For most of us, the idea of a personal stylist sounds like a luxury we can't afford, someone only celebrities hire, a pipe dream. After talking with Wing Woman founders, Kristen Harper and Danielle Bourhis (pictured at left), I'm beginning to think that the right stylist (or pair) might actually be a luxury we can't afford to do without. Furthermore, after Tuesday night's launch party at Saks on Union Square, most of the people who attended felt the same way.
After Saks closed, partygoers were invited to a special reception on the fourth floor where they were given discount coupons for shopping and provided with drinks and music for two hours as they shopped and learned more about the vision behind Wing Woman. Models showcased delectable ensembles and patrons perused, thrilled by the concept of the new business. When asked how they chose to have the party there, Harper emphasized Claudia Ross of Crossmarketing PR's role in bringing the event to "where fashion exists." Clearly it worked. SFBayStyle Cofounder, Beth Blecherman, said "after reading their list of services, I wanted to sign up that night!"
It all came about after Bourhis, who recently sold the Brown Eyed Girl stores, met with Harper this past fall over tea at Spruce to discuss what to do next and Harper, a psychologist and parent of three, was also seeking a new calling. After talking at length, they came up with the concept of a lifestyle coaching firm that approaches personal style both on the inside and out. "The two have so much to do with each other that they're intermingled," said Bourhis. "How a person presents herself on the outside has everything to do with how she's feeling that day." Their goal, she said, is to "take the people of San Francisco, figure out their goals, and help them articulate their styles."
Wing Woman services include closet redux, aka "Secret Service", which includes cleaning, reorganizing, clipping, cataloguing and renewing, shopping and styling for social events (they take the role of "Secret Agent Shopper"), travel wardrobe planning, restaurant selection, and even obtaining custom couture from around the globe. It's all about instilling confidence and dispelling negative energy. Through Bourhis's ten years in fashion retail, she explained the halo effect: "I saw women in transition, and when their positive outlook was truly there, they absolutely glowed. They believed they were beautiful... their confidence was there and people were drawn to them. These women were the people you would walk up to in a crowded room."
They also hope to appeal to the men who need help, Harper emphasized. "I want at least 30% of our clients to be males. I don't think men look at [this type of] service as something for them, but I feel that Wing Woman could do a lot for them - even just referring them out." By that, she meant to salons, designers, ateliers who can help them identify and develop their styles. I asked, with experience trying to help men (friends, ex boyfriends, my husband) get to the next level with their personal style, how they convince men of the value proposition. Harper replied that it's by trial and error. "If they don't want to spend $75 on a haircut, we will take them there and let them see the difference."
"There was a lot of research done in the 1920's by Edward Thorndyke about how you rate people and how you critique leadership and character. We rate them based on attractiveness. If you believe you're attractive, you will be. We'll work with confidence issues and intentions." That's a tall order, but who couldn't use a good Wing Woman on his or her next social sortie?
Photos by Beth Blecherman
sounds like I missed another great event...my closet could use some wing women !
Posted by: pamela | February 19, 2008 at 11:28 AM