Trade/B2B - WSAToday
Stylists Secrets Start with Shoes
By Abby Ventzke
"Fashion should be fun and enjoyable, not brain surgery," announced stylist Phillip Bloch at WSA's Style Talk on Tuesday, August 1. But if that were true, many WSA attendees would not be sitting in Mandalay Bay's Style Talk Theater to hear what Bloch--and two others in the know--had to say about shoes and fashion.
Bloch, who made his name dressing big names like Halle Berry and John Travolta, said that shoes "set the pace" for the outfit. "They're the most important accessory in dressing, and set the tone. They make an outfit evening, casual or sporty."
With Lawrence Zarian, known as the Fashion Guy on "Live With Regis and Kelly," as moderator, Jill Ohanneson, a film and television costume designer for shows like "Six Feet Under," also contributed. "Shoes help actors become the character they need to be," Ohanneson pointed out. She said that she had once dressed and actor in two right shoes to mimic the awkward gate of a lame man.
Part of what stylists do is shop, so they made several suggestions for the retailers in attendence. "Know how to engage the customer," Ohanneson advised. "A good salesperson is a mother, sister, confidante," Bloch was more straightforward in his assessment. "No gum chewing. No phone talking. No pushy salespeople. Customers will come back if they don't feel pushed." They both agreed that the best salespeople are educated about what they're selling, and can help the customer achieve the look he or she is going for. Bloch observed, "It's better to sell six pairs of $200 shoes than one pair of $600 shoes."
As for themselves, they all seemed to have shopped well for the day. Bloch complemented his pinstripe suit with Sergio Rossi loafers, while Ohanneson chose Robert Clergerie. And Zarian had his shoes custom made by Italy's Certo.
No matter whether one hires a stylist or lends oneself to it, there's a huge element, Bloch said, of personal identity in clothing. "We all have a child inside that we're dressing."
By Abby Ventzke
"Fashion should be fun and enjoyable, not brain surgery," announced stylist Phillip Bloch at WSA's Style Talk on Tuesday, August 1. But if that were true, many WSA attendees would not be sitting in Mandalay Bay's Style Talk Theater to hear what Bloch--and two others in the know--had to say about shoes and fashion.
Bloch, who made his name dressing big names like Halle Berry and John Travolta, said that shoes "set the pace" for the outfit. "They're the most important accessory in dressing, and set the tone. They make an outfit evening, casual or sporty."
With Lawrence Zarian, known as the Fashion Guy on "Live With Regis and Kelly," as moderator, Jill Ohanneson, a film and television costume designer for shows like "Six Feet Under," also contributed. "Shoes help actors become the character they need to be," Ohanneson pointed out. She said that she had once dressed and actor in two right shoes to mimic the awkward gate of a lame man.
Part of what stylists do is shop, so they made several suggestions for the retailers in attendence. "Know how to engage the customer," Ohanneson advised. "A good salesperson is a mother, sister, confidante," Bloch was more straightforward in his assessment. "No gum chewing. No phone talking. No pushy salespeople. Customers will come back if they don't feel pushed." They both agreed that the best salespeople are educated about what they're selling, and can help the customer achieve the look he or she is going for. Bloch observed, "It's better to sell six pairs of $200 shoes than one pair of $600 shoes."
As for themselves, they all seemed to have shopped well for the day. Bloch complemented his pinstripe suit with Sergio Rossi loafers, while Ohanneson chose Robert Clergerie. And Zarian had his shoes custom made by Italy's Certo.
No matter whether one hires a stylist or lends oneself to it, there's a huge element, Bloch said, of personal identity in clothing. "We all have a child inside that we're dressing."