How did you fall into this career?
This is where all of my interests converge. I love fashion, textiles and color. I’m fascinated by people. I started sewing when I was in junior high and in high school I fantasized about moving to Paris, chain smoking and wearing all black. But, I don’t speak French, I don’t smoke and quickly grew tired of wearing all black.

Instead I went to college, studied political science and learned that self presentation is a big part of politics and life. I also took a number of design and pattern making classes, and helped my friends and faculty dress better and organized their closets. With a BA, an amazing wardrobe and hopefully a winning lottery ticket, I thought about what my ideal job once money was of no concern. I didn’t win the lottery, but I did discover a career direction. A business advisor helped me turn that into a business plan and the rest is history.

Do you work with ‘real’ people or just celebrities and millionaires?
Yes, in fact most of my clients are ‘real’ people (‘civilians’ in industry speak), not celebrities or millionaires. They have landlords, office dress codes and budgets to consider, plus (especially in San Francisco!) limited closet space! Looking amazing shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for the rich. Great style happens at every price point and everyone deserves to look their best. For me, developing real wardrobes for real people is the most rewarding part of my work.

Who are your clients?
The majority of my clients are women and they tend to be in a transitional phase. They might be making a career change, or leaving work to raise a family or returning to work. They’re all seeking greater clarity about their style and want to know how to look terrific every day.

Do you only shop at high end designer boutiques? Are you affiliated with any one store?
I shop everywhere from Target and Old Navy to St. John and Chanel. I am a firm believer in mixing “high” and “low” fashion. Anyone can walk into a store a buy an outfit off a mannequin. But, mixing an Armani blouse with Gap pants and an H&M jacket and having it look fantastic and perfectly ‘you’ is what individual style is all about. I believe that your personality and personal style are revealed through the ability to wear clothes that you look good in and are comfortable in, regardless of the amount on the price tag or name on the label.

Why should I hire a stylist?
A stylist provides an expert opinion on your personal sense of style and wardrobe. Maybe you don’t have time to shop, maybe you don’t have the interest or maybe you just want a little nudge to try something different. Working with a stylist means an answer to the question of “what should I wear?” is only ever a phone call away.

Couldn’t I just use a free personal shopper at a department store?
Hiring a stylist instead of using a store personal shopper gets back to my core philosophy: variety is the cornerstone of style. A personal shopper is limited to the clothes in their store. I’m not. I take a holistic view of your life and translate that into a shopping strategy that matches your budget and your style. I also don’t work on commission, so my motivation is the same as yours: to make you look great.

This sounds great, but expensive. How much do you charge?
I charge an hourly rate of $150 and have a number of packages available based on how long things normally take. I’m very efficient and super conscious of your time (and money!). Yes, having a stylist is an added expense. But, I immediately save you time by giving you fantastic outfits from your existing wardrobe and streamlining your shopping trips. And, I actually save you money in the long run since you learn what to buy and what’s a waste of your money.