Laurie O’Connell is a Baltimore native whose career blends a lifelong passion for fashion with an entrepreneurial spirit. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s degree in Consumer Economics, a foundation that set the stage for a dynamic career across fashion, media, and retail.
Laurie began her professional journey at J.Crew, where she worked as the Assistant Editor of the brand’s iconic catalog. She then went on to spend several years in the fashion industry, contributing to notable brands including Coach Leathergoods, Calvin Klein, and Condé Nast Publications. Her experience across these influential companies shaped her eye for style, branding, and the evolving landscape of consumer trends.
After expanding her expertise in the technology sector, Laurie relocated to Vail, Colorado—a move that sparked a new vision: bringing high-style sensibility to a mountain-town lifestyle. Blending her fashion background with her new surroundings, she launched Perch, a boutique concept that quickly resonated with locals and visitors alike.
More than thirteen years later, Perch has grown into a thriving multi-location business with boutiques in Vail, Naples, and Kansas City. Laurie’s approach combines elevated style, personal service, and a curated shopping experience, establishing Perch as a beloved destination across all three communities.
Grounded by her East Coast roots and shaped by a career spanning fashion capitals and mountain towns, Laurie continues to evolve Perch with the same creativity, intuition, and entrepreneurial energy that sparked its beginning.
