#brookefeather

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SHOP BOSS: MEET BROOKE FEATHER

Brooke Feather brings California style to Houston with her namesake shop, nestled in the heart of Houston’s prestigious River Oaks neighborhood. Showcasing a collection of relaxed pieces with edgy details and cozy fits, the shop is influenced by the easy, breezy lifestyle of Laguna Beach, where Brooke spent her summers for many years. Celebrated designers including Closed, Crippen, Current/Elliott, Iro, Nili Lotan, NSF, Pas de Calais, RtA, The Lady & The Sailor, and Ulla Johnson fill the effortlessly cool space. In the mix, you can find everything from a basic tee and a perfect fitting jean to a subtly chic dress. We sat down with Brooke to chat about the beginnings of her store, her favorite new arrivals, life in Houston, and more...

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Style Icon(s): This is a deceptively difficult question! I know this probably sounds strange, but I don’t really have a style icon. I am more inspired by the women I meet every day and how they dress and put things together in a way I might not have thought of. It’s easy to dress well if you have an unlimited budget and a stylist. I think it is very easy to list the obvious style icons we all love, but I think the more interesting question is, “Who is a style icon in this day and age and what criteria make up that definition?”

Words to live by/favorite quote:  “I will make better mistakes tomorrow.” / “Forget the rules. If you like it, wear it.”

How would you describe your style? My style reflects my love of California. It’s eclectic – casual, but (most days) put together. I am a jeans and white tee kind of girl who loves accessories, but when I do get dressed up I like something unique, elegant, and special.

Item(s) from your closet you can’t live without? My gold Agas & Tamar basket necklace, my Crippen leather pants, all kinds of denim, Philippe Model sneakers, my new black NDC boots, and my Ampersand as Apostrophe Bag.

Tell us the story behind Brooke Feather! What inspired you to open your shop? Truthfully, it was my love of California (specifically Laguna Beach) that inspired the store. I have spent a lot of my life in California with my family, and I realized over the years that I was exclusively shopping out there. When I came home, everyone always wanted to know where I got my clothes. Every summer I would work somewhere different in Laguna Beach. When I say “work,” I am talking about an almost-forty-year-old with a law degree “interning” to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. One summer I worked at a wonderful store called Laguna Supply. That was it. I fell in love. I finally realized that even though Laguna Beach is my special place, Houston is and always will be my home. So I decided to bring a little bit of the style and feel of my happy place home with me.

Is there a piece of business advice on owning a store that has stuck with you? You can’t be everything to everyone. I am still trying though!  

What is the best part about running shop in Houston? The customers – without a doubt. I wanted to develop a place where people feel comfortable to come shop, see what’s new, or just visit – a place where there is a sense of comfort and community and trust. I love seeing all of my regular customers and meeting new people every day.

Favorite local spots in Houston? Restaurants, shops, watering holes? I am not going to lie – I can be found at the bar at Brasserie 19 alone after work once in a while having a glass of wine while I let my husband put the kids to bed. It is definitely nice having that restaurant for a neighbor. My husband (who is also my favorite person in the world) and I love Da Marco and we take our kids (two girls ages eight and two) to Dolce Vita a lot. My 8 year old and I are on the hunt for the best chocolate chip cookie in the city and she is the expert. Right now, it’s a tie between Tiny Boxwoods and Croissant Brioche. You can also find me at Fellini’s in Rice Village getting coffee every morning before work. I walk in and they just start my order.

What are some items in store right now that you’re crazy over? Ulla Johnson’s fall arrival, everything from The Great (I am really excited about this line), Philippe Model sneakers, Tess Giberson’s pieces (a new line for us), all of our new boots (it’s the first time we’ve had boots in the store!), and our latest selection of jewelry (I love jewelry and we have a great mix in the store right now).

How do you source designers for Brooke Feather? I do a LOT of research on what I think would fit the store best and do a lot of reaching out to designers. I have great reps who give good advice and showrooms I love and trust. Finding designers is probably the most difficult task in owning a store because there are so many wonderful ones out there and you just can’t carry them all!

Most interesting designers you’ve had the opportunity to meet? I love Beth Orduña. I have loved her jewelry forever and it brings back great memories for me. Every time I pull out a piece of her jewelry I remember where I was when I bought it or who gave it to me and for what occasion. I feel comfortable and chic when I wear her jewelry. She makes statement pieces that are a unique mix of jewelry and art. I always enjoy visiting her and seeing her latest creations.  

What do you love about House Account? It’s an amazing way to reach more consumers and dip your toe in e-commerce. We are working on an e-commerce site, but that takes time and we are not even a year old yet. Some of our best customers have found us through House Account. I love to shop in boutiques and House Account makes it so much easier. It’s a genius idea and I wish I had thought of it!