Vivanista (V): How did you get into the business?

Keylee Sanders (KS): I have always felt that I was born in to it, reality is I was born on a horse and cattle ranch in Kansas but I had a very glam mother and as soon as she would let me I would put on lip gloss and jewelry to even play outside. I do remember one time when she told me I couldn’t wear my plastic high heels and ride my 4 wheeler because it was dangerous (Yamaha never put that in the manual).

I studied fashion design in college and my first jobs were all about fashion and in Kansas that was some sort of retail. In high school and college I was always organizing a fashion show (I acquired a portion of Calvin Kleins archives for my college, one of three schools in the country, and did a huge fashion show), making my own outfits, starting fashion and art clubs; I craved to be surround by style.

V: When you meet someone what is the first thing you try to assess?

KS: What their personal style is or what they are trying to make it. You can also tell a lot about someone and about their life by what they are wearing, what type of shoes they are wearing and what their handbag is.

For example a woman with a large handbag, like me, is probably very busy and running around from errands and meetings- she needs to have her life at the reach of her hand. If a woman has a small handbag she is either on her way to an event or is someone who doesn’t want to be bothered with the weight and items that are carried in a larger bag. A woman who is wearing a lot of accessories is usually a bit more creative and doesn’t mind standing out in the crowd.

I don’t ever want to change a client just get to know them and make them their most stylish self!

V: What are some key differences between style in LA versus San Francisco?

KS: LA is much more into label and showing off as where San Francisco has much understated taste and they wear the beautiful designer pieces without the pomp and circumstance. I have found that in SF people buy less clothing but they are more likely to invest in long term pieces.

V: What is the difference between a Little Black Dress for a woman in her twenties versus someone in their fifties?

KS: The LBD is such a great classic piece for a woman of any age. In your 20’s you want the LBD to show off your body in your 50’s you are looking for a LBD that will highlight your body’s best parts while trying to hide a few sins. In your 20’s the fabric won’t matter as much, just as the length will not either. In your 50’s you want a fabric and cut that is supportive and structured in a length that is to the knee or right below. The other main difference is about $500-$1200 dollars, when you buy a LBD in your 50’s it is an investment piece.

V: Zara or H&M?

KS: Zara, if you are wearing it to work or over 30! I love Zara and I think their concept is genius. It is not a bargain basement store but you can find very stylish designer type pieces at a good price. H & M is good for a beach cover up and a few accessories that you will wear once or twice, plus things look ok on the rack but once you put it on it usually just looks cheap.

V: Who would you rather worked with from a style standpoint – Audrey Hepburn or Jackie Kennedy?

KS: Both ladies are true icons but the choice is easy for me, Jackie Kennedy. I have been a Jackie fan for as long as I can remember. I have almost every book written about her and think she was a true lady. She took risks, didn’t follow the rules, and no matter what she was doing she was pulled together and carried her self with style.

V: What is the one thing you would never tell a client?

KS: I would never tell a client that a trend they loved was totally off limits to them. I think you can always find a way to make something work for everyone. Don’t get me wrong I may have them alter the trend, take pieces of the trend or wear it within limits but I think if you love something there is always a way!

V: What is the one thing that you would always share with a client that might get you in trouble?

KS: My very honest opinion. I tell clients all the time that they didn’t hire me to be nice to them, that is what their friends are for.

V: Any anecdotes you are willing to share?

KS: My clients have been everything from wealthy CEO’s, actors and actresses, to chimpanzees. “Dressing” a self-conscious actor for a nude scene is always an experience!

V: What is your life motto?

KS: “Be Keylee”, this is my motto for only me, my mother has always told me that I “just need to be Keylee” I think it is great advice for anyone b/c as we get older I think we loose who we are a bit in society, relationships, jobs, etc.

V: What is your idea of perfect bliss?

KS: A day at the beach, with a stack of fashion magazines, some really great wine, Chuck (my fiancé) and Jet (my dog).

V: Obsolete item you won’t toss?

KS: Vintage clothing that I have collected that will never fit me but I could never part with, it is packed and in my storage unit.

V: Greatest misconception about you?

KS: That I just got off the bus from Kansas.

Keylee Sanders, Owner
Style Studio, LLC
San Francisco * Los Angeles
415.963.3544 * 310.709.0290
www.stylestudiosf.com
http://stylestudiosf.blogspot.com