Dressed to Express

Utah Valley Magazine: What’s your favorite item in the closet?

Krisi Ford: My jeans. I tend to pick a favorite and completely wear them out.

UV: How does fashion act as a form of self-expression?

Krisi: What we wear can influence first impressions, make loud statements or instill in us a sense of calm reverence. I think it’s important to identify what styles bring you joy and confidence, and seek out those things. It certainly makes getting dressed in the morning a lot easier!

UV: What makes fashion in Utah Valley unique?

Krisi: A couple things stand out to me as unique here in Utah Valley. First and foremost is the need many women have for cap sleeve tops and knee length skirts, dresses and shorts. It’s just something that can’t be ignored when buying for our customers. The second thing is we really love our trends! When we find a style we like, we take it and run with it.

UV: Which styles are up-and-coming in Utah Valley?

Krisi: If you don’t own a good pair of bell bottoms yet, you might want to start looking! To be on trend with the teens just flip through a yearbook from the 1990s. The high-waisted jeans are sticking around a bit longer. Pair them with a ribbed striped top, boxy tee or mock turtleneck to be on point. Don’t forget your platform shoes or sandals.

UV:  What’s the biggest misconception surrounding fashion in Utah Valley?

Krisi: Maybe that we’re boring? But no way. I see some of the most fashionable and beautiful women in this valley!

UV: When looking for new styles, what catches your eye?

Krisi: I get excited to find pieces that will be flattering on women of all sizes.

UV: Which style never goes out of style?

Krisi: Classy never goes out of style. Splurge on beautiful classic pieces.

UV: If you had to choose a decade of fashion to come back into style, which one would it be?

Krisi: I keep wishing the big hair of the 1980s would come back. I really think I could master it this time.

Sharing Styles: Krisi Ford has fun with fashion. “I have always loved little boutiques that create a ‘happy place’ for women to go when they need retail therapy,” she says. Opening up a Real Deals in Utah Valley provided the opportunity to share her love of fashion with other women. She prides herself on using Real Deals to bring styles for all ages and sizes to women in Spanish Fork.

Utah Valley Magazine: What’s your favorite item in the closet?

Lindsey Shores: A feminine top and wide legged jeans — but if I’m being honest I’d have to say pajamas!

UV: How does fashion act as a form of self-expression?

Lindsey: Self-expression isn’t just to make a good impression, but also to really expand your best self. Everything I do in fashion is always inspired by the way people will feel when I style them or dress them with my line. There are tons of studies that what you wear can not only change your day or mood, but also your confidence in your intellect. So while focusing on your style or fashion can be referred to as unnecessary, frivolous or self-indulging, I’m a huge believer that it is quite the opposite.

UV: What makes fashion in Utah Valley unique?

Lindsey: There is a big tone of conservativeness here. That can be looked at as “not fashionable,” but I think many can be really clever with the way they dress while still keeping their values. Being bred in Utah, I feel strongly about this same idea and therefore am 100 percent incorporating it into my line.

UV: Which styles are up-and-coming in Utah Valley?

Lindsey: My line of long, non-dumb shorts!

UV: What’s the biggest misconception surrounding fashion in Utah Valley?

Lindsey: That you can’t have fun and be edgy with fashion. It’s easy to fall into surrounding styles anywhere you live, but I love when I see people wearing statement looks or pieces that feel uncommon for Utah, which brings fun energy.

UV: When looking for new styles, what catches your eye?

Lindsey: If it’s shaped funky or has an interesting pattern, I’m drawn to it and seeing how it can play a part in my wardrobe.

UV: Which style never goes out of style?

Lindsey: Your own! Honestly, every style over the past few decades continues to circle back and be accepted in the fashion world, so owning your own style — whatever it is — is the most powerful way of dressing.

UV: If you had to choose a decade of fashion to come back into style, which one would it be?

Lindsey: Right now, the 1990s. It’s too fun and nostalgic to break back into mod lips and tacky jewelry, I can’t get enough.

The Short List: Lindsey Shores moved to Los Angeles as a 23-year-old and quickly got a job working for a top stylist. She’s added her personal flair to editorials, commercials, feature films and music videos. Now she’s moved back to Utah and shifted her focus to launching her first fashion line Loubello to create “fashionable, long, NON-DUMB shorts, because they currently don’t exist,” she says.