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Stanton + Williams Style Therapy

The Stanton + Williams brand of style therapy is based on two principle tenets: wardrobe efficiency and effective non-verbal communication. Most people wear 20% of their clothing 80% of the time. Of that 20% they are wearing, is the clothing sending the intended message?

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Upstart name:
Stanton + Williams Style Therapy

Upstart URL:
http://www.swstyletherapy.com

Date of launch:
June 6, 2008

Tell us about your upstart business:
Whether we like it or not, we’re judged (and make judgments of our own) within three seconds of meeting someone. Before we open our mouths to speak an assessment has been made about our livelihoods, where we live, what kind of car we drive and our education level.

Creatives working and living in New York City are faced with several challenges. By nature, their respective industries are trend-driven and require a level of sartorial sophistication. In addition, they work long hours in the most style-conscious city in the world. Through Stanton + Williams Style Therapy, I address their individual needs and come up with the most effective results possible.

BIO
For the last decade I have worked in fashion, advertising and publishing. My prior experience sparked the initial idea to reach out to creative professionals. My clients work grueling hours, yet need to maintain a marked sense of style. I understand their demanding careers and aim to make the most efficient wardrobe possible, as well as ensure that my client is sending their intended message through clothing.

While working as an art director at an advertising agency, I realized that it was time to pursue my love of fashion. I left my post to assist Tim Gunn while he was Chair of the Fashion Department at Parsons the New School for Design and co-host of the television show Project Runway. I then moved on to the leading contemporary brand, Theory, where I assisted the director of design.

A graduate of the distinguished Image Consulting program at the Fashion Institute of Technology, I also hold a B.A. in communications with a minor in art history from Adelphi University, and have studied fashion and image across fields such as costume history and anthropology of dress. I’m currently working on my Masters in Visual Culture with a concentration in fashion history at New York University.

In my free time, I volunteer at Dress for Success, which promotes the financial independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional clothing and career development tools. I also work with iMentor, a program that cultivates relationships between professionals and high school students from thirty New York City public schools.

How are you funding your Upstart?:
Personal Savings

What do you feel is your biggest challenge?:
In terms of corporate clients, they’ve shifted their priorities. I have to convince them that dress/image can be empowering. When employees look good, they feel great about themselves and perform better on the job.

What do you see in the future for your upstart?:
I’m completely optimistic. I know that I have a great idea and I believe that it’s only a matter of time before business picks up again. Eventually, I’d like to train other Style Therapists, empowering women to work for themselves a la Avon.

How has the current economy affected your upstart?:
I’ve had to slash my prices like a used car salesman in order to maintain a private clientele. I’ve also entered the blogosphere http://www.thestyletherapist.blogspot.com/ in hopes of attracting more business.

Recommended Services / Advice:
CLOSET DETOX (Private Client)-Any article of clothing that isn’t working because it’s unflattering or dated, is purged and either donated to charity, sold at consignment, or archived (if it has sentimental value).

IMAGE WORKSHOP (Corporate Client)-Image workshops are presented to new hires and veteran employees at various companies, emphasizing the aesthetics of their firm’s corporate culture.

Contact email address:
simone@swstyletherapy.com

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