Boutique shopping is ‘in vogue’
DAAP alum’s designer store earns national recognition
By Emily GlassEmail EmilyEmail Emily
August 20, 2026Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
It looks like in-person shopping is back in style. A University of Cincinnati alum is helping set the trend.
Both the New York Times and Vogue recently mentioned Cincinnati’s Idlewild in reporting on the best boutique experiences of the modern day.
Clark’s co-op experiences took her around the world to fashion hubs including Paris and New York City. Photo/The Scout Guide Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
Tessa Clark, an alum of UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) and previous Project Runway contestant, co-owns the high-end boutique with her mother Julia and cousin Jessica Murray.
In the New York Times, Idlewild was one of this year’s reader’s choice winners for best clothing stores in the country. Only 25 out of hundreds of submissions made the cut. The Times described the store’s curated selection as one where “wearable and neutral meets interesting, artful silhouettes.” Clark’s own clothing line, Grind and Glaze, is one of many designer brands at the boutique.
“Many visitors who walk through our doors at Idlewild are surprised that Cincinnati ‘has a store like this,’” Clark said. “To which I say: Cincinnati is cool, Cincinnati has a vibrant art and design community and — largely attributed to DAAP — Cincinnati is churning out some incredible talent,” Clark said.
A 2016 graduate of DAAP’s Myron E. Ullman, Jr. School of Design, Clark credited her variety of experiences at DAAP in helping shape her career.
“Through studio classes, I learned how to take an idea from conception to completion, which I use in my practice day to day at Idlewild. Through classes like trend forecasting, I learned how much social, tech, economical and political trends affect fashion and design,” she said. “And it goes without saying, the co-op program alone set me up for success in understanding how all sides of the industry operate.”
UC co-op program: Frequently Asked Questions
What is co-op at the University of Cincinnati?
UC defines cooperative education, or co-op, as meaningful, career-oriented, compensated workplace experiences. Co-op is a structured program where students complete academic coursework and get a paid job in their field of study, graduating with both a degree and real-world professional experience
Find more info: What is co-op in college? How cooperative education works
Are UC co-op positions paid?
Many UC co‑ops are paid, full‑time roles. Students often use co‑op earnings to help cover tuition and living expenses, which can reduce the need for loans and improve the overall return on investment of their degree
Learn more: How cooperative education and paid experience change the ROI equation
Which majors offer co-op, and where do UC students work?
Co‑op is deeply integrated into programs in engineering, design, information technology, business, arts, sciences and more, with support from the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies. UC is committed to offering all students career-building, real-world experiences related to their field
UC students co‑op in Cincinnati, across Ohio, throughout the U.S. and abroad with employers ranging from startups, design studios and nonprofits to hospitals, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies
How does co-op help UC students after graduation?
By graduation, many Bearcats have up to 1.5 years of career‑related experience, strong resumes and professional networks. A significant number receive full‑time job offers from their co‑op employers, which is why the University of Cincinnati is widely recognized as the global founder of cooperative education and a national leader in co‑ops and internships.
Idlewild first opened its doors in neighborhood Over-the-Rhine in 2015. Photo/Frank D. Young/Melanin & Halide
Community and commerce
Clark wants to help boost Cincinnati’s reputation as a shopping destination. Photo/Frank D. Young/Melanin & Halide
Vogue highlighted Idlewild’s ‘Final Fridays,’ a monthly event that features local artists in the shop
“Every Final Friday of the month, we feature a different artist, and we have a couch in the store, and we welcome people in,” Clark told Vogue. “We’ve featured all sorts of people — painters, ceramists, jewelry artists, sculptors — and the customer feedback has been wonderful.”
Clark explained to Vogue that in an online-driven world, people are looking for ‘third spaces,’ or places outside of the home or work where a community can mingle.
“I really love Cincinnati, and I joke that sometimes I feel like the unofficial concierge of downtown Cincinnati,” Clark said. She started a retail committee for business owners in Over-the-Rhine and recently joined the neighborhood’s Chamber Board. “I’m of the mindset that ‘rising tides raise all ships,’ so the better my neighbor does, the better Idlewild will.”
Read the full New York Times article (subscription required).
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Featured image at top of Clark with one of her designs. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
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