STEVE KAUFMAN | contributing photographer Cathy Akright and Melissa Willis own Les Filles, a new women’s accessories boutique.

Les Filles, the new women’s accessories store in Westport Village, may become known as that name nobody knows quite how to pronounce.

“We’ve had ‘lays fillies,’ which I guess isn’t entirely inappropriate here in Louisville,” said co-owner Melissa Willis.

“And we’ve had ‘less filets,’ though we’re not a butcher shop,” said co-owner Cathy Akright, “

For the record, the name is pronounced “lay fee,” which means “the girls” in French. It opened in November and, once it overcomes the name confusion, it hopes to become known as the store with all the one-of-a-kind artisans’ work.

The 1,200-square-foot space is tastefully arranged to display the home and fashion items of various local artists, metal smiths and others. Most intriguing of all, perhaps, is the jewelry of Melissa Senetar of Berea, Ky., a biochemistry PhD who makes earrings, pendants and other jewelry by embedding insect wings (cicadas, butterflies, grasshoppers) into resin.

“Some of our customers call her ‘the moth lady,’ ” Akright said. But few can resist the meticulously sealed one-of-a-kinds with the natural design of the delicate wings.

Senetar is by no means the only local artisan in Les Filles with an unusual approach. Cathy Wade makes flower-petal pins out of recycled cashmere sweaters. Beth Long makes jewelry using antique buttons as clasps. Lisa Whyte makes metal ponytail wraps.

Pamela Mattei makes hand-dyed silk scarves.

There are also Amanda Clark’s Cattywampus handbags; Cindy Borders’ gold vermeil and sterling silver jewelry, all with concentric circle designs; Claire Raabe’s lamp work beads; the metalwork of Phyllis Minnery; and the silverwork of Kathy Lum.

“We scour the art shows, like St. James and Cherokee Triangle, to find new resources,” Willis said. “It’s amazing how much local talent is here.”

STEVE KAUFMAN | contributing photographer

“Going to the art shows on business – what a great way to do work,” said Akright, who had always loved collecting and working with precious stones. Though she had some retail experience in Michigan, the notion for Les Filles sprouted from her moving to Louisville and working at a physician’s office with Willis’ mother.

“We met and became friends,” said Willis, who also had brief retail experience, “and confided in each other that we’d both always wanted to own a boutique.”

The Les Filles concept is all women’s accessories – jewelry, jewelry boxes, handbags, scarves and shawls – but no apparel.

“We hope that’s what distinguishes us,” Willis said.

That, and the name, and the moth lady.

Les Filles is at 1301 Herr Lane, Suite 160, in Westport Village; 618-4888.