Georgia Marantos and I hopped on a ZOOM call and despite everything being shut down I realized very quickly and intuitively that I could help her during this time by making one small tweek.

We would do all of our sessions via online video via facebook +zoom, texting, calls and email.

She wanted to work on her style brand to prepare for her youtube launch channel coming up in the next month.

I told her it would be tight but we could do a 1:1 expedited custom makeover package. Over the next 5 weeks we met at least weekly online to sheppard her through the process.

We started by discussing her branding goals and how she wanted her audience to see her.

We then spoke about her natural coloring and her shape and discussed what styles would flatter her and how we would intersect that with her branding colors.

We also had to factor in what would look good on video since that is how her clients would see her in this new digital world.

She wanted to appear down to earth and trustworthy so using a shade of navy, purple, and metallics was the way to go.

We wanted her branding to really pop and make a positive impression. Over the course of 5 weeks custom style makeover for ZOOM we dove into the following areas:

*Colors + Shapes best for her
*Lighting and environment on camera
*Bringing out her natural beauty with a makeup lesson
*Hair tutorial so that she could style her own hair
*Bra fitting so that her clothing would look fabulous on her-even more crucial now that on camera is from your boobs up
*What to purchase and keep clothing wise
*What to purge from her closet so she could start fresh
*How to accessorize for camera
*How to style it all together and look fantastic on camera
*New glasses to wow the audience
*Dress rehearsals to make sure it all looked amazing
*VIP photoshoot with dream team of hair/makeup and art direction with Manhattan photographer Michael Benabib.

By the time her youtube launched she was ready, comfortable, confident. Not that the whole thing didn’t have it’s moments of inner challenges. She wished to be more visible for her wellness transformation work and after we finished the New York Post approached me about doing this feature story. Talk about SPOTLIGHT!!

She called the experience life changing and says she does everything differently now. She said, “Alexandra chose colors and outfits that complimented me and reflected my essence and presence in the worldd so that I feel more comfortable and confident. I’m now a better version of myself. Alexandra exceeded my expectations.”

Looking for your own digital glow up reach out to me here to schedule a call.

The post Get Style Ready for ZOOM appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

A single mother of two she had no lack of responsibilities on her plate.

She had just written her first book on Forgiveness and was planning to launch her business slowly while keeping her day job. She is a reverend and spiriritual advisor.

At work she felt like she had to conform to a look that didn’t feel like her.

Her wardrobe was filled with mostly black and what I would call invisible clothing. She was wearing a uniform of pants, top, and blazer to work. If you didn’t know her she looked a bit like a university professor.

She was hiding her true nature, but wasn’t even aware of it.

When we did our visioning for her future self and look we pinned images that were:
Ethereal
Mystical
Goddess like
Empress
Ornate

For color I kept getting an image of white

And otherworldly.

We co-created her new look as the Empress.

During the Define process we found that her color palette was gentle autumn which was very different from the dark and deep and cool colors she was wearing. She was wearing the exact opposite of what her natural coloring dictated.

I also measured her and discovered that her shape craves stiffer fabrics and shapes that create an hourglass by adding subtle volume in the shoulder and hip area.

As we were uncovering more body information it was clear as to why she was worried about looking frumpy.

During the afternoon of her VIP weekend style makeover, I invited a celebrity hair and makeup artist to teach her how to apply her new color palette in her makeup routine and how to style her hair in a new way. She started wearing her hair more naturally curly to support her new style goals.

Then she had a bra and foundational fitting to make sure her clothing would look good from the inside out.

While she was having her fitting, I went to pull at a large department store so that the next day when she walked into her private VIP dressing room it was stocked with beautiful outfits to style her in her new look.

The shopping went smoothly and only took about 2 hours. There was relaxed trying on, tailoring, and styling outfits together. She walked away with a capsule wardrobe in the colors white, gold, and purple. Her branding colors.

Most importantly her new wardrobe felt ‘sparkly’ and worthy of an Empress.

As she started to incorporate these new items into her work wardrobe she could feel a shift happening in her life.

And then she got fired at work. Stephanie shared that her boss was not liking her new look and felt her new power a threat.

She was stepping into her new role as a powerful Empress and business owner.

I shared with her that she is meant to serve others who are in need of her help and the universe just sped up the process for her.

2 days after getting fired she showed up for our Fall shop together. Stephanie was fearless and decided that she needed to complete to total makeover to redo her closet and style. I was so proud when she showed up for that day because she was basically saying, “I’m all in. And this is going to help me achieve my goals and be a business owner”.

We finished shopping for her closet. We edited the rest of the old version of Stephanie out of the closet.

Ordered her custom made gold shorties, got her new glasses and sunglasses that made her feel instantly confident.

Instead of hiding and wallowing. Stephanie is getting out there.

She’s walking with friends, promoting her business daily, attending art openings looking like a million dollars, and attracting the life she wants.

Stephanie is only a few months into her Year of Style with me but has already reaped the full benefits.

Want to hear how she feels about the process.

Watch this video here.

(If you don’t hear the audio, please adjust the volume settings in the lower right hand corner of the video)

If you are curious about having your own style total inner and outer style makeover apply for a style assessment call with me here.

The post See how Stephanie transitioned from corporate to spiritual advisor confidently appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

Marantos, a 50-year-old tarot card reader and energy healer who lives on the Upper West Side, tells The Post she wanted to “step up her game” before launching her YouTube channel………

See the full post at the New York Post

The post I spent thousands on a Zoom makeover and have no regrets appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

Are these ALL the same type of style expert?

Recently in ads I’ve been seeing companies like MM.LaFleur and Stitch Fix, Trunk Club, and department stores refer to their ‘personal stylists’ which can help you select clothing.

With a 0$ styling fee.

As an independent personal stylist working here in NYC since 2001 this trend really gets under my skin.

For a couple of reasons. Stylists that are employed by a big company bug me because:

1. They work on commission
2. I can assure you that these ‘personal stylists’ are merely sales women for each company. They won’t recommend other brands or that you buy less than you have picked out.
3. They have no idea what’s actually in your current closet. Beware of the statement, “you can never have enough pairs of black pants.” (This is NOT true as some women do NOT look good in black.. I am one of those women)
4. Good for you if you know your style and you just need a few pieces.
5. They are lacking in training in color and shape analysis.
6. They will not help you edit your closet or help you make outfits with existing items in your closet.
7. Can only show you outfits with their limited merchandise.
8. Merchandise may be subpar quality or a result of slave labor.
9. Are limited by the amount of time they spend with you.
10. Are not looking at the full picture of your style – hair, makeup, skin care, optics, ect.

So what is the difference between ‘personal stylists’ working for a company and someone like me who has been helping women transform their lives and style.

What’s different about me?

1. 18 years experience as an independent stylist and style expert, meaning my opinion is unbiased and not based on a commission.
2. Spend a lot of time getting to know each client so I can help her best and translate her ideas into a cohesive professional style.
3. Show my clients tips and tricks in the closet to stay organized.
4. Trained and certified in color and shape analysis which means I understand the science of what looks good on you and why.
5. I teach you about what is flattering for your body and coloring.
6. I keep track of and document what you already have in your closet so we only build upon clothing that you already own.
7. It’s in my best interest to save you money.
8. I will tell you when something isn’t for you.
9. We can shop together anywhere online or off and then created outfits with new and existing items.
10. Create a master plan of what’s missing and what you need.
11. Help in sticking to your new style plan.
12. Define a unique style which makes you an original.
13. Control over what companies you deicide to support.
14. Great for women who need total style transformations and who are only wearing less than 20% of their closet.
15. Helpful for women who are struggling to find clothing that looks good on them or have trouble verbalizing their style.
16. I can recommend and bring in other services and vendors to complete your style makeover.

So after seeing the differences have you figured out which route is right for you?

I specialize in top to bottom inside and out style makeovers that are permanent.

I have a 95% success rate because I’m selective about who I work with.

The post Are All Personal Stylists the Same? appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

Another happy client referred her to me because her experience 5 years ago was so positive.

Here’s what Vicky said, “ I am short, petite, short waisted and curvy/bulgy in all sorts of places.

Besides the usual struggle of finding clothing that fits my not-skinny body, I’m perplexed by the current popular silhouette of skinny pants and blousy shirts that make me look pregnant.

It’s been a year or two since I’ve been able to find clothing that I’m genuinely excited to wear and that makes me sad.”

After our DEFINE session where we measured her body, defined her color type, and pinpointed her unique style I had some refreshing insight for her.

“It’s not your fault that you can’t find what you need in the stores.

In fact there is a very small amount of clothing that is made for you and your shape and coloring.

Your size is a challenge and not one that many designers design for (14P-16P which is often labeled as petite plus).

It’s going to be a challenge but I know I can help you.

Rest assured that this is nearly impossible for you to have succeeded in this endeavor on your own.”

Vicky was relieved and she should be. It’s totally not her fault.

The market is saturated with items for women size 4-6 and very lacking in size inclusiveness.

So many designers aren’t designing for her size or designing incorrectly for her size.

For example if you design a top for a 2P in a lightweight fabric and just simply size it up to 14P it often won’t be flattering on the 14P.

Not too much thought goes into designing for real women. (Average size in North America is 14 and so many women are petite)

Together we edited out about 80% of her closet to have a clean slate.

We shopped Lord and Taylor and was able to build her a spring/summer wardrobe that she could work and play in.

She was even able to have a few dresses that worked perfectly for the wedding she had to go to.

We bought a range of sizes which is normal because I always focus on fit with my clients.

Most of items were tailored to perfection.

Her new capsule wardrobe mixed and matched with ease because we kept her color palette contained.

She also purchased a few new key necklaces, shoes, and accessories to complete her outfits.

Styling outfits was straight forward and easy for her.

Over the summer she reported that wearing a dress didn’t feel as awkward as she expected, getting dressed was easy, and her negative self talk stopped.

The next season was Fall and Lord and Taylor reduced it’s fall merchandise buy so significantly I decided it would be a waste of time to shop there.

They are closing their flagship store and this loss for Manhattan is huge.

There are now zero decent quality department stores in Manhattan that carry petite, plus or petite plus.

Bloomingdales, Bergdorf, Barney’s, Saks, none of them stock sizes besides 0-14. And 8-14 being most rare.

So after a mediocre shop at a mall with a Nordstrom we completed the season shop by doing online shopping and video chatting to decide what to keep and what to return and what needed tailoring.

The online shop enabled her to fully get prepared for the Fall/Winter season in snowy Boston.

We got her a whole new seasonal wardrobe and showed her how to use her existing items for the transitional time.

The reality is that now there are more options on line than there are in stores.

The tide has tipped and especially for those speciality sizes.

Vicky is an example of one of the most challenging cases and yet she is enjoying complete style success.

She now reports: Having outfits that fit and flatter my figure has been game-changing for me.

Now when I wake up in the morning, I think about what outfit would be most fun to wear instead of what outfit will best hide my physical ‘flaws’.

Clothing is such a huge part of body image, and my work with Alexandra has made a big impact on how I view myself.”

So if you are struggling to find clothing that fits you properly why not consider working with a stylist such as myself?

Sign up for a style call to see if we are a good fit to work together here.

The post Are you struggling to dress your petite curvy body with success? Meet Vicky appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

Generally I never pass up the chance to attend an event at the National Arts Club because it is so old world chic and last weeks event did not disappoint.

The Paris American Club New York opened up the evening and as a francophile I was delighted to know of this club which organizes cultural events for French and Americans here in NYC.

On the panel was a lively group.

Hosted by @hec_paris at @nationalartsclub @parisamericanclub moderated by @michaelbodley of @digiday with Gaboucha Kretz, Julie Barbezat of @etsy, Jason Kim of @bombfell, Tom Dwyer of @taylrdclothing, and Jonathan Chanti of @influencerdbcom was lively and provocative.

My guest for the evening was Aleksandra Lacka @insights_atelier.

Wonderfully organized by Mike Paffmann @m_paffmann

Some points that were touched upon that stood out to me:

• Brand loyalty in mid market is declining
• In the future there will be way less brick and mortar retail.
• Brands will have everything online and then just the best sellers in their shops/showrooms to try on or see in person
• Luxury will be safe
• Marketing will by hyper segmented and almost 1:1 service so ads that you will see will only be of items in your style and size
• There will be tools to help you find your size online
• Brand direct to consumer will continue as a trend
• Consumers will favor ‘experiences’
• Potential for an airbnb of merchandise warehousing
• Customization and personalization will grow in demand

As a personal stylist here’s my wish list for the future:

• Size inclusiveness become the norm and all sizes are represented by all brands (no more segmentation of plus, petite, and petite plus)
• Global size standardization so that you can find your garments that fit well easily
• Custom made clothing for women where you scan your body, order your outfit, choose fabric, color, fit, details ect and it arrives perfectly at your doorstep
• All companies adopt a ‘try before you buy’ so that you can properly try on as many pieces as you like. Bringing the dressing room to you at no upfront cost. Amazon now let’s you try for free for 7 days which is huge!
• Free shipping both ways is standard for all companies
• Elimination of slave labor, poor labor conditions, and companies operate from a place of integrity
• Consumers become more conscious of their spending and stop contributing to the global waste issue
• Resurrection of artisans and one of kind brands
• More women lead fashion companies especially in shoe design
• Ability to find any style dress in any color. Trends fad into background the industry becomes more focused on consumer driven co designed product
• More styles that are done in toxic free fabric for those who are allergic to fabric
• Finding what you are looking for in 3 seconds or less. So a massive fashion aggregator

The post What will the future of fashion retail look like? appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

Alexandra during her university days in a better fitting blazer.

I’m in a store looking at a pink plaid suit with 3/4 length sleeves.

The sales girl is telling me that these 3/4 length sleeves are ALL the rage on the Paris runways and that everyone will be sporting them soon.

I think why not and purchase the skirt suit even though I have a niggly little feeling in the back of my gut saying…..”I don’t know about these sleeves”.

I was excited never the less.

And then I got the pink skirt suit home and tried to wear it out for an interview.

But every top I tried with it looked weird because of the sleeves and it just never looked right.

I think I wore the skirt a few times but then forgot about it.

When I gave it away a few years later during a big clean out, I thought to myself, ‘well that was a lesson learned about trends’.

I should have listened to my gut. Lesson learned: I should have avoided that trend.

It was around that time that dressing myself was very important and I was beginning to realize that what was good on one person may not be universally good on everyone. Just two years later I would get certified in color and shape analysis and was able to crack my own code to wearing clothing and accessories that suit me, specifically me.

Unlocking this world was huge and allowed me to stop feeling like such a dork or geek in the world.

NOTE: There are women who I have dressed in my styling work where a 3/4 sleeve is flattering, it’s just not every woman.

So my stance on fashion trends is you don’t have to wear them if they don’t flatter you.

The business of fashion where new styles come out at alarming speeds is hurting our environment and women and children working in terrible conditions.

But as a consumer you can do something.

What you can do:

• Look at trends from a ‘is this for me’ perspective
• Before you buy something you can ask yourself, ”is this my color and shape? Do I need it? Will I wear it? Will it work with other items in my closet?”
• Buy from companies who provide fair wages and safe working environments
• Buy less and higher quality clothing
• Buy second hand or vintage clothing
• Become a more conscious consumer and only buy only things that you will love and wear. (This applies to all purchases)
• Learn about your body and what styles and colors best suit it

A personal stylist such as myself can help you with this last one so that you wear 80%+ of your closet and not the average of 10%.

Want more information, apply for a style call with me here. 

The post Should you wear trends? appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

I had very little time to unpack and repack for this trip. However I’ve packed for warm locales over and over so it’s pretty easy now.

The morning of my flight I got ready super early and quickly. Without noticing I put one dark silver sandal and one gold sandal on.

I left the house without noticing this fact before getting on the air train.

Wow I can’t believe I did this.

Well I can believe it because I’m not someone who fusses over my appearance.

I’m very direct and no nonsense about what I’m wearing. I’m confident in my style. So I had a moment of embarrassment because I thought about what my grandfather who is always put together would say.

He would probably laugh and my deceased grandmother would have mad a big stink about it and then would loan me a pair of her shoes (we wear roughly the same size).

I was curious to see the reaction.

Upon arrival our dear family friend Scott picked me up from the airport and made no note of it. And my grandfather also made no note of my two different shoes. I even went on a date in mis matched shoes and in 8 days NOT ONE person remarked on my shoes. I laughed to myself and it reminded me of something my book coach Angela Lauria used to say to me. “ No one is looking at your mustard”.

I told friends about the experience after and they thought that being a stylist I was just starting a new trend.

So next time you worry or fret about your outfit. Take a deep breath and think that no one is really looking as closely as you are. It’s important to look good and feel good but at the end of the day don’t stress about it.

Looking for a sane personal stylist who will tell it to you straight?

<Schedule your style call now here>  

The post Perfectionism friend or foe? appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

I had the pleasure of being a guest on the fantastic SMART WOMEN INVEST podcast with Michelle McKinnon, CFP® and Jennifer Angell.

On it we talked about the sweet spot of being stylish and yet being work appropriate.

The one metric you need to know to have a closet you love.

A deep dive into how to make sure you are investing wisely in your closet.

Listen to the podcast here>>

I love the real talk aspect of this podcast which is sponsored by Payne Capital. I know you will love it as much as I do.

For more Smart Women Invest podcasts follow them here>>

Xoxo
Alexandra

The post INVESTING IN YOUR STYLE appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

My mother, godmother and grandmother.

All three were channels of beauty in their own unique way.

I learned you could be beautiful at any size, coloring, and style.

Fast forward to 15 years into personal styling for women.

10:30am I am scouring Barney’s for outfits for my sophisticated client named Kim who works at a top museum. Her style is classic but edgy and cool. She’s stunning in her late 40’s and is about a size 8-10.

And I’m coming up with next to nothing for her in the department store.

A department store.

Not a boutique.

Edgy lives here but not much in size 8-10. Which is not a difficult size for me to dress.

And it’s not even size 14. Why is this so hard?

Well this store doesn’t stock a lot for women out of the range 0-4.

And that’s just crazy.

This is why I created the real runway.

Out of anger and frustration.

I want to show retailers that beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes and deserve to be able to buy beautiful and unique clothing.

There are more than one beauty ideal.

So let us YOU, real women.

The Real Runway means is about size and style inclusiveness.

Above is the second Real Runway event hosted by Convene in the One World Commons, 64th floor of One World Trade Center.

Style Makeovers for Lauran, Ellen, Nisha, Alanna, Estela and Krista.

Sponsored by Reiss, LK. Bennett, and Kate Spade.

Special thanks to Carlie DeMello who makes all the magic happen.

Join the #realrunway movement and host a style presentation for your women’s initiative network at the office. Contact us here>> 

xoxo

alexandra

The post Real Runway Presentation appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.