A Closet Where CHANEL & Cowboy Boots Reign Supreme

“We’re in growth mode right now, so my days are heavy on the collaborative part of onboarding new designers and building out the new offerings from our current roster: fabric selection, seeing samples, visual presentations.”

On how she delineates between personal style and buying for the store:

“It’s a careful balance, but The SIL does not try to be everything for everyone—and we’re not. That’s one of the biggest market differentiators for us as a business. I really stick to what resonates with me, which tends to be ladylike silhouettes, quality construction, and beautiful fabrics. Because we do not operate like the other e-commerce sites or retailers, we have never had to pay attention to ‘seasons’ or ‘trends.’”

“I’ve always really loved the ‘50s and ‘60s polished looks because they remind me of my grandmothers. Both were stylish in their own way. One was always, and I mean always, put together with her hair and the pantyhose and the matching sets—a very genteel, Southern lady. The other did that every Sunday for church and for social functions but was more tomboyish in her off-duty life. (I still have some of her ranch-style button-downs.) My wardrobe is 90% dresses, 10% matching sets.”

“The longer I’m in California, the more homesick I am for Texas. I have been on a cowboy boot kick (Austin-based bootmaker Lee Miller has his work cut out for him right now).”

“The yearning for home has also manifested in art choices as of late. For example, I have recently acquired another work by Jon Flaming, whose Western-themed pieces remind me of my dad, my hero, and a true cowboy (though he would never call himself that).”

“As for the wallpaper, that’s all sourced by my interior designer, Amy Meier. She is pure genius.”

“I almost exclusively wear dresses.”

The more you work in the industry and sort of live and breathe fashion, how does your style evolve?

“I think the first answer is how allergic I have become to fast fashion. Growing up in a small, rural town, the only access to fashion we had as teenagers was through magazines—and, of course, mailing checks for our Delia’s and Alloy catalog orders! I have always been one to seek unique fashion choices that were apart from the herd, and that has never changed. In college, I would frequent the independent and funky boutiques around Austin and find one-off pieces. The SIL has been a culmination of all of that. It’s a destination for like-minded shoppers who are thrilled by the hunt for the piece that no one else has.”

“True to form, I shop/support independently owned [businesses]. Mameg is probably my favorite store in Los Angeles. Etsy is where I score most of my vintage pieces.”

“I was running a fashion PR firm with Ashley Kraus, and emerging designers would approach us with gorgeous collections and a great story behind them but no budget for PR. So, The SIL began as an incubator, really—a passion project for me and a way to showcase pieces from niche designers I loved while gathering invaluable live feedback for them to help inform and shape their brand direction. It’s been rewarding to see some of them really take off since becoming a part of The SIL family.”

“I’m such a hoarder; everything ‘sparks joy!’”

“I’ve really enjoyed watching and wearing Keehn Deutch. The SIL was the first to showcase their made-to-order pieces, and I so look forward to bringing them back on for another cycle. Their sharp eye for exquisite tailoring and love of textiles translates beautifully to the female form. ”

“We were also the first retail partner for Daphne Wilde, a housedress line with exceptional fabrics that launched at the start of the pandemic. Founder Britt Wilde’s branding has been so on-point from the get-go, and it’s been lovely to see her trajectory.”

Her style icons:

“Anyone who marches to the beat of their own drum and is confident in their style.”

“Absolutely everything in my closet has a story. It sounds ridiculous, but my mind catalogs and associates fashion that way. I can tell you where I bought a piece and where I’ve worn it or what happened that day … maybe it’s kind of a tic.”

“My fashion fantasy would be to have a three-story closet … with an elevator.”

“My hope [for the future of the industry] is that there is a return to an appreciation for the true workmanship in fashion design. The SIL has always taken a stance for slow fashion. It’s exciting to see the pendulum swing back to the small/independent brand’s favor; appreciation for this category is exactly why The SIL was created in the first place. Bucking the current climate of affiliate marketing is a key pillar on which The SIL was built. We oppose those systems in favor of authenticity—and as a salute to the individualist. More conscious purchase behavior will translate to less waste … and more beauty.”