Today we’d like to introduce you to Corlyn Chevalier.
Corlyn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been interested in art and fashion since an early age. Coming from Houston, I had a diverse and culturally rich background. As a young one, I played classical music as a pianist and violist and was surrounded by fellow artists throughout grade school. My mom is also a great influence because she always had a taste for finer things. Since she is a flight attendant, my family always had opportunities to travel throughout the US and many times to European cities once a year. By my second or third trip to London, and window shopping Harrods, I was able to see how trends travel over to America. I was able to see the Mona Lisa a couple of times at the Louvre and shopped the clignancourt and les Puces flea markets in the outskirts of Paris. By the time I was graduating high school, I basically knew how to thrift hardcore, but also knew how to put together a designer look.
I came to Chicago to study business at Loyola University in 2002, and it was my first time stepping foot here ever. Fashion and business were always at the forefront of my purpose, despite my mom’s wishes of me continuing music full-time after high school. I quickly learned where all the thrift shops were and created all of my looks for less than the stores that I worked for. I always wanted to work in Fashion and took the Fashion industry route by working retail. Urban Outfitters, the now-defunct Untitled Boutique, Nordstrom and Diesel were the paths in which I was able to have an up-close look at the ins and outs of the fashion industry with a grassroots perspective. Working one-on-one with the clients, I was able to really get into their minds and match them up with their needs according to the season, matching silhouettes that flattered their body shape, making sure their purchases fit their needs.
Now, with Styleoyster Productions, I take an even more personal approach by offering services inside the home, by organizing closets, helping the detox from worn out and unshapely garments, and scouring shops to help my clients feel flattered on the inside and out, helping find resources to complement their personal aesthetics.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not always been smooth! Even when I really “make it”, I expect there to always be little bumps in the road. Even though I cite my mom as being such a huge influence, she would have rather I chose to work for Oprah, rather than Urban Outfitters! I just didn’t see that on the path. But I am more open to experiences and ideas that people bring to me because I never know what I can learn from these experiences and use them in life and in business.
I have lost each of the jobs that I have mentioned throughout time, but my love for fashion has never waived. I knew I was always going to make a living expressing myself authentically and helping others express themselves authentically as well. Going through all these curves in life, I have persevered cultivating my eye for color, silhouette and now others really see me as a source of inspiration, giving themselves permission to explore themselves through fashion and beauty as well.
To young girls, I would say, try to really understand how our brains work. We are so emotional and sometimes we are trapped by our emotions rather than understanding them and using them as leverage. Understand your body and emotions, so that that you can use them to your advantage. Stop playing small. Think big! There need to be more women in business and in leadership roles. I would say that despite what naysayers think about how you should run your life, stay true to your intuition, feel the fear and do it anyway. Sometimes, you may hit a wall, and be forced to feel isolated. This does not mean that you are a victim of the circumstances. That time might be exactly what is needed to fine-tune your purpose. When these times have happened, I used them as an opportunity to really do deep introspection and research, and take action steps toward what is truly meaningful to me. Some people may have expected me to quit fashion and work a typical office job by now. But, I can never stop being creative. It is my lifestyle, and I only seek to express it greater.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Styleoyster Productions story. Tell us more about the business.
Through my project Styleoyster Productions, I am an in-home service provider as a closet organizer, personal stylist, and personal shopper’. I am devoted to facilitating my clients with the curation and development of their personal aesthetic. Working over 10 years in retail and fashion, I have all the bases covered as far a matching my clients up with their needs according to their desired aesthetic, silhouette, and budget.
I am different from just another salesperson in a store because I take the time to really understand where you’re coming from and where are you trying to go aesthetically. We would create mood boards and really dive into the process of curating your personal aesthetic. I wouldn’t rush the process and wouldn’t get you to buy things just so that I could get a commission. Yes, of course, I am being paid for my time, but I have your best interest in mind.
It would be the little things such as suggesting helpful apps that make it easier for you to get dressed every day, helping you to pre-plan outfits for big events and special occasions. Neatly organizing your closet so that it is fun to literally shop in your closet and you will feel like you always have something to wear. Helping you feel good on the inside and out, and suggesting healthy mental and beauty habits that enhance your day-to-day. These are the little things that make me different from just a normal salesperson or even your average personal stylist. My assistance would help you look and feel straight out of a magazine. My techniques are at an executive level!
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
Yes! My phone is full of apps and my bookshelf is full of books that inspire me to function optimally day-to-day.
One book that I keep reaching to as a resource is called “The Compass of Now,” by Ddnard. It is a book about becoming financially free and self-healing. I am inspired by Sophia Amoruso and her book #GirlBoss, like many other boss ladies out there. Also, the books “You are a Bad Ass” and “You are a Bad Ass at Making Money” by Jen Sincero. YouTube is also one of my favorites resources for personal development inspiration.
I really like the apps Pinterest and Instagram for style inspiration. I love this website called DailyDressMe.com which suggests outfits according to the weather! I just downloaded a couple of free apps that will help me archive the clothing in my closet and create digital flat lays that will inspire me to wear more clothes in my closet. I can’t wait to recommend these types of apps to my future personal styling clients!
Pricing:
- Basic Wardrobe Organization (No edit) $225
- Premium Wardrobe Organization (Edit, Konmari Method) $425
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.Styleoyster.com
- Phone: (872) 302-7136
- Email: styleoyster@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Styleoyster
Image Credit:
Corlyn Chevalier
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