Explore the work of Waco designers, artisans and boutiques offering the latest in modern, minimalist style with bold and delicate basics. See why our city is quickly becoming a hub for both apparel and accessories. Fall trends include boxy lines, washed and distressed denim, face-framing necklines and neutral tones.
Indigo Girl Indigo denim button front dress by Gentle Fawn, available at Wildland Supply Co., $79; yarn-dyed linen bandana in rose by Mary Claret, available at maryclaret.com, $20; Eskimo suede and stacked leather ankle boot by Alias Mae, available at Prefontaine, $250; olive faux leather backpack by Kalu, available at Elevate in The Findery, $61; brass Tetra earrings by EM Jewelry Design, available at emjewelrydesign.com, $48; Horseshoe gray leather wrap bracelet by Jimmy Rocket, available at Coreopsis, $52; The Wrap camo leather bracelet by Jimmy Rocket, available at Coreopsis, $40; 14-karat gold-filled cuff ring set by EM Jewelry + Design, available at emjewelrydesign.com, $38; 14-karat gold-filled Cuff Ring set by EM Jewelry Design, available at emjewelrydesign.com, $38; Tal gold-filled ring by Summer Ellis, available at Summer Ellis Bijouterie, $68.
Indigo Girl Indigo denim button front dress by Gentle Fawn, available at Wildland Supply Co., $79; yarn-dyed linen bandana in rose by Mary Claret, available at maryclaret.com, $20; Eskimo suede and stacked leather ankle boot by Alias Mae, available at Prefontaine, $250; olive faux leather backpack by Kalu, available at Elevate in The Findery, $61; brass Tetra earrings by EM Jewelry Design, available at emjewelrydesign.com, $48; Horseshoe gray leather wrap bracelet by Jimmy Rocket, available at Coreopsis, $52; The Wrap camo leather bracelet by Jimmy Rocket, available at Coreopsis, $40; 14-karat gold-filled cuff ring set by EM Jewelry + Design, available at emjewelrydesign.com, $38; 14-karat gold-filled Cuff Ring set by EM Jewelry Design, available at emjewelrydesign.com, $38; Tal gold-filled ring by Summer Ellis, available at Summer Ellis Bijouterie, $68.
Modern Silhouette Ribbed cowl neck sweater by Laju, available at Plum in Spice Village, $80; distressed, high-rise skinny jean by Grae Apparel, available at Grae Apparel in Spice Village, $55; Mina extra-long distressed denim jacket by MPD, available at Wildland Supply Co., $109; white snakeskin sneakers by Free People, available at Roots, $128; leather statement bracelets, available at Plum in Spice Village, $22; Elisa pendant necklace in gold by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $60; nude strap watch by Grae Apparel, available at Grae Apparel in Spice Village, $25; 24-karat gold-plated bangle by Addison Weeks, available at Lane’s on Austin, $78; Glenna cocktail ring in silver by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $60; simple stone ring by Uno de 50, available at Lane’s on Austin, $89.
Modern Silhouette Ribbed cowl neck sweater by Laju, available at Plum in Spice Village, $80; distressed, high-rise skinny jean by Grae Apparel, available at Grae Apparel in Spice Village, $55; Mina extra-long distressed denim jacket by MPD, available at Wildland Supply Co., $109; white snakeskin sneakers by Free People, available at Roots, $128; leather statement bracelets, available at Plum in Spice Village, $22; Elisa pendant necklace in gold by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $60; nude strap watch by Grae Apparel, available at Grae Apparel in Spice Village, $25; 24-karat gold-plated bangle by Addison Weeks, available at Lane’s on Austin, $78; Glenna cocktail ring in silver by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $60; simple stone ring by Uno de 50, available at Lane’s on Austin, $89.
Shades of Gray Striped tunic top by En Crème, available at Grae Apparel in Spice Village, $43; Rocket Crop cropped black skinny jean by Citizens of Humanity, available at Prefontaine, $238; Focus pointed toe black ankle bootie by Chinese Laundry, available in Spice Village, $70; sterling silver Lilo earrings by EM Jewelry Design, available at emjewelrydesign.com, $78; Liesl necklace in silver by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $140; slate pointed stone necklace by Monica Haff, available at Papillon, $110; silver sayings cuff, available at Grae Apparel in Spice Village, $13; Cammy bracelet trio by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $175.
Full Hues Plum twist front cardigan by Stateside, available at Wildland Supply Co., $82; Modern Femme faux leather dark green mini skirt by Free People, available at Roots, $60; gray tights by Simply Vera Wang, available at Kohls, $12; Highbury pewter suede ankle boots by Vince, available at Prefontaine, $395; Reign necklace with metal pearls by Summer Ellis, available at Interior Glow, $58; gold metallic sayings cuffs, available at Grae Apparel in Spice Village, $13 each; Better Together gold-filled ring set by Summer Ellis, available at Interior Glow, $68.
Quilted + Printed Marceau Toile Camp Shirt by Tommy Bahama, available at Covet in Sironia, $118; cropped and cuffed jean by Citizens of Humanity, available at Prefontaine, $218; quilted bomber jacket by Sanctuary, available at Wildland Supply Co., $159; Bray blush velvet flats by Vince, available at Prefontaine, $275; Business Bag in Marfa, available at veritymarket.com, $595; Tout le Monde gold-filled hoops by Summer Ellis, available at Papillon, $68; June long necklace in gold by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $120; Reya stackable ring set by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $85.
Quilted + Printed Marceau Toile Camp Shirt by Tommy Bahama, available at Covet in Sironia, $118; cropped and cuffed jean by Citizens of Humanity, available at Prefontaine, $218; quilted bomber jacket by Sanctuary, available at Wildland Supply Co., $159; Bray blush velvet flats by Vince, available at Prefontaine, $275; Business Bag in Marfa, available at veritymarket.com, $595; Tout le Monde gold-filled hoops by Summer Ellis, available at Papillon, $68; June long necklace in gold by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $120; Reya stackable ring set by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $85.
Quilted + Printed Marceau Toile Camp Shirt by Tommy Bahama, available at Covet in Sironia, $118; cropped and cuffed jean by Citizens of Humanity, available at Prefontaine, $218; quilted bomber jacket by Sanctuary, available at Wildland Supply Co., $159; Bray blush velvet flats by Vince, available at Prefontaine, $275; Business Bag in Marfa, available at veritymarket.com, $595; Tout le Monde gold-filled hoops by Summer Ellis, available at Papillon, $68; June long necklace in gold by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $120; Reya stackable ring set by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $85.
Quilted + Printed Marceau Toile Camp Shirt by Tommy Bahama, available at Covet in Sironia, $118; cropped and cuffed jean by Citizens of Humanity, available at Prefontaine, $218; quilted bomber jacket by Sanctuary, available at Wildland Supply Co., $159; Bray blush velvet flats by Vince, available at Prefontaine, $275; Business Bag in Marfa, available at veritymarket.com, $595; Tout le Monde gold-filled hoops by Summer Ellis, available at Papillon, $68; June long necklace in gold by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $120; Reya stackable ring set by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $85.
She’s a Bell Ribbed, bell-sleeve sweater by Free People, available at Roots, $78; Measure heathered side slit skirt by Gentle Fawn, available at Wildland Supply Co., $40; beige woven slides by Qupid, available at Spice Village, $29; Valynn gold-filled necklace by Summer Ellis, available at Papillon, $98; Wings of the Dawn necklace by Summer Ellis, available at Interior Glow, $56; Heavy Tola cuff by EM Jewelry Design, available at emjewelrydesign.com, $44; Glenna cocktail ring in rose gold by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $60; Glenna cocktail ring in silver by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $60.
Neutral Hues Blush velvet T-shirt by Karlie, available at Roots, $64; Strangelove wide leg drawstring pants by Free People, available at Wildland Supply Co., $128; Abbi slip-on leather flats by Kelsi Dagger, available at Wildland Supply Co., $140; gold-filled and turquoise earrings by Julie Vos, available at Lane’s on Austin, $138; leather and gold-filled necklace by Uno de 50, available at Lane’s on Austin, $117, Cammy bracelet trio by Kendra Scott, available at Coreopsis, $175.
Texture on Texture Faux suede pocket T-shirt by Z Supply, available at The Findery, $32; black cropped skinny jean by Sneak Peek, available at Ricochet, $49; cream cable knit cardigan sweater by 2 Love One, available at Courtney’s, $36; Warren platform suede sneakers by Vince, available at Prefontaine, $225; Woven pattern clutch by Shiraleah Chicago, available at Coreopsis, $30; Wyn necklace by Summer Ellis, available at Papillon, $98; wide gold-filled bangle by Julie Vos, available at Lane’s on Austin, $210.
Meet the Makers
Mary Claret
Andie Day started her apparel business in April 2016 as, “kind of like an exploration into understanding more about how clothing is made,” she said.
Before that, she worked in styling and costuming, mostly for television shows.
“In costuming, you fit a lot of body types, and I felt like there is a lack of clothing available that’s flattering to different women’s bodies and silhouettes,” the 28 year-old said.
Day designs her products in Waco for real women with sizes that range from extra small to 2XL. The clothes are created in Waco as well as in Austin and Dallas and are available online at maryclaret.com.
“I’ve been interested in U.S.-made products for a while and clothing that had a little more care and thought into its construction,” Day said. “I’m also interested in the employment of people in the U.S. and keeping the product creation process in a small area.”
Day also works full-time as a professor at Baylor. She says Waco provides the perfect environment for small businesses and upstarts because the community enjoys things that are uniquely Waco and because of changing attitudes about out city, thanks to a couple of well-known fixer-uppers.
“I found that Waco is a great hub for growing a small business because of the great community of entrepreneurs and small business owners here. I think that Waco is thriving in the small business scene partially because it’s a great location between two hubs of Dallas and Austin, and I also think it’s because the community and customers are so supportive of upstarts here. People are really excited to get involved in something they can take pride in and have affiliation with,” Day said. “Of course, everyone talks about the Gaineses, but the level of taste and style they have brought to Waco, along with their popularity, has drawn people from other places that are now more open to products and businesses here.”
EM Jewelry + Design
Ellen Mote makes jewelry that aims to bring out the natural beauty of the women who wear it.
“I really try to think about how the jewelry interacts with the wearer,” Mote said. She is the owner and lead designer of EM Jewelry + Design, and she handcrafts all of her jewelry in her Waco studio.
“It used to be that when I came home, the first thing I did when I walked through the door was to take off my jewelry,” the 28 year-old said. “When I started my own line, I made pieces that wouldn’t be those heavy pieces that at the end of the day made your ears hurt, or that you can’t stop thinking about it because it’s in your way, or this bracelet is scratching your arm all day.”
Mote received her undergraduate degree in metalsmithing and jewelry design from Texas Tech University before she worked under a jewelry designer in Portland, Oregon. The Katy native started her company two years ago when she moved to Waco for her husband’s career. EM Jewelry + Design opened in 2015 and now enjoys the exposure and sales that come with being one of Magnolia Market’s primary vendors.
Her designs can also be purchased locally at Wildland Supply Co. and through her website, emjewelrydesign.com. She recently created a line of napkin rings for a new store, Gather, located at 719 Washington Avenue. The store is, as Mote put it, “essentially a store for entertaining, where they sell everything you need to throw a perfect party, including many locally made products.”
Verity Market
In October, Hannah Sillars, 27, launched a new line of leather bags and handbags designed right here in Waco. Through her roots and relationships in Guanajuato, Mexico, her designs are brought to life by craftsmen who have been leather workers for generations. Sillars and her mother, Sarah Farver, dreamed up Verity Market five years ago while working in the fashion industry.
“My mom worked for another leather company, and we saw how there was this rationale in design for women, this expectation that women would make so many purchases throughout the year, so they didn’t need high-quality items,” Sillars said. “I worked in menswear, and I noticed that those items were often very high quality when compared to items made for women, and that frustrated me.”
Sillars, originally from a tiny town outside of Fort Worth, came to Waco when her husband began a graduate program at Baylor University. She has spent the past five years working on designs and building relationships with people who share her vision. Her leather products, which include everything from wallets to daybags, are available online at veritymarket.com.
“The way the luxury market has developed, it’s all about the brand name, so the pressure is no longer on living up to quality standards, which is something that we’re passionate about,” Sillars said. “I wanted to make a brand that relied on traditional leather-making. We work in a region [of Mexico] where leather work has existed since the 16th century. It’s a perfect marriage of worlds because we wanted something designed for people not only in New York or London but for everyday people, and to make something that is high quality that they can cherish for years.”
Summer Ellis Bijouterie
Summer Ellis grew up surrounded by creative professionals, from her mother who owned a craft store to her uncle who worked as an architect. While she remembers always drawing and creating, she found that her true gift is jewelry-making. Her jewelry, which is 100 percent handcrafted here in Waco, has grown slowly from trunk shows in her college dorm room at Baylor to now being in over 80 stores across the United States. Her local studio and showroom are located at 601 Franklin Avenue, and jewelry can also be purchased online at summerellis.com.
Not only does Ellis create beautiful jewelry, this 35-year-old entrepreneur is encouraging other artisans to follow their passion as well. She and her husband, Peter, are a big part of the restoration and revitalization of Downtown Waco, including their venture that provides office space and support for creative entrepreneurs, Anthem Studios.
“We believe that art and culture is really important to a city,” she said. “It’s important to the life of a city, the vibrancy of a city — not just the function of a city, but the vibrancy. And I think it’s what attracts people.”
Ellis, a mother of three, believes there is value in “beauty for beauty’s sake.”
“The dream for me is making jewelry for you and doing that in an authentic way. I really believe that we’re supposed to steward what we’ve been given. I’m just being thankful to live out who I really am, and my thing is beauty for beauty’s sake. And that’s a powerful message. And authenticity is a thing of beauty. And beauty is important. I don’t think it’s truly beautiful if it’s not authentic,” Ellis said. Her company is managed completely in Waco and her jewelry is all made here as well. She enjoys bringing jobs and opportunities to our community.