Interview With Fashion Stylist Andie Sobrato

Hi There..... Do you find it hard to make the right clothing combinations? Perhaps this next fashion stylist, personal stylist interview can shed some light? 

I have no problem with combining my everyday clothing, but when I have a performance with my band, I want to look my best. 😄

Ah yes, I can still do things like that. It's weird, but performing makes me forget my pain for a while. Ok, it will take me a couple of days to recover from it, but it's totally worth it, and it's only once in a while. 😎

This weekend I also planned to sell some of my jewelry on a market. My body doesn't agree with things like that at all, but I don't care. YOLO, you only live once so it seems. Although, you can never be too sure. 😕

Who's to say we don't get to live several lives? How can I be certain about that if my name says otherwise? Did you know that Re-nata means being born again? So who am I to say that reincarnation isn't real? 😁

My dad always said that he wanted to be a cat in the next life. Not the worst idea. For all I know, he could be in hiding under my keyboard right now. That's where our little Ninoe loves to take a nap. 😍

I hope you haven't dozed off like our little Ninoe, because it's high time for my fashion stylist, personal stylist interview with the 31-year-old Andie Sobrato, Owner & Personal Stylist for Andie Sobrato, LLC.

Picture provided by Andie Sobrato

 https://www.andiesobrato.com/

What kind of work do you do or what are you studying to be?

I am a Personal Stylist helping everyday people solve their wardrobe struggles.

What made you decide to become a Fashion Stylist?

I actually worked in Tech Marketing for about 10 years before I transitioned to Personal Stylist. I have always used clothing as a way to express myself and throughout my career; I found myself increasingly interested in experimenting with and finessing my office looks.

Additionally, I would offer styling advice to friends and my now husband. During the pandemic, I realized that marketing business software was not my passion and took my innate interest and passion for styling full time.

Is fashion important to you? Why?

I think fashion is important to me only in the sense that it is a creative outlet. Clothing can be an artistic expression of who you are, who you want to be, or who you want to encapsulate at any given moment.

As I reflected on fashion’s ability to make me feel more confident in myself, I realized I could help people unlock their own fashion potential to make them feel more confident in their everyday life.

Picture provided by Andie Sobrato

What are your successes and how did you achieve them?

My biggest successes have been aggregating upwards of 30 clients in one year and getting significant brand partnerships. I really credit my career experience in marketing for helping me achieve this.

Choosing what advertising channels to invest in and building a strong brand identity is really critical to getting your name out there. Sometimes, talent alone doesn’t speak for itself and it’s up to you to stand out from the noise.

Is the name of the Brand important to you when you buy clothing?

No. Brand names weigh on me very little when styling my Silicon Valley clients. What is most important when buying clothing is the fit, style, and the need it fulfills in someone’s wardrobe.

Focusing on brand names can actually be detrimental because it confuses consumers by convincing them they need something that is actually not essential to their closet or helping them fix their styling woes. Just because a designer has put their stamp on it, it doesn’t mean that it is worth your investment.

Describe your personal style of clothing?

I would say my personal style is classic with an edge. I believe there are fundamental pieces that will never go out of style like a pencil skirt, cigarette pants, a leather jacket, a poplin blouse, etc.

These classic pieces are very much a part of my everyday wardrobe. That said, I am a big Punk Rock fan and so I am very drawn to pieces I associate with that. It is hard for me to forego anything Black and leather, studded or chained. I love to blend the classics with “edgier” pieces and create a juxtaposition.

Picture provided by Andie Sobrato

How did you find your personal style? Do you have a signature look?

I found my personal style by leaning into cultural references that I love. I.e.: Punk, classic movies, corporate women. Sometimes I lean more into one direction than another, but ultimately, I love expressing my point of view through clothes. Additionally, I have identified what looks good on my body and that is a main through-line.

I don’t think one signature look or outfit would work for me since I love dressing for my mood and the moment. If I am in Paris on the Seine river, I am dressing much differently than when I am out with friends in San Francisco and different from when I am seeing clients. I will always maintain my personal style but it can manifest a little differently with each occasion.

In what way do you influence other people’s clothing style?

I try not to let my personal style impact my styling too much. I always ask clients up-front to explain their style to me, show me images of style inspiration, and show their current clothing. I really want to feel that I am putting the client in things they will truly wear.

That said, all humans are a little biased so I’m sure some of my personal style inclinations come through. This can manifest in the way I value effortless-casual with a bit of an edge. It is hard for me to resist a leather jacket moment or a button-down blouse.

What are in your eyes the best trends at the moment?

I love women are wearing blazers more frequently. They are leaning into a more typically “male” item of clothing and making it feel youthful and feminine. Plus, a blazer is so classic and I love seeing the way modern women are flipping this classic piece on its head.

Admittedly, I was very skeptical of the kitten heel 10 years ago and it is now my favorite trend. Four-inch Stilettos are painful and very impractical for the modern woman on the go.

The kitten heel has offered a great alternative for a woman who wants to wear a heel and feel feminine but wants to get on with her day without blistering feet. I hope this trend is here to stay.

Picture provided by Andie Sobrato

What are in your eyes the worst trends at the moment?

I think there are some terrible trends going on at the moment. One that comes to mind is low-rise jeans. I know very few women who enjoy low-rise jeans and feel comfortable enough with their bodies to wear them. Sometimes trends don’t flatter everyone and this is a prime example.

Additionally, I think “oversized” everything is growing a little tiresome. Balance is key in any great-looking outfit and when trousers, blouse, AND jacket become oversized, it is not a pleasant composition. In executing on the “oversized” trend, leave it to one piece in the outfit and make sure everything else is fitted. This will help balance the look.

What kind of fashion advice would you give us?

Finding your personal style is the most important thing. Lean into what you feel comfortable in, what resonates with you, and what flatters you.

Also, take stock of what you have in your closet before you go shopping. A lot of clients purchase the same thing over and over and It’s important to be mindful of this. Think about the gaps you need to fill and only shop for those items. This will save you money, time, and a headache in the long run.

Who is your style icon and why?

Well, I have 3 (because I can’t pick just 1):
Gwen Stefani – has SUCH a specific personal style she never strays from. It’s in the way she rocks a Red lip with every outfit, incorporates plaid/prints, and always edges up a classic look. Plus, she has the real Rock & Roll sensibility that resonates with me.

Bianca Jagger – She knows how to rock a pantsuit like no one else. She really balances androgyny and femininity and looks so effortless whilst doing it. Again, she has a strong sense of personal style.

Elaine Welteroth – She is a great example of how a modern woman dresses for the workplace. She knows how to integrate street style into workwear and is always at the forefront of the trends.

Is there something else you would like to share with us?

Fashion doesn’t have to be so serious and you should be able to have fun with it! Everyone has the potential to look and feel amazing in their clothing, it’s just about harnessing the skills and creativity to create great outfits out of what you have.

Picture provided by Andie Sobrato

Thanks, Andie for answering my questions in such a detailed way. Totally agree that you can have heaps of talent but it is up to you to decide what to do with it. 😍

Want to stay in that comfortable seat of yours a little longer? Perhaps you could read some of my previous fashion stylist interviews:

https://seadbeady.blogspot.com/2022/04/interview-with-fashion-stylist-tyler.html

https://seadbeady.blogspot.com/2022/03/interview-with-fashion-stylist-sahra.html

Hope you like my blog.....Until next time.....Have a nice day 

Renata (Seadbeady)

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