Bradley Lee Boultinghouse (29) was born on October 8th, 1989 to parents Lisa Cothran and Jeffry Boultinghouse in Greenville, South Carolina and was raised near Belton-Honea Path. Extremely creative and driven from an early age, he worked several jobs from age 14 to kick-start his career in retail. Brad was invited to attend JL Mann High School and earned his diploma through the International Baccalaureate program in 2007. For his senior project, Brad designed and produced garments for his own clothing line, _aholic. His first runway show was sponsored by ABSOLUT Vodka and was held in Downtown Greenville.
Later that year he relocated to Columbia to attend the University of South Carolina where he double majored in Retailing and Fashion Merchandising and continued producing for his label _aholic. Concurrently he secured prestigious opportunities for his career development including an internship at Condé Nast as an Editorial Intern in New York. After graduating he began working for Nordstrom in the Philadelphia area as a personal stylist. Promotions were quick to follow; Designer Handbags Manager, TOPSHOP Manager, and TOPSHOP/Trend Division Regional Merchandise Manager where he oversaw numerous stores from Virginia to New Jersey.
In 2013 Brad accepted a role with Nordstrom as a National Trend Apparel Assistant Buyer at headquarters. In relocating to Seattle Brad found his forever home, forming an incredible network of friends who became his chosen family. On an August night in 2015, Brad met his eventual husband, Samuel Lillemoen, at Linda’s Tavern in Capitol Hill. Together they enjoyed traveling, eating copious amounts of sushi, hosting parties and game nights for friends in their home, spending time with Brads Granny, Sharon Marie Thompson, creating content for Brads Instagram @loudshopper, and watching ridiculous reality television, especially RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Meanwhile, Brad left Nordstrom to explore other opportunities in 2016. He began working on building an online clothing store called “Onoff Clothier” with the goal of being a provider of 100% gender-neutral garments for all shapes and sizes. In 2017 Brad accepted a position at Eddie Bauer, ultimately becoming the Senior Tri-Channel Product Line Manager for Men’s apparel. If you bought a men’s graphic t-shirt from Eddie Bauer in the last year, chances are Brad designed it. Meanwhile, Brad and Sam were married at the Seattle Courthouse on the two-year anniversary of the night they met. They looked forward to building a life together and were saving to buy their first home with the intention of adopting children in the coming years.
Brad was suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us on June 4th, 2019 due to complications from a recent back surgery. The vacancy he leaves behind in the lives of those who knew him is enormous. Brad had the uncanny ability to inspire the masses with his eccentric wardrobe, infectious laugh, and an open heart. He injected artistry into everything he did, whether they be the clothes on his back, the tattoos on his skin, the innovative ideas he brought into the workspace, or the one of a kind responses he had for every situation. His greatest desire in life was to love big and be loved in return. The outpouring of grief since his passing has proven that he achieved love far bigger than he knew.
“Behind the perfection of a man's style, must lie the passion of a man's soul.” – Oscar Wilde
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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