Texas natives Amie and Jolie Sikes, known as the Junk Gypsies, have been carving a niche in the fashion and home decor space for over two decades. The pair, who live in Round Top, are known for their Texas flair and for transforming antique pieces into treasured finds.
Over the years, the Junk Gypsies have turned their love of Texas and antique finds into television and digital shows for HGTV, a line for Pottery Barn Teen, as well as a line of clothing, boots, and jewelry that is available in over 300 independent retailers across the U.S. and in their flagship outpost in Round Top. Junk Gypsy fans in Houston can get their hands on coveted pieces at Bering's Hardware, Cavenders, Boot Bar, Pink Pistol, and Buc-ees.
Amie and Jolie will be in Houston as part of the Houston Home + Garden Show on February 3 and 4, where they will take the stage for live demonstration and to share their story, style tips, and answer audience questions.
We spoke with one-half of the fashionable duo, Amie Sikes, to talk about the evolution of Junk Gypsy, their fashion aesthetic, and what fans of the brand can look forward to in Spring 2023.
CultureMap: Where did the name Junk Gypsy come from?
Amie Sikes: Our name came from what it was we were doing. We were running the roads, going to flea markets all across the south, and we really felt like gypsies. All of it was so empowering. We accidentally found ourselves, and our style, out there on the road, so we wanted a name that reflected that. That's when Junk Gypsy was born, literally and figuratively.
CM: How did growing up in East Texas influence your style?
AS: The love we have for small towns and the country way of life influences everything we do, everything we design, and the way we want to live our lives. There is a spirit of community, belonging, and pride in small towns that we embrace and love.
CM: What is the Junk Gypsy aesthetic?
AS: We were working with antique home decor, rock 'n' roll posters, and tattered chesterfield sofas that turned into our clothing aesthetic. Jolie and I have always said that we dress the way we decorate so our aesthetics always blend.
Our style is a little western, very Texas, and a little bohemian. It's a lot of crushed velvet, concert-style t-shirts, and everything is always paired with boots. Our favorite saying is #wedontwearheels because we always are in boots. It is funny because people in the western world don't consider us to be western, but people outside of that world think we are very western.
Jolie and I always say we wanted to be rock 'n' roll stars, but we don't know how to play an instrument, so we became antique dealers instead.
CM: What can fans look for as far as spring trends in your line?
AS: [2023] is the Year of the Rabbit, so we are doing a lot of rabbit-inspired items. We like to "Tex-ify" things, so there are pastel fringe jackets and cowboy hats paired with faded flared jeans.
We are also doing a fair amount of florals this season, but we tone it down with something like a black leather jacket. We don't like things to be too feminine, but we don't like our aesthetic to be too masculine, either.
We will probably bring back some of our prairie shirts, and we have some pastel and metallic boots coming out, too. Everything will launch in early March, just in time for the Round Top Antiques Fair.
CM: Do you design all of the clothing and home decor in your line?
AS: We complete the Junk Gypsy look with merchandise from other companies, but we design everything that has our name on it.
CM: Your line has so much color and pattern, do fashion trends like neutrals ever worry you?
AS: No, because our line has a strong base of basic neutrals. Right now, we are seeing a massive shift from neutrals and sterile white to a more maximalist aesthetic in clothing and home decor. We like a wardrobe and a house with a story to tell and look like a world traveler.
CM: How do you stay inspired to keep Junk Gypsy going?
AS: Jolie and I always say that we probably have ADD. We like to mix things up because we get bored very quickly. We constantly change our designs' look, feel, fabrics, and colors. We are continually looking for what is our next storyline. When we find it, we work to make it fantastic and then move on to the next thing.
CM: What is your favorite type of item to design?
AS: Our favorite thing to design is the artwork on our t-shirts. A lot of times, that is where our storyline inspiration comes from. We typically have three core designs that tell the story, and everything fans out after that.
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The Houston Home + Garden Show; February 3-5 at NRG Center; NRG Center at NRG Park; find tickets here.
Photo by Roaming Wild Photography
Amie and Jolie Sikes will be in Houston at the Home + Garden Show February 3 to 4.
Behold the Pineapple Patron.Courtesy of ALife Hospitality Group