Michele Dieckmeyer is no stranger to struggle. As a child, she wrestled with obesity and her body image. During her teenage years, she became pregnant, dealt with poverty and depression, and later overcame breast implant illness. Instead of admitting defeat, she focused on a nursing career and funneled energy into personal styling to help raise her self-esteem. This passion led her to provide the same services for other women at her newly opened boutique, Fringe & Form, located in Carmel City Center.
Fringe & Form offers designer fashions from around the world, with many items coming from Italy, Spain and Germany. Unlike other boutique stores, Dieckmeyer hopes to reform the shopping experience to empower women through thoughtful wardrobe curation and style coaching, which she hopes will boost self-confidence and encourage women to make positive life changes.
The store space has been carefully designed to create a safe, comfortable environment for women to explore new and exciting options. “The try-on experience was a key factor in designing our space, which features large mirrors in the dressing rooms, allowing women to decide for themselves how they feel in new pieces without any pressure to like a particular style,” Dieckmeyer says. “Our goal is to help women find things they love, avoiding the high-pressure sales environments found in some retail stores.”
Dieckmeyer has also made it part of the store’s mission to support women as they navigate their personal journeys. The boutique offers style coaching to help women feel more confident while working toward personal goals, whether moving on from a personal relationship or targeting new job prospects. “We are more than just a retail store selling high-quality, sustainable fashion,” Dieckmeyer says. “We aim to be a safe space where women feel comfortable exploring new additions to their wardrobe in a thoughtful way, fueling self-expression through conscious and sustainable style.”
The boutique store has a selection of additional services to help bolster female confidence. They offer color and shape analysis for a fee, and even provide in-home styling services and Girls Night Out bookings for special occasions. “Personal styling, once a hobby, became a commitment to uplift and empower women through style coaching,” Dieckmeyer says. “Beyond fashion, my mission is holistic – nurturing physical health, mental wellness and self-esteem.”
Ultimately, Dieckmeyer wants the shop to serve as a supportive oasis for women who may be struggling with their own life circumstances – something she understands on a personal level. “We actively support our community through charity styling, helping women who are starting over to regain confidence and feel good about themselves,” she says. “If you know someone in need, you can nominate them on our website. We’re committed to showing women that their past doesn’t define their future. They can feel empowered, look great and embrace the bright future ahead. You’re a masterpiece, so dress like one!”
