Art Imitates Life at The Fuss Boutique

In South Walton it has always been about the beach and a laid-back lifestyle. But in recent years music and fashion have become a huge part of the SoWal scene, and Lauren Spring draws inspiration from each. She runs a very popular clothing boutique in WaterColor and also takes the stage as a singer and guitarist for two local bands.

Lauren opened The Fuss Boutique six years ago and from day one it's been a hit. Her inventory sold so quickly she was scrambling to keep up. Soon after opening day, a French Connection brand rep connected her with Caroline Watts, and the two have been rockin’ it ever since. The women of The Fuss are all about a fun lifestyle and interesting, authentic experiences. And it’s reflected in the clothes.

“I want this store to be about pieces that you go to in your closet and remember you’re cool,” says Lauren.

Apparel at The Fuss has a rock and roll sensibility, and Lauren and Caroline are both involved in the buying process. While they attend trade shows and New York Fashion Week and stay on the pulse of celebrity street style, Lauren and Caroline dig deeper to curate collections in their stores.

When Lauren shared her love-at-first-sight moment with Australian brand Sass and Bide, Caroline took one look and had to have it in the store. It fit their vision to perfection, so Caroline contacted the brand and had the line sheet the same day.

“Sometimes you gotta go out and find random things,” says Caroline.

The boutique is set up like a dream closet with a long rustic table down the center of the shop that’s covered with shiny accessories. And above it, dozens of sparkling Mason jars arranged into a brilliant chandelier.

Clothes at Fuss are high-end boutique brands that take inspiration from rock stars and high-fashion designers. And you can cop everything you need to complete an outfit, from clothes to shoes, bags, belts, earrings and underwear.

Brands the likes of Seychelles Shoes, Hobo bags, AG Denim, Joie, Wildfox, Chaser, French Connection, Mara Hoffman, and The Jetset Diaries are in heavy rotation.

Even the coffee table books at the Fuss compel you to pick them up. Subjects range from Blues Legends to Vogue. And in true rock star fashion, the music playing in store at The Fuss reflects the times. The ladies in the boutique will be jammin’ to whatever their mood calls for.

Music has always been a part of Lauren’s life. Growing up, Lauren’s father taught her to play guitar. And later Lauren met her husband while performing with a band opening for Willie Nelson.

But there was a time when you could say the music died. Lauren went through a soul searching period when she didn’t sing for 10 years. At all. Then one night she won a silent auction at The Rep and sang on stage with the Indigo Girls. And that inspired a whole new chapter.

She now splits her time between running two Fuss locations in WaterColor and Port St. Joe and performing with her husband’s Bo Spring Band and her all girl crew The Crickets.

From time to time, Lauren will host a band and have live music at her stores. She also plays festivals and shows with her two bands. Check out Bo Spring Band on Facebook to see videos stay in the know.

“You just draw inspiration from so many places,” says Lauren. “We don’t take ourselves very seriously and that makes it fun.”

Fashion and music go together like waves and sand.

The Fuss Boutique is located at 6 WaterColor Way Suite 101 in WaterColor, 850-231-2000. Check out the blog and shop at www.fussstyle.com. Stay social at www.Facebook.com/thefussboutique and Instagram @thefussboutique.
 

Left to right: Caroline, Lauren, and model/graphic designer Sam.

Photos by Molly Parker