The vinyl copies of Solange Knowles‘ Saint Heron compilation album, which sit near neon-accented sneakers and luxe candles, aren’t the only mark the songstress has left on Exodus Goods, a contemporary lifestyle boutique nestled on Conti Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. When sisters Darlene and Lizzy Okpo, expats of New York’s fashion scene, and co-owner Armina Mussa needed a conceptual mastermind to breathe life into their newest retail venture, they enlisted Knowles — a member of their “sisterhood” — as creative director.
“There is so much overlooked talent,” says Lizzy Okpo of wanting to promote the work of independent designers at Exodus Goods, which opened earlier this year. “All of us were pretty fatigued by shopping experiences that didn’t represent the kind of diversity [that’s out there].” Handmade patchwork shoes from Africa and papaya-printed clutches ($60) designed by New Orleans’ DVRA are among the carefully curated pieces that reflect the brand’s appreciation for global and local designers with a textured and playful aesthetic.
But Knowles, who was tasked with executing the interior decor, also found a way to marry Exodus’ modernity with the neighborhood’s rich history. Original faded walls and brick accents were left intact and an indoor swinging chair was installed for an inviting, homey ambience. Says Okpo, “People come in, lounge for an hour and share their New Orleans experiences with us – it was important for us to connect with a city that has a culture deeply rooted in music and art.”
In the six months since its opening, the store’s Instagram account (@exodusgoods) — which is overseen by Knowles, who is currently in the studio recording her third album and was unavailable for comment — has amassed a following of nearly 10,000. The other thing that has struck a chord? Saint Heron. It’s one of the store’s top sellers.
Exodus Goods, 518 Conti St., New Orleans, 504-309-2995, exodusgoods.us
-Yale Breslin