10 Questions for: Nancy Korbet of Mindbodywardrobe.com

Nancy Korbet's web site, mindbodywardrobe.com

“The way we experience life is directly related to how we see ourselves. Learn how to forgive the flaws and flaunt the fabulous! Discover your personal style and express it with confidence.” –Nancy Korbet

Nancy Korbet was an apparel-marketing professional for over 25 years, she recently founded www.mindbodywardrobe.com to help empower women feel better about themselves and look their best no matter what their body shape, size or age. Nancy has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Millikin University and lives in Montara with her husband and two fashionably furry friends. But right now she needs to take a break from being a style guru and answer these 10 MontaraLife.com questions:

What inspired you to start your own business?

I started this business while I was still working full time out of a need to do something more meaningful, and it grew from there.

Why mind/body/wardrobe, what’s the link between the three?

The goal of Mind Body Wardrobe is to help women see themselves in a positive light. The mind is the most powerful part of this equation. The mind creates the chatter, “I’m too old, too fat, too wrinkled”, etc. The body is what all the chatter is about. When you get the wardrobe right, you can dissipate the chatter. It doesn’t mean you have to have an extensive collection of clothes, you can do it with a simple, easy wardrobe. The key is to recognize, focus and accentuate your assets. When you get that right, you look in the mirror and see your body in a whole new way, the mind then starts down the positive road of ”Girl… you look Great!”  That is powerful!

Do you think women are still influenced by the media to look a certain way?

Yes. Unfortunately, I think young girls and women have bought into the media of what the perfect girl/woman should look like, and strive for that impossible look. I have been on many photo shoots with models, trust me, the person you see walking in the door, is not the person that ends up on the magazine page. Any blemish, perceived flaw or extra inch or two can be airbrushed or photo-shopped in order to make the person appear “perfect”. However, some companies are starting to put out a healthier message. There are a few companies, like DOVE soap, which launched the “Campaign for Real Beauty” a few years ago. I applaud them for going outside the box and using real women in their ads as well as taking it a step further to create self-esteem programs for young women worldwide.

How did you get involved with KGO’s Girl’s Night Out?

Their marketing director was speaking with someone I know about putting on a fun girl’s event and they told her about my business, at which point she contacted me to be one of the speakers.  It was a fantastic event to be involved with!

Do you think women dress differently on the coast?

Yes. When I first moved to the coast 11 years ago, it took me a while to understand that even at a “fancier” event here, the dress code was still quite casual. I love that it is so laid back. There are very hip women on the coast and they pull the casual thing together fantastically!

What item do you never leave the house without?

Lipstick! It is my accessory of choice!

Do you think self awareness and style are linked?

Yes, I think it is the key to style. There is a saying “Self-Confidence is your best accessory”. In order to have style, you have to be aware of who you are, what looks good on you, not what the hottest trend in fashion is this season. You have to feel comfortable in your own skin and dress for your current life. You choose the message you want to send out in the world, by creating YOUR look.

What exactly do you do for your clients and how long does it take?

Both what I do and how long it takes varies from client to client, depending on their needs. It can be guiding someone to discover or re-define their style, to working directly in someone’s closet, or helping them to purge what doesn’t work and discover what does. I work with individual clients, via phone sessions or in their home with their wardrobe. I also work with groups of women through my seminars.  Visit my website www.mindbodywardrobe.com and contact me with any inquiries.

You have $500 to spend on clothes, which shop do you head for first?

I shop everywhere from small specialty stores to department stores, depending on what I’m looking for. It’s really about spending wisely to get the most of out of your money. Be prepared with a list of things you need, things that are missing from your wardrobe and prioritize it!

Seems my wife has about 100 pairs of shoes, is that too many?

Since I know you wife AND have been shoe shopping with her, I choose NOT to answer this question!

I’d like to thank Nancy for taking time out to answer MontaraLife’s 10 questions. You can visit Nancy’s web site by clicking this link.