My First Styling Gigs

Often I am asked when I first had an interest in fashion. I remember always being interested in clothes, shoes, ruffles, and all things girly from a very young age. However, I never realized that I might actually know a thing or two until I was a teenager.

If you have ever read my bio on the Vivian Rose Boutique website, then you know that I discuss my love of (the now defunct) magazine YM. I would POUR over each and every issue, and then reread them again when I had time. It was a blessing (or a curse) that my pre-teen years coincided with the era of grunge. (*Shudders*) Plus, thanks to low-paying babysitting gigs I could afford to try and look cool because it was cheap and super accessible via thrift stores and my dad's closet. (So. Many. Flannels.)

Fast forward a couple of years, and I am now the chief wardrobe police for my entire family. (Note: I don't always look that good in my daily practice, but I like to think I have an eye.) I coordinate looks for family photos. I ban my super-cute mother from denim jumpers (which she is still mad about.) And, thanks to an elderly lady at the New Ulm KMART, I have styled my first client. Albeit for free, but I got the experience. (I helped her pick out three outfits for her granddaughter. She randomly asked for help.)

Into college and post-college I was putting my mom, aunts, cousins, and friends into dressing rooms and pulling looks for them. (Shout out to Mankato Herbergers!) They would be surprised with what they would actually end up purchasing and wearing. I would like to think this an "If you teach a man to fish" moment, but it's not. I wanted them dependent on me because I love it so much. I am selfish like that. To this day, I still create lookbooks complete with links on demand for my friends and family (and not even looks from my own store!)

Long story short: I love putting looks together. Snapchat, text, email, call - I am filled with glee getting wardrobe and outfit pics and questions. Come visit me at the store, and just tell me what kind of level of styling assistance you want (if any)! I LOVE IT!

Love,

P.S. Maybe some day I will regale you with stories of styling the men in my family. The great carpenter jean disaster of 2014 still haunts us all...