Los Angeles women's clothing shop CJ's Elegance celebrates 50 years

WINDSOR HILLS, Calif. (FOX 11) - It's been 50 years since Carol Jo and her mother, Orlean, began selling clothes out of their Windsor Hills bedroom.

Today, CJ's Elegance is known as the oldest, black-owned, women's retail clothing business in Los Angeles.

When they opened the business, they were the only black business on the block. After a while, Hollywood took notice and CJ's Elegance began dressing stars on black sitcoms such as "That's My Mama" and "2-2-7."

In fact, Oscar winner Regina King was an early client, dressing the actress for her prom and graduation.

About every eight to 10 years, CJ's Elegance reinvents itself and has recently started a second generation store called CJ2w/Love. Love Collins, who also happens to be Carol's niece, serves as the curator for the store.

As a designer, her focus is on the younger contemporary woman and she isn't afraid to make a statement. She loves to dress the 20 to 40-year-old style-muse who love colors and fashion, wants to be forward, and look good wherever she goes.

Love started designing at age 14 and decided to make it her life's work. She studied at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

Her first job was working for New York Fashion Week.

With Carol's expertise and Love's design knowledge, CJ2w/Love are certainly poised for the next 50.