Recently, I've had the pleasure to interview a lovely girl from Jackson, who is currently living in New York to study acting - Jaclyn Bethany. She's going to open her very own pop up shop Audrey Grace Boutique in Jackson in December and will stock the most amazing designers such as TBA, Sretsis, Dear Creatures, Alexandra Grecco, Family Affairs, Rachel Antonoff and many more. (It's basically a dreamland.) Unfortunately, I live miles away from Jackson but if you live anywhere near you have to stop by. Make sure to like her shop on facebook to get all news about Audrey Grace.

I read that you're studying acting. Have you always wanted to be an actress? Who are your role models and favourite actors/actresses apart from Audrey and Grace, of course?
I think so. Acting was more of a hobby for me as a child. I started out doing musicals when I was younger, I played Annie in Annie and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Performing was (and still is) something I really loved doing. Then in high school, I discovered that acting could be a career and I have never looked back since. My all time favorite actress is Cate Blanchett. She is so incredible and so different in every role she plays. I also like the work of Carey Mulligan, Andrea Riseborough, Felicity Jones, Mia Wasikowska, Michelle Williams, Kirsten Dunst and Keira Knightley. Those ladies are of a younger generation but are certainly carving out admirable careers. And Meryl Streep and Vanessa Redgrave, of course.

Talking of acting, are there any movies or movie characters that inspire you?
Yes. I love anything to do with the Tudors... So I love all of the movies made about Elizabeth I - especially the Cate Blanchett and Helen Mirren films. I just saw Anonymous - Joely Richardson and her mom, Vanessa Redgrave played Elizabeth I at different stages in her life and it was a fascinating portrayal. I would love to play a real person from the time of the Tudors... and also I think "Eliza" in My Fair Lady is one of my dream roles.

Lots of women see Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly as a role model. What do you think makes Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly so special?
I think because they are classy, timeless, and elegant women. All of their looks are still relevant and attainable. Unfortunately, Grace Kelly gave up acting to become Princess of Monaco. I would have loved to see how she continued her career. In the last years of her life, Audrey devoted herself to UNICEF.  She was such an admirable woman.

I LOVE your taste in clothes. Your boutique will soon be filled with all of my favorite designers. Which of them is your very favourite? Would you like to create a favorite outfit of the clothes you stock?
I don't really want to say I have any favorites because I love everything. Although I am super excited about all the custom dresses that are being made for the shop.. And there were some brands that I was really excited to stock like Erin Fetherston, Manoush, Jill Stuart, Orla Kiely, Sretsis, Lady Petrova and Matina Amanita. But it's my shop... so can everything be my favorite?

Tell me something about yourself! Maybe four facts about yourself? Maybe a secret?

Four facts...
- I am obsessed with magazines and shoes..
- I am an only child
- I was in a final callback with Emma Stone once (she got the part - I didn't... haha)
- I love my dog like she is my child

Where do you see yourself in the next ten years? Are there any special aims you'd like to achieve by then?
I hope to have studied acting in graduate school and have a masters. I want to be acting professionally in theatre and film. I'd love to have lived in London for a period of time. I think Audrey Grace or some sort of retail business will still be a part of me. I really don't know where I will be in ten years, though!

I'm quite obsessed with perfumes, do you wear any? What is your favourite perfume?
I was given the Paul & Joe perfume for my birthday.. it's lovely. I also like the classic Chanel scents. I am also obsessed with all the Cowshed products. They smell heavenly.

And what's your favorite smell?
I like the smell of fire burning in a fire place or rose... two totally different smells!

Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I love watching TV and also reading trashy magazines. I have gotten better about that, though. I also eat something sweet pretty much every day.

How about some x or y questions?

Tea or coffee?
Tea.

Thunder or lightning?
Thunder.

Movies or books?
Both!

Being able to fly or being able to breathe under water?
Being able to fly (like Peter Pan!)

A few days ago I watched Woody Allen's Midnight In Paris, in which Gil is longing to live in another era. Imagine you have a time machine… which era would you choose and why?
The 60s in London. The mod era... Carnaby Street.. I love the fashion and girls (Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, Penelope Tree, Mary Quant, etc.) from back then. Also, the music was fantastic. My mom was there during that time.. She has no idea how cool she is because of that!!!

Are there any artists, we might not know yet, that you love?
I have been featuring alot of them on my blog. Caitlin Shearer from Australia and Natasha Thompson from England are both fantastic. There are so many artists and photographers I am working with and they are all wonderful.



Do you have a style icon?
Alexa Chung. I stalk her outfits, and also everyone Leith Clark styles - all the girls in Lula, Kirsten Dunst, Keira Knightley, Michelle Williams...

What was your first love? 
 The Wizard of Oz.

Lastly, tell us what makes you happy?
Acting, singing, shopping!

Jaclyn will also stock artists in her shop! One of them is the talented Caitlin Shearer. She illustrated the lookbook of Audrey Grace Boutique - one of the 53 illustrations can be seen below!
You can buy the lookbook in the shop or by contacting Jaclyn via her E-Mail adress, jbethany@fordham.edu.

Alexandra Grecco dress for Audrey Grace

Photography and digital design by Serena Reynolds
Styling by Jaclyn Bethany for Audrey Grace

Illustration by Caitlin Shearer 

Resource
If you desire to open your own boutique, Guide to Career Education
is an excellent portal for finding online degree programs in fashion
design.