Callie Gormley
Why Fashion Insiders Can’t Get Enough Of The Designer’s Signature Blend Of Color, Charm, And Contemporary Style… Including Taylor Swift
Photography courtesy of @baileyhartcreative
Rooted in Southern charm yet defined by modern sophistication, Hunter Bell has built a fashion brand that radiates femininity and elegance. Now a proud Texan, she founded her label, Hunter Bell NYC, in Manhattan in 2006. Her designs celebrate vibrant colors and prints, embodying a fun and authentic style that inspires confidence. Here, Hunter gives insight into her design process and reflects on what keeps her inspired, according to our style chaser Callie Gormley.
A Creative Spark That Started With Scraps, Dolls, and Daydreams
Behind the playful prints and polished silhouettes lies a deeply intentional creative process, one rooted in curiosity, craftsmanship, and an ever-evolving sense of self. And if you ask Hunter where all that inspiration comes from, the answer is simple: everywhere.
Her fashion journey began long before she knew it had a name. “My mom surrounded us with music and the arts growing up, which really sparked something inside of me,” Hunter Bell recalls. “I remember spending hours making clothes for my Barbie dolls, cutting up scraps of fabric, and imagining entire worlds for them to live in.”
There was no cinematic moment of revelation, just a steady pull toward something that always felt natural. “Looking back,” she says, “I truly can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Inspiration in Every Corner of the World
Travel, architecture, and interior design are among Bell’s biggest creative drivers, and she incorporates those influences into every collection. A recent trip to Scotland, for example, is already informing next year’s fall season. “I’m sure there will be plenty of tweeds and plaids in there,” she says with a laugh.
But one of her most unexpected inspirations is also one of the most personal: Texas. After moving to Houston, Bell found her work changing in ways she couldn’t have anticipated.
“Texas has played such a major role in the evolution of my brand,” she reflects. “I’m constantly inspired by the energy, color, and confidence that define Texas style. There’s this wonderful sense of individuality here; people truly dress for the day and take pride in expressing themselves.”
From Mood Board to Masterpiece: Inside Her Design Process
Bell’s designs may appear effortless, but every collection begins with a meticulous and imaginative process.
“Each collection begins with a mood board,” she explains. “It’s where the storytelling begins.”
She and her team pull from travel photos, vintage finds, interiors, art, and color palettes that capture the season’s emotional tone. Once the vision feels right, sketches follow, shaped through close collaboration with her design team.
One of her favorite aspects of the process is custom print development, which is often created in tandem with artists. “Seeing a print evolve from an early concept to a finished fabric is always magical,” she says. These prints, whether hand-painted or digitally designed, are then refined for scale, color, and composition, serving as the heartbeat of each collection.
From there, silhouettes are refined, samples reviewed, and adjustments made until everything feels cohesive, balanced, and accurate to the Hunter Bell aesthetic. “The process is long and deeply collaborative,” she notes, “but watching a final garment come to life, and then seeing it on our customer, is the most rewarding part of it all.”
Evolution, Growth, and Staying True to Herself
Nearly two decades after launching her brand in Manhattan, Bell’s designs have evolved right alongside her. “As I’ve grown, my silhouettes have evolved to reflect a more refined sense of design,” she says. But that evolution comes with freedom, too. “I’ve embraced the idea that age is just a number. That mindset has given me the freedom to experiment with bolder hemlines, unexpected details, and a renewed sense of creativity.”
Still, authenticity remains her guiding principle. She keeps her creative compass simple:
“Honestly, if I wouldn’t wear it, then it doesn’t pass the test.” Her path hasn’t been without lessons. Trusting her gut, relying on the right people, and embracing resilience have been essential. “This is good advice for any aspect of life, I think,” she adds.
And while she’s experienced her share of milestones, one stands above the rest: “I’d be lying if I didn’t say Taylor Swift wearing HB twice this year wasn’t a total pinch-me moment.”
Looking Ahead: Confidence, Creativity, and Continued Connection
Fresh from releasing a new holiday collection that sparkles with season-perfect charm, Bell is already thinking about the future of her brand and the women who wear it.
“In five years,” she says, “I hope we continue to grow and inspire women to feel confident in their closet and in their wardrobe choices. That’s what it’s all about.”
For designers just beginning their journey, her advice is both simple and powerful: “Don’t give up on yourself, even when things get tough and other people might.”
With a brand rooted in imagination, joy, and heart, Hunter Bell continues to redefine modern femininity; one vibrant, thoughtfully crafted piece at a time.
