Effortlessly chic: The models are (l-r) Morgan Miller, mother of an 11-year-old daughter and wife of Indiana University basketball coach Archie Miller; Patty Fox, mother of three grown children; and Karen Hicks, mother of 12.

Effortlessly chic: The models are (l-r) Morgan Miller, mother of an 11-year-old daughter and wife of Indiana University basketball coach Archie Miller; Patty Fox, mother of three grown children; and Karen Hicks, mother of 12.

BY MOLLY BRUSH

PHOTOS BY RICHARDSON STUDIO

When Katie Whitson moved from Iowa to Bloomington to be closer to her family, she realized that many of her favorite clothing brands weren’t available here. Though she worked in the agricultural industry in Iowa and had no experience in retail, she decided to make the leap from farming to fashion, working with Iowa-based Blond Genius Denim Bar to license the store’s brand. She opened the first Blond Genius store outside of Iowa in Fountain Square Mall in December 2015. In August 2016, she relocated to Renwick Village Center.

“I decided that there was a niche here,” says Whitson, 33. “Bloomington had a lot of great boutiques, but I felt like this was a great additional layer to the fashion scene.”

Whitson describes the store’s aesthetic as “effortlessly chic.” Though its specialty is denim, Blond Genius carries a variety of women’s clothing, shoes, accessories, and gifts by brands such as Rag & Bone, Current/Elliott, Vince, Rails, Alice and Olivia, Mother Denim, Joie, AG Jeans, n:Philanthropy, Citizens of Humanity, and Paige Premium Denim. Most of the products are investment pieces intended to last for many years, she says.

Blond Genius customers range from professionals to stay-at-home moms to retirees. “We do cover a broad demographic of women of all ages, shapes, and sizes,” Whitson says. What they have in common, she says, is a desire to look good and feel good.

“Things have to fit well, be comfortable, and be functional,” she says. To help customers make the most of their shopping experience, Blond Genius offers personal styling, denim makeovers such as hemming and embroidery, and private shopping appointments.   

“We hope everyone takes some time to come in and challenge us to find them a great-fitting pair of jeans,” Whitson says.

 

Take a look at this slideshow from our Blond Genius fashion shoot! (Click on the photo below to view the gallery. Use the on-screen arrows or the arrows on your keyboard to navigate forward and backward.) PHOTOS BY RICHARDSON STUDIO

 

A light-pink silk scarf with a black-and-white print complements the classic white button-down shirt modeled by Karen Hicks. Shirt by Citizens of Humanity, scarf by Rag & Bone, and earrings by Gorjana.
Morgan Miller models a stylish ensemble featuring a striped cotton dress by Current/Elliott, a straw fedora by Rag & Bone, sunglasses by Quay, a floral scarf by Rag & Bone, and suede wedges by Sorel.
Karen Hicks wears a striped cotton blouse from Vince that coordinates with a Rag & Bone convertible leather and suede tote. Pants by AG Jeans, sunglasses by Tom Ford, and earrings by Gorjana.
Patty Fox looks sharp in a black denim jacket, white denim shorts, and a black linen T-shirt with a cactus print. Jacket, shorts, and belt by Rag & Bone; T-shirt by Rails; sunglasses by Tom Ford; earrings by Gorjana; and bracelet by Blessings in Disguise.
A silk scarf by Rag & Bone adds understated elegance to Morgan Miller’s outfit. Bodysuit by Vince and jeans by Citizens of Humanity.
A pair of Tom Ford sunglasses and a Rag & Bone scarf add flair to the 360 cashmere duster modeled by Patty Fox. Tank by Rag & Bone, earrings by Gorjana, and screw cuff by Miansai.
Casual sophistication: Patty Fox pairs a classic blazer with high-waisted skinny jeans and suede pumps. Blazer by Alice and Olivia, tank by n:Philanthropy, jeans by AG Jeans, shoes by Rag & Bone, earrings by Gorjana, bracelet by Blessings In Disguise, and sunglasses by Tom Ford.
A reversible silk bomber jacket with a colorful floral pattern is the centerpiece of Karen Hicks’ eye-catching ensemble. Jacket by Alice and Olivia, tank top by Joie, necklace by Ela Rae, and bag by Rag & Bone.