Hot Mess Boutique

I went for a walk with a friend the other day and discovered the cutest little boutique. The name of the store is Hot Mess Boutique and seeing as the whole point of our outing was to walk off our hangovers, it only seemed fitting to go in and take a look. Of course, we couldn't have resisted if we'd wanted to because before we had the chance to keep walking, we were almost literally dragged in by the store owner. I mean that in the best way possible. Really. Within three minutes, Kacharell had us off of the sidewalk and inside trying things on. Her Oklahoma drawl and her spunky spirit were both too shiny to not make friends quickly.

My friend and I were both instantly in love with the shop. Bright turquoise walls, gold accents, just enough stuff in the store to have plenty to look at without it feeling cluttered at all. So much character in one little boutique! One of many things to love about Hot Mess Boutique is that everything there is made out of the softest materials ever. That probably sounds like an exaggeration but I'd bet money on that. I'm a big texture person, I couldn't stop feeling everything in the store. The shop carries lots of long, drapey pieces in muted tones. I could see each piece being a staple articles that would match with everything you own, but could also serve as the centerpiece of your outfit. I can't imagine wearing anything in there and not have my friends ask where I found it and where they could get one.

Kacharel's husband and business partner, Travis, piped in occasionally to finish her sentences or add parts of the stories she was telling us. It was obvious to me how awesome their relationship is right away. She's the idea girl, and he's the focus. She's the drive, and he keeps them grounded. Perfect!

Bubbly Kacharell told us the stories behind a few of the things hanging in the store. For example, there is a line of tank tops that have wings on them to celebrate the life of the designer's late father. Almost all of the articles sold at Hot Mess are not only made in the US but benefit different Non-Profit Organizations. How cool!? They've also got the best smelling bath salts as well as a couple cute puppies that hang around the store who are, unfortunately, not for sale.

And of course! An interview...

Brynn Bear: Where do you call home?

Kacharel Gibbs: I actually consider Oregon home. I have lived here for a while and I guess I grew so much while living here that I just feel a strong tie to Salem, and Oregon in general. Oklahoma will always be “home” and I go back often, but I’m here now, and home is here, where I am.

Travis Gibgs: A small roll out pad in a small cramped room with family for the moment while we try and find a place for ourselves that fits us in the area.

BB: What made you pick Salem for your second store?

KG: Oh boy- Lots of things. Demographics, community, access, cost… The list is long.

TG: It was between that, Bend, and Portland for our first Oregon store. We went with Salem though because we wanted to live on the West side of the mountains and had family willing to help us out for a bit in Salem. With Kacharel being always on the go and wanting to see and save the world all at the same time though, we will eventually just call the world our home most likely.

BB: Do you like OR or OK better?

KG: I want to say Oregon, but then I start thinking about all of the things I love and miss about Oklahoma… Like our lake, my friends, my family, knowing absolutely EVERYONE that walks through my door. But Oregon is just so easy… It has absolutely everything that is conducive to my lifestyle. If I want to take the pups to a dog park I actually have choices! I don’t have that option back in Ok.

TG: They are completely different places that have pluses and minuses both. I love the freedom of expression and independent attitudes and styles of Oregonians, but I do like the slow pace of things in the Oklahoma countryside as well and the Southern charm, as you can tell with who I chose to spend the rest of my life with.

BB: Do you feel like your surroundings/town influence the fashion inspirations for the store?

KG: That’s definitely true for our Oklahoma store. And for Oregon I’m more influenced by what I want… I have so many different moods and personalities! When we are shopping for the stores I think about how I want to feel on any day walking down the street and what that looks like in my closet.

TG: We are inspired by many things when crafting our stores, but yes, the people we come into contact with on a daily basis influence the fashion inside our walls. All of our pieces have a story as to why we chose them and meaning behind them, which is one of the things we pride ourselves on.

BB: Do you think they influence your personal style?

KG: Sure. If I know I’m going to be hanging out in Salem for the day I will probably grab as many pieces of clothes out of my closet possible and layer up! If I’m in Oklahoma I will definitely minimalize my attire. It’s too damn hot there!

TG: Yes, my personal style has been influenced a little bit by my surroundings. Adaptation is a part of nature after all. However, my style is a work in progress that has been recreated over the years as I have taken different parts of the world at large that I have liked, chopped them all up and remixed them in a blender, and spit out my version of it all. As I grow from new experiences and see new things my style will change in the future some as well, but my very core of who I am will be the same.

BB: How did you get started?

KG: On a whim! We needed work! We are both college graduates and couldn’t find work so we gave ourselves jobs. Travis has always been into fashion… Researching underground designers, shopping sample sales, and trying to turn heads with pieces that he’s purchased. And I’m a shopper! Give me $20 and I’ll spend $50!

TG: Kacharel has an unmatched determination unlike anything I have seen before, and with her drive and just a little guidance from me and a lot of family and friends helping along the way we were able to launch our endeavor.

BB: What Spring trends should we be looking out for?

KG: EVERYTHING. I’m loving that fashion and style is becoming an expression of personality and function. But if you’re looking for the new arrivals and what’s going to be in every store that you absolutely can’t get away from that would be bright neon colors, floral prints, contemporary cuts i.e the harem pant… there’s a mixture of several decades worth of style- You’ll see the flower child trends with skinny flare denim, floral flowy tops, paired with denim pearl snap western shirts. There’s a great spinoff of 80’s trends with Neon Striped shirts, blazers, and vintage t’s.

BB: What every day things inspire you?

KG: My little sister, my pups, and my husband. I want to be trendy without looking like I’m trying too hard, I need to be able to walk my pups and get down and dirty with them, and I want to look SEXY! Even if I’m in a t-shirt and jeans.

TG: Music, Conversations, Sunshine, Dreams, People, Art, Food, My Wife

BB: You have perfected the art of reflecting your personality throughout your boutique. How!?

KG: With absolutely no vision or plan! I didn’t want to be another pretentious boutique. I’m a bleeding heart for every issue out there so knowing that I wanted to walk the walk I just started collecting things… Literally. When something, such as a chair, has a story it intrigues me. I live my life by the moment.

TG: One thing I have learned is to trust Kacharel's vision. She was able to see what she wanted when I wasn't able to, and as long as I just did the work as it came up and gave my opinion when it was of use everything turned out great. It is our baby, and since it came from us it is a reflection of ourselves.

BB: How do you manage owning two stores and being a real person at the same time?

KG: Since I’m a real person I have my moments. I get cranky. But at the same time I thrive off of the energy of having so much to do! I try to tell everyone around to that it’s their responsibility to keep me grounded. My Manager at the Oklahoma store, Jodi, knows that she’s got to speak up and say, “Woah, slow down Kach.” And the same is true for Trav. Since we just opened the Oregon store I’ve been tied up with work a lot and have let my personal life slide. But it’s time to get back to our original plan. We leave work at work. The work day is over 30 minutes after the last customer leaves. Period. Travis and I learned early on that when you take your work home it makes you a cranky bitch!

TG: And you thought Wonderwoman was just a comic didn't you? It is hard and stressful at times, but it is very rewarding to see a vision come true. We sure could use a vacation real soon though!

BB: How do you get connected with the designers/merchandisers that you promote through your boutique?

KG: We have several ways. Market helps, the internet is amazing, and because of my ties to the non profits I'm always looking for people that are associated with ones that I want to promote.

TG: We have been able to find pieces and designers we love by going to markets in Las Vegas and Dallas, making contacts with showrooms that keep us updated on cool new lines and styles, cruising the Internet and magazines and contacting the designers that pop out at us directly, and sometimes it just seems like it is meant to be and they fall in our laps.

BB: A lot of the proceeds from certain pieces in your shop go to benefit different non profit organizations, can you tell us a little about that?

KG: That goes back to my degree. I have a degree in Public Health so because I want to stay socially conscious, which fashion doesn’t always fit that category, I am always looking for products that donate proceeds to various non profs. I’m learning that with those companies I literally have to chase them down because they are generally tied up in doing their non prof work!

TG: Why not sell high-quality items that are unique, soft, luxurious, fun, and beautiful while making the world a better place at the same time. Many people out there need help, and we are just trying to do our little part.

BB: What would you rather be doing right now, other than answering my questions?

KG: Jumping out of a plane. No really, sky diving. Can you hook that up for me?

TG: Beach, warm weather, sunshine, some soft background music, getting a massage, etc, etc, etc,

BB: You always have really happy music playing in the shop - can you leave us with a pump-you-up kind of playlist?

KG: I love Pandora! I have so many different music tastes- I like to throw on Latin Jazz, Frank Sinatra, Eminem, Beastie Boys, Tom Petty… The list is long. But this is what we’ve heard so far today.

Just a Friend - Biz Markie

Tricky - Run DMC

Most Girls - PINK

Not So Usual - Jason Mraz

Pardon Me - Incubus

Dream on - Aerosmith

BB: What's next for Hot Mess?

KG: Hot Mess BLOCK PARTY!

TG: Depends who you ask. I may tell you one thing and she may tell you another. Most likely, take 75% of her vision and 25% of mine and you will arrive to the right answer. We are wanting to introduce our own line of products eventually, so be on the lookout for that in the future. There are some plans of future stores as well, so lookout world!