Top drawer

Braving Black Friday

Though the “black” in black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving that has evolved into one of the year’s busiest shopping days — sounds ominous, it actually refers to the point when retailers move from the red into the black, accounts-wise.

And that’s a good thing. Here, local and visiting shoppers take to the streets in downtown Asheville.

A window display at Fashionista’s (68 College St.)

Variations on a theme

A trend in the making: long-haired guys in stripes, jeans and retro brown caps.

Try this on

• Photographer Rene Treece opens her fashion-influenced show, Pendulum Stop at Wedge Gallery on Friday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. Local band Mingle plays. Call 423-6888 for info.

In the continuing quest for great holiday gifts, check out these offerings from local shops:

Union (18 Haywood St., 259-3300) is carrying Kim White purses. The bags, fashioned from vintage fabrics, are reversible, so it’s like getting two bags for the price of one. The boutique also stocks wallets, messenger bags and clutches by Brooklyn company Insiders NY. The bags feature original photos by designer Sigal de Mayo, which are printed on leather for a tattoo effect.

Fired Up! (26 Wall St., 253-8181), formerly the place for paint-your-own pottery, has now expanded to include unique gifts and home accessories, along with Faerie Made soaps and balms.

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

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