There are many boutiques in the Washington, DC metropolitan area that provide great clothing with marvelous style. In Silver Spring, Metamorphosis Wardrobe & Accessories Boutique presents a dynamic selection that's well worth the trip. If you seek something 'unique', head to Metamorphosis and let Proprietress Sharon Jackson Bullock fit you into something special. Sharon is also Co-founder and Vice-President of Sisters 4 Sisters Network, Inc.
by Rodney W. Branche
by Rodney W. Branche
Copa: Sharon where are you from?
Sharon: Gainsville, Georgia.
Sharon: Gainsville, Georgia.
Photo: Majic Glamour Photography
Copa: Which schools have you attended?
Sharon: East Hall, Gainesville High, Morris Brown College, Morgan State University and Von Lee.
Sharon: East Hall, Gainesville High, Morris Brown College, Morgan State University and Von Lee.
Copa: At what time did the fashion bug bite you?
Sharon: Growing up, I was inspired by my mom, whom was a dresser, and very stylish. She would always buy me nice things to wear, and we would make trips to the Big City (Atlanta) to shop. This way, I had things no one else had, so I would be "unique", and stood out from the crowd. I would always wear the latest fashions, and had to be "dressed" all the time, or I felt insecure. As a teenager, I worked in my aunt's salon as a receptionist and shampoo girl, and was exposed to the hair and fashion industry even more. By the time I was in Jr High, I was obsessed with fashion magazines, and Beverly Johnson was my idol. I did some amature modeling here and there, and went to The Ebony Fashion Show each year with my mom and aunt, and always imagined me being on that stage or appearing in the lastest fashion magazines. Drama was my favorite class and I would appear in several plays throughout Jr high and High school. My goal then was to become a model and actress, and was accepted to Barbizon School of Modeling. However, all my friends were packing their trunks to go to 4 year colleges, and I felt left behind. So at the last monent, I changed my mind, and applied to Morris Brown College in Atlanta, and followed my friends, instead. The little girl inside of me would haunt me for years, so I decided, if I can't be a model, I wanted to "look" like one! I would day dream about clothes everyday, and would dress women in my head, but never told anyone, because I didn't want them to think I was conceited or crazy! I didn't realize it was my passion for fashion, trying to come through. I later transferred to Morgan State University where I majored in Mental Health with a minor in Psychology. I thought I wanted to be a Child Psycholdogist, go figure! I worked in this field for about three years, but the job I enjoyed the most, was this part time job I had at a clothing boutique, called Paraphernalia. This is where I came alive again, and it didn't seem like a job, it was like playtime, instead of work. From there I went into the Hair Care industry, working for companies like M& M Products, Soft Sheen Products, and others, for over 15 years. There, I was able to express my sense of style and creativity. This is where the Entrepreneurial bug bit me. Seeing my aunt own 5 salons and a beauty school, I knew it was in my blood!
Sharon: Growing up, I was inspired by my mom, whom was a dresser, and very stylish. She would always buy me nice things to wear, and we would make trips to the Big City (Atlanta) to shop. This way, I had things no one else had, so I would be "unique", and stood out from the crowd. I would always wear the latest fashions, and had to be "dressed" all the time, or I felt insecure. As a teenager, I worked in my aunt's salon as a receptionist and shampoo girl, and was exposed to the hair and fashion industry even more. By the time I was in Jr High, I was obsessed with fashion magazines, and Beverly Johnson was my idol. I did some amature modeling here and there, and went to The Ebony Fashion Show each year with my mom and aunt, and always imagined me being on that stage or appearing in the lastest fashion magazines. Drama was my favorite class and I would appear in several plays throughout Jr high and High school. My goal then was to become a model and actress, and was accepted to Barbizon School of Modeling. However, all my friends were packing their trunks to go to 4 year colleges, and I felt left behind. So at the last monent, I changed my mind, and applied to Morris Brown College in Atlanta, and followed my friends, instead. The little girl inside of me would haunt me for years, so I decided, if I can't be a model, I wanted to "look" like one! I would day dream about clothes everyday, and would dress women in my head, but never told anyone, because I didn't want them to think I was conceited or crazy! I didn't realize it was my passion for fashion, trying to come through. I later transferred to Morgan State University where I majored in Mental Health with a minor in Psychology. I thought I wanted to be a Child Psycholdogist, go figure! I worked in this field for about three years, but the job I enjoyed the most, was this part time job I had at a clothing boutique, called Paraphernalia. This is where I came alive again, and it didn't seem like a job, it was like playtime, instead of work. From there I went into the Hair Care industry, working for companies like M& M Products, Soft Sheen Products, and others, for over 15 years. There, I was able to express my sense of style and creativity. This is where the Entrepreneurial bug bit me. Seeing my aunt own 5 salons and a beauty school, I knew it was in my blood!
Photo: Jazzy Photos
Copa: Our staff has noticed your interesting style of dress and find it quite fascinating. Have you given it a name of sorts?
Sharon: I like unique, hard to find, and one of a kind looks and fashions. I like to be different on purpose. My style is funky chic or sometimes chic elegance. You will almost always find me wearing a hat! I am really a shy person. I express myself through the way I dress. This way people come to me, instead of me being afraid to approach them!
Sharon: I like unique, hard to find, and one of a kind looks and fashions. I like to be different on purpose. My style is funky chic or sometimes chic elegance. You will almost always find me wearing a hat! I am really a shy person. I express myself through the way I dress. This way people come to me, instead of me being afraid to approach them!
Photo: M&M Photography
Copa: Have you always maintained this wonderful style and while we are there, let's speak a bit about those marvelous hats.
Sharon: As I mentioned earlier, looking my best, was ingrained in me at an early age. I just didn't realize it was my true calling. I love making other women feel good about themselves by creating their own style. Especially if you have low self esteem. When you dress to impress, you will get noticed, and you will get compliments, which automatically boosts your confidence. Hats will also make you stand out in a crowd. Growing up in the church, my mom always wore hats to complete her outfits. I'm my mother's daughter, and now I don't feel completely dressed, unless I'm topping it off with a bad hat! I wear them everyday. Everyone can wear a hat, it's just a matter of finding the right hat for YOU!
Sharon: As I mentioned earlier, looking my best, was ingrained in me at an early age. I just didn't realize it was my true calling. I love making other women feel good about themselves by creating their own style. Especially if you have low self esteem. When you dress to impress, you will get noticed, and you will get compliments, which automatically boosts your confidence. Hats will also make you stand out in a crowd. Growing up in the church, my mom always wore hats to complete her outfits. I'm my mother's daughter, and now I don't feel completely dressed, unless I'm topping it off with a bad hat! I wear them everyday. Everyone can wear a hat, it's just a matter of finding the right hat for YOU!
Photo: Peggy Morris Photography
Copa: When did you first have your dream of opening your own boutique and when did you make that dream a reality?
Sharon: I grew up in the hair care industry, and worked in my aunt's salon, as a teenager. She inspired me to want to own my own business. Since the majority of my career was in the hair care industry, I actually wanted to open a day spa, with a boutique inside. I tried for several years to open a day spa, but kept hitting brick walls. I thought, this isn't rocket science, why is this so hard to do? My job ended in the hair care industry in 1993, and I began working for Verizon. What was supposed to be a pit stop, ended up lasting another 15 years! I wanted to keep my foot in the fashion industry so I started marketing jewelry, hats, and accessories at home parties and trade shows on a part time basis for 5 years, but when I added clothing to the mix, it became too much to carry around. I finally realized, fashion was my passion, and decided to start with a boutique instead of the day spa, and began looking for a store front in 2006. My plan was to keep my corporate job with benefits, and work part time at my business, while hiring someone else to manage the store. Apparently God had other plans! I later found out I was being riffed from my job at Verizon. I had a choice to find another job within the company or take a severence package. Since our jobs were redundant due to a merger, we had 30-90 days, which was unheard of. I asked God for a sign, if this is what he wants me to do, I needed 3 things to happen, 1) Get the building; 2) The 90 days; and 3) The Severance package. One by one, they each fell into place! So then I had my answer, and in November 2007, I opened my first store, Metamorphosis Wardrobe & Accessories Boutique, in downtown Silver Spring, MD. And I haven't looked back since!
Sharon: I grew up in the hair care industry, and worked in my aunt's salon, as a teenager. She inspired me to want to own my own business. Since the majority of my career was in the hair care industry, I actually wanted to open a day spa, with a boutique inside. I tried for several years to open a day spa, but kept hitting brick walls. I thought, this isn't rocket science, why is this so hard to do? My job ended in the hair care industry in 1993, and I began working for Verizon. What was supposed to be a pit stop, ended up lasting another 15 years! I wanted to keep my foot in the fashion industry so I started marketing jewelry, hats, and accessories at home parties and trade shows on a part time basis for 5 years, but when I added clothing to the mix, it became too much to carry around. I finally realized, fashion was my passion, and decided to start with a boutique instead of the day spa, and began looking for a store front in 2006. My plan was to keep my corporate job with benefits, and work part time at my business, while hiring someone else to manage the store. Apparently God had other plans! I later found out I was being riffed from my job at Verizon. I had a choice to find another job within the company or take a severence package. Since our jobs were redundant due to a merger, we had 30-90 days, which was unheard of. I asked God for a sign, if this is what he wants me to do, I needed 3 things to happen, 1) Get the building; 2) The 90 days; and 3) The Severance package. One by one, they each fell into place! So then I had my answer, and in November 2007, I opened my first store, Metamorphosis Wardrobe & Accessories Boutique, in downtown Silver Spring, MD. And I haven't looked back since!
Photo: Peggy Morris Photography
Copa: How did you choose the name "Metamorphosis?"
Sharon: Metamorphosis was the name of my proposed day spa, which meant change and transforming from a caterpillar to a butterfly. It also fit perfectly for my boutique, since we change our clients wardrobes into multiple outfits by accessorizing, and they walk in a caterpillar and leave out a butterfly, as they receive a metamorphosing experience, as well as a transformation!
Sharon: Metamorphosis was the name of my proposed day spa, which meant change and transforming from a caterpillar to a butterfly. It also fit perfectly for my boutique, since we change our clients wardrobes into multiple outfits by accessorizing, and they walk in a caterpillar and leave out a butterfly, as they receive a metamorphosing experience, as well as a transformation!
Photo: Deitra Jackson
Metamorphosis Fall-A-Rama Fashion Show 2014
Preview
Copa: As far as locations are concerned, what made you choose Silver Spring?
Sharon: I lived right at the DC, Silver Spring line and knew they were planning to revamp downtown Silver Spring. I first approched them about opeing the day spa. The landlord loved the idea, but the situation with my partner did not work out. So when I went back to them the second time, I was too under capitalized to open the spa. A year or so later, I decided to start with the boutique instead, and approached them a 3rd time. This time I found the ideal location for my storefront! Since I was a new start up business, and the guy next door, who had been there 5 years, wanted to expand his business, the landlord tried to convince me to take another location. I knew this was the space I was supposed to have, so everyday I drove to my spot and sat in the parking lot and began to stalk the building! I would imagine my name on this building, and saw my customers coming through my doors. I did this for 6 months, because they didn't tell me no!
Sharon: I lived right at the DC, Silver Spring line and knew they were planning to revamp downtown Silver Spring. I first approched them about opeing the day spa. The landlord loved the idea, but the situation with my partner did not work out. So when I went back to them the second time, I was too under capitalized to open the spa. A year or so later, I decided to start with the boutique instead, and approached them a 3rd time. This time I found the ideal location for my storefront! Since I was a new start up business, and the guy next door, who had been there 5 years, wanted to expand his business, the landlord tried to convince me to take another location. I knew this was the space I was supposed to have, so everyday I drove to my spot and sat in the parking lot and began to stalk the building! I would imagine my name on this building, and saw my customers coming through my doors. I did this for 6 months, because they didn't tell me no!
Photo: Peggy Morris Photography
Copa: What is your favorite color and why?
Sharon: I'm an earth tone girl, and I love burnt orange and corals, beacuse it brings out my skin tone and personality. I'm also a Color Analyst, and love putting clients in their best colors. When you are wearing your best colors, everything you wear looks good on you! Each person is either warm or cool, and this determines which category or season you fall into.
Sharon: I'm an earth tone girl, and I love burnt orange and corals, beacuse it brings out my skin tone and personality. I'm also a Color Analyst, and love putting clients in their best colors. When you are wearing your best colors, everything you wear looks good on you! Each person is either warm or cool, and this determines which category or season you fall into.
Photo: Peggy Morris Photography
Copa: What will the future hold for Sharon Jackson Bullock and "Metamorphosis?"
Sharon: ?" I would love to franchise or open a chain of Metamorphosis Boutiques in all the major cites, and maybe internationally. I plan to start a Foundation for Women, offering gently worn clothing for the unemployed, back to work, and welfare to work, etc. I intend to hold workshops on "Putting your BEST colors Forward." I am also working on a book to help women be the best they can be, in every sense that matters!
Sharon: ?" I would love to franchise or open a chain of Metamorphosis Boutiques in all the major cites, and maybe internationally. I plan to start a Foundation for Women, offering gently worn clothing for the unemployed, back to work, and welfare to work, etc. I intend to hold workshops on "Putting your BEST colors Forward." I am also working on a book to help women be the best they can be, in every sense that matters!
Photo: Peggy Morris Photography
For more information: www.metamorphosisboutiques.com
811 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring Maryland 20910
Phone: 301-588-8901
~Copa