Kelly Wearstler | Ready-to-Wear Collection | Fall 12 | Photo: Kelly Wearstler

“You have to take risks. If you don’t, you can’t evolve.” -Kelly Wearstler said to me. Even her name has a electric vibe. Kelly Wearstler visited Tootsies Houston, and I had the pleasure of sitting down with the creative icon. Kelly Wearstler is living a life of creative passion, with a drive and determination underneath the surface, making it all happen. I admire her ability to compose a beautiful life for herself and those around her… All while being a mother, staying true to herself, and sharing her talent with the world.

A world-renowned interior designer, hotel curator and designer, four books under her wing, collaborations a plenty, and now a fashion designer, this woman is making it happen. Kelly Wearstler’s ready-to-wear line is for the creative modern-day woman living her life with one rule, Be Yourself and Take Risks!

Kelly Wearstler Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear | Photo: Kelly Wearstler

Kelly’s life takes her from the kids’ school, to shopping vintage, moving furniture, off to business meetings, then back to creating, and always being a Mom. A personal style that transitions through all aspects of your day is the key to effortless confidence! Kelly Wearstler’s Ready-to-Wear Collection is original, like nothing else you will find. Her ready-to-wear line is reflective of her inventive personality and relaxed L.A. style.

Pick up a trend piece to blend with your classic style and put an edge on your look… Express your individuality. Her fashion forward pieces are created to give women the freedom to make a personal style statement effortlessly. Kelly’s collection of dresses, tees, denim, leather and skirts boast an array of trailblazing textures, prints, laser cuts, embellishments and shapes. No detail goes unnoticed for this perfectly imperfect fashion designer.

Kelly Wearstler Fall 12 Ready-to-Wear

My Q&Awith Kelly Wearstler not only yielded a peek into her creative world, but also a realization that at the end of the day, we are ALL the same people in this world. We have the same number of hours, we have kids, we work, we have challenges, we need to learn in order to grow, and most of all… If you want something, then you have to work hard, spread your wings, make sacrifices and create!

{KW on the Decision to Design her Ready-to-Wear Collection}

It was five years in the making. “Last year was challenging for me; it was basically like learning a new language. Fashion requires a tremendous talent.”

{KW on Taking Risks}

I read this quote to her… “Sometimes I might look a little crazy, but sometimes beautiful things happen. I don’t take it too seriously.” Kelly Wearstler, New York Times 2010. Her reply, “I have twenty minutes to get ready after working out, so I literally just grab stuff. Sometimes it doesn’t work and sometimes I’m like, “you know what… I like that, and then it inspires me to do that more.” You have to take risks. If you don’t, you can’t evolve… You have to put yourself out there.”

{KW on How She Does it All}

She’s an early bird… She works out, goes home, has 20 minutes to shower before she takes her kids to school, and then gets them set on their day. She goes to work and makes it home about 6:30 for dinner with the kids. No lunch with friends, no chit-chatting and she doesn’t look at her Blackberry all day. She addresses her emails at night because they tend to drag her down, and it is important to stay focused. She doesn’t go out that much because she loves being home with her kids. Giving so much of herself all day, she wants to be home and feel nurtured.

Kelly Wearstler’s Melrose Flagship Store in Los Angeles | Photo: Vogue Daily

{KW on Choosing a Melrose Location}

It is the new area where all the fashion is going with neighbors Isabel Marant, Rag & Bone, DVF and Marc Jacobs… Robertson is another very popular area too, but Melrose is the up and coming fashion mecca in L.A. Obviously designing the architecture on the outside of her store was very important to her, so a corner location was just perfect for the Kelly Wearstler Store.

{KW’s Favorite Places}

Kelly Wearstler loves Miami… The colors, the South American influence and the deco modern design. London and Paris for the classic styles true to their heritage. She says the contemporary architecture is incredible in London and Paris, and she loves the dichotomy. Australia is on her list, and she would also love to spend more time in Asia… She loves the people and the culture.

{KW Keeps it Real with a Bad Habit}

After thinking a bit… Her purse is disorganized. She just throws stuff in there, and sunglasses break all the time. When you’re in a rush, you just throw it in there, and it’s a mess. (Yes, me too!)

{KW on Rules}

“Don’t listen to rules, you gotta break the rules… If you listen to the rules, then you don’t have a voice.”

See the Kelly Wearstler Collection at Tootsies Houston or check KellyWearstler.com for a store near you.

Read about my latest Kelly Wearstler Leather Pant purchase here

-Emily Arnim