XL Fortunate 500

Fashion stars

People who dress Austin's fashion social scene

By Jean Scheidnes
Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Estilo has been open less than a year, but already, the downtown fashion boutique is a frequent nexus for the city's stylish set. Owners Cami Cobb and Stephanie Coultress have worked tirelessly to make it a place of philanthropy, creativity and festivity.

Their grand opening last August was a fundraiser for MexicArte Museum and provided a venue for local filmmakers to promote a documentary. Ballet Austin, Leander High School, Any Baby Can, Austin Children's Shelter and Catalyst 8, an affiliate of the Long Center for the Performing Arts, are just a few more of the organizations that have benefited from parties and fashion shows that Cobb and Coultress either hosted at Estilo or worked on, behind the scenes. They provided the clothing for the fashion show that was part of last week's Dennis Quaid Charity Weekend.

"Sometimes I ask myself, why do we get all this publicity, all this buzz?" Cobb says. "It's because we don't stop."

Hosting events is good for business. It brings people through the door. But Cobb and Coultress are social animals for another reason — they can't help themselves.

"We love being out and about and dressing up," Coultress says.

Cobb and Coultress met five years ago while employed at another store, Giada Rocco. Cobb had been a publicist in New York and Coultress a therapist, and both were looking to begin new chapters. They were hired on the same fateful day, and only two months later they found themselves discussing their own boutique.

With the development of the Second Street Retail District, they heard the urgent knock of opportunity. If they answered it, they reasoned, they would benefit from joint promotion with other new businesses. They would enjoy the coolness as well as the cost efficiency of warehouse-style architecture. And they would have optimal reserves of youthful energy and risk tolerance.

Estilo is not yet profitable, but that hasn't stopped Cobb and Coultress from raising about $10,000 for charities since they opened it.

"I was a therapist because I wanted to make a difference," Coultress says. "But I've learned money is the way to make a big difference."

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