“We all have a very strong emotional connection to our clothes, whether we realize it or not; they are the tools we use to project a certain persona to the world.”

This interview was made possible by our friends at DomainNameSales.com:

 

The marketplace for domain names.

The Re-Stylist is a personal styling service that helps clients create modern, flattering ways of dressing to suit their evolving tastes, lifestyles, and body types through wardrobe assessments, closet edits, and suggestions for new items and ensembles. Founded in New York City by Bryn Taylor, the company has recently expanded to include the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bryn Taylor is a fashion stylist who’s been in the industry for nearly a decade. She’s worked with Bloomingdale’s, Phillips Van-Heusen, J. Crew, Vintage Shoe Company, House of Lavande, and L’Oréal, among others. Bryn has been lucky enough to work on magazine shoots, ad campaigns, runway shows, album covers, and films. Her greatest joy, however, comes from personal styling, where she can help change someone’s whole outlook through a simple change of clothes.

MO: What’s the best way a person can get out of a style rut?

Bryn: If you’re feeling like you’ve fallen into the same routine style-wise, the best way to get out of it is to first take inventory of what you have. So many people get into ruts because they start to wear the same few pieces over and over again, and forget what else is hanging in their closets. By taking the time to assess all of the items in your wardrobe, you can be reminded of pieces you have and love. Or conversely, you can be inspired by what’s missing to do something about it.

MO: Where does your love of fashion come from? Who or what were your early influences or inspirations?

Bryn: I think my love of fashion really started when I was in theatre school. I gained such an appreciation for costuming, and how clothes could be used to enhance and flesh out characters onstage. From there, I began exploring how people’s styles and ways of dressing do the same thing offstage.

My family has been a huge influence for me in terms of fashion and shopping. Both of my parents have always loved to keep up with fashion. My mother was a big inspiration when I was starting this company. She has always been so open and honest about particular issues she’s faced cultivating her own style throughout the years.

MO: What influenced you to choose San Francisco as your area for expansion?

Bryn: It was partly based on a family member’s job relocation, but I thought this would be a great opportunity to work in a city whose style is completely one-of-a-kind; cosmopolitan yet approachable. Plus, there are so many interesting challenges that are unique to this area. For example, how to layer properly for the weather, and how to choose great footwear for the hills!

MO: How psychological is our relationship to clothes and fashion? How does that emotional connection influence how and what we shop for?

Bryn: We all have a very strong emotional connection to our clothes, whether we realize it or not; they are the tools we use to project a certain persona to the world. This can influence shopping in that you may be shopping and purchasing items for the person you’d like to be rather than for the person you really are.

MO: If money were no object what item or clothing or accessory would you purchase tomorrow?

Bryn: I’m not a firm believer in expensive ‘it’ items, however, I do believe in paying more for extremely well-tailored pieces. That said, I’d probably snatch up this Helmut Lang blazer I’ve been eyeing for a while. It’s very much out of my price range, but a beautiful piece of sartorial art.

MO: What magazines, books and websites do you use to stay current and inspired? Whose style do you most admire?

Bryn: More, Real Simple, and Lucky for everyday advice, and W and Harper’s for more editorial inspiration. As for websites, I love Refinery29 and Mrs-O.com, because I’m enthralled with Michelle Obama’s style. I also admire Cate Blanchett, Diane Sawyer, and Rachel Roy. When I retire, however, I want to dress like Dorothy from the Golden Girls, complete with shoulder pads and billowy caftans.