On the Job

If you think "what a zoo" when you open your closet, it might be time to call fashion consultant Barbara King. For 12 years, the bubbly graduate of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology has helped prominent clients around the country look their best. King brought her business to Naples about a year ago, and works with all parts of her clients’ wardrobes, including accessories and shoes, to shape up their looks for any occasion.

What’s a day on the job like for you?

I go into a closet with a client to see what is working or not. Then I make a list of the items that we need to purchase. It’s not about filling the closet full of clothes; it’s about teaching [clients] how to take basics and build from that.

What do you do when dressing a client for the workplace?

With a client I went to see yesterday, a lot of her clothes were dated. She’s very conservative in how she dresses and she wore all the wrong colors. I showed her a couple suitings that looked good on her, and I showed her a lot of colors that she didn’t even think about wearing. Another client who is a real estate agent, on the other hand, has a lot of clothes. She doesn’t have the concept down of what looks good on her, so she buys stuff but never wears it. The key with her is to put the outfits together and have [them] mix and match.

Are there any clothing brands you prefer for a business setting?

It really depends on [the client’s] body type and how much they want to spend. Some people want to go into Bloomingdales and pick out designers like Tahari, but if they need to be a little more cost-[conscious], then we might go with Ann Taylor.

Do you work with male clients differently than with female ones?

It’s completely different because a woman’s wardrobe changes so drastically. For a man, most of the time they already have basics; it’s just about replacing those because they never think about whether flat-front pants are in or out.

Do you have a typical client?

I really can’t categorize it. It’s someone who is ready to transition out of a rut or has something that’s not working. What I love so much about this business is I don’t have to force someone to call me or use my services. They usually get to a point where they’re just fed up and so ready [for help].