Community Highlights: Meet Kiara Hatcher of Kapsule Boutique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiara Hatcher.

Hi Kiara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a true lover of all things fashion! A Visual Merchandiser, Stylist, and now the owner of Kapsule; you can say I’ve been involved in every aspect. But how did this all start?

I have my childhood Barbie collection to thank for that! Honestly, when I was younger the best part about playing with dolls was picking out their outfits. That was my first introduction to fashion. My love started to expand around the age of 9. As I was getting older, I began to have these crazy growth spurts that forced my mom to constantly buy me new clothes. I remember she would take me school shopping in the fall and then we would have to go again by spring break. By 6th grade, I was fitting into women’s sizes and had endless options to choose from. I began looking forward to the shopping trips and I’ve sustained that love ever since.

I was born and raised in L.A., specifically in the Leimert Park/ Baldwin Hills area. I went to school in Culver City from K-12th grade, then I went to college in the valley at Cal State Northridge. I majored in Fashion Merchandising and minored in Marketing. At 17 years old, I began my first retail job and have worked in the retail space for ten years now. I’ve worked my way up to become a Visual Merchandiser. I dress mannequins, create window displays, product displays, organize merchandise, etc. Anything to entice customers to want to buy the product.

During college, I interned for a couple of Fashion showrooms which initially sparked my interest in becoming a Stylist. I really enjoyed using my creativity to form unique outfits that were different from my personal style. After graduating, I had the opportunity to assist other Stylists with photoshoots, music videos, fashion shows, etc. Eventually, I was able to start styling my own clients and it continues to be one of my passions. After a few years, I decided I wanted to make a name for myself in the fashion industry. I combined my knowledge from my retail jobs, styling, and college to launch Kapsule in the summer of 2019.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve definitely faced obstacles with trying to balance my career and my personal life. I’m a mother to my amazing three year old son, and I also work full time. When I’m not working, I’m taking care of him and trying to be the best mom possible. I’m really passionate about Kapsule and have such a big vision for it. I’m constantly thinking of new ideas and ways to grow my brand. However, there are days where I simply can’t do everything and I have to take a step back. I get frustrated at times because I feel like I should be doing more for my business to get further along. But at the end of the day, my son is my first priority and I have to remind myself that things will happen for me at the right time. Luckily, I have a lot of support from my family and friends and that makes it easier for me to keep pushing through.

We’ve been impressed with Kapsule Boutique, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Kapsule is an online boutique that offers women’s wardrobe essentials with a modern twist. My goal for Kapsule is to capture the essence of “effortless style.” Fashion is constantly evolving and it can be a challenge and expensive to keep up with new trends every season. I wanted to offer simple pieces that would pair well with what any woman might already have in her closet. I believe that simplicity works best as long as you feel confident in what you are wearing! Soon after my initial opening, I launched the “Confidence is key” Collection to spread the word and remind women to be confident in every aspect of their life. This collection takes loungewear to a new level with our exclusive graphic design and signature logo. Not only will you be spreading a positive message, but you’ll look cool and feel comfortable too! We offer unisex sizes so men can wear them as well. I’ll be dropping new colors in October 2021, so stay tuned!

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories are from going to summer camp! Every summer, I went to two different types of camps, completely opposite of each other. One was a sports camp of mostly boys, where we all participated in different sports every week. Every Friday, we went on a field trip to all of the local amusement parks. Magic Mountain, Knotts Berry Farm, Hurricane Harbor; you name it! The other camp was an all-girls sleep-away camp in the Hollywood hills. Girls would spend a week away from home, in a cabin, doing outdoor activities like rock climbing, arts and crafts, singing camp songs and having campfires. It always reminded me of the movie “Parent Trap.” Both camp experiences allowed me to socialize with kids from all types of backgrounds. I believe it shaped me to have a well-rounded personality and adapt to different environments. My summers were always fun and I made so many memories over the years.

Contact Info:

• Website: kapsuleboutique.com
• Instagram: @kiara.hatcher @kapsuleboutique
• Facebook: Kapsule Boutique

Image Credits:
Stephen Spencer George Berg Allie Costello Brooke Preston Jade Lorna Simona Untaru Janelle Cheyenne