The Kate Spade of SIU: From Campus to Curated Fashion

As a proud graduate of Southern Illinois University (SIU) with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Marketing, Lauren Craig has spent the last 14 years cultivating my passion for fashion, design, and entrepreneurship. During her time at SIU, she turned her passion into action by launching a business where she designed, manufactured, and sold handmade handbags — a venture that gave her invaluable experience in both the creative and business sides of fashion.  Her sorority sisters in Delta Zeta called her the Kate Spade of SIU!

After graduation, Craig gained experience in various roles before returning to Southern Illinois to start her own business. Over the past 14 years, she's had the opportunity to work with numerous programs at SIU, sharing expertise in small business development, marketing, and visual merchandising. Through these collaborations, she has helped students understand the intricacies of running a successful business and navigating the ever-evolving fashion industry.

Craig's business focuses on selecting high-quality fashion pieces, but it’s about more than just products — it’s about sharing the knowledge and experiences she's gained along the way, and how SIU Carbondale has been instrumental in that process. 

What Eccentrics Offers

At Eccentrics Boutique, you will find a range of handpicked brands that Craig truly believes in. From casual chic to elegant accessories, there is something for everyone:

• Apparel: Trendy yet timeless pieces for all occasions.
• Jewelry: Stunning collections from Kendra Scott, Enewton, and Little Words Project that add the perfect touch to any outfit.
• Gifts: Thoughtful and meaningful items for any special occasion.
• Footwear & Accessories: Stylish and comfortable options that add to and elevate your wardrobe.

It proudly features renowned brands like Free People, Spanx, Kendra Scott, Tribal, Steve Madden, Enewton, Spanx, Tyler, Sweet Grace, and many more.

Each item in the boutique is selected to provide not only high-quality, fashionable options but also one-of-a-kind pieces. Craig's goal is to offer items that stand out, are versatile, and, most importantly, make customers feel their best!