educating our customers on how to incorporate more color into their wardrobes, and how to understand color theory, really sets us apart,” she said.
Natasha sees herself as a natural go-getter but credits her mother for inspiring her work ethic.
“When I set my mind to something, I follow through and don’t let anything stop me,” Natasha said. “I got that drive from my mom.”
She added that her partnerships with local photographers and models, and a support system made up of friends and family, have brought Sagnom Fashion where it is today.
“My approach for finding models is more organic,” she said. “Friends and family help me out, but sometimes I see something in someone and I just ask them if they want to model. Nine times out of 10 they say yes. I’ve been blessed with some amazing help to build the Sagnom image.”
Looking ahead, Natasha is eager to grow and expand her business. She already has a vision for a larger space that she hopes can include a dedicated men’s section, something her customers frequently request.
“Every day is an opportunity for growth and awareness,” she said. “We want to be the go-to boutique for high-quality pieces and fun, colorful styles.”
She’s also thinking about taking her business in a design direction.
“I’ve been working on creating a Sagnom fashion line,” Natasha said, “but it’s a process and I’m very particular about my vision.”
At the end of the day, she’s happy to know that Sagnom Fashion is a local shopping solution for Topeka’s fashionistas.
“Buying local strengthens the local economy,” Natasha said. “It keeps money within the community and supports local business and jobs. It also promotes sustainability by reducing the environmental footprint associated with long-distance shopping, and fosters community.”
