Recently we caught up with Style Coaching Institute® graduate, Sara Anson, to see how her career in personal styling has progressed since her graduation from the Style Coach™ Online Diploma Course at the start of the year. We love to stay in touch with our Style Coaches™ and find out what they are up to, what kind of work they’re diving into, and follow them on their entrepreneurial journeys.
In this blog post, we take a virtual trip to the beautiful city of York in England, to touch base with Sara, a “40ish” wife and mum of 2, who prior to becoming a Style Coach™, had a varied career from working as a buyer for a major hotel chain to a school receptionist. Sara told us that she never quite found her perfect job until she found Style Coaching™…
“I’ve always loved clothes, fashion and style I’ve often been complimented on my own style, friends and family regularly asked for my help when choosing outfits. I was inspired to become a Style Coach because I believe I can make a difference to people’s lives and how they see themselves. I firmly believe that how we dress affects our mood, our confidence levels and how others perceive us. I know if I love my outfit I feel like I can take on the world.”
We were excited to find out that Sara was recently involved in York Fashion Week. Here she shares her story…
At the beginning of the year I was approached by my friend and fellow stylist Laura Fawcett to host an event at York Fashion week. I obviously jumped at the chance. The idea? To host a fashion show celebrating the best of York’s SS19 high-street style and give local female business owners a platform to showcase their business and network with each other during a fun and relaxed evening. The event was held in a stylish city centre bar – The Pitcher & Piano.
“Join personal stylists Sara Anson & Laura Fawcett for an evening of shopping & style as they share their top wardrobe staples and tips on how to build the perfect capsule wardrobe. Enjoy a glass of Prosecco and watch models showcasing the best of York SS19 collections from TopShop, Warehouse, French Connection, Jigsaw and LK Bennett. Local brands Ethereal & What’s Your Skirt. Browse the pop up shops from local independent brands Watson & White, Approved By us Mini & Me, Blank Rose, JBH Millinery, Let It Be Gin, Warriors Tees, Hannah Lauren Millinery. Get top make up and skincare advice from Kiehls and Rachel Marie.”
Months before the event we approached high street stores & local brands to see if they would like to support our event and were overwhelmed by their very generous responses. Topshop, Warehouse, Jigsaw, French Connection and LK Bennett all agreed to lend us clothes, shoes and accessories for the catwalk show. Local Yorkshire brands Ethereal and What’s Your Skirt also agreed to lend us clothes for the show.
As part of the evening, we also wanted to partner with local brands and ‘pop up’ boutiques for guests to browse during the evening. Again we were astounded by the response. A massive thank you to Esme Louise, Let It Be Gin, Blank Rose, Mini & Me Wear, Approved.Store.Leeds, Rachel Marie Weddings, Kiehls York, Hannah Lauren Millinery, Watson & White and Warrior Tees.
The outfits we showcased for our catwalk show were chosen to show our guests how to get the most out of their wardrobes by adding in a couple of on trend items each season and picking items that were versatile and would work hard in any wardrobe. For example, we showcased beautiful LK Bennett silk dresses, styled with trainers, making them wearable for daytime.
We wanted to take a different approach to the traditional runway catwalk show, and instead there was a more relaxed feel, with models showcasing across the whole evening and around the room for guests to view each brand up close.
The models were all local women of all ages. We also used professional make up artists and hairdressers to give everyone a uniform but still individual look.
I’m proud to say that the event was a sell out and the feedback we had has been incredible. It was incredibly hard work at times and there was definitely a feeling of family neglect on the weeks leading up to the event but it was so so worth it and I can’t wait to do it again. Collaboration over competition is definitely the way forward!
Hairdressers: Salon 54, Thirsk, North Yorks
Make Up: Eleanor Jane & Faces By Flo
Photographers: Olivia Brabbs Olivia Brabbs Photography & Suzanne Wright Suzanne Wright Photography
Find out more about Sara…
If you’d like to work with Sara Anson, who is one of our Accredited Style Coaches™ in the UK – trained and certified in personal styling, personal shopping, colour consultancy, wardrobe styling and much more – Follow Sara on Facebook or Instagram
