This essay-based on conversations with Julia Blank45 year old personal stylist and image consultant. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I started my career working as a research analyst on Wall Street. During those years, I realized how sad the Wall Street scene had become, because of the business formal attire.
Suddenly, business casual took over, and a lot of men around me — office workers, my friends, my college friends — were all looking at each other and wondering, what is business casual?
Because I grew up in New York, I lived in stores and fashion was my passion. I felt like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. I would just look at the shoes, touch the fabrics and admire the things.
During maternity leave, I realized that styling was my true calling. I gradually began offering styling services to my sphere of influence, which included bankers and colleagues I worked with.
Why Big Tech Executives Are Looking for Personal Stylists
For the past 17 years, I have been styling clients in Singapore. I have selected many clients from the technology sector, particularly companies such as Google, Yahoo, Facebook and LinkedIn.
I think you need to look like you are in a managerial position.
But when you’re at a tech company where you can literally wear anything — where there’s no dress code — it makes figuring out how to present yourself at work even harder.
Managers in particular come up to me and say, “I don’t look like a techie programming and I don’t look like a lawyer in a business suit.”
“So I don’t understand. What shall I wear?” they ask.
There are many reasons why people want to change their clothes. It could be that you got a job that you didn’t think you would get, and your clothes are still stuck in your previous job.
The styling process
When I first meet a client, I spend about three and a half hours at the client’s home, getting to know each other, taking measurements and understanding the person.
After the consultation, I do a color analysis, and then the client opens their wardrobe and shows me everything they have collected so far. This process is very important because I can gather a lot of insights that they wouldn’t tell you in person.
After that, I put together a mood board of styles for a person. This is how I see them progressing with their style. Once they approve the mood board, we schedule a shopping trip.
As a stylist, my privilege is to provide you with clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. It’s not about spending loads of cash on things you don’t need; My job is to take care of your wallet too.
I really like shopping Massimo Dutti. Their price point is very comfortable for many people, and you can find everything under one roof. For a slightly lower budget, I like Southaven. Occasionally, I shop here Zara, Bimba y LolaOr COS.
Finally, for men, I do a fitness session. We go on a mission to find a cologne that smells like them. I also get skincare packages tailored to their needs.
For women, this is a perfect two-hour course to review their makeup skills because I think it’s not enough to just look good. Your skin, the way you hold a brush, the way you do your eyeliner, the way you do all your makeup – it’s so different when you’re 18 and when you’re 40.
I charge between $2,300 and $3,100 For the whole package.
Not always smooth sailing
I deal with a lot of people who have insecurities and I deal with them at the most vulnerable level.
I have encountered situations where one clearly should not visit a stylist. They should visit a psychologist or therapist to work on their issues and insecurities, but still want to start with a stylist.
Well, I won’t turn down any business. And who knows, maybe I’ll make them feel better. I try my best.
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