Kingwood native Allee Bales said her dreams of becoming a boutique shop owner started in high school, however it was a path she’d only take if she “won the lottery.” In February 2024, though she had not won the lottery, Bales opened her own boutique Authenticity to captivate her interpretation of fashion.

“Fashion really is like a coat of armor or like a shield that helps you feel like you can take on the world," she said. "It's just like an extra layer of protection to make yourself shine and feel like ‘I can take on the day.'"

How it happened

In her sophomore year of college, Bales decided to begin working toward her business aspirations by studying fashion merchandising. In May 2020, she graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising and a minor in business administration.
Authenticity was founded by 26-year-oldAllee Bales in February 2024. (Courtesy Authenticity)
Authenticity was founded by 26-year-old Allee Bales in February 2024. (Courtesy Authenticity)
Soon after, she went on to work for several retail stores including Rent the Runway, Tuesday Morning and Pretty Little Things, another Kingwood boutique.

“I worked [at Tuesday Morning] as a manager, and then they went bankrupt. So my mom was like, ‘Well, this is the sign,’ Bales said.


What's in the name

With the mission to offer a boutique where people could feel like themselves, Bales said her boutique name was intended to promote individuality and authenticity.

“To me, being authentic is like the courage to be yourself. It's picking what you believe in over what's trending,” Bales said. “Because at the end of the day, you’re the only one that has your true intentions at heart. So you gotta represent yourself and feel confident, and the more that you're able to do that, the more you can attract all that you need in your life.”
Customers can find three dressing rooms at Authenticity where they can try on different styles. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Customers can find three dressing rooms at Authenticity where they can try on different styles. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
At Authenticity, women can find a variety of styles of clothing with sizes ranging from extra small to 3X. Boutique items range from $26-$55 offering customers quality fashion pieces at an affordable price, Bales said.