Over the years, I’ve come to understand that my sense of style is far more versatile than the average person. Like that of a chameleon, I’m always changing my looks to adapt to my moods or surroundings.
While all my clothing range from my early 20’s, I’m now in my early 30’s where my eye catches more knee length skirts and dresses or more conservative attire with some versatile edge. I’ve also admired the styles and eras of 30’s-50’s where women wore dresses that were appropriate for a day time brunch, a night out for dinner or even being a rich mans wife.
Women from those eras knew how to draw attention without loosing a sense of their dignity with the power of lust and desire. In the workforce, it’s even more of an obstacle having to find a suitable closet that’s adjusted to the amount of power and respect you’d hope to earn while juggling the notion that we live in a sexist world. So what’s in between that? Well that would be M.M Lafleur.
Earlier in the month, I received an invitation from a friend to rsvp for a pop up shop with a clothing brand that was in town for a few days. My friend Carmen, Blog founder of Wanted+Desired and board member of Fashion Group International The Los Angeles Chapter , made me her plus one so that way I may join in on the personal experience of having a professional stylist picking out a selection of clothing based off my wants, needs and wardrobe preferences.
M.MLafleur , who was recently nominated for the rising star award, has been the talk of all women in the professional business world. While only being located in my beloved New York city and currently looking to locate in DC in the near future, 90% of their sale purchases are made online. By appointment only, you are given a chance to collaborate with a stylist that creates a unique problem solving technique of offering a personalized service for you and your career. Women are striving in all professional levels in the work fields, but even more so in higher ranking positions where your presence and image states a lot about the title of your job and or career.
Lafleur, set up a pop up shop in the penthouse suite at the W hotel located in Beverly Hills, Westwood Village. Our appointment was made for 1 p.m sharp where we were greeted by two of our fashion consultants and champagne.
Carmen congratulated them for their achievements as our consultant Rachel, director of strategic partnerships and events, walked us through what we were to expect for a few hours of fittings. She went on to address that the goal of the company was to create more versatility within the workplace for women who particularly work in a large ratio of men. I for one don’t mind a room full of men, but it’s inevitable that as a woman we’re faced with more personal challenges. While I do like to be taken seriously in a more respectable tone, I’m also a woman who appreciates being one while showing my appreciation. Pant suits with a blazer are far from my sense of style, so a nice blouse with rolled up sleeves to show my alpha side and a tight tailored long skirt to show my beta figure is right in my look of saying I’m here.
In one fitting room, a woman was trying on her personalized rack of clothing who had the hair style of a rocker and a selection showing that she could’ve been a CEO of a company.
Carmen and I were shown selected pieces on a rack from the looks we had described we wanted to try on earlier and were set up in our own rooms. I chose three dresses and one skirt while Carmen chose two dresses, two blouses, two blazers and pants.
My first pick was The Lydia with twisted straps. It was extremely soft and comfortable, but It wasn’t the exact style I was looking for as I felt it aged me more than I had wanted. The Nisa which I tried on in a gorgeous Turquoise blue with a tan leather belt, was made for a day of shopping on Rodeo Dr. I had mentioned earlier that I’m not particularly fond of anything too close to my underarms, so unfortunately even though I had tried on a size 2, a size 0 would’ve been a little too snug.
Rachel had offered me the option of a blazer to throw on over my dress picks, but I declined to try it on and stuck to my preferred selection. When I had ran out of options of being sold on in between sizes and fit, Rachel walked in with The Rachel.
Even though I thoroughly try to increase my selection in color that ranges in my closet, I tried it on in black just to see if it fell in my idea of what I would look for. Perfection! Slim fitting, gave a tease in the front and long enough to cross my legs without revealing anything. I was sold, but I preferred it in the sage green which it did not come in. A turquoise, burgundy or cream were my other options, but again they did not have those colors in stock. Once I was directed to the website for a pretty powder blue as suggested, I considered the pick. I had the option of ordering the dress and having it sent to my apartment which made me step back. I don’t shop online and I can’t stand the thought of packages being delivered to my house. I tried on another dress just to see how the color would work with my complexion and although I loved the color, I just wasn’t sold. While Carmen bought her $300 dress, I just couldn’t force myself into having buyers remorse.
From the champagne to our personalized selection of clothing to try on, it was nice being able to feel comfortable during a shopping engagement. I’ve been a personal shopper and stylist over 9 years ago and have always been the complete opposite from that of my clients and my business work ethics.
1) I don’t like shopping 2) I like to be left alone when I do 3) I always have a timer so I don’t get distracted from making unnecessary purchases 4) I know exactly what I’m looking for before entering a store so I can get in and out. 5) Online shopping will be a very last resort.
But this experience is smart and a great way to making shopping more simple for the everyday working woman.
For more information on how you can set up an appointment with your own personal stylist, go to their site and click away. And just as a pointer, stay tune for upcoming pop up shops so you can see their looks on your specific fit as what’s seen online might look better on you in person.
Xox
