Charde Houston emerges from the Phoenix Mercury locker room after the game, wearing a black-and-white striped jumpsuit with cap sleeves, elastic waist and capri-length pants. Her teammates roll out the imaginary red carpet for the team's resident fashionista and hand out a few teasing compliments. In fact, when some of her teammates hit the road to do some shopping of their own, it is Houston's voice -- like a personal style conscience -- they sometimes hear in their heads. The year-old forward who grew up in San Diego and played collegiately at Connecticut has a distinctive, even unmistakable, style on the floor.
She has shaved her head nearly clean much of the time, though she sometimes dyes the stubble that's starting to grow back on top, everything from gold to platinum blond. She's heard from fans through the years who want to emulate her look and her choices, and she decided this year to create a shopping website made up of pieces of clothing, jewelry and shoes she finds interesting.
The site is called Body Karmah and includes dresses, blouses, shoes and skirts. It also features beading combinations for the custom bracelets and jewelry that Houston first started making for herself, and then for others. Houston's online store has largely been a do-it-yourself operation. She designed it herself, several times over, in fact, and she selects all the pieces she's selling. Houston's business independence fits right in with her personal story of a girl who has always had to take care of herself.
Houston was 12 years old when her family lost their home in San Diego and was forced to live in their car for a brief time. Her mother remained homeless with Houston's younger brother, while Houston relied on coaches and friends to transport her to practice and give her a place to sleep.
Houston cared for younger siblings while her mother worked three jobs to support her three children, bringing her brothers along to basketball practice. More than most, she understands the importance of making your own way. Her experiences led to the creation of her foundation, called Project Y. Her new adventure in fashion is an offshoot of her nonprofit work in the sense that she is again following her passion -- this time for style and fashion.
