By Andy Furman
NKyTribune reporter
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It’s the process of being mentally stimulated – or to do something – especially to do something creative.
Catrena Bowman Thomas did exactly that.
She realized her lifelong dream, and turned it into an enterprise in November 2021.
That’s when Inspired Fashion made its debut.
“I’ve always loved fashion,”Madisonville native. “My mom always had outfits for me, and I loved trying them on.”
Catrena Bowman Thomas
Bowman Thomas is now helping other women to feel special.
“I love helping them not only look good,”She spoke to the Northern Kentucky Tribune. “But also help build their confidence.”
She opened her boutique in Covington – 827 Madison Avenue – during the tale-end of the pandemic.
“I found instant success on social media,”She said, “we had orders on-line from New York, California and Houston.”
Now, she’s striving for greater in-store traffic.
“We had a real good small business incentive from the City of Covington,”The University of Kentucky graduate said, “and that’s when I knew it was time for a brick-and-mortar shop.”
She takes individual style appointments; and says she emphasizes on shape – not size in women’s clothing.
“We try to understand their size – be it straight, hour glass, pear or apple,”She spoke. “Our goal is simple – to enhance the body type.”
She also wants to inspire women.
For Catrena Bowman-Thomas, that’s not a problem at all.
She’s been Executive Director for the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission the past four years.
“I was recruited out of Lexington,”She said, “where I did similar work.”
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The NKCAC helps individuals and families in Northern Kentucky through financial, family, and children’s services.
Balancing the two jobs doesn’t seem to be much of a problem for the 49-year-old Bowman-Thomas.
“I have a staff here at the shop,”She said, “and our NKCAC offices are just around he corner at 717 Madison Avenue.”
Her pricing ranges from $25 to an average of $250, she says, and her attire covers the women’s gamut from work, special occasions, bridal, and jump suits.
In fact, she’s planning a wardrobe for men come the Fall.
Her focus – on color.
“The majority of women’s wardrobes are just four colors,”She said, “black, brown, blue and white.”
As an African-American shop owner she says she’s pushing some white women, “out of their comfort zone, and into some exciting colors.”
Inspired Fashion Boutique was launched in June at Fashion on the Fountain in downtown Cincinnati.
“We basically highlighted our designs,”She said, “I don’t create my own pieces; we’ll showcase many local designers. More so come this Fall.”
Her Vision Boards highlight many of the special events she has attended. Instagram and Facebook are great tools for sales, she says.
Catrena Bowman Thomas wants to inspire all women.
“I want them to have confidence and take on the world,”She spoke.
Catrena Bowman Thomas already has.
Inspired Fashion Boutique can be found at 827 Madison Avenue. It is open from 2-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 12-5 p.m. Saturday. Visit the website inspiredfashion40.com, and via email at [email protected]
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