Stylist Wenda James Rowe (July 15, 2009)
We asked style expert, Wenda James-Rowe, to tell us about her company 'The Style Team':
CC ... Wenda, what made you decide to start Style Team?
WJ-R ... 'I started the Style Team in 2004 after qualifying with Colour Me Beautiful in 2002. I had opened a very successful chain of beauty salons and wanted to offer something different to compliment the range of services and treatments I already had available. The Image side of the business went from strength to strength and I then decided to launch in the Cardiff area also. I have never looked back and work with people from all walks of life to improve their personal image. I have always had a love for clothes, fashion and beauty, so this felt like the natural progression for me. My mum was always very glam and also having a twin sister helped as you could experiment and try new looks and styles together.'
CC ... Starting any new business can be difficult, what hurdles did you face and how did you overcome them?
WJ-R ... 'I have to say I was extremely lucky with the start of my new business. With regards to my beauty salon, we were busy from day one. I think that was down to the location of our salons, and also customer service. I am from a sales background and feel that customer service is the key part of any successful business. If you don't have happy customers you won't have customers returning. I feel the most powerful way of promoting any business is word of mouth and that is also the way I have grown my business within the Style Team!'
CC ... You offer a range of services such as personal shopping, 'wardrobe weeding' and personal style consultations, which can either be offered at our studio in Pontcanna, or by home appointment. You must meet a varied range of people?
WJ-R ... 'I offer a range of services within the Style Team portfolio and they are designed to compliment each other. The key initial services are Colour and Style consultations. These services really are key as they give a client real focus and confidence in terms of what suits them. The benefits are amazing and it can help clients feel more confident and self assured and they can also look younger and happier!
My philosophy within the Style Team is to 'realise your potential'. It is so important to identify a clients assets and make the most of what we have, rather than get deflated by what we don't like.
Over the last few years I have really seen my market open up. I work with clients of all ages from 15-85 and also men and women. With the increase of Image programmes on the T.V. like Trinny and Gok, I feel more and more people are now wanting to make the most of their appearance.'
CC ... Have you always been interested in fashion and design?
WJ-R ... 'I have always had a love for clothes, make up and fashion.
My mum has been a major influence in this, as she always looked glam and wore makeup. I loved customising clothes from an early age and through my teens always expressed my personality through my clothes. I have tried and experimented with every trend and style over the years. I particularly loved the Duran Duran era with frilly shirts, peddle pushers, ra ra skirts! I'm giving away my age now !!!! I feel it is so important to have a your own style and I think this is something that develops with age and has to come from within!'
CC ... In terms of a celebrity, whose style do you most admire?
WJ-R ... 'I have to say Victoria Beckham. She is lucky enough to have a good figure and lots of money, but I love the way she dresses. She always looks elegant and can carry off so many different looks. She definitely has effortless style and never has a bad day or faux pas. She really has become a massive fashion icon which I think is justified. I would love to have a look through all her wardrobes and try on a few things, it would be fashion heaven!!!'
CC ... Wenda James-Rowe, thank you.
If you'd like to contact Wenda please click on the following link (please be advised that we do not accept responsibility for any outside links):'
http://www.thestyleteam.com/ Click here to return to the Celebrity/Society Interviews page
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