As a little girl, I was forced to wear a Catholic school uniform that made my short waist look even shorter, and my petite legs stubby. I looked terrible. But what I didn’t know, was that I looked bad because of the clothes; not because of me.
I kicked and screamed until my mother agreed not to send me to the all-girls Catholic school in Cleveland. Suddenly, I was free to wear whatever I pleased. Back in the 70s, there wasn’t much for the girls to choose from. Gloria Vanderbilt didn’t even make jeans until the late ‘70s, so I wore boys’ brown corduroys or painter pants. It is a wonder I ever had a boyfriend. But, we all looked like that!
I may not have been fashionable, but I loved fashion. One day, I stumbled into an old family boutique in the Short North, which has been around since the ‘60s. There, the owner’s son, took me by the hand, fitted me in beautiful suits and dresses. He showed me how the right clothes could change one’s perception of one’s self and change the way they felt, and change the way they see the world.
Fast-forward to 2015 when I discovered Knuth’s, a boutique in Cleveland that carries modern, comfortable and affordable clothes with fun, friendly and super helpful sales people. I spent two hours in the store, collecting jewelry, scarves, jeans and sweaters. I came home and visited just about every boutique in Columbus. I could not replicate my Knuth’s experience.
That’s why I decided to open Fabtique.
But, I needed a partner. I knew the perfect woman. She had been my manager when I worked a day or two a week years ago at White House Black Market at The Shops on Lane Avenue. Amber Wilson was an amazing manager, people person, fashionista and good friend. And, literally, the week that I thought of her, she called me from her home in Florida and said she was moving back to Columbus.
So, we began our crazy journey to open a store that we can share with amazing women who want to be inspired by their style and have fun while doing it!