Patti Brock-Sklar

Boutique owner and ballroom dancer Patti Brock-Sklar kicks up her heels in style
2593

It鈥檚 hard to imagine a time when the fashion-savvy Patti Brock-Sklar wasn鈥檛 as polished and chic as she is today. The former paralegal and current boutique owner and ballroom dancer made several twists and turns before gracefully landing in Pleasant Ridge.

After working for other boutiques and learning the retail trade, Brock-Sklar opened Excelsior! on Woodward at Sylvan Avenue. Thirteen years into that venture, she prides herself on carrying designers not found in department stores. 鈥淲e carried BCBG before they even opened their [Somerset Collection] store,鈥 she says.

Fashion vendors often note Brock-Sklar鈥檚 keen eye, telling her, she says: 鈥 You鈥檙e always picking the things that no one ever picks.鈥欌

Keeping it fresh is her mission. 鈥淚 think the responsibility of a boutique is to be different,鈥 she says. 鈥淵ou have to force people to be creative.鈥

When outfitting herself, Brock-Sklar says she dresses to suit her mood and shops at her own store. 鈥淚f you feel good, you鈥檙e going to look good,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 never know what I am wearing until that day; it really depends on how I am feeling.鈥

She frequently blends styles and eras. 鈥淚 have quite a collection of vintage, which I mix with my new,鈥 she says.

For lingerie and shoes, Brock-Sklar, sometimes takes her dollars elsewhere. Favorite stops include Dillard鈥檚 shoe department and My Shoe Closet in Royal Oak. Her home shoe rack is laden with more than 100 pairs, including some vintage.

She also is devoted to accessorizing, and big earrings are a favorite 鈥 whether they鈥檝e been deemed in or out of style at the moment. She also goes for impact with bracelets, easily sporting five at a time. 鈥淚f they go from your wrist to your elbow, that鈥檚 the best,鈥 she says.

When sizing up the season鈥檚 trends, Brock-Sklar likes to 鈥渋nfuse鈥 them with a dash of individuality. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter to me what [designers] are showing. It usually is a matter of what I love,鈥 she says. When trend-conscious customers inquire about the latest color palette on runways, she replies frankly: 鈥淚鈥檓 not real sure.鈥

After that admission, she dispenses some advice: 鈥淒o what you鈥檙e comfortable with. Don鈥檛 be afraid to step outside of the box and tap into your creative side.鈥