Step one foot through the door and immediately you know this is not your mama’s clothing store. A blast of colors, patterns and textures disturb, in the most positive way, what you’ve always known to be the “right way to dress”. The intrigue pulls you in, mouth open with thoughts of “What do I look at first?!” Animal prints and torn pants, leather cuffs and graphic tees, none like you’ve ever seen before. I felt tantalized and exhilarated with every turn of my head. What was this fresh new look that I didn’t even know existed? All I knew was I wanted more. That was my first experience at Tribal Chick and, I tell you, I have been obsessed ever since.
Creativity and new ideas were encouraged in Jamie’s home. “I was born with a creative spirit and my mother encouraged me to be original. She didn’t hold me to a specific look nor was I forced to buy anything off the rack.” Jamie’s maternal grandmother, Elma Thornton, endearingly called “Itey” (pronounced “eye-tea”) was a gifted seamstress and would make for Jamie anything her heart desired. “I wanted a red check dress with a green apple pocket and I got it. It wasn’t just coming up with ideas with her either. I would be dragged to the fabric store! We would be there for hours picking out fabrics and thread and buttons. She taught me the mechanics of fashion and I am passionate about passing down my heritage to my own grandchildren because of her example.” Jamie’s paternal grandmother, Naomi “Dedox” (pronounced dee-docs) House, was also an interior designer. So, you see, her talent runs deep in the genes… and jeans!
Oh, the jeans.
Side note: I asked Jamie about her grandmothers' distinctive nicknames thinking there was some beautiful meaning since I had never heard of those names before. She giggled and said, “honestly, we have no idea where they came from! Just always called them Itey and Dedox. They were both powerful and independent women. They were a huge influence on me.”
Jamie, an interior designer by trade, started making jewelry from vintage pieces she had and discovered that people loved her style. She started selling her handmade jewelry in local shows and ladies started noticing her clothes, which she was designing as well. She found she could help women come up with distinctive looks, work with a local seamstress and create one of a kind pieces. Her clients came back for more. On June 18, 2016, Tribal Chick opened its doors on the square in Fayetteville and she hasn’t looked back. In fact, she has already moved to a larger location just down the street at 397 South Glynn St. in Fayetteville and I, for one, am thrilled . . . more room to play!
Jamie’s personal style is a beautiful, eclectic mix of fun patterns, textures and layers, layers, layers. Her clothes are an outward expression of her whimsical spirit. But, here’s the deal, when you ask Jamie to style you, she is sensitive to ask you what your comfort level is. She understands that her look is not for everyone. Jamie confided, “I have to take a deep breath when ladies tell me they want to look “age-appropriate”. I will gently push them to their limit, then pull back a little and we end up where they want to be. We want our looks to complement our client’s existing wardrobe. When they leave, they know they are really cared for.”
I hope you treat yourself to a visit. You deserve some Tribal Chick in your life. I know I do.