Q
& A
MISTER
STYLE
Vintage
Fashion's got a song that only a Port Arthur beauty can sing.
Where is she from? Well, Port Arthur Louisiana of course.
Where is she now? Houston, Tx
Where is the store? Online based out of Houston. MISTER STYLE
How did you choose a name for your boutique? I named the boutique Mister Style to appeal to the
fashionable male whose fashion sense is a little bit off the beaten path, and
who is sensitive to seasonal changes regarding it or who aspires to be.
What was the catalyst to opening this particular
boutique? Well, I opened the store
for a couple of reasons. One I’d had a boutique, previously, called Fashion
Plate Lifestyle Boutique that catered to both men and women. It had a physical
location that required my presence daily, which was becoming increasingly more
difficult. Also, my daughter, Ciera, has an online store www.Babesandfelines.com
and it is an extension of
Fashion Plate Lifestyle, however, only the women’s side. Mister Style offers
merchandise for the men’s side & shows women how to utilize menswear in their
wardrobe as well.
Was opening a store front your idea, or did someone
talk you into it? It was, definitely,
my idea. I just had to figure out how I was going to go about running it, if
you will. I have, and it will be primarily, online.
Is this a second career? No, I
think it is tied for 1st with my love for music because for me they
are both intertwined. When I’m singing or performing or simply attending an
event, what I’m wearing matters, and I think that is true for most people. So,
I am also a stylist for artists in various mediums, i.e. music, art, etc.
Why retail?
Well, it falls in line with one of my loves which is fashion, and I love to
help people achieve the look that they’d like to have or discover what that
look is.
Do you have plans to expand? In terms of expansion, I don’t think that there will
be more locations, but there may be business that focuses on another aspect of
fashion.
Do you still have the same type of merchandise and
customers as when you began? Yes, I
still have some of the same type of merchandise in terms of pieces from the
same quality-driven, legendary designers because there is a vintage aspect to
some of what I offer that fits into that “what’s old is new” adage. Regarding
customers, I have a very loyal base that has been with me even before I opened
the 1st store, Fashion Plate Lifestyle because I had been called on
to be a stylist for some of them. Based on the satisfaction that they had
received from that service, a trust in my abilities was developed.
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| Model Josias Diaz |
What helps you retain business? Retaining business depends on what is offered, how it
is offered, and the way it is offered. In my case, making sure my inventory is
seasonally accurate, and stylish made available at the time the customer
requests it, and done in a professional and courteous manner.
Do you have a certain strategy on
customer service? Yes. The
strategy is simply to place a premium on those two words because customers
expect excellent service, and if they don’t get it, they have the right to go
elsewhere with their business. I, as a customer, feel the same way.
Where has your success come from? I think my success has come from my ever-expanding knowledge
in the area fashion. My attention to detail, my work ethic, and the value I
place on customer service.
Have you had any struggles/ challenges? The struggle, sometimes, can be customer consistency.
The number of sales vary each month, so it can make it difficult to determine
when to replenish inventory, and by how much. The challenges are being a
one-person shop owner, and being available practically every day, but also,
needing to balance participation in other events in town or away from the city that
can secure more new business.
With the economy still in the early stages of
recovery, how do you feel about the future of your business? Do you think
we’ll break out of the funk soon? I think the future is bright, because
fashion is so important to so many people. People will find money to get the
things that they want like that new outfit for that special occasion. You know
everybody has a birthday, and often a celebration they’d like to attend in
honor of it wearing something new.
I think, overall, the economy is improving although some businesses were
not affected or affected very little by the economy because there are a lot of
wealthy people out there. Million dollar homes are still being sold in spite of
the economic times, for example.
You’ve been recognized for your Vintage Pieces, How
would you describe your store’s style?
I take great pride in the items I select and offer to our customer base. Oftentimes
it’s hard to tell whether or not a piece is vintage, because it is of such quality.
Quality is important to me and also items that have a long lasting style to
them. My aesthetic is wide as fashionable finds span the world. I have a world
viewpoint when pulling items from many countries & cultures to make up the
style in Mister Style.
I see you have both men’s and women’s clothing, How do
you decide what to carry? I put
myself into the mindset of a traveler who happens upon a store that allows them
to go places in their mind of nostalgia & before they leave, hopefully, have
found a great treasure to take with them for themselves or someone else.
One-of-a-kindness is truly the goal whether the apparel piece is trendy or
vintage, for example. Even new pieces can be unique if it’s not something that
is mass-produced which is also part of our offerings. I also take huge hints
from worldwide popular culture since most people desire to live vicariously
through the most popular people in the world. This sets the tone for several of
the trendy pieces that are among our selections.
What are your favorite trends that came out of NYFW for Fall/Winter 2013? What trends are you stocking in your store? NYFW offered a very nostalgic viewpoint which makes it
easy to select gingham, plaids, houndstooth patterned influences paired with florals,
stripes, camouflage & leather...traditional patterns & textures to add
with that crisp white tee or shirt...Naturally, Mister Style will offer its
take on these ideas.
Do you have any favorite designers, fashion icons, or
style idols/ celebs? I am forever
falling in love with those who create fashion & the style of it. There are
designers that the world has yet to know and those who we can’t deny knowing,
that I am in awe of. To name a few would deny the platform to all. We all have
something magical to offer this world of fashion & I am interested &
taking note of it all.
What are your aspirations for your business and in
life? To do so much good in all that I
do that those who choose to pattern themselves after me will have a great start
in building their own legacies. I desire to learn all that there is to learn
and pass that knowledge on to keep this train moving. I consider myself to be a
legacy builder. I'm proud to say that I am witnessing me being duplicated
often. It's a huge compliment to this lil’ girl from Port Arthur, TX.
I know you are at the store almost 24/7, but what do
you do for fun to break away from it all? Correction...I’m not @ the store 24/7. However, the store is always on
my mind as I think of ways I can enhance it while I travel the world. For fun,
Houston is an international city w/ great museums, theaters, eateries, parks,
shopping facilities, etc., so there is much to do, but for me it's more about
the people I spend time with that bring about my joy no matter where I am. My
daughters are #1 to set the pace for those joyous times. I will just leave it
at that.
Do you have any advice for anyone out there who wants
to someday own there own boutique, or step into the fashion industry? Be knowledgeable about the industry & do not close
your ears or eyes to any level of it. I'm continuing to learn... this is how
one continues to be successful & that's what, ultimately, anyone would want
out of any job they choose.
