Uniforms Make It Easy to Forget To Think Outside The Box!

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Successful Business Owner Grows Up

Before / After Case Study:

Situation:

This client was lost about how to dress as a woman over 30. She still relied on styles that she wore in her twenties and had not yet discovered the right departments to shop in as a mature adult. She would constantly find herself in the Junior section by default and didn’t know where to look in women’s departments. Her employees were constantly telling her to wear grown up clothes!

Solution:

Show her what clothes worked for her body shape and position in life. After all, she was now a mom and the owner a very successful salon. Once she saw how great she looked in the clothes that actually worked for her body shape she learned her rules in a flash! With a little guidance, she quickly absorbed her new clothing guidelines and developed a style that was a WOW!

What My Client Said:

“I feel like a grown up now. I had not been going to the right types of stores since I have been in San Diego. Working with Kathi has been a life-changing experience. My confidence level has soared and people are now taking me more seriously. Now I know what to shop for and where to get it.”

Lisa Knight

Employee Comment:
“She looks great and now wears real clothes instead of teenage stuff. You did a great job!”

Scientist Caught in Casual Friday

Before / After Case Study:

Challenge:

This successful scientist wore jeans and casual clothes to work five days a week. She managed a small department but did stand out as a manager.

Solution:

We upgraded her wardrobe so that she was still casual but had an edge of professionalism. This suit can be worn as a whole during presentations but also broken up to wear more casually with jeans or a casual top. We found shoes that were more professional than tennis shoes but still comfortable enough to wear all day. One week later, her new hair, makeup and glasses frame her face perfectly. One year later, this client reports that she now heads a staff three times as large as her last department proving to me that a professional image does help you move up the corporate ladder!

What My Client Said:

“I am not sure if the new image had anything to do with my promotion, but I am certain that it has helped me to be taken more seriously at work. You really opened my eyes to that fact that I was not dressing as well as the other management-level associates in my company. Looking back, I don’t know why I did not see that on my own, but I didn’t! I guess it is very difficult to see yourself objectively.”

Thanks again,
B.Y. San Diego

Petite Grows In Stature

Before / After Case Study:

Challenge:

This client is a petite who didn’t realize that she was a petite. She was stuck in oversized clothes until she tried on clothes that actually skimmed her body and showed off her shape.

Solution:

Find clothes that balance the top and bottom portions of her body and lengthen her overall image. Create a waistline to show off those fabulous curves!

What My Client Said:

“It’s been an epiphany working with you. We get so comfortable with what we know. We go a size larger thinking it will make us look smaller when, in fact, it does the opposite.

I really see that now. Investing in clothes for myself is now a simple and easy task. I have the knowledge to know what works for me and what to avoid. I have been receiving many compliments on my newly acquired fashion and style. Kathi, thank you, for your professionalism and expertise.”
Mrs. L. Wood, Encinitas

Natural Beauty Needs to Focus on Professional Image

Before / After Case Study:

Situation:

This client was stuck in comfort clothes and didn’t spend the time it took to find clothes that were professionally ’stepped up a notch’ and still comfortable. She also wanted to learn how to mix and match the clothes within her exiting wardrobe.

Solution:

I showed her how to pop dark colors with bright hues. She also discovered how to mix and match fabric densities and textures by adding light layers together. This strategy formed a cohesive professional image and helped her stay warm during the cold winter months.

New Fabrics Spruce Up This Doctor

Before / After Case Study:

Situation:

This client has great taste in clothes but had fallen into the common trap of wearing clothes that were too large and too casual. She innately knew the colors to wear for her complexion and had a great sense of style but was not aware of fit or how different fabrics reacted throughout the course of a day.

Solution:

Step her casual business attire up a notch. I used similar colors but upgraded fabrics and put her into clothes that complemented her body shape and size. As you can see, when she wears clothes that skim her figure with well-tailored lines, she instantly drops 10 pounds! No, she did not lose weight for this “after” photo. It was taken a mere three days after the “before” photo.

What My Client Said:

“”Just wanted to give you a quick follow-up on my new wardrobe (and attitude)! Truthfully, I have barely recovered from the shopping experience: I’ve never met anyone with your energy and drive. I wonder how much your clients have expressed to you what an important part of the consultation experience it is to receive that kind of focused attention! I mean this in a very positive way. You are unquestionably an agent of change. Not just clothing, but attitude, outlook, much deeper! Kind of like walking in expecting a dressing room, and experiencing ….maybe a psychic wind tunnel!

I’ve only begun to absorb the new wardrobe: but so far the reactions I have gotten have ranged from compliments to double-takes. From my family (even my fashionista daughter) as well as my friends and co-workers. I feel much bolder and think I may be stretching my wings a little.

Anyway, thank you for the advice and the whole experience. I do apologize if I was the immovable object, you were certainly the stronger and more irresistible force.

The experience is really having a “ripple effect” on my life! Somehow it’s enabled me to tap into a vast store of energy, and since our shopping trip I have re-organized my bedroom, dining room, office at work…..all kinds of stuff!”

S. Chaplan, Ocean Beach, CA

Large Petite Who Thought a Little Black Dress Was Impossible

Before / After Case Study:

Challenge:

This client did not believe that I could find her a little black dress for her upcoming event. She is a petite with a curvature of the spine but wants to look great for her black tie affairs.

Solution:

Not only did I find her this perfect black dress, but when she attended her first event, in the new gown, she received several major compliments! I wish you could see the details on this piece, it is an elegant eyelet weave with just enough interesting design and detail to lead the eye to where it needs to go. The V-neckline is super flattering as well as the long lace sleeves on the jacket.

“You can give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for life. That is how I feel about this experience.”

Situation:

A man who didn’t know how to dress for his shape or complexion. He was trapped in over sized clothes and bad colors that did nothing for his image. A great V-shaped physique was hiding under the baggy and over mature clothes.

Solution:

Use lines that skim the body to accent V-shaped physique. No more oversized clothes. Create longer leg line and shorten the torso. Choose colors that work with his autumn and Irish complexion. Add young, hip accessories. Create a wardrobe that can go from casual to formal and power business meetings.

What My Client Said:

“I used to look in my closet and have no idea what to pull out. Now I can go in and have 10 outfits that I know will look good. It has sped me up when I am heading out the door. I also now have some idea of what looks good with what.”

Cliff M, San Diego

After #1

After #2

Situation:

I am giving you two “after” photos for this client because they are so great. This client wanted to get away from the same old routine and learn how to ‘step it up’ for evening events and fun weekend outings.

This is one of the few clients who can wear black by her face and get away with it. She is a true winter complexion, think “Snow White” to remember what a winter is. Her hair is naturally jet black and her complexion is creamy and beautiful. Black is never really recommended for anyone over 35 unless they are a true winter and this client is!

Solution:

Teach her new ways to show off her great shape and still have proper clothes for her children’s medical practice. The idea was business attire that was flexible depending on her caseload for the day and comfortable enough to wear during exceptionally long shifts. Also, we created several outfits for weekend outings and created an outfit for an upcoming gala where she was the star!

What My Client Said:

“Just a quick note to say a heartfelt thank you for all your help over the past several weeks as I’ve struggled with my wardrobe. I love my clothes and shoes and my husband really likes them to. You have pushed the enveloped and this is always good.

Thanks again for your enthusiasm and guidance in fashion. I feel more confident myself trying new items and enjoying the process. I used the leopard slip dress and black top and it was soft and comfy and looked just great - the Steve Madden pointed shoes also worked well. Once again thanks for all your efforts “

Dr. Chrystal DeFreitas

Creative Turns Artistic

Before / After Case Study:

Challenge:

This petite woman is a very talented professional calligrapher. She used to love her billowy, flowing hippie clothes. Skirts to the floor were her modus operandi and she did not know which colors were good for her or that the petite department had clothes that would fit her best.

Solution:

She now wears clothing that fits, not uncomfortably tight but the new size actually skims her body shape. She also looks slimmer and taller in shorter hemlines. She is still able to express her artistic nature by choosing clothes with interesting artsy detailing and multiple colors that work with her complexion.

What My Client Said:

“Kathi was my personal shopper, I met her in a private dressing room and everything had been pre-selected for me, shoes laid out, clothes coordinated… It was wonderful just putting things on and having her tell me if it worked or not.

I am not that good with clothes so it made it very easy for me to see what worked and didn’t. I now have a better idea of my image and the image I want to project. I feel like I can choose clothes better now.

The best thing about my closet is that I don’t have anything ugly to wear in there so I don’t have anything ugly to choose from!”

“Today I wore Paul Green brown sandals, Chico’s brown pants, and 3/4 sleeve brown t-shirt w/ beads (thinking, gee, this fits kinda tight). Co-worker said I looked thinner. Aha! See, you’re right!!!!! Score 1 for Kathi!!”