Today we have an interview with Jean Voute Pratt the brains and beauty behind two sites. Style Observer, a style blog where she helps women put it all together and Gift Girl, her personal shopping website. Shopping for all the girls and women in your life just got a whole lot easier. A couple clicks of the mouse and you’re done! We here at Smashing Darling are happy to congratulate Jean, today is the launch of Gift Girl’s second version. On top of all this Jean has also been on Access Hollywood with style tips and was a co-sponsor for the site Inside The Tents. I loved reading her coverage of New York Fashion Week. Enjoy reading the interview and be sure to check out her websites.
Trish: How did you get into the business of personal shopping?
Jean: Personal Shopper is a misnomer. I only buy Gifts for Girls. I think of a personal shopper as someone who gets you whatever you want… not really my thing. I started out when I was a young Girl visiting my Dad on the trading desk. The guys would ask my opinion & liked the results of my suggestions. I did it for fun for a few years after college, and then decided to turn it into a real business.
Trish: When did you launch Gift Girl and can you tell us a bit about it?
Jean: I launched Gift Girl in October 2007. At that point it was geared toward helping men find gifts for the Girls in their life. The new 2.0 version will not only help men, but women as well. The idea is for everyone to be able to find the perfect gift for every Girl.
Trish: Gift Girl 2.0 just launched, what new exciting features are there?
Jean: We have expanded into more than just fashion. We suggest Gourmet, electronics, flowers, sports equipment, etc. There will also be profiles for women that will help generate Gift suggestions. Each Girl can have a wish list, and the ability to share the wish list with others. You can invite guest members. It’s really become a place to fulfill all your gifting needs – Girlfriend, Sister, Mother, wife, Hostess, Teacher, Friend, etc.
Trish: You split your time between Gift Girl and your blog Style Observer, how did that get started?
Jean: I started Style Observer after noticing that half of my Gift Girl members were women. I reached out to them to find out why. They liked the way I pulled the outfits together in the Collections section, and they liked the overall sense of style. So, I write Style Observer to help Girls pull it all together. It’s a site that helps make trends wearable, it takes runway to reality. I’m like a sister or a close friend telling you, in an absolute honest way, what works and what doesn’t.
Trish: In your opinion, where is fashion trending for spring ‘09?
Jean: I think we’re going to start seeing a lot more of affordable fashions. I think places like Zara & H&M will have more of an impact. I also think it’s a great time for Indie fashion to make a big push. People are looking for something new and fresh.
I think we will embrace retro-glam – a woman being a woman in a modern way. We will also see Boho for a long time – it will evolve – but it will remain. It’s a wearable style, sexy style, and works differently on every Girl.
Trish: What is the one item in your wardrobe you can’t live without?
Jean: Denim!!! I have about 30 pairs. You can pair them with a dressy blouse, a tee, a fitted jacket, a tunic – endless possibilities.
Trish: How would you describe your personal style? And who or what influences that style?
Jean: I’m definitely a chameleon – depending on my mood. Sometimes my style is really influenced by a place. St. Barts is part of my soul & the fashions there open my eyes to a different way of wearing clothing. People’s style also influences me. I love Carrie Bradshaw for her creativity, I also love Sarah Jessica for her NYC edge, I love Katherine Heigle for her modern classic style. I also love when another person’s style intrigues me. Fellow blogger, Rumi, from Fashion Toast has great style. It’s so different from the way I dress, but I love to see how she puts things together.
Trish: What is your fashion obsession of the moment?
Jean: I’m obsessed with Chanel right now. When I was younger, I never understood the whole Chanel cult thing. UNTIL… I tried on a Chanel dress. The fit, the feel, the fabric, everything gorgeous.
Trish: What does your average day entail?
Jean: Wow. I wake up – feed the three dogs – then feed the two boys. Get the boys ready for the day. Then I work-out starting off with a 6 mile run. Shower & dress. Sit down at my computer for as much time as I have before I have to pick up the boys(usually 4 or 5 hrs). Get dinner ready & served. Work for another 2-3 hrs. Try to get the boys bathed and to bed by 9. Then back on the computer until about 11 or 12. Unwind watching some TV for an hour, and then fall asleep.
Trish: What is your style tip for the day?
Jean: When you are struggling getting a look right, put it aside for a few days – it will work itself out. Don’t wear an outfit before it’s ready, or it will bomb.
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