How do you approach a client in need of styling?

For a personal styling request, the first thing I do is I have a discussion with my client, I need to know their identity before I attempt to dress them; understanding their objectives is of the utmost importance. Fortunately, I’m an empath and people lover, which enables me to read their desires more clearly.

I need to uncover details like what is their image, what is it that they need it for, is it for work, is it for a fancy party, or is it because she’s newly single and just wants to feel more attractive. I ask questions to find out what the goal is. If they say “I have an event”, I ask what it is and what the image is that they want to convey; I need to know who they are representing, is it themselves, or a business? It’s very important for me to understand what they’re looking for from the experience.

Once we specify what it’s for, then I have to get into more of the technical aspect, which of course includes sizing. I ask them the part of their body they struggle with feeling good about, and what is the part of their body that they are most proud of.

Body image is very important, and no amount of compliments is going to convince someone to love something that they truly do not. You put them in an outfit that accentuates the individual's preferences for themselves, and fits their personality. Knowing their fears and what their favourite features are, that's what gives me a guideline. For example, the woman who loves her facial features should wear a blouse that frames her cheekbones and highlights her eyes.

That’s great, I really like the idea of that clothing can make you feel beautiful with what you accentuate.

Yes, and it’s a very intimate experience, you’re seeing these people vulnerable, undressed and divulging their insecurities, so it’s very important that I make them feel comfortable. If they say their hips are too wide and they want to draw away from that area, I may suggest that we get a shirt that hits this point on the thigh and we open through there, then we would be accentuating the silhouette differently.

Why should somebody use a stylist and what should they look for in one?

Who needs a stylist? For one, it’s people that don’t have time, shopping is a huge time pit, it requires a lot of footage, whether it’s online or visiting in store. They don’t have enough time to curate a look that suits their personality, fits their body type best, and makes sense within their budget; that’s a time consuming process and many people just can’t do it. A lot of people find they get overwhelmed, a stylist will streamline it all.

It could be someone that appreciates being shown the different ways to wear an item in their wardrobe; sometimes their key pieces are great, but they need a fresh perspective and some inspiration. A stylist will help you reimagine your items in a new light, so you can dust off that Chanel suit and pair it with a converse sneaker for a trendy and everyday twist.

And, there are people who may very well know what they like, but don’t know how they can tailor their look to represent the best of themselves.

A stylist would personalize it to their needs, their body type, their current image and their aspirational image, all with gentle guidance to be sure that their style is not being imposed on them. You need to look for someone that will listen, personalize the experience to your needs and image, and offer guidance.

How did you get started with Bryan Adams and Pamela Anderson?

I had met Bryan sometime before and one day he called me up to style, although not to style him; he wanted me to style for the cover of Zoomer Magazine with Monika Deol, and he was the photographer. He’s a great photographer, he just shot the Perelli calendar with all these musical legends, including Cher, Grimes, and Saweetie.

And for Pamela, that was around when I had just started styling. They called me and I asked “what’s my budget”, and they said zero. I asked what the moodboard was, and he said “I don't have it, but I have three words; dreamy, ethereal, and glitter”. So that was the first shoot, it was a bit of a hit and a miss. I knew she was vegan so I brought faux fur, which she wouldn’t wear because she was worried people would think it’s real fur.

What’s the most unusual shoot you ever did?

It was definitely Bryan Adams' music video for his song “So Happy it Hurts”. He asked me to help him with the styling; as they say, he’s a one man show, he handles the direction and executes the vision himself.

When I arrived at his studio, he had an old car with no wheels parked inside. He had his mother in the video, a 90 year old woman. I got her a scarf that would blow in the wind, I put her in a Sergeant Pepper pink jacket, and funky glasses from a dollar store which she just loved.

What draws you to mixing high and low fashion?

When I was younger I always had a passion for bargains because my mother was very frugal. I was raised to be very conscious of the value of money. My mother was a great bargain shopper, that’s where I learned the thrill of the find. I had a passion for fashion, but I wasn't as into labels at the beginning, just what looks good. It was when I became more fashion conscious when I got into the designers, that’s when I started to look for the cocktail.

How can I get that quality and beauty without having to pay full price?

You tend to take something very classic, and present it in a way that wasn’t expected, how do you make those twists that breathe new life into an item?

It’s natural to me that when I see something linear, I want to add an element of softness. If I see a dress really soft, I want to add something edgy or structural. If the model is extremely masculine, I want to add that element of femininity. I love contrast. It might be considered quirky, but I like the surprise, the element of interest that you wouldn't normally consider with the outfit, I want to inspire and provoke. If I’m styling a client, then I want to find something unique to them. It’s almost like an act of rebellion.

We're so glad that you choose to bring your clients' items to Turnabout, what keeps you coming back to us?

First of all, I love you guys, I always say I feel like I'm going to my second home. I’ve always felt really comfortable and happy coming in, the personalities, everyone is so enthusiastic about the merchandise.

It’s also very personalized, I love that because I shop A LOT for myself at Turnabout, not only for my clients. I’d say 80% of my personal wardrobe is from Turnabout. I find that Turnabout has the most unique, high quality, variety of merchandise than any of the consignment stores I've been in. Your buyers are very proactive in variation, because I need a mix. I go for unique, the texture, the fabric. When I go to Turnabout, I don't need to worry about any marks or holes, I can trust that it’s all thoroughly looked at before going to the floor for sale.

That’s so great to hear, we pride ourselves on the Turnabout experience!

That’s exactly what I get from you guys, and of course it's because I can find my luxury at an economic price. I make an average income, and I still have my mother in my ear. It’s the Chanel jacket at an affordable price for me.

It’s like a candy store really, I go in when I’m not working or not even shopping, I go to Turnabout to be inspired. You have real girls, they’re down to earth, it’s luxury but never snobby.

So then, what words come to mind when you think of Turnabout?

"Quality, variety of unique pieces, and oh-so enticing!"

- Janet Adrienne

Is there anything else that you'd like people to know?

Not a lot of people know that I lived and worked in fashion in Italy for 28 years. You know, I don't have as many connections in Vancouver as a lot of people who have been cultivating their whole career here. I moved to LA in the ‘80s and worked off of Rodeo Drive dressing Barbra Streisand, Daryl Hannah, Priscilla Presley. I got married to a photographer and worked with him for 28 years in Italy.

Now that I’m back, it’s kinda like I’m a tourist in my hometown; I didn’t know anyone, and I had to start over from scratch. I've been styling and in retail for 30 years, but it’s really just the beginning for me here; I can’t wait to see what’s next.