How can I get the most out of a styling session?

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When working with a Personal Stylist you will obtain the most benefit from your session if you relax and trust the process. A great Stylist will never force you into a look that you are not comfortable with and there should never be any pressure to purchase. Styling sessions with clients who are reluctant to try anything new or are firmly set in old ways are never as productive as those who embrace change. The objective of the exercise is to challenge and step out of the comfort zone. 

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Why should I work with you over another Stylist?

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I have a great relationship with many of Australia's fellow top Stylists and am a firm believer of community over competition. I would love the chance to work with you, however understand that I may not be the right Stylist for you and your personal requirements. There are a lot of Stylist’s available to you as the role is becoming increasingly popular so I encourage you to do your research prior to booking a Stylist. We all work in different ways and have different areas of speciality. Personality fit is also important.

 

Make a few calls, peruse a few websites and choose the Consultant that you feel is the right fit for you. My target client is generally someone who takes the time to review my CV and experience, admires and appreciates my hard work and dedication and engages me based on this. And if you find I'm not the right fit, I can refer you to someone fabulous!

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Do you require a minimum spend for clothing when on a shopping trip?

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No. What you spend is up to you. Some clients like to try on clothing without making a purchase to get a feel for different styles and brands. However, if you do wish to update your wardrobe the more you save to put towards your session the more satisfied you will feel with a tangible result. I always discuss budget and brands with clients prior to any shopping trip in order to formulate a solid brief. Your budget will dictate the stores and brands in which we shop.

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Do you subcontract styling services out to other Stylist's or will I be working with you?

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I have a network of experienced Stylist's who work with me on large projects and events when a full team is required to deliver the brief. However, I do not subcontract individual personal styling sessions to other Stylist's through Caitlin Stewart Personal Styling. If a Stylist's skills and experience are at the calibre my clients demand they won't be working under another Stylist's brand for individual sessions. If we find we are not the best fit professionally, I will happily refer you to another trusted Consultant.

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Will you cater to my preferences for brands?

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Yes. I am heavily guided by the client on the brands and stores we shop in. I have some clients who prefer the higher end international brands, others shop high street fashion and some prefer a sustainable approach to shopping. My job as a Consultant is to cater to your specific needs when it comes to preferred brands and budget. I am well versed on local and international brands.

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Should pricing influence my decision when choosing a Stylist?

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Many people shop around for the cheapest Consultant, however all styling services are not comparable when it comes to price. Pricing is always important, however it is also great to ask for a copy of the Stylist’s CV and relevant credentials. Most of our pricing is pretty similar so consider all factors in addition to pricing such as their experience, history, years in the game, training and their area of speciality. Price matching for the sake of a few dollars can mean the difference between a successful consultation and something that could be better tailored to you. 

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Do you receive commissions from brands and stores?

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No. I work as an independent Consultant and am not aligned to any retailers or stores. I am well known within major shopping centres, however adopt a private approach as if shopping with a friend. I do not announce myself when entering a store and in many cases shop discreetly with my clients (my clients are often mistaken for friends or a partner). Any commission I may be offered I pass on to the client in the form of a discount. I am offered discounts for my clients from some brands and stores which clients find helpful when updating their wardrobe. In many cases these discounts offset the price of the styling session, so you can actually get the session for free!

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Where will you take me shopping?

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We can shop anywhere. I spend a great deal of time shopping in the Sydney CBD due to the scope and variety. However, understand that this is not always convenient for some. A client may prefer to shop in their local centre close to home. I am well versed on most of the Sydney and Melbourne surrounding centres and always do my research. Sizing and budget requirements may also dictate where we go so we always chat this through prior to any trip. I also have interstate clients in Melbourne and take regular trips to service their updates. Please note some shopping centres offer more variety than others when it comes to brand and size requirements and we will need to take this into consideration.

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What are your terms and conditions of service?

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My terms and conditions of service and information on out of Sydney Metro travel can be found HERE.

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What areas do you specialise in?

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With 17 years in the game I offer a diverse range of image services, however am particularly energised from working with Australia’s top professionals and extensive corporate projects. I work with a large percentage of Sydney’s finest in law, politics, CEO’s, journalism, media and a plethora of incredible entrepreneurs. My client’s confidentiality is paramount so I choose not to blast their images all over my marketing materials.

My services are of course not limited and I have a range of busy parents, students and fashionistas on my books as well.

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How many sessions will I need to see results?

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You can achieve great results in as little as one styling session. I ask that new clients spend a minimum of 4 hours with me initially to allow time for me to get to know you. This way we really achieve results. Subsequent sessions can be booked at 2 hours for regular clients wardrobe updates. Personal styling has no finish line. It is up to you as the client to carry on the good work that we have done at your session and continue to put effort into dressing each day. Trends change and so too does your lifestyle so it is up to you to keep in practice to ensure that all our hard work does not come undone.

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Do you do this full-time?

 

Yes. Whilst a large majority of personal styling businesses operate as "hobby businesses" Caitlin Stewart Personal Styling is my full-time occupation. I have worked hard to build my business and thank you for your respect for my time and livelihood just as you do your own.

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The Personal Stylist industry is just so crowded. How do I choose the right Stylist for me?

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Personal Stylist's now find themselves in a grossly oversaturated market. It not only means competition for the Stylist, it also makes it really difficult for clients to choose a Stylist to work with.

 

I have listed some tips below for choosing a Personal Stylist or Image Consultant to work with;

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• Ask for client testimonials along with previous clients who are happy to be contacted to provide a reference (remember website testimonials can be fabricated so check out some Google Reviews).

• Make a phone call. The best way to determine if you have chosen the right Stylist for you is to call them for a chat. This way you get the feel of not only their personality, but also it provides you with the opportunity to ask any questions or request additional detail on services. 

• Ask for a CV. In the age of social media we often forget to look at the CV and the actual work the Stylist has completed including companies they have worked for. A fancy website or online presence can look amazing, however have they the experience you require to fulfil your brief?

• Training. Most Stylist’s will have undertaken some formal training like fashion or image consultant training. Ask for details of any training. Whilst it is not an industry regulated by training it’s great to know that there are some formal skills in play to back you up.

• Listing a service on offer doesn’t always mean they are experienced in that area. For example if a Consultant lists corporate seminars on their website, request a list of companies and references that they have worked with and give the referees a call. If they style photo shoots or say they work with celebrities ask for portfolio images or for them to list the talent and publications. 

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 I am here taking a peek because I want to be a Personal Stylist. Can you help me?

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Drop me a line and let's chat. 

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