fashion

OKMYOUTFIT.COM

Happy Thursday!

Today, I would like to share with you an amazing website, along with its co-founders, that will revolutionize the way we think about fashion, as busy yet nonetheless stylish corporate sisters. While we do understand that appearance is certainly an important denominator in the professional, and specifically the corporate game, we often have a hard time combining our search for the right, work-appropriate yet stylish wardrobe, with our otherwise crammed schedules. So we pick up items on the fly, hoping that they will fit us, or make time for that one shopping spree a year, during which we absolutely go broke in the hopes of gathering THE perfect wardrobe. What is there actually were a cost-effective, time-saving alternative to the business of dressing, and dressing well, for work?

Diana Melencio and John Orekunrin are the co-founders of OKMYOUTFIT (OMO), a web service dedicated to helping busy professionals build their wardrobe by collaborating with expert stylists, thus having access to the professional fashion advice most people dream of. I’ve had the privilege of speaking to both Diana and John, and was sold on their ideas. I hope you will too, and will check out OKMYOUTFIT for yourself…

1. Diana/John, can you please tell us more about yourselves and how you came up with the idea for OKMYOUTFIT?

JO: Diana and I started OMO because we value the importance of looking good but lacked the fashion expertise and time to find clothes that suit our style. We saw that a lot of our friends share the same problem. So we created OMO as a solution.

Our original idea was to let anyone in the community provide their opinion on other members’ outfits, but we quickly realized that our users wanted expert style advice and not another rate-my-outfit site. So we brought on talented stylists and combined their expert style advice along with top brands to provide our users a truly bespoke personal styling and shopping experience.

2. In the busy world of professionals, how important do you think appearance is, and how do you see OKMYOUTFIT fitting into it?

DM: What you wear and how you present yourself is the first statement you make when you enter a room, so appearance is very important. An outfit that give you confidence and helps sets the tone can mean the difference in an interview or an important meeting.

JO: Busy professionals have the means but, as the term implies, often lack the time and fashion knowledge to put together their best look. OKMYOUTFIT partners busy professionals with stylists so they can get the best looks without the work.

3. Can you describe to us what the services you are offering consist in, and what some of your most competitive rates are?

We provide three different options for our users.

Professional feedback: This option allows users to get professional feedback on an outfit or item they already own. This feature is great if you are looking for ideas on how to pair items you have in your closet. You can also use it while shopping for items on your own. The response time is fast (within 30 mins) and at a very friendly price of $5.
Search for an item: The second option allows you to hire a stylist to help you find a specific item (i.e bag, jacket, shoes) to complete your look. Our talented stylists will go to work and find 5 different options of the item you are looking for. Our stylists also provide style tips to go along with your request so you’ll know the best way to style your new find! The price for this service is just $10.
Head-to-toe look: This option is great for users looking for a complete outfit. The stylist will go to work and help you find 5 items to complete a look for you based on your request. Our stylist pulls from top brands to create a truly bespoke shopping experience for you. They do the hard work of finding amazing pieces to help you look your best. This service is available for just $40.

4. From your experience in the corporate world, what are three most important lessons/principles would you have for corporate sisters?

If we had 3 important lessons for corporate sister, they would be:

The old adage, dress for the job you want to have not the job you already have. When I was a junior analyst, I still wore suits because that’s what all the portfolio managers and senior executives wore at the firm. I found that I was given far more respect and allowed to sit in on meetings than my fellow analysts that wore less formal attire.
Don’t underestimate the power of how what you wear affects how you are perceived. For example, if you wear a suit – it will speak to the formality of the setting or authority you have. Whereas wearing a pair of jeans tells the room that it is a casual and collegial setting.
As a corporate sister rises in ranks, don’t be intimidated when you are surrounded by your male counterparts. Negotiate and discuss with them head-on, without succumbing to emotions. Your words are heard more clearly.

5. What lessons from the corporate world did you apply as you transitioned to entrepreneurship?

DM: Set goals and priorities each week, each day. Something I learned from the “morning call”, which sets the goals and messaging for sales and trading group in an investment firm everyday.

6. What is your vision for OKMYOUTFIT, and how do you plan to achieve it?

JO: Our vision is to help busy professionals everywhere discover their best look. We believe looking your best helps you achieve everyday confidence. We want to provide a seamless styling and personal shopping experience that helps you look your best without the work.

Please check out OKMYOUTFIT, register on the site, get your invitation and embark on a great, cost-effective and efficient fashion experience that will make you reconsider your entire work wardrobe and beyond. For those of you in the New York area, please stop by the OKMYOUTFIT event with Elie Tahari on March 12!