{Q} I’M ALWAYS MARVELING AT YOUR UNIQUE PRINTS AND PATTERNS.
THE BEETLE DRESS IN THE BRITISH INVASION COLLECTION WAS A
STAND-OUT TO ME, AND I KNOW THE COMMISSIONED FABRIC IS
SOMETHING YOU’RE REALLY PROUD OF.
{A} Yes. Tammy and I found ourselves exhausting fabric catalogues early
in the season, and we were really frustrated. We couldn’t find enough
interesting prints to fit the eight to ten [styles] we release a month.
The process is really fun. We work with contracted artists and design
alongside them, a very back-and-forth effort, until we get it perfect. We
then send the digital files off to our fabric vendors and they print for us.
The entire process takes about six to eight weeks.
{Q} THE FUNCTION AND LOOK OF THE DRESSES IS A NOD TO DAYS
GONE BY, ISN’T IT?
{A} We both obsess over mid-century modern aesthetics and the fashion
icons of the 1950s and 1960s. The classic lines, and the polished, clean
silhouettes of those times are evident in almost everything we design
today. We love modernizing those vintage patterns and making them
relevant for today’s child. {Q} SO YOU’RE CONSTANTLY IMMERSED IN SOME STEP OF THE
DESIGN CYCLE. BUT IN ADDITION TO THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS,
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST PARENTING CHALLENGE YOU’VE
FACED?
{A} We both face very different challenges as parents. I (Kris) would say
my biggest challenge as a parent is making time for one-on-one with
each of my four children, for my husband, and for myself. Between school
obligations, sports commitments, Bijou and running our crazy household,
I fall short usually in every arena at some point or another. I drown in
laundry, I drive-thru, I carpool...I try and not be too hard on myself when I
just can’t get it all done. It really does take a village.
{Q} YOUR DRESSES ARE RETRO AND ADVENTURE-READY, AND YOU
DON’T FOLLOW THE FASHION SEASONS, EITHER.
{A} Our business model is somewhat unique from other online-based
retail stores. We release new collections every two weeks, which typically
include four to five styles [and] colorways each time. We load all of our
inventory at eight [in the evening] Central Time on Tuesdays and once it
is gone, it is gone. We don’t restock or add inventory after it is sold out.
{Q} THERE’S A PERSONAL CONNECTION EVIDENT WHICH MAKES BIJOU
REALLY APPROACHABLE AS A FAMILY BUSINESS. BUT I DON’T HAVE
TO TELL YOU IT’S A COMPETITIVE JUNGLE OUT THERE. WHAT MAKES
BIJOU STAND OUT?
{A} We feel Bijou is different from other boutique brands first and
foremost because of our quality. We hand-make everything here in the
United States, and use high quality designer fabrics, or fabrics we design
ourselves. We design every style and make our own patterns, and we
strive to make things we would wear ourselves. It’s elevated, yet ready-
to-wear and comfortable. And our girls love hiding their treasures in our
standard pockets.
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