Style For Hire is a country-wide network of style experts co-founded by fashion consultant and What Not To Wear co-host Stacy London. Style For Hire offers styling services – in person and online – from experienced stylists who can answer any and all fashion-related questions to might come up with. From what to wear to a specific event to how to build a better wardrobe to shopping suggestions that will save you money in the future.

I recently had the good fortune to interview a member of the Style For Hire team – Nicole Bush – who shared her background & passion for all things fashion-related with me, as well as helping me answer some of the requests and questions that I regularly get during the Fall.

{Another example of a classic handbag – MICHAEL Michael Kors  Hamilton Artisan Tote}

Nicole’s Background:

[1.] Do you have a fashion background or schooling? Did you work in a similar industry prior to joining Style For Hire?

As far back as I can remember I was playing dress up and dressing my friends. I had worked in retail on and off but it wasn’t until I was personal training in Columbus that I realized this was my passion. After training clients and seeing their transformations (yet still dressing the same) I decided I wanted to help. I enrolled in the Style institute once I moved and the rest is history!

[2.] How long have you been working at Style For Hire? What about the company initially drew you to it?

[3.] What is the best part about working at Style For Hire? What is your favorite thing about this company?

[4.] What’s the best part of your job? What’s the most rewarding experience that you’ve had?

The best part of my job is helping women build confidence! To just look at a woman who sees herself full of flaws, and show her the beauty I see- its an indescribable feeling.  The most rewarding experience is when my client then sees their own beauty…it’s priceless!

[5.] Do you see yourself staying in the fashion industry? Where do you see yourself in five years?

Yes I see myself in the fashion industry. I see myself in 5 years starting a clothing line and styling fashion shows.

{Example of a classic piece that Nicole recommends – Michael Kors Hamilton Large Calf-Hair Tote}

[1.] My first steps at the beginning of a new season are to clean out my wardrobe, rearrange my pieces, take inventory, and make a list of things I’d like to add for the coming season and then start shopping – online & in stores. How would you approach updating your wardrobe for a new season? What are the steps that you think that one should take?

In order to update your wardrobe one must know what they have. Start by editing your wardrobe. Pull anything you haven’t worn and go through that pile. Ask yourself why you haven’t worn it? Are you missing a piece to complete the look, does it not work for your body type or your personality? DON’T hold onto item you haven’t worn based on an emotional tie. That is the number 1 mistake people make. Instead donate to a friend or a charity. Make room for new pieces and KNOW your body and what works for you.

[2.] When the new collections hit stores it’s easy to get swept away by all of the fabulous clothing and accessories out there and end up with buyer’s remorse. I like to plan my investment purchases for the season in advance, after looking through the collections and seeing what the stores are carrying. What are your suggestions when it comes to buying investment pieces for your wardrobe that you plan to wear/carry season-after-season? What are you top recommendations for designers or stores that frequently carry the types of timeless, classic pieces that fit this bill?

First and foremost you have to LOVE what you buy! Investment pieces are just that- an investment. Think longevity. FIT is key here!

Be familiar with sales. When my Style for Hire clients are about to invest in a key piece I schedule shopping dates at store where my clients will benefit. Be it at Nordstrom on triple point’s day or Bloomingdale’s friends and family. They will get extra points and discounts which is always a bonus.

Designers such as Burberry, Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren are always great for classic timeless pieces.

{A must have is a divine trench coat – Classic Burburry version pictured here} 

[3.] Having an organized closet is important to me because it means being able to easily access things, it reduces the amount of time spent getting dressed in the morning, and it keeps me from forgetting about pieces that are hidden from sight. What are your recommendations when it comes to closet organization? In your opinion what are the best ways for someone to organize and/or display their clothing and accessories to increase function and convenience?

Your closet is prime real estate, especially living in the bay area where space is hard to come by!  Your closet should be FUNCTIONAL everything in it should fit and should be able to be worn that season. Be sure to rotate your clothes each season. Store any clothes that don’t fit in another closet or a storage bin.

An organized closet can be your best friend! The first thing I do with my clients is organize their closet based on their needs. For instance, I had a client who always wore black and gray and typically pants.  When I rearranged her closet I put all of her black clothes in the back so if she wanted to wear black she had to work for it! Working from left to right, I arranged her closet by putting all of her dresses, and colorful blouses in the center and her gray at the other end. Because of this, she had a whole new wardrobe and we hadn’t even gone shopping yet!

Each season, I suggest you rearrange your wardrobe. If you notice you tend to wear the same go to outfits- mix it up. I like to hang as much as I can. If it’s folded in a draw you tend to forget about it. I use drawers for your everyday pieces- think underpinnings, sports bras, workout clothes, layering tanks etc.

I love to hang accessories so I can see them. Be sure to keep all of your jewelry together in one spot. This is usually the last thing you put on but the most important.

I really love how passionate and enthusiastic she is about fashion – There’s no risk of being told you should only buy designer or throw away all the clothes you’ve ever bought – SFH is only interested in helping build your confidence through looking your best. What’s not to love about that?

Thank you to Style For Hire and to Nicole for their time in setting up this interview – I hope that you all enjoyed this! And I have good news for the holidays – You can order a Style For Hire gift certificate online and give a friend or relative the fashion experience they’ve always wanted.