Hello! Welcome or welcome back to Le Blog. I’m Kathleen LeBlanc, owner and head stylist at Luxe LeBlanc. Today, I’ll be answering some frequently asked questions about my life as a wardrobe stylist, personal shopper and style blogger. Let’s go!
This past weekend I had the honor of speaking with a crowd of beautiful women about self branding through wardrobe. I started with this question;
“who do you think works with wardrobe stylists/personal shoppers?”
The room echoed with a simultaneous response, “stars!” I asked the ladies to dig deeper and still they responded with a list of people whom they felt were of a certain unreachable caliber. This is a myth that I enjoy debunking every chance I get. Stylists are not solely for the rich and famous.
There are many stigmas with my line of work that I encounter on a daily. So today I’m inviting you into my office to get a better grasp and understanding of what it means to be a wardrobe stylist, personal shopper and fashion blogger.
What does a wardrobe stylist do?
In short, I put outfits together for people to wear. This can vary from a celebrity rocking the latest custom Gucci gown to the everyday career man or woman who just doesn’t have the time, patience or confidence to dress themselves. While a common question I’m asked is “who’s the biggest person you’ve worked with?” My response, “everyday people like you” often disappoints. Yes, I enjoy working with influential people however, my focus is to help transform the everyday person who struggles with their style, into a star in their mind and mirror first and the rest will follow.
My passion is confidence building and personal development. My tool is my knowledge of style, color and fit. So, I help my clients understand their personal sense of style or brand and how to translate that into their wardrobe. Knowing that your first impression begins (unfortunately) with your appearance, I cannot stand to see someone with so much to offer, misrepresenting and disqualifying themselves from their next opportunity all because they do not look the part. This is why I love what I do.
What does a personal shopper do?
So a personal shopper in the fashion world, has a roundabout knowledge of what different stores and brands have to offer, who they best cater to (body types, heights, skin tones, style esthetic, etc.) and finds the right clothing and fit for their clients. On the daily, I am exploring a variety of brands and taking notes. This makes my job easier when a client tells me she wants and luxury animal print pump within a $200 budget or a classic, reliable white button down that can accommodate their size 12 frame and J-cup breasts. As a personal shopper, I take the guess work out of shopping and provide a more concise selection, catering to your needs. Some clients prefer my services virtually, while others prefer an in-person experience. Either way, I’m happy to be a style problem solver.
Don’t I have to have lots of money to hire a wardrobe stylist or personal shopper?
Hiring a wardrobe stylist is certainly an investment but it’s no different than the money you allocate to get your hair done, go on weekend trips, attend concerts or fine dining. You might be surprised to find out that your non-negotiable self-spoilers surpass the cost of styling services. I dare you to compare your activities to my rates here. I’m not asking you to give up one for the other but it’s certainly worth the investment. My goal is to teach you, then have you on your way with an occasional check in. Besides, it’s actually more costly to keep shopping for things you don’t like only to have them sitting in the back of your closet until you find the courage to get rid of them. However if you’re just over the thought of shopping or can’t be bothered with figuring it all out, my Luxe subscription service might be perfect for you!
So what does your work day look like?
It varies on the day. I’ve created a weekly schedule for myself that allocates time for working with current clients (meetings, shopping, closet clean outs and special events), introducing myself to potential new clients, email correspondence twice a day and communicating with brands for blog features. I also, schedule, execute photo shoots and write blog posts for my style blog and social media. This comes with the task of creating and carrying out a planned content calendar, attending shows and networking events.... [Insert deep breath, Lol]. Am I missing anything? Oh yeah! And I’m a wife and mom so I’ve scheduled in family time, cooking and self care. I’ve also recently acquired a once-a-week teaching position in Fashion and Music. I have an amazing team and network that continues to grow so it may look like a lot and can be but I’m so grateful for my village. Coat
I hope that cleared up your curiosity. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask in the comments section below. Thanks for stopping by! See you next week.
Xo,
Luxe
