Who she is: I’m a Fort Myers native. My parents met here at a dance during World War II. They were entrepreneurs and owned businesses on Anderson Avenue (now Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard). I’m a mother and grandmother. I have three dogs and a 75-pound tortoise. I love the outdoors and spending time in my butterfly garden. I also love anything on the water — scuba diving, fishing or just a quiet day out on the water. My first job was working for the Singer sewing machine company after high school. I also worked in banking, medicine, architecture, construction and county government before opening my boutique.
What are her fashion inspirations: I’m a dancer and that influences my style. I grew up with ballet, music, theater and art around me. I can go very classic with my pieces, but I like to add a bit of fun, which comes from my ballroom, swing and tango side.
Her fashion tip: Even if your style is classic, you need to add one thing that makes a statement. A necklace, a purse, a shawl — something that says, “Here I am!”
Her five fashion picks to add flair to your look
1 of 5
A well-structured blazer
Why save eye-catching style for accessories? Katie looks for well-structured blazers that can go casual, business or dressy.
2 of 5
Shoes
Katie loves shoes and has quite the collection. For daily business-wear, she might choose a more conservative style but opt for a bright color or pattern. “Don’t ask me how many pairs of red shoes I have,” she jokes. She would love to add a yellow pair to her collection.
Kate Spade New York Lucia Snakeskin-Embossed Leather Sandals $148 at saks.com
3 of 5
Jason Ware
A red handbag
“I love the color red. It’s bright, it’s unexpected.” Katie’s current favorite is the Cher shoulder bag in a lipstick red glossy Italian leather from Brighton.
4 of 5
A statement brooch
“We tend to forget about the brooch,” Katie says. “I have one I wore just the other day. I had on all black, and my brooch was a zebra with rhinestones.” She looks for something with color and sparkle to add panache to a professional look.
Kenneth Jay Lane Faux Pearl & Enamel Elephant Pin $120 at saks.com.
5 of 5
Necklace
“I love pearls,” Katie says. “Everyone should invest in a long strand of pearls or long strand of crystal beads.” A long strand can be worn doubled or even tripled, tied on the side, or layered, making it a very versatile piece.
Belpearl 18k White Gold Japanese Akoya Pearl Necklace $2,475 at neimanmarcus.com.