An Interview with Kara Allan, Style and Image Expert

How long have you been styling people and how did you become a stylist?

It has been ten years now! I have always loved makeup and clothing since I was a teenager. I was such a tomboy too! When I first started working at retail store like Express and Petite Sophisticate, I found my style and I really enjoy helping people feel confident about their wardrobe which translates into every other area of your life! I was working in the corporate world and decided to start a business creating websites and presentations for businesses. One day, my mom saw an article in the Washington Post about a local Image Consultant and she said “You could be doing this!” I spoke to my hairdresser, Keith Harley about it and turns out he knew Darlene Mathis and he gave me her number. The rest, as they say, is history.

What training or certification do you have?

I completed my First Level Certification with the Association of Image Consultants International. From there I trained with Carla Mathis of Body Beautiful who is a Certified Image Master, only one of 8 in the world, in her program and most recently I was Certified by Stacy London of What Not To Wear for her new company Style for Hire.

We love your services! Everything sounds fantastic, so what makes you different from other Image/Style Consultants?

I believe that every person deserves to look and feel their best, so I spend a lot of time getting to know the individual so that I can co-create an authentic image and build a wardrobe that works for their lifestyle. It is my way of giving back to the world.

What's the biggest style mistake you see?

Oh my, there's so many but on women, not understanding how to dress their body type. On men, in general wearing clothes too big or tall men not shopping for tall clothing and getting shirts that fit properly!

This all seems so wonderful but it also sounds expensive, will I be able to afford it?

Creating a well rounded wardrobe helps you advance in your career and enhance your personal life, it is an investment in yourself, so really you can not afford not to!

Who do you work best with? Who is not going to benefit from your help?

My team and I work well with people are who ready to experience a new level of confidence and understand that putting your best forward changes your life on so many levels, professionally, personally and even spiritually. Looking and feeling your best creates change from the inside out! People who are not ready to invest in themselves or don't believe that how you dress and carry yourself are important.

May we contact some of your former clients to see what it is like to work with you and your team?

Of course! Once we have our consultation, we can provide you with several of our clients that will answer any questions you may have

This sounds like everything what I have been looking for, what’s the next step in the process?

The next step is to call us as at 703-629-0605 or email us at style@KaraAllan.com to set up a consultation. We want to hear about your needs, get to know you a little better and see which package/service fits your personality and style.

We look forward to helping you look and feel your best!

About Kara

Kara is a stylist with Stacy Londons (of TLCs What Not to Wear fashion makeover show) new venture, Style for Hire, a national styling firm. Kara also spent time as the stylist for the magazine I Am Modern and DC Life Magazine.com. Shes emceed several fashion shows, judged A Cities of America Teen Pageant, Project FundWay, and this years Macys Inaugural Fashion show at Metro Center. In January 2011, Kara was a Glambassador for Glamour magazine and in October 2012 became a Style Ambassador for Bazaar Magazine. In April 2012, she walked in the Fashion for Paws Runway show for the second year where she raised over $5,600 in support of the Washington Human Society and this April she will grace the runway once again.

LifeStyle by Kara Allan, LLC is a full service LifeStyle and Image Boutique that caters to upscale individuals, groups, and corporations. The mission of the company is to inspire and educate clients about how great they can look and feel in their clothes. It is Kara's aspiration to live out her purpose in Christ and express Him by using her abilities and talents to assist others to be their best and have positive interactions with those she comes into contact with. Clients are assured VIP treatment with an unmatched level of customer service. Looking current, stylish and polished is essential for everyone today!

To read Kara's full bio click here

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