I’m a personal stylist helping top tech executives choose what to wear

Because I was raised in New York, I lived in stores, and fashion was my passion. I felt like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. I was just looking at the shoes, touching the fabrics and admiring the things.

During my maternity leave, I realized that styling was my true calling. I slowly began offering styling services to my circle of influence, which included the bankers and colleagues I worked with.

Why Big Tech CEOs Are Looking for Personal Stylists

I have been styling clients in Singapore for the past 17 years. We have gathered a lot of clients from the technology sector, especially companies like Google, Yahoo, Facebook and LinkedIn.

I feel like there’s definitely a need to look like you’re in a managerial position.

But when you’re at a tech company where you can wear anything—where there’s no dress code—it’s much more difficult to figure out how to look presentable at work.

Managers in particular come to me and say, “I don’t want to look like a technician programming and I don’t want to look like a lawyer wearing a business suit.”

“So I don’t understand. What do I wear?” they ask.

There are a lot of reasons why people want to change their wardrobe. You might have a job you never thought you’d get, and your wardrobe is still stuck in your past job.

The styling process

The first time I meet with a client, I spend about three and a half hours at a client’s home getting to know myself, taking measurements and understanding the person.

Following the consultation, I do a color analysis, then the client opens his wardrobe and shows me everything he has accumulated so far. This process is very important because they can gather a lot of information that they won’t tell you in person.

After that, I put together a moodboard of styles for a person. This is how I see them evolving with their style going forward. Once they approve the moodboard, we schedule a shopping trip.

As a stylist, my prerogative is to provide you with clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. It’s not about spending a lot of money on things you don’t need; my job is to take care of your wallet too.

I really enjoy shopping at Massimo Dutti. Their price is very comfortable for many people and you can find everything under one roof. For slightly smaller budgets, I like Southaven. Occasionally I shop at Zara, Bimba Y Lola or COS.

Finally, for men, I do a grooming session. We go on a mission to find a cologne that smells like them. I also find them the skin care package that suits their needs.

For women, it’s a full two-hour course on revising their makeup skills, because I feel it’s not enough to just look good. Your skin, the way you hold your brushes, the way you do your pencil, the way you apply makeup all over your face — it’s very different when you’re 18 than when you’re 40.

Fee between $2,300 and $3,100 for the whole package.

Not always smooth sailing

I deal with a lot of people who have insecurities and I deal with them at their most vulnerable level.

I’ve dealt with situations where a person clearly shouldn’t be visiting a stylist. She should see a psychologist or therapist to work through her issues and insecurities, but still want to start with a stylist.

Well, I won’t turn down any business. And who knows, maybe I’ll make them feel better. I try my best.