Timeless With A Twist: Here’s How Houstonian-Turned-Los Angeleno Morgan Hutchinson Creates Fashion

October 4, 2024
3 mins read
Morgan Hutchinon. Photo by Jesse Volk
Morgan Hutchinson. Photo by Jesse Volk

Morgan Hutchinson, founder of BURU has been conjuring up fashionable scenarios since she hosted Barbie tea parties as a child. Now, grown up, her fashion line offers something for everyone. The busy entrepreneur, wife, and mom was a hit at the recent Junior League of Houston’s Opening Style Show, with the Texan audience going ga-ga for her stylish point of view. Hutchinson hopes to open a store in the Houston area soon and has collaborated with Houston resident Valerie Dittner and Natalie of the Nat Note.

We love that the line’s small-batch production begins with sketches in her s notebook and the deadstock fabrics she sources locally in L.A. She honed her design skills by slowly creating silhouettes for her own label and began to build her own Los Angeles-based factory from the ground up, one sewing machine at a time. Hiring full time, in-house cutters, pattern and sample makers, she learned the ins and outs of construction from her own, marvelous team. Reflecting on the mothers in her own life, Morgan Hutchinson hand-selects every up-cycled textile, re-imagining its second life in her signature silhouettes. Here, our Lance Avery Morgan catches up with the talented dynamo to get a peek into her ongoing creativity.

Three qualities that got me where I am today are…

Morgan Hutchinson: High energy, sense of humor, and creativity.

Barbie Tea Party. Courtesy of Amazon

Easiest career decision I ever made is…

Morgan Hutchinson: Going into business with my husband. Perfect partner.

How I made my first dollar… 

Morgan Hutchinson: I hosted Barbie tea parties for groups of 10-15 little girls on my parent’s front porch starting at the age of 12, or so. I would do anything for an excuse to wear a costume.

Due to my ongoing involvement with creating fashion, I have found that…

Morgan Hutchinson: I’m always overdressed and over-dry-shampooed, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What is influencing me creatively right now is…

Morgan Hutchinson: Forever and always the same things: The timeless style of the women who raised me, the curiosity of the little woman I’m raising, and of course, travel.

My attachment to the Junior League means to me that…

Courtesy of Wikimedia

Margan Hutchinson: I can connect with an incredible community of women who love to make the world more beautiful—through giving back, through encouraging female entrepreneurs, and through emotional connections.

First music I bought was…
Morgan Hutchinson:
Debbie Gibson. Out of the Blue. A real classic.

Book that left a lasting impression on me…

Morgan Hutchinson: The One Thing. It’s an amazing tool to remind us that multi-tasking is not the goal. It has to be done from time to time of course—but focusing on one thing at a time leads to fulfillment.

On that note, my favorite fiction character is…

Morgan Hutchinson: I think I will go with Phyllis Neffler from Troop Beverly Hills because she never stops being herself.

My real-life hero has got to be…

Morgan Hutchinson: It’s a tie between my husband and my mom. Loving. Loyal. Selfless. Just the best.

Last thing I binge/marathon watched…

Courtesy of AppleTV+

Morgan Hutchinson: After receiving countless DM’s about the fashion in Palm Royale and how it reminded our followers of Buru (which makes sense because one of my main inspirations is my grandmother, Jean Evelyn who spent her winters in Miami), I of course watched. Binged it. Loved it. Need more.

What everyone should try in their lifetime is…

Morgan Hutchinson: A Turkish bath in Istanbul.

If I could compete in an Olympic sport, or create one, it would be…

Morgan Hutchinson: Synchronized swimming.

Hong Kong. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

If I lived in a foreign city it would be…

Morgan Hutchinson: Hong Kong. Preferably at the Rosewood.

If I weren’t doing what I do I would be a…

Morgan Hutchinson: Travel writer.

A celebrity I would prank phone call and what I would ask them is…

Morgan Hutchinson: Kristin Wiig and I would ask her if I could borrow her baby arm.

My hidden talent that most people might not guess is…

Morgan Hutchinson: I have a completely useless talent for remembering movie lines.

If I had a superpower, I’d want it to be…

Morgan Hutchinson: Time travel.

Morgan Hutchinson. Courtesy of BURU

A simple way to get people to laugh is easy. Just…

Morgan Hutchinson: Hate to say it, but it’s making a potty joke. At least according to my seven-year-old son.

A phrase I might overuse would be…

Morgan Hutchinson: According to my best friend and our amazing COO, it’s “Yes, I can do that.”

My motto? Easy. It is…

Morgan Hutchinson: Don’t take yourself too seriously. (And wear what you want.)

Favorite scent these days is (because)…

Morgan Hutchinson: My children’s heads after a bath.

My style icon is…

Morgan Hutchinson: My icons are the same as my inspiration—the wonderful women who raised me.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

My personal style signifier is…

Morgan Hutchinson: Just like Buru—timeless with a twist.

The classic designer I wish was still designing today would be…

Morgan Hutchinson: Elsa Luisa Maria Schiaparelli.

In my fridge, you will always find…

Morgan Hutchinson: Bubble water.

My perfect day would end…

Morgan Hutchinson: Snuggled up with my three little ones on the left and my husband, Brett on my right.

On my tombstone, it will say…

Morgan Hutchinson: She Really Lived And Really Loved.

The Gentleman Racer by Michael Satterfield

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