Michelle McIntosh was born in Santa Monica and brought up in Malibu, Taos, Maysville, Kentucky (where her mother Ellie is from) and the Seychelle Islands.

Her parents worked as actors in Hollywood. Her grandmother was Jennifer Jones the Academy Award winning actress, and her grandfather was Robert Walker, who starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers On A Train.

A trained singer, studying with famed singing coach Seth Riggs for four years in Los Angeles, Michelle attended the Cornish Institute of the Arts in Seattle for a year. She continued studying acting and has appeared in (day time soap) General Hospital, on equity waiver stages and in several independent films.

Her father Robert Walker Jr. is also an actor, now retired who appeared in many films and television series, and was friends with Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and Martin Sheen. If you look closely, you will see Michelle in her screen debut at age six in the commune scene (with her mother) in Easy Rider.

During her 20’s her love of fashion led her to find part-time jobs in retail including a long stint at her father’s art gallery,Tops of Malibu.

After moving to Taos with her husband Bruce (the owner of Metta Theater here in Taos) and daughter Lindsay in 1994, she began working part-time in retail and eventually opened her own women’s clothing and accessory store Michelles, across the street from The Taos Inn.

Known for it’s unique collection of clothing, jewelry and more from local artists and fair trade sources from around the world, this small, fun and funky  boutique has become a favorite for both locals and tourists.

Michelle and her mom, Ellie ( an incredible woman in her own right ) were both in the boutique last week when Bill Curry and I stopped by, so Bill was able to photograph them together, wearing sweater coats made from recycled materials by Oklahoma artist Cindy Benson.

A total natural in front of the camera, Michelle, who is one of the most up-beat people I know – very spontaneous and a lot of fun –  threw on this fabulous coat over the jeans and t-shirt she was wearing and in two minutes she was camera ready!

For unique gifts (Valentine’s Day is coming up) and just the right little something to elevate your wardrobe out of the winter blahs, Michelle’s is the place to look.

Photographs of Michelle, Ellie and Michelle’s by Bill Curry

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