The Collection - Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

Lisa Marie

If you love Luxurious Apparel this is the store for you. I now have a Collection from The Collection and I Love Every piece I own. I feel like I’m putting on my favorite jewelry when I wear one of my One Of A Kind Luxury Knits from here. The owner Sharleen is Wonderful at choosing the right pieces & showing you how to wear them to look your absolute sexiest. Which is how I feel when I’m in one of mine. XO...Enjoy

Cindy

I have been shopping with Sharleen for several years and have several wonderful items that I have purchased from her and wear proudly. Her store is for the person with an appreciation of unique designs and who wants a one-of-a-kind wardrobe.
Sharleen is very attentive and is honest in her assessment of what is most flattering on her customer. The shop is charming and a new experience each time I visit. I recommend to anyone visiting Carmel to drop by and see her assortment of ecclctic merchandise.

Kelbie McCauley

What a marvelous experience! I walked in needing an outfit for a specific occasion and the owner, Sharleen Esfahani, took such good care of me! She pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me feel like a million bucks! She was awesome and so considerate about my price range. Her pieces are all so unique and I will cherish them forever! She is the definition of a fashionista and I’m thankful for all of her time, help, and patience with me!

candice price

This was my first time visiting Carmel, came across this boutique and fell in love! Everything is so unique and well made. Sharleen was awesome. She has a great eye for recommending clothing for my body type and style. Everything she suggested was so flattering and lovely. I'm excited to wear my NYE outfit!

Theresa Pinto

The place has some very unique finds, from leggings to one-of-a-kind designer wear. You can be sure that whatever you buy here will be distinctive. And the owner is very knowledgeable about her collection with a good eye for fit and form. There is a lot to choose from, so you should take your time. I didn’t even see the hand knit top that she suggested, but it has been my favorite purchase so far. I can’t wait to wear the rest.

Silvia Malaccorto

This shop is truly a find. Please take the time to explore all the amazing pieces The Collection's store owner, Sharlene, has curated. I had a friend bring me in to shop with her, and on that day I was definitely "not buying". I'm not kidding you but hours later, Sharlene coaxing me to try on knit after knit that I would never have thought could flatter my body, I left with several pieces. Sharlene swore to me that the knits are forgiving and do not need to be "babied" in terms of care. She's right! Let her show you how to wear them, handle them, wash them...you will become as big a fan as I am. NOW, 1.5 years later, I own about 20 of her Aida Ley pieces: hand made knits from a range of colors, all Italian yarns, some even from Missoni...I'm like a kid in a candy store when i visit here.

Be sure to check out her "Commando" line of underpinning garments - she has the BEST basics (must haves for every wardrobe)!

Also, Sharlene has one-of-a-kind designer finds she makes available. This makes frequenting her curated store a must as these "finds" sell quickly and cannot be re-ordered.

Lastly, for those of you with a "bolder" flare, her one of a kind painted jeans and tee's will appeal to you or someone you know. I overheard her her the other day discuss commissioning a personalized design for one of her patrons....so if this is for you, be sure to ask Sharlene about the designs she has available you may not see on her floor, or what she can create specifically for you.

Lastly, Sharlene is running The Collection on her own - a self made woman with limited staff and resources. I personally like to support women in business and have tremendous respect and empathy for how difficult it is to be successful. Sharlene may be helping a customer or running an operational aspect of The Collection when you visit so be patient if she's tied up. Don't leave! Let your curiosity lead you through the store. Be sure to engage Sharlene in conversation...say "hello" and let ask her about her vision. You'll soon learn so much about The Collection she curates and about her - it will be fun! Oh, I almost forgot to add the best part, Sharlene knows people's bodies. She suggested articles of clothing I thought I would never wear...they made me feel beautiful. I love wearing them!

Sheryl Nigro

This is my favorite boutique in all of Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz. Sharlene stocks an exquisitely made and curated inventory of many one-of-a-kind items, and I can't say enough about the exceptional quality of fabrics, styles, brands, and above all, service. This is one of those places you go for a shopping experience that is guided by somebody living a passion for beautiful things. I love every single item I purchased here. If you visit this shop, be prepared to be delighted by the congenial and playful help of Sharlene and her two fantastic staff members and also be prepared possibly to end up with new friends, like I did.

Adrienne Dixon

If I could, I would put zero stars. I never even stepped foot in this store and it was one of the worst customer experiences I’ve ever been on the receiving end of. I was in Carmel for the weekend for a friends wedding. After a walk on the beach we were walking up ocean avenue and ran into another friend also in town attending the wedding. We stopped to say hello and have a 5 minute catch up/small talk when a woman comes out of the front door of The Collection and says “are you enjoying hanging out in front of my store?” We were all in a bit of shock as we were standing on the sidewalk which, when I last checked, was public space. We apologized and explained we had ran into a friend who we stopped to say hello to. She continued to accost us as though we were intentionally loitering in front of her empty store. She continued to rudely say things like “it sure looks like you’re trying to not look like you’re hanging out in front of my store” - we still aren’t quite sure what she was accusing us of. She even at one point said to my friend “look at his face, he looks like he’s trying to not be hanging out in front of my store”. We were all gobsmacked to say the least. She then proceeds to go back in her store, close the door, AND LOCK IT. One of the rudest encounters from a complete stranger I have ever been involved with. Clearly, the lovely and welcoming customer service explains why the store had zero customers. Also, if you don’t want anyone to “hang out” outside your store, why is there a bench? Best of luck if you decide to enter the doors, but this is a business I will never show support.