BEING A "CLOTHES THERAPIST" - ME AS A PERSONAL STYLIST
Some people have a natural eye for style, but others may need a little push in the right direction. Anyone from major celebrities, politicians, and everyday people enlist the help of a personal stylist to re-vamp their wardrobe. If you have an eye for style, love to shop, and help others, like I do, then this profession may be the perfect fit for you.
So as a personal stylist you can attract all types of clients. Some clients may have a strong fashion sense, but no time in their busy schedules to find the various outfits they need. Others may need to look well-dressed and fashionable, but need a bit of help putting pieces of clothing together. While personal shopping can be an exciting and diverse career for people who love working with others to create a fashionable and appropriate outfit, it has its own set of challenges such as difficult clients, sensitive situations and unpredictable income.
As a personal stylist I work with my clients to define his or her individual style. To start the process, I meet my clients for a consultation to establish their desired appearance and lifestyle. Sometimes I even go through their closet and remove dated pieces, and shop for clothes that will help create new styles and conquer past insecurities. After I collected all the necessary pieces and create full outfits from head to toe, and photograph the ensemble. That helps to have a complete look every time they get dressed.
To be a successful personal stylist I need to have an eye for style! Research what clothing lines are carried at what department stores, and keep track of items that are available in stores. Visualize how clothing will translate from the hanger to your client's body type, and learn how to gauge sizes and shapes of different items of clothing.
My work gives me the option to be very independent person and I love that each week is different. With other jobs you are working for the weekend, and you realize that you'll be doing the same thing every day until you retire. Every day is an adventure with personal styling. I love working for myself, and I don't dread Sundays.
It seems that I'm dealing with clothing, but more than anything I'm dealing with people. This point must be the important one because it is more than everything a therapy and lots of times i see myself as a "clothes therapist".
The best advice I have ever given a client is : Have fun with fashion. Don’t get caught up in trends – invest in the ones that work for you. Tailor your wardrobe to fit your lifestyle and break all rules except one: if you don’t feel confident in something don’t wear it, as it will never look good.
So if you can handle a freelance lifestyle, enjoy interacting with people, and have a love and understanding for fashion then this is the job for you.