Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlyn Mullanix.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started with my background as a fashion designer. I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with my Bachelor of Science in Textiles and Apparel Design. Hook ’em! I also studied business so I could have my own line one day, as that was my dream since age 10. Fast forward after working under a couple different fashion designers, I was able to open my own brick-and-mortar store in Dallas, TX. I had a women’s wear line that sold our Ready To Wear (RTW) in the front of the store, and we did all our custom couture orders in the back. During my 20+ years in the fashion industry, styling was always a part of it. I styled our looks for our countless runway shows, photoshoots, editorial shoots, e-commerce, print, etc. I have always enjoyed working with clients to create a unique-to-them style – whether it was in my line or their own garments. After I had my first kiddo, my priorities shifted and I stepped back from the line. I worked for a remote online styling company for the next 8 years all while styling friends and family in person and online along the way. With that remote position, I was able to spend time with my family, have our 2nd baby, and be a present mother, wife, and friend. I realized I missed the in-person interactions more and more, so I created Styled By Caitlyn, and dove into my own business 110%. This passion allows me to create my own schedule and get to experience the change I’m making in-person, in real time. I’m so lucky to have the encouragement and support of my husband, Wayne, who juggles our family and friends with his job, too!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s never a smooth road in the fashion industry – especially when you graduate during a major national recession. I was doing an unpaid internship with a designer when they offered me a job. The designer said because of the recession, they couldn’t afford to pay me a wage, but I could live with her in her 2 bedroom apartment. I took the offer, but it fell through when her brother lost his job and ended up moving in with her. I immediately realized I had to step out of the fashion world and get a job that pays actual money. I had to move back home with my parents for almost a year while working for a local boutique. (Which I am forever grateful to them for all their support of my passion and career along the way!) While having to move back home hurt my pride, it gave me invaluable experience as a buyer and right-hand-gal to the small-business boutique owner. Elizabeth, the owner, was my mentor and I’m forever grateful for her leadership and support. I then got a call from a recruiter to move to Dallas and work for an IT Staffing firm. I took the job as it offered benefits and a salary (economic recession, remember). I worried this was my new fate and fashion would simply become a hobby. Thankfully, an Apparel Designer job became available 13, long months later and took me out of that funk. I remember working for that particular designer like it was yesterday. She taught me how to (and how not to) run a business. One week in particular I put in 85 hours and knew it wasn’t sustainable. After a couple years with that brand, I got the courage to start my own company. There were so many struggles running my own business especially as a brick-and-mortar. From getting our logo copied by a boutique in a different state (ours was thankfully trademarked), to losing money and product on a vendor in Los Angeles. We also had employee hiccups, and any and all issues with running a store you could think of. One of my favorite (and simultaneously biggest bummer) stories is that I was asked to dress Eva Mendes. We over-nighted her a few of my couture gowns, and she picked one to wear on the red carpet! I was SO pumped as this was my ultimate life goal since I was a 10 year old designing a collection of dog clothes for our family pup! Unfortunately, her baby got sick and she wasn’t able to attend the event. I still count it as a win that she ever tried on and picked my design in the first place! Another challenge along the way in my story was knowing when to step back from design. I felt like a failure and that I was giving up a piece of me. I have friends in life that never knew me in that chapter, but that’s okay. I have evolved and grown and would never, ever give up the chance to spend more time with my family.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have a giant space in my heart for my big brother and others with special needs. My brother, Brad, was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis at 14 months old – a severe behavior and seizure disorder (along with several other diagnosis throughout his life). My parents are the BEST parents and advocates for him, my sister, and myself. They’ve instilled that compassion and advocacy in both my sister and me. When I started my journey of fashion design, I originally wanted to create only clothes that worked for people with physical and or cognitive disabilities. My brother cannot dress himself, therefore we used to have to shop in the women’s department to get him elastic waist pants to work best for his lifestyle. I wanted to create fashion that was accessible for anyone that still made them feel as included as possible. I have always used that theory in mind when creating garments and styling – what works best for this client? How is this going to make them happier and their life easier? When I style, I take photos of every look we create. I then create a digital (or physical if they prefer) look-book to take any guess work out of getting dressed and ready for their day. I have had clients that are wheelchair bound, that only have 1 working hand, that have muscle diseases, different cognitive abilities etc. My job is to make them smile, feel confident in themselves and their clothes, and just make their life easier. I am most proud when a client tells me, “I feel so much better about myself!” and “I would have never put this together, but I love it!” I’ve been told I make people feel at ease, and for that I am so grateful to be doing what I do.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Dallas is the most vibrant city of restaurants, stores, art and people. There is a diversity of the city with the southern hospitality of Texas. I love the inclusiveness most of the city brings, and the love for fashion and art of all kinds. I also love being outdoors and in nature. I can hop over to White Rock Lake and feel like I’m back in the Hill Country, but only a couple miles away from a museum or eclectic restaurant or store. The one thing I dislike most about our city is when price and brands are valued over quality or happiness. I stand by my motto: wear what makes you happy. If you’re a thrifter, or simply shop at lower priced stores (shout out to you Old Navy and Target), more power to you! A good stylist can create magic with literally any garment. Since Dallas is such a fashion hub, sometimes creativity gets lost in branding and desire for status. All that said, I am so thankful to live in this melting-pot, colorful vibrant city of Dallas, TX!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.styledbycaitlyn.com
- Instagram: @styled_by_caitlyn
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/styledbycaitlyndallas
- Other: https://shopmy.us/shop/styledbycaitlyn?Section_id=1870876&tab=collections
Image Credits
My brother, Brad, pictured with me above.
My friend and client, Ali, pictured with me above.
