What Qualifies You?

Yeah...somebody did ask me that after I shopped for and dressed her sister. I suppose her sister's satisfaction wasn't enough of an explanation. If I were as presumptuous as she seemed, I'd probably tell her to ask my clients, instead I told her the following story.

The story about how I knew I loved to prepare "looks" for other people...

Well, first let me say that it's fun to me. I also believe that I have a knack for most things aesthetic. During my sophomore year in college, my cousin and I went shopping for "night-on-the-town" outfits - known then (to us) as "club gear." After perusing the halls of a popular the retail outlet mall, we came across one of my favorite stores for the hip and fashion-forward twenty-something woman. I pulled a couple of separates together and asked my cousin to get a fitting room so she could try them on. Knowing what I was up to, she was hesitant - almost refused my prodding, but eventually gave in. She stepped out of the dressing room to model the outfits pulled together for her...
one by one. The store's associate who helped us get a fitting room watched the impromptu fashion show. Cousin was starting to have a little fun! While we worked to narrow down the selections, I noticed (through my periphery) the associate and her co-workers eyeing our merchandise in tow. At the time, I thought we were attracting these onlookers because we fit [let's say] a certain profile. We had our picks with shoes and accessories to match - checked out, and had a blast at the club later that night. The next day we went back to the same store to purchase a few more items
-- when I glace at the store's retail display window to see an EXACT replica (shoes and accessories) of the ad hoc look I came up with for my cousin the day before. "WOW..." I thought. My cousin and I paused our conversation mid sentence and gazed at the mannequin head to toe (confirming each item I selected the day before). "Yep, that's your outfit." My calm and collected cousin declared. But I, on the other hand, was admittedly annoyed... 

My cousin convinced me that I should feel flattered - especially since that was not the only time something like that had happened to me. In retrospect, I guess am flattered. Well, I at least like to tell that story. Mostly because I had so much fun dressing someone else. I love to see that affirming look we give ourselves when we like what we see in the mirror, and I enjoy knowing that I had something to do with that. That, and similar experiences have shaped my desire to enhance the image of others - in any way I can. I really love to to see others look and feel good about themselves.

And that's qualification enough in my book.