A Line Muses: Artist Cora Wheeler Models 4 Must-Have Looks For Fall
A Cherry Creek Fashion Brand Partnership
This month, we launch a new Brand Partnership Series with A Line Boutique called A Line Muses, featuring stories and interviews highlighting the powerful and stylish women who shop at A Line. This month, we feature Artist Cora Wheeler wearing four must-have looks for fall. Cora was photographed at home and at the A Line Boutique in Belleview Station.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH // STYLED BY JACK SAVOIE
MAKEUP: KATIE KLEIN // CLOTHING: A LINE BOUTIQUE
Cinq A Sept Jumpsuit, Jason Wu Trench, Aquazzura Shoes
Cherry Creek Fashion: You are a Colorado Native. Tell us more about growing up here and how this has inspired your art?
Cora Wheeler: I grew up in Colorado, studied pre-med, and played Division 1 Lacrosse at the University of Denver. I continued my studies at the CU Medical Campus and am now raising a family with my husband, Jeff in Cherry Hills Village. I am thankful to have a home studio with a great outdoor space that inspires creativity to work and play with our three kids, dogs, chickens, and a few barn cats. In addition to being a CO native, my family owns a working ranch outside of Durango. Growing up we would drive every weekend to work the land, raise the cattle, and play in the fields. The combination of city and ranch living can be seen through my art in its heavy western influence and modern colors and finishes.
Off-white Top, Ba&sh Skirt, Aquazzura Shoes
CCF: You started CSextonW Studio to create your works of art. How did it all get started?
CW: Every parent knows that life is always changing, even more so now. I had a career that didn’t enable me to be with my family and to take part in the day to day. I needed to pivot and use my passions to create a new roadmap for myself and my family. From there, CSextonW Studio was created.
I have always loved working with my hands and creating art. Ten years ago, I started painting large western pieces for our home. I was then approached by friends and family requesting installations for their homes and it took off from there. My pieces have a strong western pull, with heavy texture and colors. My love for doing floral design also comes through to give pieces a playful ethereal finish. My paintings are meant to be experienced both visually and tactually by the viewer, which is very similar to how I approach fashion.
CCF: How would you describe your style?
CW: My style tendency runs towards bohemian, but I always must add something flirty and unexpected to my look. I also love jewel tones or navy blue. Patent and pleats preferred!
Derek Lam Dress, Hunter Boots
CCF: Where do you find your style inspiration?
CW: Instagram is an easily accessible point of inspiration, as are my friends but I have always been consistent in my look from flirty ruffles, to chunky bracelets and a killer shoe. My art is heavily inspired by the jewel tones in my closet, contrasting textures of a sleek resin finish over heavily sculpted mediums typically with a nod to something western and a hint of femininity.
CCF: Who are your favorite designers?
CW: Chanel, Rag & Bone, Cinq A Sept, Ramy Brook, KES, Alice and Olivia, L’Agence, Hermès, Rebecca Taylor…it is never-ending!
CCF: What are your favorite fashion pieces for the fall season?
Living in Colorado, layering is something I do through the seasons. I am kind of obsessed with jackets, from jeans to leather and fur. I love the IRO leather jackets- fantastic colors that punch up an outfit of jeans and a white V-neck t-shirt from Rag & Bone. I also adore wrapping up in an Avant Toi scarf. I pull a lot of my art inspiration from the colors of Hermès.
RtA Sweater, Slvrlake Jeans, Chloé Boots
CCF: How you were first introduced to A Line and why do you love shopping at the boutique?
CW: I was first introduced to A Line through the founder, Karmen Berentsen. Our kids, now fourth-graders, were in kindergarten together and A Line hosted a “moms’ night out” event at one of their locations. Once I was in the store and experienced the designers, manifesto, textures, and stylists, I was hooked. I love a space that has great textures, colors, and feels inviting. A Line is more than a shopping destination. It is representative of the fashion community, but also the greater community, notably women-owned businesses and the arts. The stores serve as gathering spaces and relationship connectors.
Cora Wheeler: @CSextonWstudio // CSextonWstudio.com
Photography: @estherleeleach
Styling: @thesavoiedaily
Makeup: @makeupbykatieklein