Denim queen loves boutique life

Terin Matlock, an information-technology consultant, did something many adult women would never do.

For three years, Matlock, 29, lived with her mother so she could save enough money to open Luxington, a chic women’s clothing boutique in BLVD Place. Owning a store has been a dream of hers since her days at Spelman College in Atlanta.

“I always do a walk around the store every morning,” she said. “I say to myself, ’Today, I begin with a grateful heart.’ It centers me and makes me grateful for every sale and every customer.”

Fun facts about Houston native Terin Matlock: DAY JOB: IT consultant PASSION: Owner of Luxington boutique

When did you discover you loved fashion?

At Spelman, I would style different fashion shows and put pieces together to go down the runway. I really loved being in that space. I knew I wanted to curate my own collection of clothes and present it to ladies to give them different options. I wanted very clean lines and not a lot of prints.

Did you have a backup plan after college?

I graduated with a psychology degree, and I wanted to work as an occupational psychiatrist, so I worked one summer with mice in a lab and hated it. Spelman encourages you to have a backup plan. They encouraged me go into consulting. The first time I had a consulting job, I saw all these men around the table, and I wanted to know what they were doing, so I learned how to write code.

What’s your fashion weakness?

I love denim. I incorporate denim into anything. I literally wear a piece of denim every day. When I don’t have on denim, I don’t feel as pretty. It makes me feel effortless.

Exactly how much denim do you own?

To date, I have 67 denim shirts, 80 pairs of jeans in all different washes and styles, and I have about six denim jackets. Even when I don’t wear a denim piece of clothing, I’ll wear a denim belt.

What brands are you excited about in your store?

Hunter Bell, who recently relocated to Houston, and Australian brands, such as Ministry of Style, We Are Kindred and Elliott.

Have you learned any lessons from owning a boutique?

I’ve learned that women care most about functionality. If it doesn’t go from day to night or work to happy hour, it doesn’t work for them.