Reader of the Week: Sophie Mae

She Sets Style Trends In Sunny SoCal

By Lindsey Underwood
Published: August 10th, 2009 | 11:35am

Reader of the week Sophie Mae is living it up in the fashion industry. She owns her own business where she is a stylist and personal shopper, has a fashion blog, and works for a boutique and styling agency. Check out her fashion inspirations, get some advice for cracking the fashion business, and what she likes most about living in California.

Tell us about Sophie Mae Style...

Sophie Mae Style is a Personal Shopping and Styling business I started after working in the fashion industry for over six years. My passion for the industry began when I was working in fashion journalism at Teen Vogue. After gaining experience in various rewarding retail positions I knew I had a unique vision for what I wanted in life. My goal was to always to have a special connection with my clients. These days, there is so much influence from the media, magazines and even salespeople— it’s easy to see why people can feel overwhelmed when it comes to fashion. Everyone is different. Not every trend is suitable for every person. I bring out the best in my clients while keeping their unique lifestyle, look, and career in mind. I also show them how fun fashion can be! You don't have to be so hard on yourself. At the end of the day, it's just a dress.

How would you describe your style?

I wear clothes that reflect my personal style while giving my clients a look they can aspire to.. I look for items with special details and rich colors or fabrics. I believe in investing in pieces I will be able to wear forever and I can pair with all different kinds of looks. My style is about confidence and fit with a feminine feel. My most recent find was a vintage black cocktail dress from American Rag. It’s versatile and timeless.

Where do you live? What’s your favorite thing about living there?

I live in Orange County, which I hated when I was younger because I felt so out of place. But now I feel really grateful to live here. We have the best of both worlds.. We have the beaches, the city and the best shopping in Southern California. The parties are pretty great too!

What is your favorite part of having your own business?

I would have to say the creative freedom. When you're working under someone else's vision, you lose track of what you want. I make all the decisions myself from the font of my logo to my Twitter page. Everything you see is very me. You also get the opportunity to learn a lot about yourself and people. You have to let yourself be able to fail once in a while, which is a hard lesson to learn.

What advice can you give for other people looking to get into the fashion biz?

You definitely have to have a thick skin. One of the biggest misconceptions about fashion is that it's all glitz and glamor, but it's a very tough business. You have to make sure you are totally sold on what you're doing. Some days you will feel the pressure of trying to please everyone. But all your hard work pays off when you know your client feels beautiful in what she’s wearing.

What makes your blog, Miss Mae, different from other fashion blogs?

My blog, Miss Mae is a place for my readers to get style tips and learn about the latest trends. I really tried to make Miss Mae more informative than other fashion blogs. It's not just a bunch of pictures of me. It's really about the reader and giving them advice on what works on them and what products are out there.

Does Sophie Mae Style pay the bills? Do you have a day job?

I am very lucky to be able work as Marketing Director for onQueStyle (onquestyle.com), a designer consignment boutique and styling agency located in Corona del Mar, CA. I manage their social networking and help dress clients. It's awesome because I am around fashion everyday which is great for Sophie Mae Style.

If you could only wear one brand/designer for the rest of your life, what/who would you pick?

I would definitely have to say Chloe. The brand just seems to perfectly personify everything I want my look to be. It's feminine with this sort of tough edge, which I love.

Who are your style icons?

I have five that I try to emulate every time I get dressed: Kate Moss, Audrey Hepburn, Charlotte Rampling, Chloe Sevigny and Jean Shrimpton. I know they are all very different, but that's what I love about them. They are my fearless fashion heroes!