Interview :: Kylie @ Fashion X
Meet Kylie Bollwitt, Director of Business Development for Fashion X Austin, Dallas and Houston.
Wardrobe Stylist and Founder of Styling with Kylie.
As busy as you are you are always on point with your styling choices, what are your top tips on day to day styling for the busy gal?
My tips for the busy gal on the go is to always stay true to your own personal style. Find something that you love and run with it. For example, I rock a tunic with leggings and a edgy combat boot almost every day of my life. Throw things in here and there that mix it up. Patterns, prints and color-blocking are fun options. If you are like me you can’t leave the house without a layered wrist full of bracelets, bright and bold lipstick or large sunny shades. I always pack a jacket or long cardigan of sorts to account for a quick change in weather or that coworker who cranks the A/C up too high in the office. The last thing you need to carry out your day with rad style is confidence. Never leave the house without it or a cross-body fringe bag. Those are important too.
It seems like fashion runs through your veins, can you recall one of your earliest fashion moments?
I grew up with two older sisters, so hand-me-downs were the bane of my existence. However, before a holiday or special event, my parents would take us to the nearest mall and we would each be given the same amount of money. How we chose to spend that money was up to us, but once it was gone, it was gone. Realizing that it has now stemmed into my adult-life, I can give the credit to my parents for the pull that drives me to always want to get something new for every event, special occasion and/or holiday. I have to give some credit to my mom, for making me a stylish little tike, like you can see in the photo below. Fashion has always been my creative outlet and I am grateful that I now get to call my creative outlet, my career.
Fashion Icons we all have one, who is yours?
Hands down, Stevie Nicks. She is a boss babe of mixing prints and patterns, colors and textures and isn’t afraid to step out in something that will attract attention from the people in her surroundings. Plus, let’s face it. She is the epitome of effortless bohemian bliss.
What do you typically seek out for when styling a shoot?
Efficiency and relationships. These two words are lifesavers when it comes to trying to plan and execute a successful shoot. I try to build relationships with any boutique or retailer I use in a shoot, so that way we have an open way of communication and expectations are met for all parties involved. I also tend to give those businesses priority in any upcoming shoot I am planning. It shows them your interest in their development as well as wanting to ensure they get the credit they deserve in each image that is released. It is also extremely useful to have someone in your pocket that hosts all of your needs in one spot (i.e. footwear, jewelry, accessories and clothing.) doing a pull and drop for everything in a few places rather than many makes your life, as a stylist, a heck of a lot easier.
Austin we love this city! What’s your favorite thing about Austin?
The weather! I know that is such a boring answer, but I am from Nebraska and I am basking in the Austin glow right now. I love that I have yet to see a flake of snow and I would love if I never had to again. Real talk though this city is the bomb. Everyone I have met, so far, is extremely unique and creative in his or her own right. As a fellow creative soul, I find immense comfort being surrounded by that sort of culture.
What ROCKS about Austin Rocks?
I jump for joy at the chance to work with the crew at Austin Rocks. You can tell that every employee has his or her own style and voice, which is so refreshing to see in business. If you haven’t seen their selection of local Austin jewelers, you are seriously missing out. A business supporting small business owners is my jam and I could hang out there all the time. Lucky for me, they let me!
Finally, in three words sum up what fashion means to you?
Constant evolution of self-expression. Sorry, that is four, but I couldn’t break it down any further!
Want to keep up to date with Kylie’s styling and fashion news check out
@kybstyles
https://www.facebook.com/Styling-with-Kylie-242375809151826/
@fashionxaustin
https://www.facebook.com/fashionxaustin/
Mother’s Day
Working at Austin Rocks is a family affair. Shelley Meyer along with her daughter Tegi and newest team member baby Junë are masters of fashion, amongst many other things, to keep three very busy businesses running like clockwork.
To celebrate their amazing talent of being exceptional mothers we checked in to see what they have been up to.
ART: Hey ladies! A very happy, belated, Mother’s Day to you both, what did you do over the weekend?
SM: We took a boat out on Lake Travis, it was so wonderful to see the lake full again.
TH: It was Doiron and Junë’s first time on a boat, it was so special to take my family on the lake that I grew up on.
ART: As busy as you are, you are always on point with your styling choices, what are your top tips on day to day styling for the busy Mom?
SM: Find the silhouette that‘s most flattering and comfortable for you, then stock up, so it’s easy to get dressed in the morning.
TH: For me, it’s black, when in doubt wear black.
ART: We see baby Junë already experiencing some stunning fashion moments at just a month old. Can you both recall one of your earliest fashion moments?
TH: Oh my god, I had the raddest turquoise cowboy boots and a hot pink quilted jacket. I thought they were EVERYTHING, my favorite was to put them over my black leotard and leggings from dance class, ohhh the 90’s. I would totally rock those things now!
SM: Growing up in Minnesota, I had a set of white rabbit fur earmuffs with a matching muff that made me feel like royalty.
ART: Fashion Icons we all have one, who is yours?
SM: Ever since my first trip to Paris, I’ve been in love with Sonia Rykiel, I love her bold but classic looks.
TH: I have to say Rachel Zoe and I’m not ashamed to admit, the Olsen Twins. I would exchange closets with any of those ladies in a heartbeat.
ART: You both have personally hand picked the fashion in Austin Rocks, what do you typically seek out for when buying for the store?
TH: First and foremost I look for what I love personally. The girls in the store keep me informed of what they’re into and what our customers are asking for, and from there I seek the styles that I would love to wear myself.
SM: I make sure she doesn’t buy everything in black. But seriously, Teg has done a great job outfitting the store, we do great buying with each other because we can speak openly about what we’re missing from our collection or what we’re possibly buying too much of.
TH: It’s true, I’ve definitely been in a black phase for a while now. It’s just so EASY to wear! But it’s important to us to have a unique and diversified selection, our goal is that everyone will fall in love with something in our store.
ART: Austin we love this city! What’s your favorite thing to do with family in Austin?
SM: We have a family tradition of going to the Zilker summer musical together. We pack a picnic and go early to get a good spot, we have to take turns running down to Barton Springs to cool off.
TH: Oh that’s a good one! For me, it’s anything on the water. We are so lucky to live in Austin surrounded by some really amazing places like Barton Springs, Hamilton Pool, the Blue Hole in Wimberley, Krause springs, the list goes on and on. There is nothing better than spending a hot summer day in the water.
ART: What ROCKS about Austin Rocks?
TH: Not to sound cheesy, but our prices! We really pride ourselves on finding amazing fashion that looks and feels expensive, but fits in everyone’s budget.
ART: Finally, in three words sum up what fashion means to you?
SM: Signature Personal Style
TH: Confidence. Self-Expression. Fun.
Thank you ladies,
– Much love, the Austin Rocks team
Met(al) Gala 2016
Tonight is the night I wait for all year. As I sit anxiously awaiting the red carpet arrivals, I can’t help but imagine what I myself would don to Queen Wintour’s coveted Met Gala. This is the time for our favorite celebs and their stylists to push the limits of fashion and get them out of their comfort zones.
Tonight’s theme, Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, is exactly the theme I wanted to see. There were a lot of hits tonight, and a lot of looks that should be transported back to outer space.
Personal Faves:
Poppy Delevingne is serving up vampy, space flapper realness in this tiered Marchesa. This plunging number is coated in jewels, and hugs her body in all the right ways. Pure opulence Poppy.
Burberry model Jourdan Dunn nailed the theme with this futuristic, body hugging Balmain dress. She is LITERALLY dripping in silver, and we are OBSESSED.
Ciara is dropping all of our jaws in this H&M gown. She is EMBRACING the theme tonight with her gorgeous silver hair… and do you see that ROCK on her finger?! Slay girl.
Least Faves:
Taylor we <3 you SO much… but I don’t think we are ready for this side of you. The bleach blonde hair, super dark lip, and knee high strappy heels are competing too heavily with her Louis Vuitton, space mermaid dress. Stop growing up Taylor! I don’t know about you, but we want you to feel 22 again!
This one makes me sad! Our confident girl Demi looks extremely stiff and uncomfortable in this sequin Moschino. The gold and black detail does nothing for the gown. We’ve seen a lot better from her, but at least her body is still rocking, and her face reads fierce, fierce, fierce.
Overall, I was pretty underwhelmed with the majority of the ladies tonight. A few winners doused in metallic glamour…and too many hard misses to count! Here’s to hoping next year they push the boundaries a little further, as I dream about what the theme will be! This space cadet is signing off!