Products Straight from the “Shark Tank”

I’m a major fan of Shark Tank on ABC (Watch on here on Hulu.com) and on a recent episode I took interest in three of the product lines brought before the “sharks” for the purpose of investment. Click on the logos for more information about each product. And for the record, Robert and Barbara are my faves but Kevin and Daymond provide a lot of laughs.

Chill Low Glycemic Organic Soda

Pet Food Supplements

Gayla Bentley Luxury Plus Size Clothing for Women

Lebron James Talks Personal Style with David Lauren

@TheStyleMaster Answers Questions about Hiring a Personal Stylist

Kenn Rama or @TheStyleMaster

@TheStyleMaster is one of my favorite Twitter follows and friends. He dispenses practical wardrobe and styling advice and he freely shares encouraging words of wisdom. @TheStyleMaster (Kenn Rama) has also worked with someone I adore and whose style is elegant, Kenyatte Nelson (@tweedandvelvet), Esquire’s Best-Dressed Real Man of the Year 2008. Kenn has graciously agreed to answer questions about personal styling with The Luxe Redux.

How should a private professional stylist charge their clientele?

KR: By the hour or flat fee, depending on the service being requested, but most services should be flat fee.

Is there anything affordable about hiring a professional wardrobe stylist?

KR: It is quite affordable and advantageous to hire a professional wardrobe stylist. Usually a stylist is not as an expensive as most people imagine. We are perceived as being expensive, because mostly celebrities and affluent persons advertise the fact that they utilize styling services.

What are the practical benefits of hiring a stylist?

KR: You learn your body type -You learn how to dress your body type -You learn how to purchase statement items -You learn how to maximize each item in your wardrobe to its fullest – You learn how to dress for different occasions, appropriately -You learn how to be fashion forward for pennies on the dollar

What are the time, cost saving benefits of hiring a personal stylist?

KR: Hiring a stylist can prevent you from purchasing unnecessary items for your wardrobe. It will prevent you from having those days of waking up and feeling like you don’t have a thing to wear. A stylist will piece together outfits for you and categorize them according to your schedule. Ultimately, you will save time trying on many different outfits trying to determine which one fits and looks the best and you will avoid going out and shopping for items that you may not need.

How would you recommend someone like me, a professional on a budget, utilize the services of a stylist? Would you recommend a one-time consultation or periodic consultations and maybe even special occasion styling?

KR: For a person on a budget, I would recommend him or her scheduling an educational session with a stylist. During an educational session the stylist will take your measurements, conduct a color analysis  and review your home wardrobe. The stylist will explain your body type and how to best dress your wardrobe -teaching you to accentuate the positive and camouflage the negative. The stylist will conclude by looking at the items in your wardrobe and identify what is missing and what is no longer needed. After that, I the person should schedule seasonal consultings to ensure that his/her wardrobe is kept fresh and current.  Special Occasion consulting can be ala carte and is usually billed as a one time service.

Kenyatte styled by Kenn, courtesy Charlotte Style Magazine, March 09

What would we need to know to retain a reputable stylist? Are there any credentials he or she should have? How can we spot someone who is not so knowledgeable? Better yet, what are the attributes we’re to look for in a stylist?

KR: Like with any other profession, you should check the references. There are many on-line and reputable courses an aspirant can take and achieve certification, while these courses are good and can help a person learn many fundamentals, it is the on the job training that really makes a stylist skilled. Many of the more successful stylists started simply as Fashion Columnist, intern, writer, etc. Interview your potential stylist, check his/her references, review his/her portfolio, and speak with his/her vendors. Or you can search the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) Directory (http://www.aici.org/).

Why is it the average citizen would think that a personal stylist is not practical or a service that is out of our reach?

KR: Unfortunately, many people think that stylist are only for celebrities, photo shoots, movies, theater personnel, video shoots, etc. and because of that it is assumed that our price tags are out of reach for ordinary people. The reality of the matter is that, there are stylists for every budget.  You can find us in your local department stores, Dillard’s, Belk, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, your local newspapers, or your neighborhood salon and spa. Just as easy as it is to afford a mani or a pedi and your weekly wash and style is as easy as it is to afford a wardrobe stylist. So before you opt to not inquire, make the call; most stylists offer a free initial consultation.

Describe the process of working with your clientele. What happens first and what would be the final thing?

1. We conduct a Color Analysis. Why do some colors lift your spirits and other colors you would never buy or wear? Color is emotional. Your “WOW” colors make your eyes ‘pop,’ complement your skin tone and generally make you feel more confident. We will construct a ‘Color Profile’ that will determine what your warm/cool are. We will develop your personal color palettes for your hair and make-up color and schedule your appointment with you our hair stylist and makeup artist for your initial consultations.

2. We will conduct a Body Shapes & Personal Clothing Style Analysis: We will help you identify your body shape. Clothes are made to a standard, but none of us are standard sized. Once you identify your Body Type, we will teach you how to accentuate the positive and to camouflage the negative.

3. Learning how to Accessorize your wardrobe is quite important.  We will teach you the fundamental of accessorizing your outfit.

4. We will do what we call a Closet Edit & Renewal.  You will learn how to shop in your own closet. Many separate pieces can be put together in new ways. We will give you the needed push to throw out clothing long past their best before date and the permission to purchase new clothing items.

5. Wardrobe/Fashion Consultation: Most people seeking wardrobe consultants are in some type of transition.  We will help you construct a wardrobe that will highlight your personality and lifestyle. We will give you a Fashion Plan to use and go forward with each and every time you get dressed. We will teach you how to improve your visual impressions in professional, social, and special occasion situations.

The Wisdom of Elders in Making Luxury Purchases

This past Saturday I hung out with my friends, Ron and Alice (Al) Fisher. We took the grand tour of resale shops in our community and ended the day at Fisher’s Tavern (no relation) eating dinner on their patio.

During a visit to The Discovery Shop,  a resale shop owned by the American Cancer Society, I met volunteer Marty Cahen, who is also a salesman for Nordstrom in their high-end men’s department.  Mr. Cahen has been in luxury retail throughout his adult life and has sold everything from estate jewelry to furs to designer men’s clothing.

We have so little respect for our elders in this society of youngsters who readily and easily dismiss wisdom. However, in those who subscribe to luxury as a lifestyle should really listen to Mr. Cahen and others who know exactly what they are talking about, which makes them an asset to luxury marketers.

Here are a few snippets of wisdom I received from him during our conversation:

• Estate jewelry authentication is more arduous than authenticating newer jewelry because it requires a knowledge of the historical value of jewelry and its design.
• Estate jewelry can be just as expensive and valuable, if not more so, than newer jewelry. Rarity is the key as is craftsmanship.
• Spend money on the craftsmanship and not the name, the exception being a name equated with craftsmanship.
• Amalfi shoes are made narrower than regular shoes.
• Vintage clothing that was once considered cheap is still made better than today’s cheap clothing.
• Buy clothing to build a quality wardrobe and not one that is trendy.

Meet Mrs. Thelma A. Meyer

Mrs. Meyer has got to be one of the most charming women in the world. I love that she is not pretentious or concerned about stupid stuff. However, you will notice that she recognizes that she’s a brand. Go HERE to watch some of the coolest videos of Thelma A. Meyer and watch her on CBS This Morning below.

Cashless Trading with @BarterQuest and BarterQuest.com

Here is what BarterQuest.com endeavors in their own words

BarterQuest is a cashless trading site. A trade occurs when a user makes an offer, another user Accepts the offer, and the first user Confirms the trade (or, in the case of a MultiParty trade involving three or more users, when all of the users have Accepted their trades and the MultiParty trade is then automatically Confirmed). The following explains how to use our site to successfully trade (FAQ).

I can get with that.

Registration is quick and easy. And you can begin posting as soon as your email addie is verified. I’m off to have fun with @BarterQuest and will report my finds later. Wooo hooo!

People to Meet: Yum Yum Candle

It’s funny how Twitter avatars can attract interest, which is how I discovered Yum Yum Candle. And then it was the tweets, which were warm, sometimes very funny and often about things I could relate to: work, owning a business and progress during a day. One day I decided to visit their website and had a blast learning about their ownership and their products.

Yum Yum Candle Owners Chelsea, Kenitra & Kelly

First of all, Yum Yum Candle is environmentally-friendly and make their candles from soy wax made from the oil of soybeans. They don’t use paraffin and they also have their own recycling program. Yum Yum Candle is woman-owned and operated and they are an African American owned and operated company. They make a fantastic quality product and their customer service is incredible.

It’s not too late to order from their Summer 2009 Collection that includes a Banana Daiquiri Candle and an Orange Pom-tini Candle ($11.99 each).

Other treats are Room & Linen Sprays and lovely Sachets.

For more information email sales@yumyumcandle.com or call (973) 391-1108.