Traditional Spanish Clothing on the Mile
Yo-Yo Children’s Boutique Specializes in Fine Spanish Clothing for Newborns, Toddlers and Small Children
When mother-daughter duo Gisela Blankenhorn and Nina Argibay decided to open a small store for high quality children’s clothes from Spain, the location – on Miracle Mile – was the easy decision. “When I was a teenager this was the place to come and eat, have fun, and to shop,” says Argibay. “I was like, ‘We have to come to the Mile.’”
The name of the store was another matter. After perusing lists of ideas and deliberating for days, Blankenhorn awoke her daughter in the middle of the night saying, “I know it. It’s Yo-Yo. The store. That’s the name.” It was a name easily pronounced (and the same) in both English and Spanish. It also referred to one of the oldest toys known to humanity. So, Yo-Yo Children’s Boutique was born in 2016.
Besides being a classic toy representing the innocence of childhood, the yoyo was a toy that all generations could recall. And that, they thought, reflected that their clothing was meant to be around for generations to come. “Though I was born in Venezuela, we kept our family traditions very seriously,” says Argibay. “When we moved to Miami, we realized the lack of Spanish traditional clothing, so one day we decided to jump into it.” Argibay’s dad Nino was born in Galicia, Spain, and her grandmother would send clothing from there until Argibay was 10-years-old.
Today, Argibay travels across Spain twice a year to hand select clothing for their boutique because, “Material-wise, I need to touch it.” The cotton used by the Spanish manufacturers is imported from Morocco and treated so as to be completely hypoallergenic. For overwhelmed new parents, that means even the knit outfits can be put in the washer on the delicate mode. “It is cotton not wool,” says Argibay. “We have worked really hard so that our knit adapts to weather; it can be really hot, yet the baby stays fresh, and it keeps the baby warm if it is cold.” These newborn outfits range between $40-$200.
The importance of helping others find high quality clothing is a personal matter for many families, including her own, says Argibay. “My christening gown has been in my family for over 80 years. My sister also used it and my future kids will use it as well,” she says. “We’ve had people bring in gowns for us to match that have been in their family for over 150 years.”
Newborn, christening and first communion outfits are the biggest sellers. Bonnets, booties, and dresses for christening range for ages 3 months to 24 months. Christening gowns range from $300 to $1,500. Communion dresses vary as they are exclusively designed by Blankenhorn and Argibay. Flower girl dresses and ring boy outfits are priced between $120 and $250, depending on the fabric and style.
Yo-Yo’s fall and winter lines are available now, as they prepare for January and February when first communion outfits are in highest demand. Newborn outfits are purchased year-round and Argibay knows how to save the day. “Sometimes I have that dad rush in here saying ‘My wife just gave birth. She is in the hospital. I need outfits right now.’”
Accessories are also available, including ribbons, hair bows, bonnets, baby booties and 18-karat gold earrings for a baby girl. And there is a small magic show area should siblings or other company hope for entertainment.
Yo-Yo Children’s Boutique
293 Miracle Mile
Tues.-Sat. 11 am-4 pm
954.376.9840
infoyoyoboutique@gmail.com
Read more about Coral Gables boutiques: Support Local Boutiques