PMAG -15 Contemplation Achievement May 2015 Contemplation June 2015 Achievement | Page 46
FASHION
THE STYLE COACH
FASHION
This month, Parvati Magazine interviewed Wendy
Woods of The Refinery, a
Toronto-based and online
personal style coaching
service.
Parvati Magazine: What
inspired you to start working as a fashion coach?
Wendy Woods: I love helping people feel joy, especially women. There can
be so much of it when
we’re expressing our true
selves to the world and
yet style can be used easily as a shaming tool. I really want to change that
perspective and help
women step into their
power.
PMAG: How do you get a
sense of appropriate style
for people who may not
have ever contemplated
the idea of looking stylish, or who are looking for
a new image after a life
change?
WW: I ask a lot of questions! I’ve spent years
honing in on the questions to ask to elicit the
answers I need. However,
one of my gifts is reading
people. There is a lot I am
able uncover from asking
easy-to-answer questions
because of this gift. I read
a client’s face and body
language in photos. If
we’re working in person I
also read expressions and
can easily tell how certain
clothes make a person
feel. It’s hard to articulate,
but isn’t that the way with
true gifts?
PMAG: What has been
your favourite client experience so far?
WW: This is like picking a
favourite child, I just can’t.
Each woman brings something different to the table
and each transformation
means something special
to me. I love connecting,
playing and facilitating
transformation with each
and every woman I work
with.
PMAG: Is there an environmental benefit to choosing a style coach?
WW: I want to scream out,
“YES! ABSOLUTELY!” but
the more truthful answer
is it depends. It depends
on who you working with
and what the consultants
ultimately goals are. Here
are three ways a style
coach could have an environmental benefit:
1. We could come to your
house to see what you
already own and make
very
specific
recommendations on what you
need to buy (if anything!)
A minimalist wardrobe is
the most environmentally
conscious one out there.
Less is more!
2. We can connect you
with small designers that
align with your personal
environmental goals so
you can buy clothing and
accessories that have the
environment at heart.
3. We can help you consign pieces you’re no
longer using which is a
wonderful way of reusing
what you no longer need
and making a little extra
money to spend on better quality clothing that
will last longer (again reducing consumption).
Personal Style Coach Wendy Woods is fiercely committed to timestarved women who want an effortless sense of style. Her down-to-earth
method allows women to feel accepted and understood while creating
a personal style that makes them look and feel beautiful.
For more about Wendy, please visit therefinery.ca.