Ever since she was a young girl living in Raleigh, North Carolina, Brandi Norrell has looked forward to getting dressed in the morning. Yes, even on a Monday. She treated life like a runway, and it kept her motivated throughout her education and career.
So it should come as no surprise that after several years in the education field, Norrell traded in her badge for a set of keys to a 200-year-old building that would eventually house her fashion boutique.
Established by Norrell in October 2019, Studio Luxe Boutique in Old Town Warrenton offers everything from clothing and accessories to home décor and locally sourced goods. But the store specializes in affordable and inclusive women’s transitional wear — looks that can go from day to night.
“We offer sizes extra small all the way through 3X because all women deserve to feel beautiful regardless of your height, your size, your body shape,” Norrell says. “We’re there to assist women with all stages of fashion. We’re all in a different place. We grow confidence in women, on purpose with purpose.”
Even though the doors to Studio Luxe opened just a few years ago, Norrell says the operation quickly outgrew its space. So in October 2021, Studio Luxe Boutique moved into more generous accommodations just a few doors down. In the original building, Norrell set up Little Luxe, a second boutique that caters to teenagers and younger girls.
Studio Luxe and Little Luxe may offer different styles, but both beckon patrons with a full-sense experience, an element left out of the online shopping equation, Norrell explains.
“We want customers to be able to come out and touch and feel our merchandise and ask questions,” Norrell says, “whether it’s recommendations on how to wear it or how to wash it.”
Beyond personal shopping, the boutique’s in-person ventures include private shopping and appointments for those who would like one-on-one assistance. The boutique can also be booked for private shopping parties, such as birthdays or bachelorettes.
It’s evident in the way Norrell speaks about Studio Luxe and its ties to the community that the owner wanted to create a comfortable space where people can make connections and feel lighter when they leave than they did when they walked in.
“We want to put women in the community in a position to support their goals, support their families, but also have an opportunity for self-care,” Norrell says. “We genuinely care about our audience, and it doesn’t matter if they buy something or not.”
This community-driven pursuit, Norrell says, has benefited significantly from Warrenton’s small-town charm.
“[It] felt like home, in terms of building a business,” the Haymarket resident says. “Everyone knows each other, you’re able to greet your customers by name. … Warrenton is one of the most magical places here in Northern Virginia, from shopping to dining to recreation — not to mention it’s picturesque.”
As for what the future has in store, Norrell says Studio Luxe will eventually expand to nearby counties by way of a few long-term pop-ups. She is also looking into opening another location.
“I think that I have the best job on the planet because I get to do what I love every day,” she says. “More often than not, it doesn’t feel like work — and I get to be fashionable while doing it. And I get to love on people. That’s really what it’s about for me.” 92 Main St., Warrenton
What’s in Store
1. Dupri felt hat, $48
2. Monet brushed gold necklace, $28
3. Bailey micro suede jacket, $98
4. Luxe Fuzzies, $65
Feature image by Jeffrey Heeney
This story originally ran in our November issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
