The April 2007 opening of Houston 8, Fashion Culture for Men and Women, was the realization of a life-long dream for me. Fashion culture as I define it is “A way of life with a desire to be different”. My original goal with H8, and my continuing passion, was to bring a new element of style for both men and women to the Emerald Coast of Florida. What’s in the name? I am the eighth of nine children, and Houston is my last name. Our boutique’s name is very meaningful to me, as well as our clients, as it conveys the strong sense of family and friendship I feel with our clients at H8, and it represents our home-away-from-home comfortable atmosphere. Why the Emerald Coast? Even after years of traveling in the fashion world, Destin has always been home to me; my father was in the Air Force, so I grew up in the area. My friends are here. I’ve watched the growth of this area and I always knew I would come home to start my first boutique here – I want to give back and contribute to the growth of my home town area. H8 is a contemporary boutique that caters to those leading a “Life Less Formal”. We have a variety of denim, tees, and contemporary wear