Forty Five Ten Cofounder Brian Bolke Steps Back as President of the Luxury Retailer

On Friday afternoon, co-founder of Forty Five Ten Brian Bolke announced in an email to friends and colleagues that he is stepping away from his day-to-day duties as president of the luxury retailer and taking on a consulting role with Headington Companies, which also owns The Joule Hotel, and restaurants CBD Provisions, Americano, Sassetta, and Wheelhouse.

Since Forty Five Ten was sold to Headington three years ago, Bolke has worked with the development company to open five remarkable stores — three in Dallas, and one in Houston and in Napa Valley — and brought international recognition to the already prestigious brand.

Forty Five Ten, named for its original street address on McKinney Avenue, was founded by Bolke, the late Shelly Musselman and Bill Mackin in 2000. In less than two decades, the stores have set a new standard of style and elegance for shopping, merchandising, events, and customer service.

In 2016, Forty Five Ten changed the landscape of Downtown Dallas with the arrival of its world-class flagship store, revitalizing Main Street as a fashion destination. Around the same time, the brand expanded into Houston with a store in the River Oaks District. Less than two weeks ago, Forty Five Ten opened its fifth boutique in California’s Napa Valley.

Having ushered the brand into a new era, Brian Bolke is ready to take a step back and watch it grow. He has built a formidable team, including Taylor Tomasi Hill, vice president of creative and women’s fashion director, whose fashion creds include editor (W, Teen Vogue, Marie Claire), stylist, creative director at top shopping site Moda Operandi, and street-style star in New York City. Nick Wooster was brought in as men’s fashion director; his checklist includes Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, and Neiman Marcus. Dallas interior designer Rob Dailey is home creative director.

“The future has never been brighter for Forty Five Ten and I look forward to watching it shine,” Bolke writes.