This is How I’m Going to Do It
About a month after I moved into Sako-san’s place, he asked me to style him. He first approached the topic by asking me why I decided to become a stylist. We had previously talked about the topic, but he wondered why I insisted so strongly on such a dream when he felt I didn’t necessarily inspire anyone that I could successfully style them.
He had a point, since at that time I hadn’t styled anyone but myself. But regardless, I told him with confidence that I could easily do it. So in response, he asked me to style him. He didn’t really have a clue about style, and he had always been wanting to upgrade his image somehow. He made a requirement that all the clothing be from Uniqlo (a brand somewhat similar to Gap in the USA), as he was a big fan of the brand. Another reason being that any outfit I made would be affordable. Lastly, the context for the outfit would be his workplace. Of course, I accepted his challenge.
So I did some research for ideas and then later spent about an hour on my own at the nearby Uniqlo trying on outfits until I was satisfied. And I was very satisfied. In one way because of the outfits, and in another way because I had begun to prove to myself that I could do what I claimed.
Sako-san was busy during that period, but about two weeks later, I finally brought him to the store an had him try everything on. He loved it. There were a couple issues with the jackets and hats not fitting him (jackets not tapered enough at the waist, hats one size only), but otherwise he was satisfied and bought everything. I took some photos while he was still in the changing room and had the jackets, and here they are (finally uploaded):
Later on, I’m going to post these photos on a separate blog dedicated to the styling that I do. But to briefly describe what I did here, these are two outfits based on the same concept. The colors are the spring 2009 trend colors: grey, khaki, navy, and light blue. Colors can appear once or twice in the same outfit, but never more than that. In particular, I used the Burberry Prorsum collection as a primary inspiration.
The experience was a great inspiration because of a couple of things that Sako-san told me afterwards. First of all, he really enjoyed the experience. As someone who didn’t know fashion, and now in his 40′s, this was very refreshing for him. Second, it was spectacular that this could all be done at Uniqlo on a low budget (everything in the photos together cost around 15,000 yen). And most importantly, this was something that perhaps only I could do. Not to say that other’s aren’t capable of doing what I did, but that they won’t. For maybe a reason as simple as just not having a reason to do it.
This idea came up in a conversation with Sako-san, Mami, and my other friend Lika, but they said I should keep doing what I did for Sako-san. Start a blog, call it something like “when times turn rough, turn to Uniqlo for fashion,” and start creating outfits based on Uniqlo clothing every day. Why? Because people are always looking for good fashion. Because people want to save money in tough times. Because Uniqlo reaches out to every age group. Because trends are extraordinarily powerful in Japan and if I can get a good thing going on a blog, I’ll have a huge following in no time!
THIS IS HOW I AM GOING TO DO STYLING MY WAY!
I have so many ideas swarming around in my head that it’s hard to get them all sorted out.
That’s the basis of what I’m going to do, but I’m going to reach out farther than that. So not only will I create outfits, but I’m going to approach customers in the store, introduce myself, and style them! Rather than accepting payment in money, I’ll ask them to let me take a photo, have them take one and sent it to me, and/or write about me on their own blogs!
For one, it’s a great way to directly increase the number of people who know about me, but it also lets me reach out to all different types of people! For example I can reach out to someone in their 20′s just as easily as I can reach out to someone in their 50′s! That’s what I want to do!
I don’t have to limit myself to Uniqlo, either. I can always move to a place like Gap or Zara as well to broaden the selection. Or, I can take one piece from a brand name store, and then coordinate it all with Uniqlo clothing! After all, that’s always an issue. To have a piece of clothing that you like, but not know how to coordinate it into an outfit. I think once I get to a certain point, I can even take requests from people who have that problem.
To tie this all into a career, eventually this should develop a lot of attention. I might get approached by an organization (such as Uniqlo), or I can use the reputation to start a personal styling business.
Oh man, I’m excited. Whatever the case, it’s time to get started. I’m going to pave my own path to turn my dreams into my career!
I don’t know if I’m going to be able to sleep at this rate, haha.
Categorized as Introduction, Outfits, Storyline
That is quite clever. You should do a tour of all of Japan. Make a map of all the clothing stores you want to hit nationwide, then go to those places and do your thing. If you do this everyday and style around 70 people a week, you can get about 300 testimonials a month. 300 testimonials is already more than enough. There’s also the factor of word of mouth. If the theory works, you’ll create a mass explosion. Do what you gotta do to “make it”.
P.S. How can I get my own avatar? The sideways G with blue background does not look anything like me.
Nice to see that you’re starting to see some success in something you really love doing, and this looks like a great way to start.
@Hiroaki
Yeah this is going to be fun. Wow though, that’s actually a pretty cool idea to tour around and do that. It’s a definite way to attract lots of attention quickly. I guess it’s all in the promotion, huh? I remember watching something about promoting bands and it said something similar. You can’t just wait for people to recognize you, you have to go out and earn recognition.
As for an avatar, this site is gravatar.com enabled. So basically if you register with a certain email address, then it should automatically add your avatar to the post. Give it a shot. I’m still looking into the subscription thing. I think there is another way to do it…
@Chris
Thanks! Yeah, after working a year and a half at Samsonite, I think I have to say that it’s just not the same to work at a job that doesn’t match your passion. You have to continually motivate yourself to maintain results. But when I work on styling, it feels like it’s a self propelled system. It’s amazing.
Although I must say that I am thankful that I worked at Samsonite. I must have picked up countless skills and life lessons that I’m still using even now.
I’ve been taught that its the best way to promote yourself if you’re a musician. touring around amerca and handing out cds. you should definitely take advantage of japan. the population is the same as united states but you get more concentration of people wherever you are. nobody goes out ona tour. drastic actions lead to drastic outcomes.
I guess ill check out gravatar once im at home. im actually on my phone. if you update a lot then im sure its fine. jyongri hasn’t updated her blog for two months so if it gets to that point then its definitely useful.
Raiman,
Great to see you are doing it! I love the idea! One suggestion about pictures is you may consider taking close ups of how the clothing fits. I learned it from you and the reading you suggested to me that the clothes should flatter the shape of the body!
Raamen sugoi sugoi!! I’m glad you’re finally putting our ideas into action
But reading your blog made me want to discuss more about it!!! We should all get together again for dinner to talk it over morrrree!
@Hiroaki
That is so true. The concentration of people makes it a lot easier to promote things.
Trying to make it a habit to write a blog entry every day. Aside form the obvious benefit of keeping things more current, it also helps me do some self reflection on a day by day basis.
@Stephen
That’s true. Did you try clicking on the photos? You can see the enlarged photos. Or maybe I should take even more detailed photos.
Unfortunately, though, sometimes fit is not really an option you get when you save on the money side. But you’re right, it’s important. I’m actually trying to figure out the garment alteration system in Japan so that Sako-san can buy the blazers. They won’t look good without alteration at the waist.
@Lika
Lika~~~! Thank you thank you! Haha we definitely should. I guess that’s a good thing we get to see each other at 花見 tomorrow! Oh by the way, Mark wants to know if you’re good to go for Mexican for our next get together =D