HOW TO UNLEASH YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE...

It starts with letting go and freeing yourself to be whoever it is you want to be.

Get dirty. Be imperfect. Constantly strive to improve from within.

Your wardrobe will follow.

-Stephanie

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE: THE AMERICAN FASHIONISTA

So many times in life I have gone out searching for some 

 BIG * FANTASTIC 

 THING. 

 this 'thing' was sure to make my life completely ....amazing! 

When I was 12, I dreamed of living in the BIG city because at the time I was an urban sophisticate somehow trapped on a horse-farm in the south. Yet, when I did go to the BIG city, I found it... completely suffocating and entirely too intense.  Instead, I fell in love with a city by the sea that proclaimed flip-flops the state shoe and decorated itself in colors so bright and tacky that they might have been illegal. I loved it!

When I was 19 and trying to find my way at the local community college, I dreamed of studying abroad or transferring to some prestigious institution, such as Harvard. Yet, again, I found my bliss and some of my fondest memories in a place much different than I had imagined. The little town of Greensboro, NC, with it's thriving local arts and music community. 

I learn more and more that the parts of life that end up amazing me the most are usually a lot closer than I had ever imagined...

This is certainly what I experienced when I traveled to London in search of inspiration, fashion wisdom, etc... What I found was a special fashionista who was actually homegrown, Alyssa.

 I met this little American fashionista while we were both interning in a showroom in London. I traveled thousands of miles to experience and learn from the amazing supremacy of European fashion, yet who's style did I take note of first? The tried and true American girl with an amazing way of surprising you with her sweet, chic, and fashion-forward style!

It amused me. At the time, I had a bad habit of automatically judging people or putting them into specific categories. What was this sweet, beautiful, sorority-like girl doing wearing black leather with studs? Then she would turn around and wear a fantastic cocktail dress the next day?
Interesting. I liked it. Isn't that what I had traveled so far to do - to be surprised, amused, and stretched?

London was not a bust in terms of fashion, by ANY means, don't get me wrong! It forever changed the way I see the world and my perception of it for the better. It gave me the gift of letting go of many of the 'rules' that I had held in my head and instead use fashion as freedom of expression and just pure fun. Individuality is coveted there, as it should be. There are no mistakes. The mistake is to NOT be yourself.

So, Alyssa was not only beautifully stylish, she was also unbelievably kind, helpful, and sincere. Aside from our lovely Italian, male co-workers, she was one of the best and most comforting parts of London.

Okay, so it turns out I am a homebody! It was cold and dark, you had to walk -EVERYWHERE, and I yearned for re-truns of Friends - I ADMIT IT. But, Alyssa seemed to transition quite stylishly. I feel fortunate to have gotten to know her and that we have stayed in touch. I decided to ask her my special questions and I knew her answers would be interesting. I hope they inspire you as much as they did me...

When I meet with clients the first thing we do is go through a questionnaire, 

which is meant to help me get to know their personality, passions, uniqueness and quirks. 

This is by far my favorite part in the whole process. I love to learn about 

people, what drives them and what has made them who they are.

This is what Alyssa had to say...

1. What gives you passion and inspires you in life?

'" 1. Strong woman inspire me in life. For example, DVF and Tory Burch. Two beautiful strong entrepreneurs who have created a brand name for themselves. They are constantly being innovative and succeeding in the best they can to make women all around feel beautiful. 
2. Passion comes with love. It's a love for being

 independent, fashionable, and innovative."

"There is something so amazing about it because ideas are constantly flowing and the passion of it all is what inspires me."

Give me three words to describe your personal style.

                            "girly *  chic with glamour * trendy / boho relax"

*that was about five words, what an over-achiever! ...but I still love her :)...

"It all depends on my mood. I believe a girl can portray a lot of different style depending on the way she is feeling. It goes up an down for me. If I'm in a good mood its very girly and chic. If I am frazzled and in a hurry you def. see a boho relax feel with me because it was put together in an effortless way and falls ever which way to keep me comfortable. Same goes with the weather. When the sun is out I get really fun with fabrics but during dreary days I like to work in some {POC} (pop of color). The POC turns my mood around and keeps me in spirits."

3. What experience have most defined your life and why?

"Starting off working in a boutique called Shangri-La, in high-school is when I believe my real experience started. It was me alone with the owner and that is when I found my true love for art and fashion. How you can create a work of art in your daily life with what you wear. From this, I was exposed to markets and the wonderful work I never knew about.

Later on in college, I was given the opportunity to study abroad in London and Paris. That is when it all truly came alive and I knew anything was possible as long as I kept dedicated and motivated. My exposure to fashion and different fashion companies really opened my eyes to what is all possible. Along the way great people have made it that much better. It keeps me working hard at what I love."

It seems like yesterday, but I actually haven't seen Alyssa in two years, so I also had to find out what this little go-getter had been up to in the world of fashion and otherwise....

"Since London I have been finishing up my studies at Colorado State University. I have become a personal blogger at heart and styled many family and friends, helping them feel fabulous and transitioning their wardrobes over.

I have also recently done a collaboration with an amazing designer out of Orange County, CA. Ashlee Hatcher, the designer of Raptor jewelry. We worked together to put a contest up for a winner to win a free pair of earrings based on the most fashion forward answer to help inspire the designer further in her line. She has recently just become really big and now you can see Steven Tyler from American Idol wearing her pieces he so loves!

I also asked her to share some of her favorite looks of the season...

Check out her blog, Glam and Fashionable

I love the constant reminders that there are amazing people right under my nose. I just have to remember to look! Thanks, Alyssa. Cheers!!

-Stephanie

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE: TO THE BEAT OF HER OWN DRUM

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE: TREMONT MUSIC HALL'S WOMAN-IN-CHARGE 

Each week I feature someone who stands tall and is always distinct from the rest. 

There are those who set out to do this intentionally,

 and then there are those who just...

ARE.

People come and go. This is a basic fact of life that you catch onto and grow accustomed to more and more as you get older. Some people you miss and wish were still a part of your life, but then there are the rare few that stay by your side. 

Regardless. 

I have come to find they are beyond a rare and precious find.

Especially, for someone like me who can be quite fiery, impulsive, and a touch opinionated.

For me, having Tremont Music Hall's front-runner, Lisa Barr, as a friend by my side through it all has meant the world to me.

Ever since the day we first shopped for old grunge-style T's at Goodwill while skipping Algebra class, she has been that rare and precious kind...

I can hardly believe this little lady has grown up to be the music industry maven that she is. 

She has been responsible for keeping one of Charlotte, North Carolina's music venues alive and kicking with phenomenal indie-bands for nearly the past decade. 

Lisa still loves her grunge T's

She has added quite the accessory - the sarcastic, charming and musically-gifted, lead singer from
the band The O'Getters.
Or, as we like to call him - KEVY.
I have grown quite fond of him, as well ...and do love to use him as an accessory too!

What strikes me about Lisa is her honesty, authenticity, open-mindedness, and compassion. She is always open to new people and places, where others might tear them down.

She has a tough side too. 

You would have to, to manage the rocker boys that come in and out 

of Tremont to play music. 

...and she certainly does.

 She will even give it to me when I need a good dose of reality (quite often, actually).

When I meet with clients the first thing we do is go through a questionnaire, 

which is meant to help me get to know their personality, passions, uniqueness and quirks. 

This is by far my favorite part in the whole process. I love to learn about 

people, what drives them and what has made them who they are.

So, what might she answer to my special questions? She certainly has personal style. Part of what I love about her is that she makes no apologies for who she is. 

She just is.

What gives you Passion and inspires you in life?

Music, first and foremost. Since I was a kid, music was more important to me than any other form of expression. Other inspirations: meaningful conversations and friendships.

Give me three words that describe your personal stye:

Eclectic, Brave, Genuine

What experiences in life have most shaped who you are?

 First hearing Appetite For Destruction when I was 6. 

Travelling to other countries. 

Driving solo across the US at age 20.

It should be noted that Lisa is also quite the photographer and has been talent behind 

most of Selby Style's photoshoots.

Scouting location for a photoshoot. This time she is in FRONT of the camera.
What a natural!

Lisa giving me a big smile on her 30th..

I can't wait to spend another 30 together.

-Stephanie

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE: THE QUEEN CITY'S QUEEN OF STYLE

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE: The Queen City's Queen of STYLE 

Each week I feature someone who stands tall and is always distinct from the rest. 

There are those who set out to do this intentionally,

 and then there are those who just...

ARE.

SONYA BARNES

CEO of Harris & Barnes Image Consulting Firm,

  CEO of The International Fashion Style Academy 
AND my personal...

Hero * Life-Preserver * Mentor...

ALL-IN-ONE STYLISH PACKAGE!

When I first came up with the name of my blog, Stumbles of a Starving Stylist, little did I know how true this would turn out to be. I just thought it was a fun play on words and would be pretty true. Well, it has been quite true...

One major business decision that had been driving me mad and only another stylist in my local market could give me relevant advice, yet no one wanted to share?

I also had no boss to run to, so after sorting through books and 

other publications with no answers, 

I practically began to rip my hair out. I wasn't sure what to do!

However, I decided to try one more approach...

I went straight to the top...

Charlotte's best known image consultant, 

Sonya Barnes of Harris & Barnes.

I emailed her with the mindset that she surely wouldn't reply given the response I had gotten from everyone else I had tried, but she called me the next day and helped me with something I had been struggling with for months! Soon thereafter, we met for coffee and I discovered she even holds seminars and international training courses for those up-and-coming stylists, such as myself. 

Of course, I didn't let her get away without asking her some of my inquisitive questions. 

When I meet with clients the first thing we do is go through a questionnaire, 

which is meant to help me get to know their personality, passions, uniqueness and quirks. 

This is by far my favorite part in the whole process. I love to learn about 

people, what drives them and what has made them who they are.

 

 I was certainly interested in what drove and inspired this dynamic and successful woman...

What gives you passion and inspires you in life?

Experiencing different cultures

Give me three words that describe your personal style.

modern, sensual, edgy

What experiences have most influenced who you are and why?

"Growing up in different cultures has made me open to everything and everyone; my upbringing opened me up the most because I lived in many places from hong kong to paris."

I am sure Sonya will have more questions to come from this STUMBLING STYLIST and I am almost positive she will have the answers!!

-Stephanie

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE: DOWN-HOME IN STYLE, BUT VOCALS FROM ANOTHER WORLD

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE: Molly McGinn  

Each week I feature someone who stands tall and is always distinct from the rest. 

There are those who set out to do this intentionally,

 and then there are those who just...

ARE.

Molly McGinn...

a breath of fresh air in a city that was made of commonalities and stereotypes

... in my head, anyway.

 "In my head" being the key phrase. 

I had just moved to Greensboro, NC to study Interior Architecture 

However, I soon discovered that to truly flourish as an 
interior architect one must possess 

patience * high attention to detail * long attention span

Soooo, moving on... 

 turns out they also had a fantastic business school

&

THRIVING LOCAL ARTS & MUSIC COMMUNITY! 

Molly was one one of the first people I met. 

Tall. Beautiful. Kind. Genuine...

and I soon found out

 amazingly talented

with a voice that will peel the layers off an onion that you

 never knew you had.

 When planning for the MY FASHIONABLE FRIEND clothing swap, 

I realized this would be a great excuse to get her down here. 

I crossed my fingers and it worked! 

She sounded amazing, authentic, beautiful, care-free ...just as I had remembered. 

Of course, you know I also used this as an opportunity to ask her my special questions...

When I meet with clients the first thing we do is go through a questionnaire, 

which is meant to help me get to know their personality, passions, uniqueness and quirks. 

This is by far my favorite part in the whole process. I love to learn about 

people, what drives them and what has made them who they are. 

What gives you passion and inspires you in life?

" It comes from many different places. In songwriting, it's usually something that I'm going through, some kind of life lesson sitting me down in a 

chair and asking for my full attention.

Then I'll find myself thinking about something I'd heard at a Artists Talk at the Weatherspoon Museum, or one of the live lunch WUNC 

broadcasts here at Triad Stage. 

Most recently it was the concept of "Fantastical Realism," 

and I tried to write a song incorporating that concept. 

Otherwise, North Carolina inspires me. 

So does my first hometown, Dodge City, Kansas.

As for fashion, I've always been inspired by a handsome definition of femininity; a French-approach to effortless and classic dressing;

 and the Irish tweed blazers and knits." 

Molly has this on her website and a few of her other social media spots.
 She truly radiates this phrase without saying a word.
I always feel lighter after being around her.

Give me three words that describe your 

personal style.

" Irish. Tomboy. North Carolina. "

What experiences have most shaped who you are?

"The first would be learning to play guitar from my Dad. The second would be a heartbreak, 9 years ago. It changed everything. And the third would be today; I try to let today teach me what I need to be the person I'm supposed to become. It doesn't always work that way, but I try."

I hope to find another excuse to get her down again soon!

-Stephanie