DALLAS – When Loreal Sarkisian introduced herself, she smiled proudly: “I’m from Florida. Can you say it?”

After we laughed, her accent came through as we entered the WFAA locker room. She is affectionately known as the First Lady of Texas football, but she is much more than that.

Sarkisian grew up in Tallahassee, Florida and was a self-proclaimed tomboy.

“I tell people I’m feminine, not girly,” she shared, defining her own style as “structured chic.” Slightly elevated.”

A big departure from the woman who shaped so much of her, her mother.

“This is a woman who wears the only sneakers she wears when she works out. She doesn’t own sweatpants,” Sarkisian explained.

This statement still applies today. Sarkisian grew up playing track and softball, among other sports.

“I’ve always been a part of the sports world,” she shared. “I know people probably only see me as a fashionista and in the fashion industry, but I’ve always been an athlete.”

She was already studying fashion back then.

Watch the full interview with Loreal Sarkisian here:

“This allowed me to take on assistant jobs and internships. I just wanted to let my love for it grow. Mind you, I still run, I still train. When I finally met Coach Sark and two coaches, things were going to be difficult. I say that a lot to have a successful relationship because we would never see each other,” Sarkisian explained.

Although she retired from that career, she continued, “I never wanted to stop helping because that’s what coaching has always been for me.”

She is a fixture at Austin events, all with a philanthropic focus and commitment.

Now Loreal Sarkisian is a personal stylist for everyone from CEOs to celebrities.

“There are several layers. I’m at your house. I’m meeting your family. I’m probably in your most private space because there’s a reason why everyone hires me or wants to work with me. See, I don’t even like the word “rent.” “Work with me,” she laughed. “That’s why I appreciate it. Yes, we deal with clothes all day, but there’s also a lot of conversation about not only looking good but feeling good about it too.”

As for the reasons behind Sarkis’ style, she reflects on the fact that she “grew up in an environment of love and support and giving back, nurturing and nurturing relationships to build confidence.” That’s why the personal styling speaks to me more on. It’s not just a job. I’m learning everything about you to make sure you look good and feel good too.”

The first time she stood on the sidelines of a University of Texas football game, she was amazed by the mix of luxury fashion and upscale trends.

“The first game was like a reserve team. That’s the funny thing,” she revealed. “I remember it was a chiffon cowboy blouse and a black chiffon skirt, and I didn’t have a real Texas belt buckle, but I did have a buckle, so I wore it, and I had some cowboy boots.”

The whole thing is rounded off with a black Stetson hat.

“I always stood on the sidelines waiting for him to run in because he always wanted to and I was always fully dressed. It was great to be featured here. I thought, damn, I’ve been doing this for a long time, but okay, great. I’m glad you all like it!”

Fans have been asking to shop her looks. Now you can!

Sarkisian decided to make her wardrobe accessible online through Lo’s Wardrobe Bar.

In fact, she’s constantly adding new pieces, including things she personally wore on game day.

“I’m here to encourage your inner fashionista, not force her. Or I want to do more but have always been nervous. It’s like, keep going. Do it. You can wear it,” Sarkisian insisted. “You don’t have to have a special occasion to wear something you want to wear. I know I really encouraged that culture and it was fun.”

When asked what item of clothing she prefers to wear in her free time, she replied: “Oh, that’s hard. You should have asked me that last week so I could think about it.”

Sarkisian loves monochromatic looks and said two outfits that came to mind were the cream chiffon skirt and sweater and her dark orange Chloe coat with matching boots.

People notice when Sarkisian styles her husband, head coach Steve Sarkisian.

“Is that a big difference?” she asked. “NO. His style has evolved. I’m happy for him. Sometimes he’s done it himself with a little help. I try not to take too much credit because I can dress. He has style. He has Taste. I mean, obviously he caught my attention.”

Loreal is in Dallas on Friday for the 89th Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. A win would mean a trip to the national championship in Atlanta.

“Winning is fun, but it’s hard to win, and I don’t think people who maybe aren’t in this sport day in and day out where it’s the job understand that winning is actually a luxury. Everything has to be running at full speed for everyone at the same time, and it’s a special moment when that happens. Every time we win I think about it,” she said.

Sarkisian also got a little more personal about what a win would mean for Coach Sark, saying, “I see him all day, every day, authentic, immersed in his craft, and he’s not only a student of his craft, but a master as well . It’s important to him. I respect it and appreciate it, knowing how hard he works on it every day and what it actually means to him, especially the journey he has taken personally and professionally to date.”

In classic fashion, Sarkisian concluded: “It would be great to not just get there, but get there and then take it. We are competitors.”

We couldn’t let Loreal Sarkisian leave the WFAA studios without asking what she would be wearing on the sideline at Friday’s College Football Playoff semifinal game. We learned she only came with two options, but it depends on her mood, because when it came to her looks, Sarkisian shrugged, “That’s what I do. That’s me.”