Saturday’s shmoozings with…
16 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: fashion, jessie carlson, michelle addison, personal stylist, saturday's schmoozings with.., shopping, Style, vancouver, wardrobe consultant
Personal stylist Michelle Addison from Jessie Carlson Wardrobe, featured in the Best of Vancouver 2011. These ladies are style goddesses who come to your home, cleanse your wardrobe, provide you with a shopping list and help you purchase new, more appropriate items! They even have a Stylish Mama package which includes either personal shopping and an outfit list or a wardrobe cleanse and a shopping list. Want some
words of wisdom from a style expert? Read on…
SSM: Hi Michelle, How did you come to be interested in styling and start working with Jessie Carlson?
M: I have always been interested in fashion ever since I was a little girl and used to cut pictures out of magazines and stick them on my wall. After graduating from university where I studied fine arts, I got a part-time job at a clothing store and that’s where I really began to gain a professional interest in clothes. I started doing some clients wardrobes whom I met through the store and felt I had a real knack for it.
When Jessie asked me to help her while she was on maternity leave, it completely seemed to fit, as I was returning from a year off with my daughter, Stella and wanted to jump right back into styling. Jessie has impeccable style so I was thrilled at getting a chance to help grow her business.
SSM: How do you and Jessie find balancing Mommyhood and a business?
M: Jessie is doing amazing working from home and loving being a Mom. Our philosophy is exactly the same, we are not willing to put our business before our kids. The pressure to be everything for everyone is very real but we decided to keep our priorities in focus. So far so good. It is so great to be in business with someone who loves being a mom as much as I do.
SSM: Why is styling so important for our Vancouver Mom?Michelle: Good question. I think styling is important because so many mom’s don’t have the time to shop or figure out what the trends are vs. what would suit them. A stylist helps you put together a wardrobe that works for your lifestyle and body. Often after having kids some woman feel that they have no idea what they should wear. Their bodies have changed along with their priorities. An un-biased look at a closet can do wonders for letting go of the past and focusing on today. Finding out what looks good on you can make you feel fabulous no matter what your budget. Hiring a stylist is smarter, greener, it makes you feel confident in your own skin…sort of all the things required for a simplystylish Vancouver mom…no?
SSM: My readers know my thoughts on this – but what are YOUR thoughts on items such as Uggs and sweats?
Michelle: I would have to say there is never a reason to wear uggs…especially in Vancouver when it rains so much!! As for sweats I again have to say that there are far better alternatives out there…as well as more attractive alternatives. If you were to say that you wear sweats to bed or around your house…I would let that slide.
SSM: What are the key wardrobe staples for our Simplystylishmom?
Michelle: A good pair of jeans(ones that fit YOUR body) a great spring and fall coat(that you love, not just tolerate), a great black heel, ballet flats and maybe some good quality tee-shirts.
SSM: What are your favourite items for Spring/Summer 2011?Michelle: I love all the color!! I am a big fan of all the color blocking they are doing this season and think that you can do wonders with some great shoes (eg.isabel marant poppy bow shoe in blue) and a different color belt. I like all the nudes: a nude cardigan is essential, and maybe a blazer…I love Helmut Lang blazers!! I also like the long skirts…with the t-shirts, not for everyone, but a great option for some.
SSM: Favourite place to find fashion bargains in Vancouver? What are your thoughts on online shopping?
Michelle: Fashions bargains…I like H&M and Zara in Vancouver. And on-line? I don’t do much bargain shopping on-line…too risky and I don’t like have too much in my wardrobe. I like quality over quantity. I would have to advise the same for my clients.
SSM: Like me, you are a fan of The Satorialist, what are some of your other favourite style blogs?
I love the Satorialist!!! I like iamtheitgirl.com and searchingforstyle.com …and I love simplystylishmom.wordpress.com!!
SSM: Finally, How can a Mom be stylish without having to spend a lot?
Michelle: I think that a mom can be stylish without spending a lot if she invests in some basics. Stay away from trendier things and concentrate on the key elements. Once you have your basics complete you can voyage into trends. Also accessorizing can be quite thrifty as you can find some amazing belts, bags and scarves in consignment or second-hand stores.
Thanks Michelle for your time and pearls of wisdom!
Happy Thursday!
xxo, SimplystylishMom
