Fashion gets “chaotique” at Denton boutique

by Alison Matlock of North Texas Daily

The shop is owned by a mother-daughter pair who give internships to UNT students.

Photo by Tyler Cleveland

Fashion merchandising senior Lynn Erickson, an intern at the Rhinestones Boutique off the square, talks with owner Kathy Warren while the dog Mason, a Papillon, walks around the store.

DENTON — In the Denton Square, a boutique opens its doors – displaying bright-colored clothing, zebra curtains outlined in lime green, a small brown and white dog to greet customers with a sloppy tongue, and a mother-daughter team discussing new items to bring in to sell and use for fashion students’ fashion shows.

Former biology teacher Kathy Warren, 60, and her daughter, Kelsey Warren, 24, own A Rhinestones Boutique, founded in 2007, where moderately priced clothing is sold to cater to UNT college students, specifically fashion students who can get internships at the boutique.

“We get to help the girls, but we learn a lot from them too,” Kelsey Warren said.

The boutique is called A Rhinestones Boutique, but the shop’s name – equivalent to a stage name – is Chaotique, which stands for chaos in a boutique, Kathy Warren said.

The boutique is a part of fashion shows put on by Merchandising Inc., an organization for fashion merchandising majors at UNT, said Eko Tracker, president of the organization and fashion merchandising major.

“Rhinestones has been a wonderful partner of Merchandising Inc.,” Tracker said. “Kelsey was one of the judges during the fashion show, and they also donated hundreds of coupons for the goody bags we gave everyone who came to the show.”

The looks styled with Rhinestones Boutique merchandise are often favorites in the fashion show, said Marisa Zorola, merchandising lecturer and faculty advisor for Merchandising Inc.

“It’s a mutually beneficial relationship because Rhinestones has the chance to showcase their merchandise and students learn to work with a retailer, style looks and be responsible for the garments in their possession,” Zorola said. “We couldn’t have a successful show without the help of many local retailers, including Rhinestones Boutique.”

Kathy and Kelsey Warren’s shop is called Chaotique while on the road at trade shows and A Rhinestones Boutique while in the Square catering to Denton.

Photo by Tyler Cleveland

Mari Ali of Louisville shops Thursday at the Rhinestones Boutique off the square. Ali visits the boutique every three months, she said.

They find trendy, edgy styles while traveling to trade shows, Western shows and rodeos across U.S., including those in Texas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming and the National Final Rodeo in Nevada.

Through running their business together, Kelsey Warren said they have adapted to being family as well as business partners.

“It’s really good, because we both have different eyes for things so it’s a good balance whenever we’re trying to buy or make decisions,” Kelsey Warren said.

In the future, Kathy and Kelsey Warren said they hope to have their own line or open multiple stores while traveling and providing affordable clothing to college kids.

“I think that Rhinestones is a great place for students to go shopping for fun, trendy pieces without having to travel a long distance,” Tracker said.