Stacy London is working to change to idea that stylists are only for celebrities.
On a gorgeous Monday morning, London and her business partner and Style for Hire CEO, Cindy McLaughlin, talked very candidly amidst a group of area fashion bloggers (including yours truly) about their new venture, Style for Hire and the importance of style as it relates to one's self-esteem. "We don't want our clients to feel like second class citizens," London said, "we want to help them shop their closets, add a few pieces and take their wardrobe as far as it can go."
Style for Hire is a national network of selected, trained, and certified personal stylists who bring in-home wardrobe advice and shopping assistance to customers, including men and women. London was very straightforward about Style for Hire's mission. "We want our clients to know that we heard them. Their opinion will matter. In fashion, some stylists have that 'I know what's best for you' attitude. That's fine but we don't want our clients to be dependent on a stylist. We want to educate our clients so that they learn how to dress the bodies based on their body type."
Style for Hire has partnered with Second Time Around so that clients can take clothing in their closets that don't fit or are outdated and place those items on consignment. Why not earn a little cash for that stuff!?! Style for Hire is also partnering with retail shops like Lord & Taylor and Ann Taylor as well as other local favs of their DC-area stylists.
Stylists go through several levels of training and evaluation before they are actually invited to become an official Style for Hire stylist. So it's not a free for all. They are evaluated on four criteria: 1) Taste, 2) Customer Service Skills, 3) Attitude (do they really love what they do), and 4) Years of Experience as a Stylist. So you know that you are working with a highly trained professional and someone is focused against your needs, not out to just make a few bucks.
What most impressed me about London and McLaughlin was their passion (McLaughlin's from her own personal style story in which she called London for help with finding something to wear). They really do understand the connection between showing someone how good they can look, regardless of their weight, height, body type, etc. It is all possible.
For more information about Style for Hire, visit their web site.
