A new retail fashion-forward clothing store is opening in downtown Durham. Julie Jennings at her Franklin Street store with CHM style editor Corey Williams.

Julie Jennings, who owns Uniquities, the store with two locations in Raleigh and one on Franklin Street, confirmed today she is opening a Durham location in March.

The 1,200 square foot store is located at 1000 W. Main St. Suite 1A, in Brightleaf Square. Nomadic Trading Co. is the other store in that space, which is owned by Headwall Development, Reynolds Maxwell’s company. There is one more space available in the 1920s-era building that was recently extensively renovated.

Jennings has been a store owner for 18 years in the area, opening her first store in Raleigh. She describes her approach as fashion forward, and carries brands like Nanette Lepore, Burberry and Chloe, to name a few.

“We’re really excited, and we think there’s a great opportunity for our customers,” says Jennings.

I stopped by West End Wine Bar last night to see a fashion show put on to benefit research done by those at N.C. Children’s Hospital who specialize in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Julie Jennings and Dr. Sandra Kim.The event was organized by Dr. Sandy Kim, medial director of the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases program at the N.C. Children’s Hospital, as well as Julie Jennings, owner of Uniquities and Kate Underhill, Uniquities manager.

Young women who had been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis, both IBDs, were the models, along with their mothers, at the evening event. The young women are all patients at the N.C. Children’s Hospital. Uniquities, West End Wine Bar and Elaine’s on Franklin sponsored the event.

Click here for some more pictures.