Monkee’s of Raleigh Talks Spring Styling & Faith in Fashion
By Isabelle Redfield
When God closes one door, He opens another. Such is true for best-in-business Joanna Saleeby Knott and her ever-blooming boutique, Monkee’s of Raleigh. TC caught up with the North Carolina style guru for a mid-season report on sustaining trends. We stayed for her perspective on how she’s keeping the faith in the industry.
One thing is clear: Joanna knows how to buy for the girl who loves God, family, and country. We want smart, flattering, and enduring pieces from designers we’re proud to sport and support. Monkee’s of Raleigh and Joanna walk the walk and talk the talk. North Carolina native or not, you’re in for a treat. Let’s support values-based consumerism, and look good doing it.
PREDICT IT
PREDICT IT
What’s a Trend Anyways?
It’s costly to subscribe to trends. We typically prefer the fundamentals. Take the cowboy boot. Sure, the latest interpretations are often trendy, but the shoe itself is anything but novel. For your fashion formula: skip the fads, choose quality over quantity, and invest in items with both a long life cycle and of-the-moment flare.
We asked Sydnie Snipes to chime in on her styling, buying, and fashion philosophies.
“You may not always think modest is hottest, but it is,” she declares. “If I wouldn’t want to wear it around people I respect and honor, it’s a no.”
When it comes to purchasing, “I strategize and envision how I could wear said item to work or dinner with friends. I prefer buying ‘trendy’ when it’s a pair of statement earrings, shoes, or accessories,” she notes. Check out just how well how the rising social media marketing star is styling Monkee’s latest in-store & online arrivals. Click any photo to see @monkeesofraleigh’s latest Instagram content, which Sydnie produces.
Here, Sydnie shoots Instagram content for Monkee’s, wearing it-girl labels like Celia B, Amanda Uprichard, Rixo, Wild Pony, and Faithfull the Brand. Micro influencers like Snipes are sending shockwaves through our evolving digital movement. TC is thrilled to support their rise and their new exciting creative collaborations.
Now let’s meet owner and buyer, Joanna, for her advice on achieving personal and professional fulfillment.
YOUR FAITH IS ALWAYS 'IN FASHION'
YOUR FAITH IS ALWAYS 'IN FASHION'
Joanna Saleeby Knott
“One of my core beliefs is that each person is uniquely, fearfully, and wonderfully made. This belief is multi-faceted and rooted in the idea of a creator who gifts each of us with a unique set of passions, skills, and abilities that ultimately glorify Him when deployed according to His will. Some people may refer to this as a ‘calling’.”
How did you fall into fashion?
“For me, the Lord gifted me with several loves that fit within the world of fashion. I love meeting new people and greatly value long friendships,” Knott tells TC. “Whether it was playing dress up with my sister at my grandmother’s house, styling my college golf uniform, or my first buying trip entering the retail business, the love of fashion has been a constant in my life as long as I can remember.”
How did your dreams become reality?
“I grew both personally and in my faith, and unbeknownst to me, the Lord lead me to the fashion business by closing one door after the next. Whether it was golf, law school, business school, television, real estate, etc., everything was considered, but nothing stuck. My love of fashion brought me to the boutique I now own,” she recounts. “Once I started working as a low-level associate, my multiple loves — people, friendships, fashion, etc., grew, and my eyes were opened to the opportunities within the fashion business. After a few short years working as a sales associate, buyer, manager, and everything in between, the Lord brought me an opportunity to buy Monkee’s of Raleigh.”
Why do you love what you do?
“Monkee’s of Raleigh has enabled many of my loves to materialize into a business that centers on helping and encouraging people. Our employees are given an opportunity to work, grow, and serve like I did many years ago,” she says. “Our customers are given a forum to spend time with each other and our staff and hopefully find something fun to wear or give.”
How do you keep the faith in the fashion industry?
“No matter who walks through the door, my goal as the owner of Monkee’s of Raleigh is to use the store as a means of genuine encouragement and fellowship for each person who drops in for a visit. Of course, we seek to provide fashionable, beautiful clothing, jewelry, and accessories to each customer,” she notes. “What fulfills us even more, is when we are able to offer and enjoy the tenants of even greater worth than that — encouraging, working, and serving each other with whatever talents and abilities we have been gifted with. By the Lord’s grace, we have been able to serve many, many people. We love each one of them and are grateful for them.”
Joanna’s message is a call to all those searching for fulfillment in their careers: lean into your faith, discover your God-given talents, and recognize you’ve been given a divine purpose in this life. Then get out there, execute, praise the Lord, and keep coming back to your source.
SHOP MONKEE'S of RALEIGH
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SHOP MONKEE'S of RALEIGH 〰️
Not based in NC? Good thing Monkee’s online store rocks, too.
Isabelle Redfield is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of the Conservateur. She previously worked for the Trump White House and United States Senate and lives between Washington, D.C., and Dallas. Follow her on Instagram @isabelleredfieldtc
TC is looking to amplify values-based creatives through collaboration. Message to get in touch.
Photography by Sara Izzi
