(l-r) Jennie Moser, Stephanie Topolgus, Shannon Spires, and Shaena Litwin model fashions from ALIBI. Jennie sports an Equipment Essential silk shirtdress in the color beige snakeskin ($348) paired with a Generation Love Clothing vegan leather jacket in black ($385). ABILI owner Stephanie wears a Sundays Ayla puff sleeve dress ($142) and accessorizes with Luv AJ Rock Candy wire earrings ($85). Beneath a Veronica Beard Makua cover-up dress in blue ($275), Shannon wears a Veronica Beard Bridge one-piece swimsuit in leopard ($348). Shaena’s Monrow double-layer hoodie dress ($169) is paired with Luv AJ Pave Amalfi hoop earrings in gold ($150).

by SOPHIE BIRD
photography by MICHELLE RICHARDSON, RICHARDSON STUDIO

When Katie Whitson, owner of ALIBI, formerly Blond Genius Denim Bar, moved to Oklahoma in 2019, Bloomington business owner Stephanie Topolgus decided to purchase the boutique.

Blond Genius had moved to Renwick Village Center from Fountain Square Mall in 2016, and rebranded as ALIBI in 2019, offering a curated collection of clothing from national and international designers, with an emphasis on luxurious, timeless fashion. New owner Topolgus has continued the mission but with an eye on appealing specifically to the lifestyles of Bloomington women.

“When looking at market for the shop, I think, ‘This line would translate perfectly to tailgating this fall,’ or, ‘I know someone is planning a summer wedding at Oliver Winery,’ and I can shop specifically for them,” says Topolgus, who previously owned the restaurant Topo’s 403 on North Walnut.

Visit wearalibi.com.

  • Shannon shows off the Brodie Cashmere Carlie Camo cropped sweater in Cygnet ($306) with Rag & Bone high-rise skinny jeans in white ($225) and Zadig & Voltaire Lena suede ankle boots ($498).
  • Shaena pairs a Current/Elliot Cassandra denim mini dress ($298) with a Rag & Bone Lenny fedora in light pink ($225) and Ink + Alloy Arrow Fringe earrings ($35).
  • Shannon wears a PAIGE Alicia sweater made of ivory cotton, linen, and silk ($209) with PAIGE Hoxton ankle-length double-button jeans in Vintage Pink Blush ($199) and Veja sustainable leather Esplar sneakers ($120). Beside her sits a Rag & Bone Revival Tote in olive green, made from recycled water bottles ($295).
  • Jennie pairs a white Sundays-brand Turner tank ($66) with a gray Veronica Beard hoodie dickey ($150) and Veronica Beard Schoolboy blazer ($600) and accessorizes with Mignonne Gavigan Madeleine earrings ($225).
  • Jennie poses on ALIBI’s vintage luggage rack in front of the week’s new arrivals, modeling a Sundays Plum puff-sleeve seater in washed black and white tie dye ($208), Commando faux leather leggings ($98), and Zadig & Voltaire High Flash sneaker in Blanc ($348).