As promised, our DC Couture Wedding Consortium (DC CWC) vendor interview series starts today! We are off to an amazing and EXTREMELY fashionable start with Robin Fisher of Polished Image and Style. A fashionista from a young age, Robin takes her skills and your tastes to reinvent your image…
When did you discover that you had such a talent for style and personal transformation? How did you create your business and become a successful style consultant?
It all actually started very early. My grandmother owned a high end vintage store in San Francisco, and this began my exposure to fashion and styles all over the country where I began developing my own eye for fashion and individual expression.
Seven years ago a close friend told me they wanted to pay me to shop for them because they loved my personal style and when we shopped together she was always more happy with what I selected for her then what she did. I took her up on her offer and within six months others started to hear about me and the next thing I knew I had clients!
At that point I had been working in the fashion industry for fifteen years in numerous positions that spanned from technical designer, international production manager, department store buyer, and product planning and marketing manager. I always knew I would start my own company, and when I was ready I went to London to train with the best and then started my company.
If I ransacked my closet tomorrow and discovered that I have nothing updated, stylish, or fit for my body shape, how would the process work for you to help me re-create my image?
The first thing I would concentrate on would be you, your current lifestyle, and your personal goals! Most likely if you don’t have anything to wear you have had some type of change in your life that has caused you to disconnect from your wardrobe (career change, geographical change, marriage, pregnancy, weight change, etc.).
We would start with a style personality assessment to determine how you naturally approach fashion. You need to know if you prefer more artistic, dramatic, romantic, classic, natural, and updated styling. Many people are a combination.
It’s also important to understand what you’re not, so you don’t waste your time and money with those types of clothes. Once that is determined we would look at your personal coloring and determine your resonances. Color is powerful! The goal when wearing color is to wear the color not let the color wear you.
Then I would analyze your body type and personal scale to determine the correct fabrics, silhouettes, and accessory sizes that are appropriate to ensure you are wearing items that will bring out your personal best.
Once the consultation is done it’s on to shopping. Many of my clients are surprised initially to learn that shopping becomes easier once you understand everything about yourself. I want my clients to be able to feel confident picking items for themselves. My greatest joy is watching my clients light up with excitement and confidence as they try on clothes that are in the correct colors, fabric, scale and trend for them!
For all of us ladies in DC, where are your favorite places to shop for your clients? Where can we find the best deals, or the most eye-catching wardrobe pieces?
I love Loehmann’s and Off Fifth Avenue for discounts, Nordstrom for consistent quality product, Anne Taylor for affordable business sophisticated pieces, and Martin + Osa for quality casual basics.
I never shop exclusively in one store, it’s important to mix and match designers and brands constantly for a distinctive and sophisticated personal style. My favorite vintage place in the city right now is Annie Creamcheese.
Do you have a certain stylistic vision in mind for the bridal models at the fashion show?
Yes, very fresh and updated with a twist of sophistication. I want brides to see that they don’t always have to be safe. They can bring the unexpected and it can still be sophisticated. The dresses are amazing, and we are going to play with color and accessories big time! Being a bride is all about presenting to the world who you personally are, not who people expect you to be.
What girl wouldn’t want Robin’s expertise and guidance?? Be sure to check out Polished Image and Style at the DC CWC on February 6th!
