As many of you know, what’s trending in fashion oftentimes predicts what will be hot in interior design… Take that fact, and Jill’s love for fine quality, unique clothing, and you have an idea where steve mckenzie’s appreciation for high end fashion comes from.
Recently, we hosted a pop up shop for Hampden Clothing, undeniably one of the country’s top boutiques, whose brick-and-mortar location is located on Charleston’s historic King Street. Hampden Clothing owner, Stacy Smallwood, was along for the pop up, and we took the opportunity to pick her brain for all of you!
Spoiler alert – she’s fabulous and has a brilliant mind for fashion and business. We think she’s in the right line of work. 😉 Scroll down and be captivated by Stacy and all she has to share:
Stacy Smallwood
Which words best describe your aesthetic/style?
Evolving, Experimental, Simple, Confident
Please share a little about your favorite ensemble with us…
I’m not really attached to outfits – it really depends on my mood. I’m so busy, it’s hard to remember! I travel so much, so I know my go-to pieces, pack them, and know they work.
Rag & Bone Fleet Blazer, available at Hampdon Clothing
Tip – Stacy’s favorite staple item is a good blazer. It nips in at the waist without being a belt.
What are the sources of your inspiration?
Travel! When traveling, you’re able to see what others are really wearing. In our day to day lives, we see the same people and same looks – this can be conforming.
Hampden Clothing – interior
Who are three people, alive or dead, you would invite to your dream dinner party?
Rene Brown – Obsessed with her right now! Creativity, and vulnerability. We see so much vulnerability in the dressing room; it gets really raw when women look at themselves in the mirror.
Gwyneth Paltrow – Lifestyle and food.
Chelsea Handler – Have fun!
Miuccia Prada
Favorite quote?
“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.” ~ Miuccia Prada, famed Italian fashion designer (Miu,
Miu, Prada)
What are some pieces in your wardrobe you can’t live without?
A good bag and good shoes – finish the look!
Are there any rules you follow when pulling a look together?
It’s all about proportion. If you wear a flowy top, choose a skinny bottom and vice versa.
Don’t limit yourself by age, but be appropriate. Take your cues from your peers and peer media, not your teenagers. If you’re limiting yourself with your wardrobe, where else may you be limiting yourself?!?
What trends are you seeing?
For fall, underlying Bohemian style. Velvet, burgundy. Cold shoulder and off the shoulder continues. 90’s rocker girl – chokers, plaid, monochromatic. Red. Turtlenecks – in the south find a tissue weight short sleeve option to pair under a sleeveless summer dress and bring it into fall!
If stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you couldn’t live without?
Iced lattes!
What’s a piece of advice you’d share with someone looking to break into the fashion indistry?
You don’t need a fashion degree – get a business degree! Find a good mentor and polish up your math skills.
THANK YOU to Stacy and Hampden Clothing for gracing our showroom with your pop up shop and for this fun interview – it was such a treat hosting them all here and learning more about Stacy!!
Sidenote – Stacy and Hampden Clothing are part of a select board, which Harper’s Bazaar works with to determine what may be featured in the magazine. Pretty awesome, right?!?
We hope Stacy and her thoughts on fashion have inspired you to reconsider your wardrobe a bit and how it works for you!
