A Guest Blogger! Actress Carrie Madsen on her styling experience!

I work on occasion, as a stylist.  I love bringing together all of the disparate parts of my experience as a performer, designer and even choreographer to make a picture or create a look for a person. I recently worked with actress, dancer, and newish LA transplant Carrie Madsen on creating a personal and professional look that would help her up her already considerable game!  This was her experience:

I'm a decent looking gal, used to get away with wearing 'whatever' and feeling pretty good about it.  Well, when it came time to up my game, that no longer worked.

In an industry that is based on image, and being a professional that wants to be viewed as such, my need to start appearing as my best-self, and also appropriate to the occasion and location, became apparent.

I tried to do it on my own.  I read magazines.  I looked at how others were dressed.  There were too many options. I struggled and then became frustrated.  I went out a few times in outfits I was horrified I had put together.  The things in my closet became confusing and hateful.  I needed help.

Enter Nancy Dobbs Owen.

She was recommended by a friend.

I was excited but also nervous. 

Could this really help and be the answer or was I just throwing more money at the problem?

Yes, yes and emphatic no!

First we met and talked about how I saw myself.  Hard question for me, that was my whole problem, but when asked who's style I admired - that I could answer: Diane Keaton, Julianne Moore, Julianna Margulies.....  She got my vibe and gave it a name - classic with a twist.  I found Nancy easy to talk to and collaborative - she created an ease and casualness that calmed my anxiety and intimidation.

We next went through my closet and I tried things on.  I couldn't believe how much stuff was really not flattering to me.  Some of it I was relieved to finally let go of, some of it I was surprised to learn was no good.  I trusted her eye and her reasoning and watched the reject pile grow.  We also set some things aside to be professionally altered so the fit was right for me.  Simple, but had I ever thought of it or gotten around to it? No.

As we did this we made a list of what staples I needed not only for specific work occasions but also for my everyday image.  It was the everyday image that actually was causing me the most confusion.  I know I shouldn't walk around in workout gear but knowing how to look hip and casual was a challenge.  She assured me we would fix this.

Our next meeting was to shop.  I was really nervous about this. I can have magical shopping days but more often than not, I find shopping tiring and pretty discouraging.  Also, I think that some of the things I found on my magical days, were things we got rid of, so I wasn't feeling too confident.  She kept telling me it would be fun. I was skeptical.

She was right.  She has the golden touch and a eagle eye.  She can shop discount or high end.  It's finding the finds at a discount that I think is a gift.  We found some really unique and cool stuff that I would never have given a second look to on my own.  I went home with amazing booty!  I was learning as we went along too.  I was starting to understand how I should be dressing myself and what things to put together.  What brands and styles to run away from.  I am relieved to think I will no longer be shopping for things I never wear or that I wear awkwardly and incorrectly.  

The next thing was to make sure I was secure with each of my looks and pieces by charting them. Lastly, she selected finishing touches with statement jewelry and accents.  (She designs amazing jewelry too).

I feel like I really honored myself by doing this and doing it well with Nancy's skills and expertise.  I can now go anywhere and know I look sharp, interesting and appropriate.  This gives me self-assurance that makes me more successful in everything I do.  I would like to believe it doesn't matter how I look but I see how people's confidence in me is raised because I look attractive and creative and like I have my act together.  Isn't that who everyone wants to do business with?   I am also more willing to be seen now. 

In case any of this sounds familiar, I wanted you to have access to what I found to be the answer to my cry for personal style help.  We are gorgeous talented individuals-- so let's look that way darn it!

Cool, right??  I'm looking to do more styling work.  I have worked for photographers, done live shows (a big one for Ford-the car company, not Tom Ford--though that could happen) and runway shows.  My favorite aspect of this business is personal styling, the same thing that Carrie and I did.  Contact me directly if this is something that you'd like to check out.  For a print portfolio, click here.