My name is Jennifer Axcell (aka- wardrobe stylist, personal shopper, image consultant, and overall fashion guru) and I LOVE MY JOB. I love what I do because it allows me to help change people’s lives. Seeing someone’s outward appearance transform into an accurate reflection of the person they are on the inside, is truly inspiring.
While completing my degree in fashion design at the Academy of Art University, I worked as a stylist in various retail locations. I gained a wealth of knowledge from all of that hands-on experience, but found two key problems when working for a retailer.
First, it was too much of a numbers game. Retail is more about sales than it is serious customer service. Selling their merchandise, and lots of it, is what keeps retailers in business. And second, I felt like there were too many restrictions and road blocks in retail styling. Sure, you can go to your local retailer and have their "personal shopping" department dress you, probably for free. It may be obvious to you, but know that they are limited by their own inventory. I was constantly sending my clients out to other retailers telling them "Go see so-n-so at such-n-such, tell them you want this-n-that and tell them I sent you."
It was an overall lack of focus on the client and their individual needs that gave birth to Beyond Black and the idea that wardrobe styling was more than just shopping, and much less superficial than people think.
Beyond Black is my award winning image consulting and personal shopping company in San Francisco. The "soul" purpose of my company is to empower men and women with the tools they need to look as good on the outside, as they feel on the inside. Even when we choose to not follow fashion, we are still making a statement about ourselves... there is no getting around it. And that’s where I come in.
Why write a blog? Because it’s the best way to get into my head, to know how I think, what I’m passionate about, and how it all relates to my being a successful wardrobe stylist. For more information on what I do and my business, please visit www.beyondblack.biz.
