Big Announcement!

Today, I'm unveiling the launch of my new business venture, Style Spies.  I couldn't be more excited or more proud to tell you all about it!    

Style Spies is the brainchild of myself and my co-founder, Erin Lopez.  Erin and I have known each other since college, and were actually roomies here in Chicago upon graduating from the University of Missouri. She and I have always been in fashion - Erin on the modeling side of the business as an agent for Ford Models, Elite, and Arlene Wilson Talent Agency, and me on the retail side of things as a manager at Mark Shale to start and then as a buyer for Shopbop.com for many years.  

After both of us getting married and having children, we realized how tough it is to be stylish and put together like our old selves, but also be productive and mindful mommies (stay at home or working alike) like our new selves.  We saw that we were always helping our girlfriends find the right outfit for a date, answering questions as to what's in style and what's moved on, helping them weed the bad and the ugly out of their closets, even helping them find an alterations specialist!

Knowing there are many other women like ourselves and our friends out there, we launched Style Spies. Style Spies can help you out on many levels; here are some of the many services we provide.

• closet consultations - no longer say 'I have nothing to wear!'  Instead we'll help you pare down your closet, find what works, and have you feeling cute and confident as you walk out the door each day.
• event styling - need a dress for a big date or event?  we'll help you find it AND accessorize it.
• speaking events - we'd love to speak at any event about helping you 'up the ante' with your personal style, cleaning out your closets, what's 'in' and what's 'out,' etc.
• model scouting and development 
• event production - having a fashion show?  we're your go-to gals from a-z.

Although I'm just announcing Style Spies today on my blog, we've been up and running a few months now.  What's super exciting is that TODAY, we've just brought on our first independent consultant.  

Melanie Knopke, former fashion buyer and blogger extraordinaire is the newest Style Spies consultant to join the team.  Melanie lives in Kansas City, and will be our KC branch (I'm the Chicago gal, Erin is the Houston gal).  Melanie comes to us extremely knowledgeable of the fashion industry - she was a buyer for Mark Shale, and has made quite a name for herself in the Kansas City area as a blogger, on air personality, and writer for the Kansas City Star.  Though she loves a good Louis Vuitton, Melanie prides herself on finding the 'look for less,' a talent that's hard to come by!   Melanie's blog is something I can't go without mentioning as well – Scout – A Mom's Guide to Stylish Living is a great read and was also my inspiration in starting down the blogging road.

Please help me welcome Melanie to Style Spies by stopping by our Facebook page, 'liking' it, and commenting/saying hello!  You can also visit our website, www.stylespies.com, to learn more about our business and for contact information.

Happy Friday, and remember to always be stylish!