Gwinnett Daily Post - October 30, 2005

Duluth woman brings fashion sense to Atlantic Station

Teresa Caldwell has a passion for fashion. The Duluth resident has opened two clothing stores in metro Atlanta in the past year. Taste clothing boutique opened last November on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, and Caldwell, who is the mother of rapper/actor Bow Wow, celebrated Taste II's opening Oct. 22 at Atlantic Station - a new retail and entertainment district in Midtown.

A personal stylist for many years, Caldwell's clientele includes her son and NBA basketball players Baron Davis and Vince Carter. She said her success in the fashion world is like a dream come true.

"It's a blessing," Caldwell said. "It feels so good."

Caldwell said she wanted to make Taste II a bit more upscale than her Duluth store, and the new one is filled with clothes and shoes for sophisticated shoppers. The decor reflects the same level of sophistication - the boutique's walls and floor are cream-colored except for a few brown and turquoise stripes painted on one wall. A matching light fixture hangs from the ceiling in the center of the store that spotlights a long, narrow accessories table, and clothes hang from recessed racks in the walls.

The clothes she carries are from some of her favorite lines, such as Ya-Ya, Splendid and Sean, which is entertainment mogul Diddy's clothing line for women. Caldwell said she's honored to have Diddy's line in her store.

"This is the only boutique in Atlanta that's carrying Sean," she said.

With prices ranging between $25 and $800, Caldwell said her clothes are for every budget and every occasion. Caldwell even has Ed Hardy shirts and hats that can also be seen in her son Bow Wow's latest music video "Like You," featuring Ciara.

"I think you can come in here and find an outfit for work and for going out," she said. "There's something in here for business professionals and students."

But Caldwell's Duluth customers need not worry; she said she won't stray far from her Duluth store, especially considering she lives right down the street from the shop.

"I couldn't leave them," she said. "I will be in Duluth the most when I'm in town."

Although she calls Gwinnett home, Caldwell hopes to expand her stores across the country. She's considering opening a Taste boutique in Florida. Along with her business partner, Curtis Martin of the New York Jets football team, Caldwell said she sees big things for Taste in the future.

"Curtis and I have the same vision, and I think that's important," she said. "We hope to own 10 stores and franchise them all over the country. When you have a best friend that has the same vision, why not?"