Queen's RansomLet’s face it: fashion is fickle. What’s in is out, what’s out is in and there usually isn’t a middle ground to stand on. Red is the new black. Or, is brown is the new black? Wait, isn’t black the new black this season? It’s enough to make someone’s head spin.

Fortunately, Santa Fe has more than a few fashionistas to help out the fashionably challenged. Essential Guide went to the best of the best and garnered their opinions on what works and what doesn’t.

First the introductions:

Jennifer Barclay of Blue Fish has been making her own clothes since she was 17. Her stores in Taos and New Jersey house beautiful hand-painted, artisan-crafted, one-of-a-kind clothing designs. Jennifer’s clients are creative, timeless individuals. Women of all ages are spotted in Blue Fish Clothing. She enjoys watching women come into her store to play “dress up” in her pieces.

Andrea Heckman from Andean Software sells super soft alpaca, baby alpaca and silk clothing, Italian après ski boots, collector’s textiles, ethnic art and jewelry. Her clientele are tactile, visually-oriented people who enjoy fine design. Andrea really enjoys finding the perfect piece for a client, and they enjoy it so much, they can’t stop talking about it. Andrea has a lot of fun on all of the international trips she takes to remote places to find new creations. It is a joy for her to represent fine artisans.

Lee Kellogg of Purple Sage sells American-made handcrafted clothing, jewelry and accessories. Her clients are typically women, 40 and older, looking for something fun and different that will make them look good and last more than one season. She has the most fun helping customers choose clothes that they get excited about and feel good wearing.

Eliza Lowther Hadley sells lingerie at The Muse. Eliza’s clients are women of all ages and shapes, and the men who love them! Eliza absolutely adores it when a woman in her shop “tries on little bits of lace and moves from feeling misshapen and exposed to feeling powerful and a little gorgeous.”

Elizabeth Pettus at Things Finer sells antique and contemporary fine jewelry, accessories and gifts. Things Finer sells to everyone: women, men, locals and visitors. Elizabeth likes to think that everyone who shops at Things Finer can find something that interests them and is in their price range. Elizabeth really enjoys introducing customers to a new period or style of jewelry, and helping them coordinate what they already have with their new-found interest.

Rebecca Hahs is the owner and designer for Ransom+Scout. Rebecca said anyone who buys a Ransom+Scout accessory is interested in beautiful, sophisticated and unusual things and isn’t tied to labels. Rebecca has the most fun introducing her line of products to new clients that connect with her designs and take away a piece that is special to them.

Susanne Culbertson of Queen’s Ransom describes the boutique as a small-scale Neiman-Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue. Queen’s Ransom sells fine jewelry, women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, cosmetics and furs. Santa Feans can find sophisticated clothes and accessories that won’t cost an “arm and a leg.” Customers will find casual and fun day-to-evening looks, as well as dressed up gowns, skirts, jackets and pants. Susanne Culbertson said that they are also becoming well-known for their custom jewelry designs.

Now, the good stuff:

Each woman chose her career path, created her own business or started a fashion line because she sensed a need in the fashion industry. Each jumped at the chance to fill a niche and we are all the better (dressed) for it.

Jennifer started Blue Fish because she could not find clothes that truly expressed who she was. She was looking for something fun, wearable and easy to care for. Jennifer’s parents’ home was the birthplace of her earliest creations and impetus for her decision to show at the New York Pret in 1986.

Andrea fell in love with Peru in 1979. “With my background as a fiber artist, I soon began chasing fine textiles around the world.” Lee replied, “I rather think it chose me.” In the process of developing Purple Sage, Lee discovered that she enjoyed buying clothes that made women feel good about themselves, including plus sized women, and providing them with quality American-made clothing that lasts.

Eliza has always been drawn to beauty and style. She said, “At some point it occurred to me that as women we seem to share the same silly ideas about our own beauty and style. Even the most breathtaking woman you know may have issues with the shape of her thighs. I have found that lingerie that is flattering and well fitting has a transformative effect that spills over into a woman’s daily life.”

Elizabeth enjoys selling to expert antique collectors all over the world, but said the most fun “is to introduce someone to a style or period of jewelry with which they were not familiar before.”

Ransom+ScoutRebecca simply stated, “I fell in love with these characters.” Those characters are Ransom, Scout, Apollo, Truman, and a few others that inspire the whimsical accessories Rebecca creates.

Susanne Culbertson said that Queen’s Ransom sprouted from the desire to create an unparalleled retail opportunity. “Our unique store is all about customer service and creating a great shopping experience.” Who influences the fashion influencers? A lively cache of inspiration comes from traveling, artistic expression, and mothers. Jennifer was motivated by her desire to create clothing without rules. She wished to “eliminate people being forced into a societal dress code.”

Andrea credits the strong textile traditions from the fine indigenous artisans of Peru, Bali, Turkey, India, Tibet, Nepal and Bolivia. She said, “The level of their technical and artistic abilities is astonishing.” Lee said her mother influenced her. She made clothes for all of the children in Lee’s family and had a great flair for color and style. Lee added, “Later on, art courses in college [influenced me] and then my love for comfortable, good looking clothing that is easy to take care of.”

Eliza is inspired by real women experiencing real life. Elizabeth credits Edith Head and Adrian—film fashions from the ‘30’s ‘40’s and ‘50’s. Rebecca also mentioned her mother as an influence. “She marches to her own drummer and is always ahead of everyone. She has never, ever been a fashion victim.” Each product line, design, and store conveys originality.

So what do the fashionistas think their best features are? Jennifer says the best part of Blue Fish “is about freedom of expression. When you have the freedom to be comfortable in your own choice of clothes, you are more comfortable being yourself.” Andrea wants all Andean Software clients to feel beautiful when they wear her creations. She wishes “that they glow from the inside and move with the fabrics; that they experience wearing art; being art.” Lee would like everyone to know that Purple Sage clothing is made in America and that they have a size range that accommodates plus-size women. Eliza simply wishes that The Muse clientele enjoy being women! Elizabeth believes, “Jewelry is both serious and fun, and above all wearable—don’t lock it up!” She encourages her clients to put on accessories and enjoy them. Rebecca wants everyone to feel his or her own sense of style. She said, “Wear things that make you feel good—cool, smart, avant garde—whatever you desire to be.”.

With so many creative visions, there are bound to be style-favorites for each of our fashionistas. So, is there one fashion item or design each one hopes stays in style indefinitely? And which ones do they wish would just go away? Jennifer would like to see clothing become a reflection of spirit—wearing “your heart and your art on you sleeve.” Andrea replied, “I wish baggy legged pants would go away and anything that enhances women’s shapeliness would stay. Clothes should flatter the figure and move with gracefulness.” Eliza said, “I object to fashion that is produced in a way that hurts people or our globe. I am drawn to styles that allow women to feel feminine, powerful and individual.” Elizabeth hopes that people quit following the fashion herd and stop buying “safe” looks so that they blend in instead of expressing themselves. “I hope pearls stay in style indefinitely. Nothing is more elegant, more timeless, or more sensual,” she said. Rebecca would like to see midriff tops paired with low-rise jeans banished, while platform shoes are welcome to stick around forever.

The designers and shop owners in Santa Fe and Taos seem to have their fingers on the pulse of timeless clothing and accessories. Thankfully they’re not about the “in” colors of the season, and all about personal expression and individuality. Which is what having style is all about.