By IMAGE
28th Jan 2019
28th Jan 2019
Laura Jordan is a stylist, image consultant and owner of Irish style consultancy StyleSavvy. Specialising in ‘The Science of Smart Shopping’, Laura advises individuals on how to shop effectively, to feel confident and comfortable in what they buy and what they wear. She is a bonafide expert.
We are delighted to announce that Laura will be joining us as a speaker at our upcoming Young Businesswomen’s Forum on February 25 in the Westbury Hotel. She, along with Natasha Fennell and Mark Rogers, will be on-hand to discuss the art of confidence, self-care, and dressing for success.
We caught up with Laura in preparation for the event to find out a little more about her career story to-date, as well as her top tips for success.
Get your tickets here.
How and when did your career begin?
“I started StyleSavvy® in 2013, about six months after completing a certificate in Image Consultancy and Personal Shopping in Dublin Institute of Design. I was working as a teacher at the time and only ever intended to do some personal shopping as a sideline; I never saw the viability of it as a full-time job or indeed a business. But it grew to the point of being unsustainable with my teaching job, so I left in 2015 and haven’t looked back since.”
Did you always want to work in fashion/styling?
“If you asked me as a 16-year-old what was my ideal job, it would most definitely have been in fashion. However, there was no ‘obvious’ course for it on the CAO and I couldn’t see how to make a ‘real’ job out of my interest, so I pursued teaching instead (and to be fair, I really enjoyed it). I worked as a primary school teacher for seven years before I left.”
What is the hardest part of your job?
“Probably the long hours and inconsistency of routine. No two days are the same and you’re rarely in the same location regularly. It requires sitting down with the diary on a Sunday night and planning out where I am and what I’m doing for the week. Ultimately, hours I spend in the office are hours I’m not billing; so desk time, while necessary, is not always a good thing!”
Related: Join us for our first IMAGE
Young Businesswomen’s Forum of 2019
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
“Personal shopping is the most rewarding area of my job, alongside seminars that relate to career changes or lifestyle changes. When you are working with individuals and you see them grow taller and more confident wearing the clothes you’ve chosen for them, it’s a great feeling.
“In terms of seminars, I am always happy to pass on the story of my journey and if I can offer advice or help to others who wish to turn their passion or hobby into a viable business, I am always happy to do that.”
What advice would you give to an aspiring stylist?
“Be prepared to work twice as hard for twice as long. There is a misconception of glamour in the fashion industry, which is soon dispelled as soon as you attempt to work in it!
“I always say to my students that styling is 50% organisation, 40% communication and 10% creativity. Just having a good eye or being a good creative is not enough to have longevity and success in this industry. It is highly competitive and you will have to go the extra mile to succeed.”
Do you think networking is important and why?
“Yes, it is absolutely crucial. Networking has afforded me the biggest opportunities of my career. Asking questions of the people sitting beside you at networking events – even speaking about your work in social settings – can lead to business opportunities. You do need to be ‘always on’ in this regard and it can seem tiring, but it is almost always worth it.”
What is the best advice you have been given?
“Believe in yourself or no one else will. That’s the sentence I have to reinforce regularly, as it can be tough and tiring to keep in mind when you’re tired or frustrated. Also, clients want to do business with a person who is assured in their own abilities, as this puts them at ease.”
What characteristics do you need to succeed in business?
“Stubbornness and an over-active imagination in terms of where you believe your business can go. You don’t need to tell people what you intend to do if you don’t want to, but if you don’t admit it to yourself, you don’t give it the potential to become reality.
“Realism is also important, in terms of addressing what competitors are doing and troubleshooting quickly, rather than hoping an issue will just disappear if you ignore it.”
Related: How to begin networking in baby steps
With such a busy job, what do you do to unwind and switch off?
“That’s the million dollar question! When your hobby becomes your job it can leave a considerable gap. Whenever I have an evening off I like to meet friends and catch up over dinner or a glass of wine. I’ve learned that I’m not great at sitting still at home and I like to get the most out of hours I’m not working. I love reading and will read anything from business to self-help books, fiction and fashion. Equal-opportunity bookworm!”
What should someone wear to an interview?
“This is a question I’m asked a lot and typically the first thing to consider is where are you interviewing? The suited and booted corporate look is on the decline and is only industry-specific these days.
“I’d always recommend a full or half tailored look, depending on the workplace (ie. tech would be half-tailored for an interview), incorporating a cut shoulder or collar and then a pair of tailored trousers or skirt (if this is the assumed dress code). Dresses, while handy for an interview, don’t offer good cost-per-wear in your working wardrobe.
Join us from 6:30 pm on February 25 for delicious canapés and bubbles, as you discover tips and tricks for getting your act together for 2019, from the inside out. Not only this, but all attendees will walk away with a luxury gift bag that includes amazing treats from Bioderma, ALFAPARF Milano, Betty & Biddy, Hazel Mountain Chocolate, and Zeba Hair Salon.
Get your tickets here.
WHEN Monday, February 25
Champagne & canapés from 6:30pm
WHERE The Westbury Hotel, Dublin 2
TICKETS €45
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