Why I Fell in Love with Fashion

Mercedes asked, and I answered…

…it’s in my blood, is what I say to anyone when they ask me why I fell in love with fashion. I come from a very traditional family, where dressing up and look “proper” and “presentable” is the norm and that gave me an appreciation for clothes from an early age.

When I was a baby, my parents relished buying me new clothes and having me look cute. That carried on until I got to the age when I was able to buy and choose my own clothes. While my friends were going to school in Roots sweatpants and sneakers, I was buying the latest pair of jeans and shiny leather shoes. Sweatpants were for the gym, and going out in public meant looking a certain way.

While most teenagers would have rebelled, I relished the opportunity it gave me to buy new clothes. Every day was an opportunity to dress up and look nice.

This, of course, is something that has stayed with me to this day. Even going to sit at a coffee shop means that an outfit must be perfectly planned to look casual but polished. Makeup and nails are a must – a way of life, rather than an indulgence.

Today, my style has very much evolved to include the nicer things in life. Cashmere sweaters, brightly-soled shoes, and pretty bags are staples in my closet, and they’ve been worth the investment. A simple sweater goes easily from fall to winter to spring, pairs well with leggings or jeans, and can be dressed up or down depending on the shoes or jewelry. If the quality is great, then it feels better on, and gets more wear too.

Besides wearing the clothes, the shopping is an experience to be enjoyed. I love finding the best fabrics, in the latest colours, and in styles that are trendy but will last. A classic never gets old, but it’s important to buy things you truly love.

As I help others figure out what they should wear, a big part of it is helping them embrace their own style and work with what they already have in their closet, while adding quality basics, and eye-catching embellishments. When you look good, you feel good, and developing an effortlessly chic style is an evolution and journey. The right piece can make you look and feel glamorous, powerful, or respected right when you put it on, and once you know what that feels like, there’s no going back.