An Interview with Laurel Kinney, stylist for your core self!
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This month, I interviewed Laurel Kinney, personal stylist and genuinely kind person. I have been lucky enough to meet up with Laurel a few times to discuss her work. She is so caring and empathetic! Every time we chat, I feel so appreciative of her views on style and self-confidence. They are deep! Check out her thoughts below
Tell me about yourself and what you do
I am a personal wardrobe stylist and I love working with creative professionals and general bad asses who want to better reflect who they really are via their personal style. I work one on one to figure out who you are, and how to align your mission & beliefs with the clothes you wear. I have a really fun, therapeutic, efficient process which includes sorting the closet, personal shopping, and styling new outfits with everything in the closet. I also am launching a group online course in style discovery this June called the Style Shift Workshop!
What motivates you to do what you do?
I am motivated by the depth of personal style. I truly believe that everyone can experience the power, confidence, connection, and creativity having a style you love can bring. Your style is the first way you communicate with people, and it matters on so many more levels than just the surface. I feel more motivated, focused, and free when I know my outfit is aligned with who I am, and I want everyone to have that feeling. It's exciting because it looks different for everyone, and I never get bored!
Tell me about a moment when you felt truly awesome:
Recently I had a client who needed a new wardrobe for her new career. Seemed simple enough, but when we scratched the surface we realized the clothes she'd been wearing were very related to a hardship she'd experienced in her life, and were being used as a shield to protect her from anyone getting too close. When you're dressing in a very overtly loud way, you're shouting to the world "I'M FINE, DON'T MIND ME!" but this doesn't always serve us once we've dealt with our sh*t. It was really exciting to explore a more approachable (but one not devoid of personality) style that supported the person she'd become, and was reflective of where she wanted to go next.
How do you get through periods of self-doubt?
I usually find that my self-doubt comes from fear/anxiety about the future. How will I make a million dollars? What if I put myself out there and people don't like me, or worse, no one even notices at all? I have a really strong group of entrepreneurial women pals and a business coach who all know what it's like to experience the ups and downs of business ownership and providing a service, and I really rely on them to be a touchstone when things get icky or weird. It also helps to remind myself to celebrate the fact that I am actually living out my dream career every day, warts and all.
What do you want other women to know about self-acceptance and self-celebration?
DON'T FORGET TO CELEBRATE! I realize I already said it but it's so important! It's so easy to meet a goal and shift right on over to the next one, but without acknowledging the work you've done and the things you've accomplished, what exactly is the point? On the personal style tip, I have to mention that many people think they need to look a certain way or make a certain amount of money before they address their personal style, but I know it is possible to feel amazing in your clothes no matter what size, shape, or income you have. By wearing what makes you feel confident, you're opening yourself up to far more possibility in life than you know!
As someone who has changed careers a few times, I can truly appreciate the need for shifting clothing in order to fit a new path in life. It really does make a different in how you carry yourself and how you approach situations! (At least it did for me.) Feeling good about yourself and what you present to the world is so important; style should reflect and support that! You are so right Laurel. If you want to learn more about Laurel's work, you can check her out here.