A year ago, Yasmin Radbod launched Femme Fatale DC with a women-powered fashion show. Since then, she’s hosted more than a dozen events from brunches to comedy shows that she says celebrate the “really dope, happening, super smart women” in the D.C. region.
The 25-year-old recently popped up with her most grandiose project yet—a 4,500-square-foot retail space in NoMa where the walls are decorated with vagina murals and the merchandise is made by women only.
After encountering issues with venues run by men, Radbod thought “what if we had our own space—what would that look like?” She was able to test the concept of a women-run retail space this summer on H Street NE. She says it proved to be successful for the 25 women who boosted their businesses and formed a collective amongst themselves.
Just in time for holiday shoppers, the new Femme Fatale DC pop-up is double the size and stocked wall-to-wall with clothing, jewelry, literature, body products, household items, and more from 60 women-owned businesses. From booth to booth, customers can spend hours perusing custom products from $5 stickers to $1,000 works of art.
More than a retail shop, Femme Fatale DC is an experience based on Radbod’s idea of the ultimate woman and her needs.
Formerly the Union Social restaurant, it has two bars with caterers who serve cocktails, plus healthy fare. “I personally have an affinity for this idea of women as confident and intelligent, and also conscious of what they’re putting into their own body and their effect on others and their environment,” Radbod says of her decision to offer only vegan food items.
The hues painted in the space and artworks on display were selected to promote color therapy, a type of healing that uses light and color to positively impact a person’s mood and health. “I knew that I wanted the space, especially in the colder months, to focus on healing and to focus on people shedding old things that no longer serve them—dropping dead weight and taking these colder months to realign so that come spring, people can blossom with those intentions that they make during this time,” Radbod says, adding that she loves seeing people’s reactions to the vibrancy when they walk in.
The vendors, many of whom are budding entrepreneurs, use the venue to host events, test the market, experiment with new customer demographics, and get experience in retail. They can even use the kitchen-turned-photography studio to revamp their marketing products.
The environment among vendors is of a supportive nature, both mentally and emotionally.
Stephane Tear, owner of Glaminizers, says she appreciates the opportunity to meet other female entrepreneurs.“I love the whole women aspect of it, like women are badasses and all of that—it’s a good place to show my products,” Tear says, standing next to her display of all-natural bath salts, body washes, and makeup products.
Even if you already have a storefront, it’s still a valuable experience, says Serbrina Bullock, who started Stoner Girl Treats and Eats with her daughter. “You’re showing the community and all your clients that you’re supporting one another—we get to show our children and our children’s children that we need to go back to building communities and villages and this is a good way to showcase that.”
What she hopes to foster, Radbod says, is a space for women to express themselves “in a very genuine and authentic” way among like-minded people. “You can’t do this on your own—you need a community that shares common goals and values in order to succeed.”
The Femme Fatale DC pop-up runs through December 24 at 100 Florida Avenue NE. It’s open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and for special events on Sundays.
