Stylists and personal shoppers

Members consult us about personal shoppers and stylists because:

• They want to be better dressed but don't have time to devote themselves to shopping.
• They're in a panic before a big event: we can source a shopper to join them within hours.
• We know the specialists who can do the behind-the-scenes stuff – wardrobe weeding and de-cluttering. We can even provide experts to pack away winter clothes.
• We deal with a number of stylists and shoppers, so we can match them to members' personalities and styles. Some members want shoppers with designer contacts so they can attend exclusive previews of new collections.

Fast-paced busy lives are bound to bring on the occasional wardrobe crisis. It can be sparked by the simplest of things: needing a dress for a special occasion, having a baby, or simply getting fed up with the same outfits each morning.

We find members often have closet clear-outs on their to-do list and something sparks it off, whether it's a new relationship, a different job, or a successful diet and exercise plan. It's the kind of job that can veer between tedium and agony: What suits me? Why did I waste money on this? But our lifestyle managers find these tasks inspiring. Doing a clearance before a shopping trip means that the stylist gets to know a member's taste in clothes and can then use this information to create a new wardrobe.

When members ask for a personal shopper recommendation, we'll always find out what it is they want to work on so we can match them with the appropriate expert. Some of our shoppers specialise in different areas, for example evening and formal wear, or have specific industry contacts with stores or designers.

Male members don't get left behind either. Many men ask for image consultancy and personal shoppers. Quite often we will send in a supplier to sort out their wardrobe and living space so they can organise their items.

We can also help with last minute crises. One VIP member called us at 12.30pm during the lead up to Christmas. His girlfriend had just landed from New York, was jet-lagged and exhausted, but needed an evening dress and accessories to wear out that evening. We arranged for a private personal shopper to meet her at 2pm in the afternoon. Within two hours, she had a fabulous outfit that she was delighted with.

Insider tips

• To get the most out of a personal shopper, you need a recommendation from someone who's had a successful shopping trip. Don't just pick one out of the hat – talk to our team.
• Research shows that most women only wear 20 per cent of their wardrobe, 80 per cent of the time. Before going on your personal shopping trip, consider having a wardrobe weed – it will get rid of what you don't want or no longer fits, free up some space and highlight the good pieces you have to work with.
• Personal shoppers aren't just about buying new clothes. A wardrobe clear-out will help you rediscover clothes you've always loved and find new ways of wearing others.
• If you don't want an entire wardrobe clear-out, you don't have to have one. Personal shoppers will work with you on a small area of your wardrobe – for example, filling in the accessory gaps to complete your look.