Today we’d like to introduce you to Marion Blake.
Marion, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
So, I have always loved vintage and have always had a passion for historical fashion. The truth is, I never really dressed “vintage” until about four years ago- I didn’t really know where to start or if I could even pull it off. When I started working at a vintage reproduction boutique a couple of years ago, I found a lot of people felt the same way I did when first getting into the vintage scene. They didn’t know where to start, what type of clothes to pair with certain accessories, or style their hair and makeup in a way that made the look whole.
So I offered to help. I took folks around to different “vintage” stores and guided them to get looks together from head to toe. And now, though I’m still building my business, I get to help people put together looks from everything from 1920-1970s and make them as historically accurate and as comfortable as possible!
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. My kindness has unfortunately been taken advantage of a lot- which is unfortunate and has been rather discouraging if I’m being wholly honest. But it’s made me stronger as a person and more aware of what to look out for. But my advice is this:
1) Know your value.
2) Exposure, while nice and helpful at times, won’t pay the bills.
3) Always have a contract- it will save your relationships.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
So, I’m a “Vintage Style Personal Stylist,” meaning I help coordinate outfits for people who want to dress in vintage or vintage-inspired attire. Whether it is for an event, a show, or a complete wardrobe overhaul, I take people by the hand and walk them through the process of finding the perfect pieces to achieve the look they are wanting. I take them to coffee and we discuss what their style icons are, what the event is, and then take them to various shops to pick out the perfect pieces. It’s a process but it’s always fun, and I love bonding with my clients.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Both my parents were really hard workers when I was growing up- they still are. I grew up watching them, despite the circumstances, always going above and beyond. We never really had a lot of money, but my parents always had food on the table and a solid roof over our heads. My mom was always creative with how she decorated our house- finding pieces at antique stores and craigslist. My dad was always entrepreneurial- he still is.
Both my parents still always are thinking outside of the box and always working hard. I guess those aspects have translated into my everyday life: think out of the box and work hard. Oh, and never give up.
Pricing:
- $50/ hour personal styling session
Contact Info:
- Email: msmarionblake@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/missmarionnlake
Image Credit:
Jeri Mae James, Nathan Nicholas, Marion Blake
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