DCD Boutique opens in Wantagh, selling personalized clothing and bridal accessories  

Christina Ellul needed a push to make her "childhood dream happen," she says. After the 27-year-old was laid off from her fashion industry job during the pandemic, she decided to open a clothing store in her hometown of Wantagh called DCD Boutique. 

“I saw Cricuts were on sale at Michaels, so I bought one,” she says about the start of her business, which specializes in personalized clothing and accessories. She was originally inspired by her late grandmother to dive into fashion. "She’s always been this little fashionista," and her shopping partner, she says.

Originally launched as an online-only boutique, a storefront was the next step in her new career, she explains, “to help me grow.” It opened in September. 

DCD Boutique is built on custom wear for adults, kids and pets by way of ice tie dye and traditional tie dye, acid wash, embellishments, screen prints and decals, all done by hand by Ellul. Shoppers can also bring in a loved one's handwriting or pet portrait meant to be transferred onto an item sold at the store. The personalization options here are similar to what one would find online, through Etsy and other maker sale platforms. 

With DCD Boutique — the name stands for Design, Create, Donate — she aims to pay it forward, too. “I wanted to get the point across — you design, I create and we donate,” she says, adding, “What makes people feel good but buying clothes and it going toward something good also?” Ellul says she donates 10% of her profits to a new charity each month.

When not creating designs by hand, Ellul uses a Cricut or heat press, mostly to customize apparel in the store that’s “flat,” meaning not crocheted or textured.

You’ll also find home (candles, bath soaks, mugs, wineglasses, wall art), self care (lip care sets, spa kits, body scrubs), jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets), accessories (slippers, hair clips, headbands, bags) and a topselling custom bridal section with jean jackets, hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts and knickknacks, like Champagne flute sets, mug sets, dress hangers, ring dishes, jewelry and more.

At DCD, customers can get accessories, like hair clips, for $3, and a layered necklace for $52. Apparel starts at $15 for a T-shirt and tops out at $85 for a pearl jean jacket. Add $5 for pocket-size decals and $10 for full-screen prints.

DCD Boutique is at 2215 Wantagh Ave., in Wantagh. It’s open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 6 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; designcreatedonate.com.