To the “9″s
If a small glass slipper changed Cinderella’s life, what could a simple plum colored hat do to change a closet from ‘getting ready’ to glam and glitz? Squeeze in with us as we wave our magic wand in the personal closet of local fashion stylist, Fawn Cheng. And remember… this is not just any closet!
This closet needed to work as hard as its’ entrepreneurial owner: doubling as backdrop for Fawn’s youtube fashion channel and housing everything from high-end stilettos to little black dresses. “I want a finished set that says ‘style’ to my viewers but one that is also a smart solution for me.”
So while Fawn headed to The Apparel Show, we started on her wish list with a deadline looming like the strike of midnight. From paint, lighting and rugs to seating and accessories, this space needed to be about function as much as fashion.Already, the closet (formerly a bedroom) was well-dressed with one wall of gorgeous metallic damask wallpaper. Using the inspiration of her signature color, we immediately decided that the ceiling would be perfect painted in plum. This would help with the issue of ‘glare’ during youtube filming sessions, but we still needed to find an alternative lighting fixture to completely solve the problem. In spite of the fact that we liked the look of the existing cappuccino-colored crystal chandelier, it was a bit oversized and Fawn was simply not in love with it. It was also not placed correctly in the room so when the new pleated drum-style fixture was installed, our handy electrician moved it to center stage!
Closet Before
With two major design decisions done, it was onto the big props. But first we needed to fix a minor eyesore: two back-to-back tall shoe organizers with an exposed seam currently covered up by an unnecessary mirror and an empty black dresser. Thankfully, we noticed a smashing silver silk drapery panel folded up on the floor. Voila! With three simple screws on top of the shelving units, we hung the drapery panel on a ready-made rod and turned it into a focal point fit for the silver screen. Stylist Heather Sanders says, “It’s always our first inclination to say to our clients, ‘How do we make this work with what we have?’ Rather than scrap it all and start over, we try to re-use items from the room and re-purpose items from other parts of the home.”
Closet After !
However, we did need to purchase some key furniture pieces and Fawn had a defined idea of exactly what she wanted. After a quickshopping trip, the room began to take shape. A mercury glass mirrored dresser is accented by the luxurious grey leather chair is where she’ll sit for youtube film sessions. The white cocktail table aside the chair is ideal for small props, and in front of our lovely puddled drapery panel is Fawn’s ever-present assistant and model, Prada G., (appropriately named by her 12-year old son, a local chess wiz). Prada G. is used by Fawn during her fashion filming– educating viewers on personal style and trends.
But what would any stylish outfit be without the perfect jewelry? Accessories are the finishing touch of any room and without them, this film would fall flat! So we brought in fantastic artwork of sketched silhouettes, crystal candlesticks, silk flowers, white lacquer shelving, glossy ceramics, layered rugs with texture and prints, and mounds of mercury glass.
In spite of all the sparkle, we kept the color palette simple in this space: high-gloss white, grey, black and accents of the signature plum. With some easy changes and without a lot of cost, Fawn can change out her set seasonally. She’ll just pull the flowers, swap the shoes, and replace the handbag as quickly as an outfit change from day to evening.
So what did this style expert think of her restyled closet? Not only was she tickled ‘plum’, but she said it best. “I just want to live in here now! I am so delighted that this space is finally finished.” With a dressing room that is styled to the nine’s, it’s time to turn on the chandelier and let the cameras roll.
Photos by Oh Snap by Carlee www.ohsnapbycarlee.com
“9 Ways to Steal this Look”
(Too bad we can’t steal some of those fabulous shoes!)
- Paint your ceiling. Decide YOUR signature color and put it up top!
- Fun with fabric. Use it as dividers, doors, or to hide an area in distress.
- Glam it up: Add shiny mirrors, hanging crystals, or even rhinestone bling for some sparkle in your space.
- Say it with words: Vinyl lettering is inexpensive AND customizable. Think ‘Dressed to Impress’ or ‘You’re Gorgeous’!
- Re-Use: Before you toss anything, consider where else it can be used in your closet or another room in your home.
- Layer area rugs. The floor is your canvas so introduce texture and color in an unexpected place.
- Sit pretty. Why not sit down in a compact chair or comfortable ottoman while strapping on your sandals?
- Light it up. Ditch the fluorescents for classy chandeliers or pendants and gain a flattering dressing room glow.
- Wallpaper one wall. This is not a duck border from the 80’s. It’s damask!
“Take 2… Behind the Scenes with Fawn Cheng”
For Fawn Cheng, fashion and style has been a passion as long as she can remember. “Ever since I was little, I’ve loved playing dress up. I was always the ‘girliest’ of girls—the one who made clothes for their Barbie and changed outfits endlessly.” But growing up in a family with a strong focus on science rather than the arts, she opted for a business degree and built a high-powered career over the years as a Vice President in a relocation firm. Here she honed her marketing, branding, and sales skills during the day and her fashion and style sense after hours.
After attending image consulting school, Fawn’s personal styling business began to thrive during the evenings. “Often people ask me what a personal stylist is,” Fawn says, “But it’s not just about fashion. It’s about what looks good on a person based on their career or goals. I educate my clients on how to dress appropriately for their proportion, scale and body type. I start in their closet and we work with what they have: making new outfits, working with balance and scale, and creating a list to shop from.”
During a company re-organization last year, she made the decision to pursue her dream full time and she hasn’t looked back since. Fawn muses, “Regardless of your title or position, the time you spend with your family is the most important. The freedom in working for myself and the flexibility to office from home has been pivotal in my relationships, especially with my son.”
From working in the corporate world to styling women in the corporate world, Fawn sees a typical client twice a year and empowers them to shop stylishly and effectively without making buying mistakes. She has already been featured in style segments for local television stations and many consider her to be the go-to girl for local style and fashion.
Even if you’re not a current client, you’ll be able to grab some of style tips and fashion insights during her youtube segments, all from her newly styled set.