Julia Blank
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Julia Blank, a 45-year-old personal stylist and image consultant. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I started my career working as a research analyst on Wall Street. During those years, I realized how sad the Wall Street scene had become, because the business formal attire was done.
All of a sudden, business casual took its place, and many men around me — working in the office, my buddies, my friends from college — were all looking at each other, thinking, what the hell is business casual?
Because I was brought up in New York, I lived in stores, and fashion was my passion. I felt like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. I would just look at shoes, touch the fabrics, and admire things.
During maternity leave, I realized styling was my true calling. I started slowly offering styling services to my sphere of influence, which included bankers and colleagues I used to work with.
Julia Blank
For the past 17 years, I've been styling clients in Singapore. I've picked up a lot of clients from the technology sector, particularly companies like Google, Yahoo, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
I feel that there is definitely a need to look like you're in a managerial position.
But when you're in a tech company where you can literally wear anything — where there's no dress code— it makes it that much more difficult to understand how to look presentable at work.
Particularly managers come to me saying, "I don't want to look like a techie who programs, and I don't look like a lawyer wearing a business suit."
"So I don't understand. What do I wear?" they ask.
There are a lot of reasons people want to change up their wardrobe. It could be you've got a job you didn't think you would get, and your wardrobe is still stuck in your past job.
Julia Blank
The first time I meet a client, I spend about three and a half hours at a client's home, getting to know each other, taking measurements, and understanding the person.
Following the consultation, I do a color analysis, and then the client opens up their wardrobe and shows me everything they've accumulated so far. This process is very important because I can gather a lot of insights that they will not tell you in person.
After that, I put together a mood board of styles for a person. This is how I see them evolve with their style moving forward. Once they approve the mood board, we schedule a shopping trip.
As a stylist, my prerogative is to give you clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. It's not about spending lots of cash on things you don't need; my job is to look after your wallet as well.
I really love shopping at Massimo Dutti. Their price point is very comfortable for many people, and you can find everything under one roof. For slightly lower budgets, I like Southaven. Occasionally, I shop at Zara, Bimba Y Lola, or COS.
Finally, for men, I do a grooming session. We go on a mission to find a cologne that smells like them. I also find them the skincare package that suits their needs.
For women, it's a full two-hour course on reviewing their makeup skills because I find it's not enough to just look good. Your skin, the way you hold brushes, the way you do your eyeliner, the way you do the whole makeup face—it's very different when you're 18 versus when you're 40.
I charge between $2,300 to $3,100 for the entire package.
I deal with many people who have insecurities, and I'm dealing with them at the most vulnerable level.
I've dealt with situations where clearly a person should not be visiting a stylist. They should be visiting a psychologist or a therapist to work through their issues and insecurities, but yet they want to start with a stylist.
Well, I'm not going to turn any business down. And who knows, maybe I will make them feel better. I try my best.
