Last month I talked about my serendipitous introduction to Rhyan who has been fantastic to work with this summer. This month, I asked her to share her take on wardrobe styling. Here it is:

The Set-Up

The phrase "everything happens for a reason" can be taken as just another saying we love to blurt out after something incredible happens, but it can also be seen as a lifestyle. Viewing the world in this way has shown me it's okay when things aren't going according to plan - and that it's even cooler when that ends up being exactly what needs to happen. I'm spending my summer being mentored by the most talented of teachers in her styling business, Tullebox; I've found my passion, and I am so fortunate to have lucked into it.  

My sophomore year of college flew by a lot quicker than I thought, and when March came around, I was still trying to figure out how I wanted to spend my summer. I was a smidge close to calling the restaurant I worked at the previous summer when something extraordinary happened. I met the warmest and most inviting woman during parents weekend in Blacksburg when my best friend Sammi graciously introduced me. The three of us shared small talk until Alicia asked me my major. I told her I was a Fashion Major, and that's when everything became so real. We talked until it was time to go home, so I had to give her my information. The next thing I knew, Alicia offered me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work by her side this summer. She told me her right-hand woman was moving abroad, and that's when my dreams started coming true. 

Inside The Appointments

Working as a stylist has taught me how to develop not only professional relationships but also personal ones. I have learned that styling is not only about dressing clients but getting to know them on a personal level. This is a very intimate occupation based on building relationships. Closets hold a lot of personal information. Alicia establishes a trust where any anxieties or feelings of struggle are replaced with relief and excitement. Each week I have been able to watch people become more confident, hold themselves in higher esteem, and be comfortable in the clothes they put on their bodies. It's incredibly rewarding to know you can offer effective solutions with the clothing people already have.

Being a stylist means bringing something interesting to the table that our clients would never have done on their own. It is challenging for many people to find their personal style. A reoccurring theme has been achieving the proper fit. One client discovered her true shoe size after Alicia suggested she get her foot properly measured. What an eye-opener for all of us! She thought she was one size based on her need for comfort but learned that her foot was actually wider but not nearly as long. I also learned what "off-the-rack" means in regards to fit. Many clients seeking a stylist's help are not an "off-the-rack" fit. They usually require alternations to correct the proportions to achieve balance on their frame. I've always been able to identify when something is right or wrong, but now I have a better understanding of how to fix it. 

Trends change so quickly in fashion, and access to social media can make decision-making even more difficult. Alicia has helped me accept that there's a level of patience involved when updating wardrobes. Styling is not necessarily about discarding everything in someone's closet and starting from scratch. Part of the solution needs to feel familiar when you are introducing new ideas. Budgets are also a major factor, and clients love to see a range of solutions. Too many choices can be confusing, however. We usually offer the "GOAT" as well as the best comp we can find. There are discussions about "Cost Per Wear" that nudge clients to invest after we've proven how much adding that great investment piece will accomplish. One client told Alicia she wears the pieces they've selected together 90 percent of the time and the pre-Alicia clothing only 10 percent of the time. Those are pretty good odds!

The Takeaway

This internship has been about learning where my strengths lie. I've been obsessed with fashion since I was a toddler, but now I am looking for the path that turns my passion into a career. Styling encompasses so many aspects of fashion. Being exposed to such a diversity of tasks has kept each day interesting. I've covered everything from how to fold a pocket square for a sport coat to how to engage viewers with styling stories on Instagram. No two days are the same, but after six weeks, I'm starting to fall into the rhythm. The interaction with fashion's end-user has been extremely eye-opening. It was the one area that made me nervous at the beginning of this internship. I wasn't sure of myself and how I could style a more mature clientele. Alicia's confidence in my "eye" helped me overcome fears of not having the correct answer and reframing this into developing my library of solutions. Not only do I have a better understanding of brands, but Alicia has encouraged me to drill down to the WHY (as in why I like them). Now I can't wait to edit my mom's closet and introduce some of these MVPs of style I've stumbled upon. 

In a few weeks, I'll be heading back to Blacksburg. Alicia and I have been building my junior year capsule wardrobe. I'm investing in some core pieces that have a minimum five-year longevity. Based on what I've learned this summer, I'll already have attached to some of these pieces and can implement the "enhancement" phase of building a wardrobe after I graduate. Organic style growth takes patience. The trial and error can be left to our own devices or guided with the help of intuitive professionals. Do I want to become a wardrobe stylist? It's too soon to say, but having first-hand knowledge of some of the struggles will help me bring an empathetic point of view to the next two years of my degree.