About Haute To Style

My journey began in a world of creativity, specifically in music. My parents were both accomplished pianists, so it was only natural that my path led to music. I hold a BMus degree and play the Viola (a string instrument that is bigger than a violin but not a cello). Alongside my musical pursuits, I earned a teaching Diploma.

Like any other student, I ventured into part-time work during my university years. I started working as a sales assistant at Esprit. I enjoyed it so much that I stayed for a remarkable eight years. Later, after graduating and looking for a teaching position, I took on another part-time role at Blue Illusion—another great place with a French twist.

Over a decade in retail, I had the privilege of meeting remarkable women, from managers and fellow sales assistants to our cherished customers. I had a blast working in this vibrant field. My passion for styling grew, as did my joy in assisting people with their appearance. Witnessing a customer’s confidence transformation after trying on a carefully chosen item was magical. That sparkle in their eyes and the smiles lit up their faces were immensely satisfying. Of course, the perks included a fantastic 50% discount, allowing me to indulge in the latest and greatest fashion finds. Who could resist?

The Adventure of Motherhood

With the arrival of my first child, my focus shifted entirely to the joys and challenges of motherhood. My “identity” took a backseat as I navigated the demands of caring for a newborn. When my daughter reached her first birthday, I embarked on a full-time teaching career, doubling the responsibilities on my plate. Now, I was juggling a demanding yet immensely rewarding job alongside the whirlwind of parenting a one “going-on-13” year old baby.

The Turning Point

However, after my second child’s birth, I felt a profound disconnect from myself. It had been six years since I’d lost my old identity, and I hadn’t quite found a new one.

What I knew for sure was that I wasn’t the same person I was before becoming a mother. I was facing a post-pregnancy body and uncertainty regarding my tastes and personal style. To make it even more challenging, everything in my closet failed to spark joy, as Marie Kondo would say.

Motivated to rediscover my new self, I discovered another new thing: as little time as I had between the job and the first baby, now I had even less “me time” to just go browsing in a mall, hoping to see something I liked. Even during those rare moments when I had an hour to myself, stepping into a store became an overwhelming experience. The many styles, colours, fabrics, and fits utterly stressed me. Shopping became very confusing. I was trapped in a frustrating cycle of liking everything and nothing at the same time. Adding another item to my collection of clothes I didn’t like felt like a band-aid solution. I wanted a capsule wardrobe, but I lacked the knowledge of how to create one or where to begin.

Haute to Style Emerges

Rather than continuing to accumulate clothes that would be stored in my closet for good, sometimes with tags on (a habit I had perfected over the years), I opted for a different path: Education. I wanted to understand why I gravitated to certain things, and what things would actually look good on me. Coming from an instrumental background ( as in “I can play an instrument”), I wanted to learn to use clothes as an intentional tool, rather than an impulsive desire. I have studied personal styling for over 4 years. I enrolled with the esteemed Australian Styling Institute, where I honed the art of professional styling and image consulting. Alongside that, I continued researching and devouring blogs, professional instructional videos on platforms like YouTube and Instagram and professional literature. Enthusiasm and dedication led to a pivotal decision—to transform my passion into a bona fide vocation. My decade-long tenure in the retail industry was the perfect foundation for this transformation. But as they say, learning never stops, because the more you know, the more you think you have yet to learn.

Haute to Style’s Mission

With Haute to Style, my mission is simple yet profound: to help individuals like you embrace your uniqueness and express it through fashion. Along the way, I hope to provide answers to your fashion dilemmas.

Welcome aboard this transformative journey of self-expression and empowerment. Let’s dive headfirst into the world of fashion together.