By Andy Furman
NKyTribune Reporter
It is the process of being mentally stimulated – or to do something – especially to do something creative.
And Catrena Bowman-Thomas did just that.
She followed her lifelong dream; and in November 2021 he returned to business.
That’s when Inspired Fashion made its debut.
“I’ve always loved fashion,” said the Madisonville native. “My mom always had clothes for me and I loved trying them on.”
Catrena Bowman-Thomas
Now Bowman-Thomas is helping other women feel special.
“I like to help them not only look good,” she told the Northern Kentucky Tribune, “but also help build their confidence.”
She opened her boutique in Covington — 827 Madison Avenue — during the pandemic’s recent tailwind.
“I found immediate success on social media,” she said, “we had online orders from New York, California and Houston.”
Now, she is striving for more traffic in the store.
“We had a really good small business push from the city of Covington,” said the University of Kentucky graduate, “and that’s when I knew it was time for a brick and mortar store.”
She takes one-on-one style appointments; and says it emphasizes shape – not size in women’s clothing.
“We try to understand their size – whether it’s straight, hourglass, pear or apple,” she said. “Our goal is simple – to improve body type.”
And she wants to be an inspiration to women.
For Catrena Bowman-Thomas, this is no problem at all.
She has been the Executive Director for the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission for the past four years.
“I was recruited from Lexington,” she said, “where I did similar work.”
NKCAC helps individuals and families in Northern Kentucky through financial, family and children’s services.
Balancing two jobs doesn’t seem to be too much of a problem for 49-year-old Bowman-Thomas.
“I have a staff here at the store,” she said, “and our NKCAC offices are right next to it at 717 Madison Avenue.”
Her prices range from $25 to an average of $250, she says, and her clothing covers the gamut of women’s work, special occasions, bridal and dance wear.
In fact, she’s planning a men’s wardrobe come fall.
Her focus – on color.
“Most women’s wardrobes are just four colors,” she said, “black, brown, blue and white.”
As an African-American store owner, she says she’s pushing some white women “out of their comfort zone and into some exciting colors.”
Inspired Fashion Boutique made its public debut in June at Fashion on the Fountain, in downtown Cincinnati.
“We basically emphasized our designs,” she said, “I don’t create my own pieces; we will be featuring many local designers. More to come this fall.”
Her Vision Boards highlight many of her special events, and Instagram and Facebook are a great sales tool, she says.
Catrena Bowman-Thomas wants to be an inspiration to all women.
“I want them to have confidence and face the world,” she said.
Catrena Bowman-Thomas already has.
Inspired Fashion Boutique is located at 827 Madison Avenue; and is open from 2-6pm Tuesday to Friday and 12-5pm on Saturday. Visit the website at inspiredfashion40.com and email at Inspiredfashion40@gmail.com.
