Style Q&A With Caelynn Bell

Ava: In a fast-paced trend cycle driven by social media, how do you curate collections and recommend pieces that feel timeless rather than fleeting?

Caelynn: It’s tough, I do sometimes feel a pull to chase what’s trending, but at the end of the day, I want people to hold on to these pieces for years, not just a season. Bellboy is meant to be timeless. A lot of my inspiration comes from family heirlooms, vintage shopping, thrifted home decor, things that have already stood the test of time, so I try to bring that same feeling into what I design.

Ava: What is the creative process behind your content and how you put together your outfits?

Caelynn: I get a ton of inspo just walking around Aspen. It’s fun living in a town where tourists are constantly visiting, you see people from all over the world and I draw inspiration from that. I usually start with one piece and create something around that. I’ve been having a lot of fun with accessories lately. Jewelry, belts, hats, and scarves all help to make an outfit feel more unique.

Ava: What inspired you to launch your jewelry line, Bellboy, and what was that starting process like?

Caelynn: I've loved jewelry since I was a kid. I'd always peer into my mom's jewelry box and try on her rings and necklaces, counting down the days until I could get my ears pierced. So starting my own jewelry line felt natural because it's something I've been drawn to my whole life. I took my time with every part of it, from finding a manufacturer I really trusted to honing in on the designs and getting everything to a place I was genuinely proud of. There were definitely bumps along the way, but overall, it's been such a fun process.

Ava: What have been the most surprising aspects of transitioning from content creator to building your own brand?

Caelynn: Honestly, I thought it would be pretty seamless since I've been creating content for seven years, but shifting my mindset from creator to brand owner has been more of a challenge than I expected. I figured the brand content side would come naturally, but building out the entire world of Bellboy is a different kind of creative muscle. I've done collabs in the past with clothing, shoes, and jewelry, but nothing compares to having full creative freedom over something that's completely mine.

Ava: What have been your biggest hurdles as a brand owner, and what did you learn from them?

Caelynn: I’m a perfectionist, so learning to keep moving even when something isn’t 100% where I want it to be is huge. It’s forced me to let go of control, which I need. I’m also figuring out who I am as a founder and there’s definitely some imposter syndrome that comes with that.

Ava: What advice would you give to other women trying to start their own brand or build a voice online?

Caelynn: Just get started. One of my best friends gave me the push I needed for Bellboy. She told me this wasn't going to fall into my lap, and I just had to start. That really hit me because I realized I'd been waiting for something: the right time, the right person to help, whatever it was. There were a lot of doubts and uncertainties that were holding me back. It’s never going to feel like the perfect time, so my advice is to just get started. And if your brand or your voice changes along the way that's fine, better, even. You'll end up with something more refined because of it.

As for what’s next, Caelynn is gearing up to expand her team beyond just her and Dean. She's also working on a personal new collection inspired by her grandmother, and we can’t wait to see it come to life.