CEO of Glamajama Heather Nolte and son

Ads

Texas Style: Heather Nolte

Heather Nolte is the epitome of “everything is bigger in Texas”, although she only stands 5 1”, her company Glamajama is a big success and she makes doing it all seem easy. In fact, her motherhood led her into an open door of business opportunities. The inspiration came when her first-born son’s wardrobe, which left much room for improvement and fantasy. Heather started to play around with baby clothing styles, and combined practicality with a hint of glamour. She created her initial design, “glamsies” and “baby onesies” decorated with studded ornamentation and amusing phrases in her hometown, Austin, Texas.  That was in 2003. Today Glamajama is a widely known brand of clothing not only for glamorous babies but also for women and pets. Demi Moore and her daughters, Paris Hilton, Christina Applegate, and Kari Wuhrer are among the long list of personalities who already have surrendered to the charms of these fabulous treats.

Heather Nolte has lately added a couture collection to her line, which takes the initial practicality of her clothes and combines them with a flamboyant flare. The 100% brushed cotton “glamsies” are embellished with signature-studded designs such as, “Couture Cutie”, “Rock Star Baby”, “Haute Babe”, and “Diaper Diva”. Rows of sparkling, ruffled iridescent organza trim are added to top it all off in a true glam way.

Glamajama’s full line is available at www.glamajama.com and at over 50 exclusive boutiques across the states. 

FACTIO MAGAZINE:  Describe your signature style.
HEATHER NOLTE: I’m usually in my favorite pair of worn in jeans, a feminine top, and nothing less than a 3” inch heel. I love dressing a little flashy with lots of accessories, but I need clothes that can keep up with me. My days are pretty relentless between running Glamajama, chasing my 2-year-old son and fawning over my 2-month-old daughter. I always make sure I wear something that makes me feel a little sexy, even if I’m covered in baby spit-up.

FM: Define the style in Austin, Texas.
HN: Austin is a young, eclectic town with just about everything you can imagine. We’re home to the largest university in the US, have been dubbed the next Silicon Valley, the new Hollywood, and the live music capital of the world. Our style exudes that diversity. Austin is also a laid back, friendly, and a health conscious town. We like to show a little skin and the Texas heat makes that a necessity in the summer.

FM: What women from which city worldwide have great style and why?
HN: I think New York women have the best Fall/Winter style and California takes the cake for Summer fashions. Texans aren’t used to cold weather so we always end up looking overweight and frumpy when it gets chilly. New Yorkers on the other hand, know how to stay warm and keep their style. They can survive freezing temperatures and still look sexy with fitted cashmere or fur lined stiletto boots. You would never see that in Texas. If it got that cold we probably just wouldn’t ever leave the house! I like the California Summer look because they have the beach influence. Texans know how to dress for the heat, but we are nowhere near a decent beach. We miss out on the relaxed, sun-kissed look that the Cali girls get.

FM: And, where is your favorite place to travel?
HN: I usually travel overseas and have been throughout Europe a couple of times. With the two little ones we don’t travel as much these days, but I would like to explore the states more. There are so many great places practically in our backyard that we have yet to see.

FM: What or who in the fashion world inspires you and is reflected in the way you dress?
HN: My fashion inspiration comes from those who are fearless in their own independent style. Fashionistas like Gwen Stefani and Sara Jessica Parker who can take some basics, throw in a couple non-traditional pieces, and end up with a look that’s uniquely their own. They are completely put together, poised, and stand out from the crowd. Their style is perfectly polished, but never engineered. They help inspire the way I dress by reminding me to take chances and to always personalize my wardrobe. You need to “own” it to wear it.

FM: Do you think money and style go hand and hand or can style never be bought? Is it something you just have?
HN: I think style is definitely something you either have or don’t. It can’t be bought. Money might help you afford the best clothes, stylists, and persuade the press but you can’t fool the naked eye. If you don’t know how to work it, money can’t help you. Personal style is a gift that comes from being at peace with yourself and acknowledging what makes you “you”-for better or worse. Only when you have that understanding can you truly shine.

FM: What key fashion pieces do you always have in your wardrobe?
HN: I always have some great basics in my closet…the worn in favorite jeans, ultra flattering black boot cut pants, 4” black strappy heels, and lace cami’s in various colors. No matter what season or mood I’m in I can always work with these pieces and not have to fuss too much. They’re the old standbys. What changes the most season-to-season are the tops I wear. This season I buying deep V-necks, satin camis, and steering clear of the long tunics. I’m 5’1” and the last thing I need is anything long!

FM: What is your biggest fashion vice? What are your favorite shops worldwide?
HN: My biggest fashion vice is that I wear too much black. It’s sophisticated, slimming, and matches almost everything-what’s not to love? Lately I’ve really tried to force myself to buy more color. Now I buy pink. I think I’m just trading one vice for another, but it’s a start right? My favorite shops vary, but I can always find something at Nordstrom’s, bebe, or in Banana Republic’s petite line.

FM: What’s a fashion no-no when attending special events, galas and more? Any tips for getting ready for an event?
HN: A big fashion no-no and common mistake for attending special events is over doing it. I think its best to focus on one great piece and then lightly layer the rest of your wardrobe, hair, accessories, and makeup around that piece. It’s easy to get carried away and end up with a bunch of pieces that overwhelm each other instead of compliment. My best advice for big events is to take a picture of yourself in your planned outfit. Digital cameras make this really easy and it lets you see yourself from afar. In seconds you can see if you’ve actually accomplished the look you were going for. I’ve done this several times only to end up saying, “what was I thinking?”

FM: What would people be most surprised to know about you? What does the public not see?
HN: I don’t think there are many things that would surprise my friends and family. I’m pretty much an open book and don’t hold back. Outsiders are usually most surprised about how diverse my interests are and my enormous appetite for learning new things. I’m an avid knitter and boxing fanatic who is completely devoted to her family but always gives 110% to the business. Before starting Glamajama I worked at a Psychiatric treatment home for two years and then fought my way up the ladder at an investment firm. No one would have guessed I’d end up in the fashion industry.

FM: What are your own personal standards of beauty?
HN: Beauty is having the confidence to embrace your own unique features. I feel that we’ve all been given special gifts and we just need to find and nourish those gifts. With the right attitude a perceived fault can easily become an asset.

FM: As an "individual" with many passions, many things on your plate in the business world and as a wife and mother, what tips would you give women to be well rounded, balancing out life and business?
HN: I’ve learned a lot in the past two years of juggling motherhood and growing a business. I think my best tip for achieving balance is to not lose sight of the big picture. It’s easy to get caught up in the details and not see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m a hopeless type A workaholic and have to constantly remind myself of this. I also think it helps to be brutally honest with yourself when it comes to identifying your priorities, strengths, and weaknesses. Disappointment and failure only comes when we aren’t honest with ourselves and set unrealistic goals. If you take a no-holds-barred approach to identifying your weaknesses you can accept and plan for them. It’s only when we don’t see the obstacles that we can’t prepare to overcome them. After all, it’s always the punch you don’t see that knocks you down.

FM: Did you know when you founded Glamajama that the company would rise to the success that it has? What was your biggest successful moment to date? What advice and inspiration can you give women entrepreneurs? HN: At the beginning I wasn’t sure where Glamajama would take me. I was hesitant because there were so many things that I didn’t know about the business. I felt like I was constantly running uphill. However, once I made the commitment to dive in I knew it would be successful. I had invested too much time in it not to be! We’ve had a lot of great moments these past two years and many of them have exceeded my wildest dreams. If I had to name one of our biggest successful moments, I think it would be when I moved the business into its own studio. Glamajama having its own headquarters helped legitimatize all the hard work and deepened my since of ownership. It wasn’t just something I did in our spare bedroom anymore. My best advice for other women entrepreneurs is to follow your heart and don’t let yourself get discouraged. The harder you work the more you will appreciate and enjoy the rewards. In the end, the only one who can stop you is you!

Credit: Intro by Kasia Koniar, Interview by Melissa Maynard