How Texas-based boutique Kick Pleat became a hot spot for international, timeless fashion

This week, Glossy spotlights the power of specialty stores. While department stores’ demands and terms are turning brands away, specialty stores — often offering new awareness, desirable brand alignment, target consumer-focused curations and inspiring physical footprints — are becoming go-to retail partners. We’re spotlighting five U.S. stores that leading brands are betting on now.

All three of upscale womenswear boutique Kick Pleat’s locations may be in Texas, but founder Wendi Martin says her store is defined more by its aesthetic than its geographic location.

Rather than cater to any sort of stereotypical Southern tropes, Martin has consistently stuck to her own vision of timeless, elegant style since the store’s founding in 2003. There are no cowboy boots, but rather tasteful ballerina flats from Lemaire; no bolo ties, but slender gold necklaces from Renato Cipullo.

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