Kate Rockwood

From hot-off-the-runway designers to handmade jewelry and custom-mixed perfumes, these shops catapult Iowa City into the world of high fashion. The city's Pedestrian Mall (known as the Ped Mall to locals) is perfectly situated in the center of the Old Capitol Cultural District. With the University of Iowa and its many style conscious students only steps away, modish boutiques and specialty stores have carved quite a niche in the community cobblestone.

Written by Hillary Brylka. Originally published January 2008, Midwest Current