Interview by Liesel Schmidt
As the owner of Kiskadee in Del Ray, Celeste Crutchfield has her finger on the pulse of fashion. The little boutique is nothing if not stylish—from the yellow siding and black-and-white French-style awning across the façade to the merchandising inside. Boasting labels from original designers and everything you could need for any occasion, Kiskadee is a destination for the fashion-obsessed as well as anyone who just wants to look absolutely fabulous. With price points for every budget, the boutique is a great place to shop for essentials as well as gifts for family and friends, offering personalized service from a friendly staff that truly knows their stuff.
With fall around the corner, we’ve got some wardrobe changes coming up; and we can’t wait to see what’s on-trend for fall 2021. Naturally, we asked our go-to gal, Celeste, what Alexandria’s most fashion-forward will need for the upcoming season. Plus, since we love getting to know people, we asked her about more than just fashion.
VIP Alexandria: How long have you owned Kiskadee?
Celeste Crutchfield: I bought Kiskadee from the first owners in April of 2017. They opened Kiskadee in November of 2007.
VIP: Kiskadee is such an unusual word. What's the story behind the name?
CC: The founders of Kiskadee love the tropics—and I do too, which made it perfect. The Kiskadee is a cute tropical bird from Brazil.
VIP: How did you become interested in fashion?
CC: I've loved fashion for years and always wanted to own a boutique. When I was in the military, I loved to put together cute outfits for my off-duty time since I had to wear a uniform to work. Then, while I was a stay-at-home mom, I enrolled in Parson's School of Design. They have an online fashion business certificate that really got me interested in business ownership.
VIP: What can we expect to see this year in fall fashion?
CC: Lots of interesting colors from bright fuchsia to deep blues. Puffed sleeves are here to stay, along with animal prints.
VIP: What pieces should every woman have in their closet for fall?
CC: My mainstay every fall is the perfect denim, chunky sweaters, and booties.
VIP: Are there any pieces that can go from summer into fall or fall into winter?
CC: Dresses! Depending on the dress, you can transition something from summer to fall by adding a cardigan and leggings.
VIP: What season is your favorite, fashion-wise, and why?
CC: Fall! I love the deep colors, boots, and sweaters.
VIP: What are your hobbies when you're not at the store?
CC: I try to relax, whatever that entails in the moment. I love walking with friends or reading on the front porch. In the winter, I love doing needlepoint by the fire.
VIP: What is in your Netflix queue right now?
CC: Sex/Life. Whoa... it's nuts!
VIP: What's the last book that you read?
CC: Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens.
VIP: If you could have one superpower, what would it be, and why?
CC: Invisibility. I'd love to be able to sneak around!
VIP: What would you say is your guilty pleasure?
CC: Playing Candy Crush Saga a little too often.
Kiskadee is located at 2205 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301.
For more information, call 703.549.0813 or visit www.kiskadeeshop.com