Choosing your wardrobe for a trip can seem daunting, anticipating everything you’ll need. If you’re going to a destination wedding or to, say, Cannes, you’ll need multiple outfits for each occasion. If you’re lucky, you can delegate that job to your image consultant.
Personal stylists are curators
Faye Bradley writes in BurdaLuxury.com about the $500,000 wardrobe consultant who serves the 0.01%, giving us a peek into the world of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs). Clothing, she writes, is more than just self-expression. “It’s a strategic asset, a visual shorthand for power, influence and exclusivity.”
Stylists do more than wardrobe renovation. They work with high-end couture designers, arrange for private fittings and can snag something right off the runway for the right client. A good stylist can put together a vacation wardrobe that ticks all the boxes, allowing for casual wear as well as the gowns and accessories required for the duration. Knowing what’s right for the occasion is their stock in trade.
An Instagram moment
Social media certainly is driving some of the demand for hiring a stylist or keeping one on retainer as many do. Stylists know the secrets for setting up that perfect Instagram shot that will reinforce a brand, generate social media traffic and build someone’s profile. The emphasis is on the word “perfect.” Perfectly styled and curated.
There is a growing demand for personal styling among men, says Joseph DeAcetis, the owner of a menswear company and editor of StyleLujo.com. In his interview with BurdaLuxury, he tells Bradley, “Today, more men recognize the value of professional guidance in curating wardrobes that reflect their personalities and lifestyles.”
From honeymoon to family vacation
Rachelle Bergstein of the New York Post has a different angle on why to hire a stylist. She interviewed real estate attorney Ilyse Dolgenas, who was planning an exotic vacation but didn’t have time or the bandwidth to shop or pack. Enter stylist Stephanie Tricola who says clients usually call needing help right before a big event or vacation. After helping Dolgenas plan for her honeymoon to Australia and New Zealand, she’s now working with her to build a look for a family vacation in Nantucket.
