How I find your style
When it comes to working as a wardrobe planner, a fashion stylist or an image consultant, one of the most important skills you need to develop is the ability to evaluate a client's style.
Understanding your client's personal preferences; her fashion choices, her day to day life and operations as well as her overall aesthetic, is crucial in delivering a styling service that meets her needs and exceeds her expectations.
In this blog, I'll share the method I use to evaluate a client's style effectively.
1. A Detailed Consultation
The very first step in evaluating my client's style is to conduct a thorough consultation. Upon receiving a booking, I send my new client a questionnaire link with a series of questions to answer. I ask specific, open-ended questions to encourage my clients to share as much about their personal style preferences, favourite fashion stores, personality and lives, as possible.
If needed, I schedule an initial meeting before our session for an opportunity to get to know my client on an even deeper level. In doing this, I gain a complete understanding of her fashion goals and aspirations. During this session I'll take notes and pay attention to her body language and non-verbal cues too.
2. Analyse The Existing Wardrobe
The second step to evaluate a client's style is by analysing her existing wardrobe. Getting to see my client's favourite pieces, observing the colours, patterns, cuts and styles that dominate her collection, gives me great insight into my client. During these sessions I take note not only of what appeals to her, but also of what she rarely/ never wears and also what she feels uncomfortable in. This is most often an indicator of where her style boundaries lie.
A client's lifestyle and personality play a significant role in her style choices. Once I have enough insight about her daily routine, profession, social activities, the information gathered through her questionnaire and during our session(s) together, we can move onto interpreting her fashion inspirations.
3. Explore Fashion Interpretations
Fashion interpretations can provide valuable insights into a client's style preferences. Using Pinterest, my client and I communicate in pictures and boards which enables me to fully understand the aesthetic that she admires and inspires to. This step also allows us to set goals for her wardrobe.
4. Assess Body Balance
Understanding my client's body shape and proportions - in my theory I explain complexity & order VS volume & balance (which are simple design principles to grasp) and how it applies to her clothing choices. This allows us to make choices that enhance her best features and minimise areas of concern.
5. Adapt To Change
An important factor to me, one that is often overlooked, is to gear my client for future change. Not only because fashion is constantly evolving, but also because her lifestyle, body and aesthetic will change over time. A good wardrobe planner, fashion stylist or image consultant will teach her client to incorporate change into her wardrobe without compromising on her personal style, progress or breaking the bank.
If you want to know more or need help in finding your style, Contact Me HERE or Book A Session HERE. I'd love to help you!