Meditate on fashion at Purple Rocks

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Colorful leather Dillon Rogers bracelets ($32) and belts ($86).

Walking into Purple Rocks' new 2,937 square-foot space in Redmond Town Center won't evoke images of Buddhist monks, but you may leave feeling you've had a zenlike experience. The boutique is spacious and uncluttered. Its lofty ceilings are painted royal purple, and the concrete floors are washed in tones of gray and rust. There is nothing austere, however, about the richly silk-screened Yvette Mandell tanks or the metallic leather hobos by Kooba and High Fashion displayed within.

Debra Tongue opened her store in May of 2005 with a unique fashion philosophy. "We don't carry trash-talking tees like a lot of boutiques because it doesn't put out good energy," says Tongue. "Working as both a message therapist and a personal trainer in the past has helped me to help people on the inside. Now I'm helping people be their best on the outside."

Purple Rocks exudes positive energy. A coffee table flanked by two overstuffed armchairs is strewn with books such as "Trust Your Vibes" and "Meditation." Fat pillar candles in soothing scents burn on the mantle of a stone fireplace. Colorful leather Dillon Rogers bracelets and belts with life-affirming messages like "Live with passion" and "I will make a difference" cluster in a Japanese-style espresso wood tray.

Tongue stocks her store with lines such as Eco Ganik, which uses only organic materials, and Deborah Lindquist, who works with recycled fabrics, especially cashmere. She also carries hard-to-find Isabella Fiore "If" and Carlos Falchi handbags, and playful vintage Disney tees. Throughout the store, intricate wrought-iron shoe stands elevate Eliza crackled-leather slingbacks and funky Georgia Galassi beige and green suede boots tipped in rhinestones. On display racks, eclectic Itsus tees pair with Blue 2 jeans for a casual rock 'n' roll look. A Fresh Butter orange and white satin tank top and a cropped coffee sweater jacket by Covet coexist near Yana K nylon camis and a Tess Loriani metallic gold bucket bag. Near the register, "Jesus is my Homeboy" belt buckles and gold lamé coin purses by Whiting and David tempt buyers to make just one last purchase.

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Stiletto boots by Beston ($156) and an Inge Sport purse ($138).

Prices range from bargain buys, such as a Stage 28 by Disney "Are You A Man Or A Mouse?" tee for $22, to investment pieces like a green silk Laundry dress with bronze beading for $330. Salt low-rise flare jeans sell for $80 a pair, while embroidered People for Peace jeans dotted with blue rhinestones go for $348. Cozy into a Prophetik white zip front sweatshirt for $112. Slide into sleek red and black stiletto boots by Beston for $156.

Acknowledging that many of the designers she carries are higher end, Tongue says that "things you find in my store, if you find them anywhere else, will most likely cost more." When asked why that is, she attributes it to good karma. "I want people to be able to afford the things that I have," she says.

If you still harbor any lingering doubt that shopping can be a spiritual experience, you haven't worshipped at the fashion altar of Purple Rocks.

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