This self-described lifestyle boutique houses an eclectic blend of trendy men's and women's wear, accessories and houseware and traditional Nigerian imports harkening back to owner Kennedy Ashinze's African upbringing. Items like vintage military jackets donning images of Marilyn Monroe and screen-printed men's sport coats hang alongside African-made leather mats and traditional African tops in bold colors.

After settling into its home on Division in 2004, Casa de Soul is maturing in more ways than one: While the looks on display go in an edgier direction with lines including Klozhorse, Ubiquity, English Laundry and The People Have Spoken, Ashinze is pushing back walls and streamlining the interior design. There's plenty of room for the Afrobeats spinning off the turntables (courtesy of Ashinze and rotating guest DJs on the weekends) to air out. Set off by red backlighting with music and lifestyle rags for your reading pleasure, the place feels more like a low-key lounge than your typical boutique.

A busload of accessories top off the collection. Purses like Wa's raw edge leather clutches in the $75-$150 range cover an entire wall, and cases of jewelry, including locally made wares, stock the glass cases with semi-precious stone cuff links, chunky leather cuffs and the store's signature collection of sterling silver and wood necklaces.

Centerstage Reviewer: Jessica Herman