Our lives are filled with intersections. Moments where we are going about our journey and we cross paths with another traveler. Many times we have those quick ” hi and bye” chats where we may get a little nugget to help us along the way, but then there are the course altering collisions! I am talking about the good kind – the encounters that cause a shift in your mindset and create beautiful masterpieces.

One Saturday in 2017, I was at my local thrift store sourcing for inventory. I didn’t feel extraordinary that day and I was looking a hot mess! To be honest I was not in the mood to be seen. As I was combing through a rack of dresses, this beautiful Black Woman struck up a conversation with me. One of her first questions was ” Is that your hair?” followed by “What is your size?” and then a “Do you model?” – I was cracking up inside, but maintaining outward composure (…i think 😀 ). After chatting for a bit, we exchanged numbers and Instagram handles.

Let me tell you about my friend:

Kristian, the owner of “Suri Rose Boutique Vintage”

Black Girl Magic Alert!

Kris (pictured above) has extensive styling experience; ranging from editorials to fashion shows to movies.

The day I met her I did not know she was a collector of beautiful pieces!  In fact, she has been doing so for 15 years! I had the opportunity to view some of her finds and this woman has been blessed with –

The Eye

If you are a reseller or collector of vintage pieces – you know that this is HUGE! Kris has got the gift and I have had the honor of seeing it firsthand!

The sequins.

The furs.

The lace.

The intricate details on her colorful garments!!!!

I. Want. ALL. Of. It. Some of her finds are posted on her Instagram page here, however, that does not even begin to scratch the surface. Kristian’s collection deserves a space of its own. The world needs to fully experience her artistry in person!

Thankfully, she is a woman with a vision and the work ethic to back it! Kris has plans to open a physical boutique selling eclectic pieces of clothing and furniture. I cannot wait for the day to come… like can I just get in line now !?! Y’all her pieces will fly off the shelf. This will happen because she not only has an “eye” for garments – she has a heart that sees beauty in everyone. This is what life is all about:

Showing the overlooked and undervalued that they too are loved!

We all desire to be known. The day she met me – I was in my hot mess disguise, yet she “knew” me to be model caliber. Through her business Kris hopes to use that same “eye” to show at risk teens their potential and how to help save the Earth through sustainable fashion. Hmm, maybe they will get their first job logging inventory at her store or assist customers in selecting pieces!…One thing I do know – is that they will be edified with words of encouragement. Kris is the mother of not 1, not 3, not 5, but SEVEN beautiful human beings! She is well –

Equipped to Inspire!

In fact, she rang my phone with a proposition that I personally could not resist. Kris had a vintage 1960’s coat that she described to me as being reminiscent of “Jackie O.” style and when thinking of someone to model it – thought of me! Before even seeing the coat – I was all the way signed up for this reseller stylist collaboration! All I had to do was show up, get styled from head to toe, and pose.

We connected and had such a blast! Laughter was the thread holding all of our conversations – she dropped a gem of a response to my  ” What would you tell your 30-year-old self?” question – which is an entire post in itself (wait on it 🙂 )!  I learned that Kris is concerned about how the world is losing the art of communication, taking time to breathe, reading from books, and loving ones self to the fullest. The funny thing – is that as she was styling and photographing me in her pieces – it was like we traveled to an era where self-confidence soared and time slowed.

You are invited to observe this experience in the fashion gallery below.

All quotes are from the iconic  Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis –

as this photo shoot was inspired by her impeccable style.

Enjoy & much ❤ .

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world.

Love of books is the best of all.”

“Once you can express yourself, you can tell the world what you want from it….All the changes in the world, for good or evil, were first brought about by words. “

“I am a woman above everything else.”

“I want minimum information given with maximum politeness.”

“One should always dress like a marble column.”

” I think my biggest achievement is that, after going, through a rather difficult time, I consider myself comparatively sane. I’m proud of that.”

” A great goal in life is the only fortune worth finding.”

“I want to live my life, not record it.”

Special thank you to my friend Kris for affording me the opportunity of being styled in her pieces and experiencing her creative vision.

Peace & Blessings,

Lo Johnson