A Line Muses: Julie Gordon of barre3
A Cherry Creek Fashion Brand Partnership
A Line Muses features stories and interviews highlighting the powerful and stylish women who shop at A Line Boutique. For our December Issue, we highlight Julie Gordon, owner of barre3 Cherry Creek. Julie was photographed at barre3 wearing clothing from A Line Boutique.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
STYLED BY JACK SAVOIE // CLOTHING: A LINE BOUTIQUE
Cherry Creek Fashion: Tell us about your background and how you got involved in the fitness industry?
Julie Gordon: I am originally from the Midwest and my family always vacationed in Colorado (hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing, skiing). My love affair with the mountains was strong and I knew early on that I wanted to make this place my home so I could play here and travel to other far off places. I have been blessed to have fulfilled my dream and have lived in Colorado for over 18 years and in Denver for almost thirteen. I met Peter, my partner, shortly after I moved to Denver and together we love travel, dining out, drinking wine, cooking (well, he cooks and I eat), taking in the arts, sporting events, biking, hiking, and skiing.
My first career was as a dental hygienist and I did that for almost eight years. I took my first yoga class during dental hygiene school and recognized how it would help my posture and body feel good after sitting with my patients for eight hours a day. Dental hygiene physically took a toll on my body so when I hung up my instruments I began to teach yoga full-time which finally led me to take my first barre3 class in 2012.
Sports Bra and Jacket: Ultracor, Leggings and Sneakers: Off White
CCF: How did you first get into fitness, and how did that journey lead you to open barre3?
JG: I was a gymnast growing up, swam on the swim team, and even attempted to play tennis but I was more of a choir chic. It was really yoga that led me to enjoy and appreciate movement and when I walked into barre3 and took my first class, I knew I had found my place!
I am not the original owner of barre3 Cherry Creek but it has been my baby since October 2012. I have since opened our second studio, barre3 Highlands Square, in March 2018, and am a partner in the barre3 Highlands Ranch studio.
The fateful day I first walked into barre3, I noticed the light that poured into the studio, the cork floor that we work out on and how warm and clean it was, the warmth of everyone I met in class, how supportive and knowledgeable the instructors were, and how powerful I felt during and after the workout. The class has evolved over the years but our corporate training team has found the perfect balance: fitness, mindfulness, and connection.
CCF: Tell us about barre3’s offerings and how you have adapted to serve your members in these unprecedented times.
JG: Early on in the pandemic, we as a company had to pivot, get out of our comfort zone, and find a way to meet our community where they were and where some still are: in their homes. My team was incredible as we began to live stream classes from our own living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms within weeks of the stay at home order. Together we learned to navigate the different lighting needs, sound, and connectivity issues, and hoped that if our image froze we had a pleasant look on our faces! I’ve always said that barre3 meets you where you are and it is truer now than ever before. It was clunky at first but it didn’t matter because it was so incredibly wonderful to see our community showing up!
We reopened our studios in mid-June with reduced capacity for in studio classes, adhering to local and state mandates including wearing a mask throughout our entire time in the studio (even while taking class), and we continue to live stream classes as well. We offered classes outdoors on Saturdays when it was warmer.
Snake Skin Jacket: L'agence, Silk Ruched Tank: Cinq a Sept, Black trouser: Derek Lam, Patent Leather Boots: Off White
CCF: How were you first introduced to A Line, and what makes it a special place to shop?
JG: I was first introduced to A Line when one of my longtime members took on a marketing position for A Line and she came to me wanting to do a joint event in the store that we called “Studio to Street Styling.” A Line took a few athletic wear pieces from my studio boutique section and created a complete look for going from barre3 to brunch, lunges to lunch, power leg to power meeting or wherever your day might take you. It was so fun and A Line and barre3 have continued to partner over the years!
I love dropping into A Line. The stylists know me and have the warmest smile and a glass of bubbly when I show up. They make me feel incredible and help to bring out the best in me every time! Back when we could travel (pre-pandemic), Jack would often offer packing suggestions to arm me with the best looks for my destination.
The absolute best was when I was invited to join Karmen, Caleb, Emily, Brandon and Cindy (another rockstar client) for New York fashion week in February 2020. An experience so full of memories I will never forget!
CCF: How would you describe your style and where do you find your style inspiration?
JG: I would describe my style as everyday easy pieces with a flair. I find my style inspiration through observing the people around me especially while traveling. I still enjoy flipping through fashion magazines and following influencers on Instagram to see their style. I also trust my A Line stylist, Jack, implicitly to put me in pieces from designers I never would’ve pulled for myself.
CCF: Who are your favorite designers?
JG: RtA, IRO, NSF, Chloe, Golden Goose, Aquazzura, l’Agence, Mother denim, Ramy Brook, Arje
CCF: How does A Line style you for your lifestyle, your career, and your “new normal”?
JG: Seven days a week I’m wearing athletic gear so I gravitate towards adding a funky hoodie or stylish layering piece and Golden Goose sneakers to make it fashionable. Last year I bought a pair of cashmere joggers from Rag & Bone and they are some of my current favorites!
Zebra Sweater: RtA, Leather Jacket: Jonathan Simkhai, Jeans: L'agence, Sneakers: Golden Goose
CCF: What advice do you have for those looking to stay healthy and active, while remaining safe and socially distant?
JG: Now more than ever we need to move our bodies for our mental well-being, to combat stress, to help improve our mood, to fight loneliness, so we can be better people to those around us.
I would love to offer you a free live stream or studio class with me! On January 4th, we kick off our month-long barre3 January Challenge and the theme this year is “celebrate what your mind and body can do.” The challenge is to take 4 classes/week and they can be in the studio, live stream, or a combination of the two.
Julie Gordon: @julie.sunshine
barre3 Cherry Creek: @barre3denvercentral
Clothing: A Line Boutique: @alineboutique
Photographer: Esther Lee Leach: @estherleeleach