Style With Kara

Tell us about your business, what services do you offer?

Hi My name is Shabrina, I am an Image Consultant (Personal Stylist). I am passionate about helping women find a style that truly represents them and gets them out the door in 20 minutes; looking great and feeling fabulous.

I just launched a new service The Perfect 12 – Foundation Capsule Wardrobe service. It’s for all the women who are tired of feeling they never have an outfit to wear and spend way too long trying to work out what to wear. Working in women’s wardrobes for the last 10 years I found most women’s wardrobes are missing the foundation pieces, the wardrobe basics. Without these basics, it’s hard to build outfits and getting ready becomes stressful and time-consuming.

The Perfect 12 can be styled into 29 outfits that will take you from day to night. The capsule is unique to the client’s style, budget, lifestyle, and body shape. It’s sustainable too as before we head to the shops, I shop the client’s wardrobe first. All items are styled into outfits in your Wardrobe App accessible on your phone or tablet.

I also offer; Wardrobe Cleanouts, Colour analysis, 2 hours in-wardrobe styling sessions and I also have a subscription service which is my answer to clothing subscription boxes.

Creating outfits is an important part of what I do. There is no use having new pieces if you don’t know how to wear them so I integrate this into all my services and offer a Wardrobe App with most my services that can you access on your phone and tablet. The app has pictures of your wardrobe and outfits pre-styled for you. I also customise packages based on what the client’s needs, as no two clients are the same.

What inspired you to start your business?

I used to work in IT consulting before having kids. When I was 8 months pregnant, I left work and pretty much had my baby straight away. One minute I was working and the next I was a full-time mom. The struggle getting ready after having a baby was very real, I was no longer able to wear a silk blouse (milk stains) and a pair of skinny jeans (showing a little too much) without feeling self-conscious. I lived in my lululemon’s for the first 6 months and getting ready for a date with the husband was an ordeal I didn’t have time for. When I was finally in a routine, I was ready to start feeling like me and get my confidence back. I did a thorough wardrobe detox, donated my old workwear and items I no longer felt comfortable wearing and shopped strategically for new pieces. My new mum uniform made me feel, confident, empowered, and happy. Feeling better about myself made me a happier mum and wife. After feeling this transition, I wanted to give this to others and so I went back to school, took my Image consulting course, and started Style with Kara.

How long has your business been running for?

Around 10 years. I started my business in New York and then moved to London in 2019. Covid pushed me to start offering my services virtually, so I am now able to offer my services to women who live anywhere!

What is your favourite aspect about working in the local area?

Its amazing to get to know everyone in the neighbourhood. I didn’t have my kids here, so I miss having that mum community outside of the girl’s school. Working in the neighbourhood I get to meet so many more mums I would not have necessarily met. I love seeing my clients in the supermarket or in the street it makes me feel like I have lived here forever.

Where do you see yourself and your business in five years’ time?

That’s a tricky one. My husband is Canadian, and my kids are American. I am the only Brit in the house. This summer we spent a good amount of time in Vancouver visiting family and friends. I love the outdoor lifestyle and having the beach a stone throws away. So perhaps we would move there. Honestly, I don’t know but Style with Kara will follow me wherever we go. The business has evolved so much over the last few years. I can’t wait to see where I am at in 5 years. I am sure the way technology is changing it will influence my business in some shape or form.

What encouraged you to join Hampstead Hive and what has your experience been like so far within the Hive?

Being new to the neighbourhood and moving from the US just before the pandemic started was very challenging. Joining the hive has been a great source of community. It’s been amazing getting to know other mumpreneurs in the neighbourhood and I am looking forward to meeting everyone in person. The Hive really does supports women professionally and personally. I can’t wait for 2022 and all the exciting activities Nikita and Jessica have planned.

Where can we go to find out more about your business/access your services?

You can find me at www.stylewithkara.com

I also have a monthly newsletter. Every month I will be sharing my tips and tricks for getting ready and getting most out of your wardrobe and fashion trends for the upcoming season.

You can sign up for the newsletter on my website.

Instagram - @stylewithkara

Email – Shabrina@stylewithkara.com