I know that many of you read the blog to receive advice. When I started writing, I also wanted to reach an audience of “fashionistas”. Fashion savvy women like reading information that confirms they are doing it all right. They like to offer opinions occasionally. I embrace this and enjoy it.
Has the idea of personal styling ever entered your mind? Several months ago I wrote a post entitled What is a Personal Stylist? It is still a foreign term, yet I believe that most women need a personal stylist just like a hair stylist. It may not be as frequent as your cut/color. It may be just a tweak or a second opinion. With that in mind, we certainly need more personal stylists in this country. Could that be you?
My story is not typical of someone in the fashion industry, and it may just inspire a few of you out there. Growing up in a small farming community, fashion was far from a focus. Stores were not prevalent. The idea of shopping was going to “town” to visit our small JC Penney store. I loved clothes, but my mother did not see the need for an extensive wardrobe. She was extremely frugal with fashion. Seattle was a two hour drive for us; I didn’t walk into my first Nordstrom store until I was 14.
In high school I would carefully plan out and spend money to get the most outfits I could. My mom’s best friend was an excellent seamstress. I figured I could get more clothes if they were hand made. For some reason my mom was more generous at the fabric store than the department store. I learned to sew and made some of my own clothes; but I was never very good at it. I enjoyed looking at patterns, choosing fabrics and designing in my mind. Looking back, it probably all started there.
I went to college, majored in education and became a teacher. I had very little money for clothes in college and there was no time to bargain shop. Fashion was hardly in the forefront of my mind in those years.
After college, I was off to Denver, Colorado where I taught school a number of years before I was married. While I didn’t make a big salary, I planned and purchased carefully so I could have variety. I would creatively lay out a month’s worth of outfits in my head–mixing and matching at its best ! One year our long-term sub announced in the staff room that she’d have to get some new clothes since she was now working every day. One of my co-workers said. “Oh, don’t worry about that. We all wear the same thing every week–except Karen!” Teachers are known for certain styles. Many dress very casually. I didn’t fit that mold.
After my teaching career was over, I didn’t need as many clothes and certainly not dressy ones. I was a mom on the go, sports mom and I ran a home based business. I loved to dress up for certain events. It was about that time that friends started commenting and asking for my help. I share these details because I’m sure you see a pattern. Looking back, all of it paved the way to becoming a stylist. I didn’t have a fashion degree, I didn’t have years of retail experience under my belt and you don’t need that either.
Jump ahead to 2008. I was searching for something different to do from home…While at a Women’s trade show, I stopped at a booth where two very nicely dressed women were explaining the concept of personal styling to other women. I was intrigued. People like you and I could actually style women for a job? Everyone always asked about my clothes. I knew I was a good shopper. I helped friends put things together. But make money? Really? I gave them my name and I kept in touch.
In January of 2009 I took a training course and became a Personal Stylist. I learned a great deal through that weekend training and it was fun! Now, two years and 45 clients later, I have learned even MORE through each one of them and their unique situations. I manage a women’s boutique and help with the buying. I read and research to be current in fashion. I love what I do and I love sharing tips with all of you every week through this blog.
