I first became interested in fashion and styling when I was a little girl. I would dress up my Barbie’s, create new looks and wardrobe them all day long. I would even “style” my mom. When I got older, I think junior high, my mom made me responsible for shopping for my own school clothes. I’d come home with multiple bags that would all mix and match. Then my friends started asking me to shop with them. I understood what an image consultant/stylist was working in retail while in college and knew that was what I wanted to do.

As far as finding my own personal style … I’ve always had my own “style” and thoughts on style. I often felt awkward in my own body and had to figure out how to dress for my body type which was not shopping in the junior department. While I was in junior high, I recognized that each “group” that hung out together had a very specific look. I never really felt like any of those styles were for me, so I was friends with many people because I had my own unique look. Sometimes using a piece that mirrored something I liked from one of those groups at different times. Once I started working, I had access to much more, my image and style world opened up.  I really started to create my own look with inspiration all around me. 

I love style and image because of the impact it can have helping women see her beauty. Showing her how to look her best even when she doesn’t feel like it or see it. And make an impact when she walks into the room, not just on her audience but within herself. It is truly an interesting dynamic that I’ve come to know … what is on the outside is a peek into what’s in the inside. When we (“we” b/c it is a partnership) nail the right style, image, and brand my clients come alive! It’s so gratifying and often emotional to see a woman beam and feel good about the person they see in the mirror!  

A favorite memory of mine. I was working with a corporate client and their team. One of the gals was insistent that what mattered most was that she did her job well and how she dressed didn’t matter and would have no impact. After some conversation, showing her, her best colors, styles and discussing fashion personality and skincare/makeup/hair (or pansage as I like to say, which the French word for grooming).  I challenged her to just try for one week putting into action what she learned and stepping up her game. At the end of the week when we chatted about her experience, she confided in me that she received a promotion because upper management had noticed that she had upped her game and that’s what they wanted to see from her before they could offer it to her.