Name
Sonia McKoy, Image Consultant, Vice President of Style Management Experience, Pittsburgh
I am wearing a cashmere top, green jacket, fabulous jeans that I totally love, and my favorite item, my Wellingtons [boots]. They are my favorite because green is one of my colors to wear. I like the Wellington look when it is raining, it brings me joy.
Are you wearing anything that is a gift from someone?
The scarf is a gift from my stepdaughter. It is very versatile. I wear it on my head sometimes, my neck, and it is one of my favorite pieces.
Are you wearing anything that is a gift to yourself?
No, not really. When I shop, it is for a purpose. I need something and I get it, but I don’t shop a lot in Pittsburgh. I do for clients, but for myself, I shop online or vintage. Back in London, there is a store, Selfridges, it is my favorite. A good friend and I would meet up and go through the whole store: perfume, makeup, clothes, have dinner, and then go to choir practice after. I spent a lot of years doing that, it was fun. So I am kind of window shopped out. [Laughs]
When you do shop in Pittsburgh, where do you go?
I go to Dress for Success, that’s my spot.
You mentioned green as a favorite color. Why?
It makes me feels good. It is one of the colors that I put on, and I just go “Yeeessss!”
Your earrings are matching the scarf, but not matching each other. Tell me about that.
It’s a thing, I always lose my earrings because they are clip-on, so I invariably take one off, or both, then lose one or both. So I just wear what I have left. But I love the amber color, I think it is gorgeous.
Your nail polish is really cool. Can I take some photos?
I wanted something festive that would last through the holidays but not be too bright. So just the ring finger diamond glitter really stands out.
How do you translate your clients’ personalities and desires into outfits, clothing?
I do an assessment, I talk about goals, what they already own, their budget. I never go, “Let’s go shopping!” It is all really planned out. We talk about behavior, communication. I think it starts how we think and how we feel. I want you to express that, so you can present your best self — through your work or your personal life, I want you to bring out the best for you. It is not me telling people what is best for them.
What is the importance of colors in clothing?
My clients can see the way their skin, personality, mood, and perception all work with different colors.
