The Woodlands Edition | January 2021

BUSINESS FEATURE French Cu Boutique Shop brings personal styling to The Woodlands customers C ustomers who seek advice on the perfect outt or a seasonal addition to their ward- robes can nd the latest styles and styling support at French Cu Boutique in The Woodlands. Owner Kairy-tate Barkley, who founded the boutique’s rst location in Bellaire in 2008, said she developed the store based on her lifelong apprecia- tion of fashion after she spent years working in the corporate world. “I always loved clothing, and getting dressed every day was my favorite part of the day. Deciding what I was going to wear, putting together an outt—it was a creative outlet,” Barkley said. After it found initial success in Bellaire, French Cu’s presence grew with the additional Greater Houston location launches before it headed north to The Woodlands in early 2019. Barkley said she has worked to maintain her original vision of an intimate neighborhood boutique stocked with products relevant to its local clientele. “When I wanted to open the rst store, all I had in my mind was, ‘I just want my cute little boutique,’” she said. “With the immediate success of that store, I started thinking, ‘We could provide this in other neighborhoods.’” As customers enter French Cu Boutique in The Woodlands, they are greeted with an array of apparel, from footwear to bottoms, tops, outerwear and accessories. Barkley said the shop stocks clothing from popular brands, such as Citizens of Humanity, DL1961, Sundry, Rails, Michael Stars, Lilla P, Karlie, Nicole Miller, Trovata and Bella Dahl. While French Cu’s ambience is consistent across its four locations, Barkley said each store’s merchandise is tailored to its specic community client base. The boutique has also adapted amid the corona- virus pandemic to oer curbside pickup alongside its traditional in-store and online shopping options, she said. As many customers have adopted a less formal day-to-day lifestyle, Barkley said, the store has been able to lean into its prominent selection of casual items. In addition to its selection of products, French Cu also has a team available to assist customers with personal styling. Barkley said sta members can recommend the best way to breathe new life into an older item from a customer’s closet. “What makes us dierent is that we do want to help each client with styling from head to toe,” she said. “We want them to feel comfortable coming here and saying, ‘I have this event that I’m going to,’ or, ‘I want to rework my wardrobe.’ ” BY BEN THOMPSON

“I ALWAYS LOVED CLOTHING, AND GETTINGDRESSED EVERYDAYWAS MY FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY.” KAIRYTATE BARKLEY, OWNER

Kairy-tate Barkley opened French Cu Boutique in The Woodlands in 2019. (Photos by Ben Thompson/Community Impact Newspaper)

BUILDING ANOUTFIT

French Cu Boutique stylists help customers build their wardrobes and match items for dierent occasions.

Sneakers Graphic tee

Sneakers

T-shirt

Jeans

Joggers

Silk blouse Blazer

High heels

Silk blouse

Jewelry, including bracelets, is available for purchase.

The boutique oers clothing and accessory options.

French CuBoutique 1900 Lake Woodlands Drive, Ste. 150, The Woodlands 346-298-6299 www.frenchcuco.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sun.

THE WOODLANDS EDITION • JANUARY 2021