by Stephanie Staples | photos by Kathryn Alvarez Photography –
I’ve lived in Sidney for five years and never once had I stepped foot into House of Lily Koi, a luxury consignment store on Second Street with full-on wardrobe services.
So right away I put all my cards on the table: I’ve inherited a strong dislike for shopping of any sort and clothes in particular. If the What Not to Wear people showed up in Sidney, I’m quite certain I would be the first person they scooped up off the street – maybe the only person, now that I think of it!
But hey, I’d do pretty much anything for Seaside Magazine and this month it meant a two-hour private “Style Session” with House of Lily Koi owner, Shai Thompson, who has a passion for fashion like I have never seen before!
Shai had her work cut out for her with the likes of me, but she left no stone unturned and she quietly, but firmly, excavated the psychology behind my “lack of interest” in clothing.
I make my living on a stage as a motivational speaker, so of course I can “dress up” if I must. I know the attention is on me when I’m working, but for my regular everyday Sidney life, please pass the athletic wear and don’t look at me for a second longer than you have to.
Undeterred, Shai interviewed me about my lifestyle and my likes and dislikes (hey, this is my column; aren’t I supposed to be interviewing you?). Shai talked about creating a lifestyle declaration; a vision and mission for my style; and a vision board; as well as about having a seasonal wardrobe budget and foundational essential and non-essential pieces. I couldn’t take notes quick enough; it was like she was speaking in a foreign-to-me language – FASHION!
Shai said it’s helpful to pick an icon whose style you like and apparently I’m a combination of Audrey Hepburn and Mary Tyler Moore. Who knew?! Then she stood up, sized me up with her eyes, threw some fairy dust up into the air, and bibitty-bobitty-boo, I was transformed like Cinderella! And all of a sudden … I was looking pretty darn chic, if I do say so myself. I was even holding one of those – oh, what do you call them – purses!
Then when I wasn’t even done admiring myself, Shai snapped her fingers three times and quicker than you can change a Barbie’s clothes, she swapped out a few pieces and created a whole new look on me.
Dare I say the process was actually fun! I could feel the shift in my demeanour and energy, from when I walked into her store a little fearful and unsure, to all but throwing my Mary Tyler Moore beret up into the air!
What I loved about this store/experience:
– personalized service in a small store
– hundreds of new items brought out each week
– $10 sale rack, 100% of which is donated to the food bank
– upcyled clothes that are good for the budget and the planet
– they sell more than clothes: they sell confidence!
It was great to learn some tips about what type of clothing, colours, lengths and fabrics are good on me (and why) and interesting to learn that items don’t necessarily have to match, they just have to “go” (Shai looks to nature for inspiration – like the colours in flowers and sunsets). Shai says a great tailor should be on speed dial and a steamer is a must.
If you are willing to invest in yourself, there are so many services to choose from: would you like a closet audit; would you like this fashion expert to go shopping with you at Value Village or Holt Renfrew or anywhere in between (or you can go solo and text her pics from your change room). Perhaps it would be fun to get some friends together after store hours and have a style party – yes, let’s do it!
I see now that the overall goal is to connect who you are on the inside with how you appear on the outside. This experience can empower you, help you get organized and improve your confidence so that you can go forth and bring the best “you” out into the world.
And so, if you see me around town, be sure to look me up and down and see if you can tell if I’m wearing an outfit that can be transformed to go from casual to corporate to cocktail, or if I’m back in my old athletic wear. If I fell off the fashion wagon, you have my permission to call What Not to Wear … or Shai Thompson!
