If you’re tired of how you look, go in a slump every time you open your closet, or have a mental meltdown thinking about what to wear to an event, image stylist Lillyan David might be someone you want on speed dial. She was born with the fashionista gene and loves sharing her passion with clients.
In business for herself as Closet Couture for the past three years, David recently achieved the fulfillment of another dream – to connect nation-wide from her Harlingen business. In September she was brought into the exclusive California-based wardrobe styling agency Urban Darling, as one of its 20 licensed stylists in the U.S., covering South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. “It was the best birthday present ever,” she said. “Being associated with a national company adds credence to my credentials.”
David’s consultant business is multi-faceted and can be as simple as closet auditing or as comprehensive as a full make-over. She will assess, organize and recommend changes to a current wardrobe, take clients shopping, shop for them, and provide hair, make-up and accessories consultations. She herself has a team of connections on speed-dial. “A full make-over consists of wardrobe, hair and make-up,” David said. “I collaborate with local, independent hair and make-up artists.”
Generally all first sessions begin with the client’s closet, looking at clothes, shoes and accessories. “A lot of time can be saved, especially on workday mornings, just by having an organized and coded closet,” David said. “I organize by color and season. It simplifies everything. A closet shouldn’t be a collection point. It should only contain wardrobe items. Once everything is organized, the client may only need to add a few accessories or two or three pieces of clothing.”
Courtesy photo.
After organizing, David advises the client on what works together for different effects and different occasions in a manner best suited to that client. “For a client who wants to dress for an event, we first consider what the client wants to look like. I bring my iPad, and we search the Internet for options, for images they might want. Then we get specific.”
While David has favorite local stores, where she takes clients shopping depends on the client’s budget and where they are comfortable. “I start by getting to know my client. Their feedback is important. I don’t want to take over.”
Closet Couture is not only for women. An Arizona man who took a job in the Valley wanted a fresh start, so he got the full package, sans the makeup artist. After going through his closet together, David spent two full days shopping with the man as well as visiting a hair stylist. He added 10 shopping bags of purchases to his revitalized closet. Shortly after his makeover, he told David he joined a gym and started working out to go along with his new image.
To read the full story by Anita Westervelt, pick up a copy of the January 2014 print edition of Valley Business Report or visit the “Current & Past Issues” tab on this website.