Read what some of my clients have experienced…
Vania Hayes - Personal Fashion Stylist
December 2011
Hey Vania,
Thanks for that we are so happy… as for my husband well what an amazing transformation…he admitted to me after our shopping trip that he was quite scared and not really looking forward to the whole process. He has never spent any money on himself but he went with it to please me. The funny thing that we laugh about it now is he has turned into ‘Armani Man’, that is my nickname for him. He hasn’t been seen out of his new clothes since we got back from Sydney.
When we first got back he wore his new clothes out to his two closest friends house, this was the test. He was expecting to get abuse from them but they said he looked amazing, one of his friends asked where he’d been working out because he looked so fit. He really does look amazing but he also feels so comfortable with his new look which is a surprise for me. I thought it would have been impossible to move a 56yr old man from surf shorts, T shirts and thongs.
You really got his look, nothing too flashy or metro. He loves the fabrics and comments all the time about how nice they are to wear. I can see he is feeling so confident walking around our town with a new sense of pride. I don’t know how you did it but you managed to give my husband the makeover of all makeovers. I am so grateful he looks so handsome.
Thank you so much
Jane, NSW
December 2011
Vania, You were just amazing I can’t believe how happy I was with absolutely everything I tried on in such a short amount of time. I went with the blue Karen Millen top in the end and am wearing my blue David Lawrence dress today, have already had a number of compliments on how good the colour is on me and how the fit is just right! I could have shopped with you all day! I can’t wait for next week, Wed will be better for me, lunch time again – does that suit you?
Thanks so much, I feel great today!
Megan
August 2011
Hi Vania,
I wanted to say thank you for sharing your incredible wealth of experience and honesty with me over the last two days.
The wardrobe and colour consultation were particularly helpful as it allowed me to evaluate the items of clothing I did have and made it easier to let go of things that I had been hoarding for so long!
I have learnt so much in terms of choosing the right items for your body shape, colour and style that I feel so much more confident about myself and being able to select items that I may not generally choose on my own, but look fantastic once they are on!
Our shopping trip was great fun! It felt like it was Christmas with all my wonderful boxes and bags of goodies!
This experience was all about building my confidence and personal style and I can say, that has definitely been true for me!
Thank you once again,
Athena
June 2011
Hi Vania,
Thought I’d let you know that since shopping with you my confidence in buying clothes and wearing them has increased.
I went to a family wedding last week and wore the cream skirt you choose for me along with a blue v-neck blouse I bought at David Lawrence.It was the perfect outfit for a morning wedding, I looked very elegant and received a few comments.Again, Vania, I would NEVER have chosen or bought that skirt without your help.
I am even coming to terms with the fact that my ageing body does look okay in t-shirts where there is more body than I would like AND I worry less about the look of my upper arms, another product of ageing, and just concentrate on what I can do with the rest/best of me.
Thanks heaps, Vania. I think everyone should have a Vania to take shopping with them.
Toni
November 2010
Hi Vania,
I would never have thought about getting any assistance with clothes shopping unless you had been working well with my wife.
The preparatory work that you do prior to the actual shopping day is clearly what makes this work. You selected items I would never have considered, and probably most importantly picked them from shops that I would never have walked into alone, and only would have payed a flying visit to even with my wife.
The whole experience was really easy and focused – having a huge selection of pre-screened clothes to look at so it was an easy, yes or no from me, (with the right guidance on a few items) made it simple and quite enjoyable.
Your pre-selecting process means I can buy a year’s worth of wardrobe and clothes in one go so I don’t have to do this very often.
Thanks for making the whole process simple, un-embarrassing but also for having the right selection eye for your buyer
Thanks and regards
Gary
October 2010
Thanks to your insight and invaluable inputs the compliments are still coming in!! I can’t thank you enough! You’ve really got a gift for this kind of things!
May I request you for another trip? If we should plan two trips – one in the spring and another in summer or club it into one trip in late spring/ early summer?
Best Regards,
Meenakshi
October 2010
Thank you so much for Friday’s shopping. I am very happy with the items I bought and I have been motivated by your advice to clean out of my wardrobe all unsuitable items. I am so happy to have found skirts which suit AND look good. I am surprised about how good the long shorts look, I would never have chosen them to try on.
My husband is also happy to see the return of colour to my clothes and has commented that I have brought home colours that I would never before have chosen.
He also thinks that I should see you when winter rolls around next year, and I think that’s a very good idea.
Thanks for helping me out of my ‘black’ rut.
Kind regards,
Toni
September 2010
My confidence in clothes and style has definitely grown since meeting you! 
I love how I look. Sometimes I can’t believe it’s really me… I really do look good!!!! Ha
I wonder what I’ll be wearing the next time I see you???
Please put my email on your website. Anything I can do to help – as long as you’ll always have a spare day for me when I need your expertise again!!
I just wanted to say thanks again and that I LOVE THEM LOVE THEM LOVE THEM!!! I’ve worn my blue dress, Ted Baker top and A/X Cardigan so far and I feel so good! I’d even say that I look hot!!! Haha! And I had my most social weekend in ages… all thanks to you!
You truly have a talent. Bring on summer!!
Will talk again soon.
Regards
Michele
May, 2010
I have finally found time to send you a quick email to thank you so much for my shopping trip that I did with you on Friday. I did not know what to expect or what I would be dressed in. You where great! You had patience, time and you were an easy person to get along with. I have to admit you tired me out at the end of the day and I was finished. I had the kids and my husband bouncing around me when I came home saying “what did you get? show me, show me”.
I feel that I have learnt a lot about what I should be wearing. The bra fitting was great… oh and my husband loves them! I still believe that I have alot to learn (especially summertime, when you bare more skin).
Once again thank you so much for the right advice, right colours and making my shopping enjoyable.
Anita
May, 2010
I cannot recommend Vania more. She listened to my needs and found me great pieces all within my budget and that can all be dressed up and down.
She is friendly but honest and I can’t wait to try my new outfits on my friends. It was one of the most relaxing shopping experiences I have ever had.
I also bought clothes in stores I have always been scared to go into before! My husband was blown away by the clothes and my new look!
Can’t wait to go shopping for my summer wardrobe with Vania!
Thanks so much
Emma
May 2010
Dear Vania
Just wanted to drop you a quick line to say thank you very much for last Saturday. I had a lovely day and managed to spend much more than I expected but without guilt or doubt. I have already started wearing my new work wardrobe and had many comments from colleagues. More importantly I feel great in the clothes you helped me choose. I will be back next season for some help with my summer wardrobe.
I will certainly be recommending you and might even get a voucher for my Mum this year.
Thanks again
Samantha
March 26, 2010
Dear Vania,
I would like to say thank you very much for the shopping experience. This is of the best things I have ever done in my life. The clothes I’ve bought are definitely different from what I would normally buy but I feel so much more confident about my body and how I look in them. I will never go shopping again like I used to. I guess like most of your clients on returning home I have spent several hours going through my old wardrobe (with the knowledge of colours and styles that suit me) and threw out nearly every piece of clothing I bought in the past. The best compliments came from my husband who could not stop saying “wow!’ for a while and was wondering why did I spend so little with you!
Thanks again and I will certainly recommend you to others
Inna
(Wollstonecraft)
February 20, 2010
“Hi Vania, just wanted to say thanks again for Saturday. I had a really great day, learnt so much from you and appreciated your honest advice and professionalism. You took me out of my comfort zone but at all times made me feel comfortable with my purchases. I am now no longer intimidated by walking into boutiques and have gained confidence in understanding my body type and size. When I got home I showed my husband what I had purchased and he thought I looked a million bucks and I felt fantastic and enthusiastic about clothes again. I realised that I was not dressing for my age and you have given me the motivation to modernise my wardrobe by using key pieces.
I have wasted my time and money on attending community courses on “What not to wear” etc. However, 5 hours with you I learnt more than I have at any course, you not only showed me what to wear but how to wear it and why it suits my body shape as well as taught me what I should’nt wear and why. Again, thanks for a great day it was well worth it, I just wished I had done this years ago!”
Suzi J
December 2009
Hi Vania
Just wanted to thank you so much for yesterday and making my shopping experience so much fun and rewarding. I have always found trying to buy summer clothes, especially shorts so problematic. But with your guidance and honesty, I was able to pick a complete summer collection and regain confidence that I can wear shorts and look smart.
In the past, I was also less confident shopping in department stores. I found it overwhelming without customer service. But now, with the knowledge I gained from shopping with you, I can look at clothes and have a pretty fair idea if the style and colour will suit me before I take the next step of trying them on.
My family were thrilled when I showed them all of my new purchases. My husband even conceded that the shorts I picked were much better than the ‘Ananaconda’ style! To keep the momentum going, I also spent several hours going through my wardrobe with fresh eyes and threw out quite a bit. It was very liberating!
Thanks again and I will certainly recommend you to others.
Have a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2010.
Sonja
November 2009
Hi Vania,
Thankyou so much for our shopping trip. It has been great waking up in the morning and having a wardrobe full of things to wear that I know actually fit me and look good. Thankyou again, you have saved me countless hours in the change room trying on things that don’t fit or suit me. My husband was very impressed with my new wardrobe and my Mum has put you on her wish list!
It was wonderful to go into the change room with an armful of clothes and have the majority of them fit me and look great. That never happens when I shop myself !
I will definitely be booking into see you again for my next wardrobe instalment ! What month is best to shop for winter clothes ?
Thanks again,
Michelle
October 2009
I absolutely love my wardrobe and true to your word I love to get dressed and my hardest decision is picking what to wear.
I actually get excited to go out with people so I can show off. This is a huge step forward for me who previously tried to avoid going out at all costs.
I live in my tracksuit but could kill my husband. First day I wore I got bleach spots on the top and pants and was devasted. Didn’t know whether to cry or hit myself. It took me a few days to realise that Tony in his wisdom had but bleach in the bottom of the toothbrush cup. His comment was well who brushes teeth with clothes on anyway! He is forgiven but my tracksuit still slightly marked but maybe I would only notice. I love it and live in it. I should have bought ten.
My absolute favourite though is my black winter coat and sunnies. I feel like a movie star.
Tony said he was just in shock when he didn’t recognise me. He said he was just embarrassed and lost for words. We had a fashion parade when we got home and he was amazed.
I went back a few weeks ago and for the first time loved shopping. I took my colour guide and went to the shops you showed me and walked out happy with it all and confident. I even got bargains.
Vania, I can’t thank you enough for the difference you have made. Some may say it’s just clothes but you gave me confidence again and a reason to appreciate me. I love it when people look and comment and the whole experience has just helped me gain so much. I truly am a new person.
I would love to book you again for summer dresses so please let me know when you think the time is right for new season stock.
Thanks so very much for everything. Hope all is well with you.
Beck
(NSW)
October 2009
Vania
I feel more confident already. I was impressed with the amount of clothes you managed to find. The simple tips of what to look for will make it that much easier to discount items easily. It is surprising how much better things look with just something simple like the bottom of a top shortened – I bought things I would have left behind with confidence that a small alternation would make it look perfect. I loved having someone bring in the clothes for me to try on – it is great shopping with someone who is giving me their honest opinion so I know if I buy something it will because it makes me look good.
It’s great that I don’t have to spend a fortune to get some really nice pieces that will bring my wardrobe together so I never have a what am I going to wear moment again.
My husband has already given me compliments on the clothes particularly the coloured items – he loved the turquiose coat.
I’m looking forward to shopping for fabrics to get tailor made pants that bring my whole outfit together.
The makeup was also perfect – exactly as I wanted – natural while looking elegant.
Thanks again.
Sharon
(NSW)
March 30 , 2009
Hi Vania,
I want to thank you so much for your help in finding myself again. You have made this experience something totally unforgettable for me. After a recent marriage break up my self esteem was at an all time low and I honestly cannot remember the last time I did anything for myself let alone feel and look good. Not only did you make me feel relaxed and comfortable, you did not judge my size in fact you said things to me that have really helped me to ‘get over’ letting my weight stand in my way of doing things. Ever since putting on weight I have honestly hated clothes shopping, nothing ever looks good and the mirror has been my biggest enemy (which I admit, I have avoided at all costs). After spending just 4-5 hours with you I now feel confident enough to not only shop but I am at peace with standing in front of the mirror! Let me say, I cannot believe I was able to walk into one shop and buy so many awesome items including 3, yes 3 pairs of jeans that fit, feel and look fab! I have NEVER received so many compliments on how I look… well not since I was in my 20’s!
I find it extremely hard to express my appreciation in words so I would appreciate it if you would put this letter on the website and if anyone wants to email me please. I am a real person who Vania has helped change my life forever and I am truly eternally grateful. I did not know Vania before I emailed her requesting her expertise, but I feel now like I have made another friend, one I definitely look forward to shopping with again!
Sheryl
(Agnes Water/1770, QLD)
February 01, 2009
Thank you so much for everything you have done for me since our first meeting last year. I really love all my outfits and I now feel like I have the complete range of clothes that I have wanted. There’s so much variety and colour!! And thanks for making me feel so comfortable and at ease during the shopping trips. Even when I don’t really know how to explain what I am after in detail, you seem to understand and deliver exactly what I want! And you’ve helped to take me out of my comfort zone at the right time and with continuous patience.
After three trips now it still amazes me how you can find the clothes for me in the sea of options out there! The anxiety that I have caused myself over the last few years getting dressed to go out for various events has been so terrible at times that I pretty much stopped going out. Even going to the shops had become a major drama! My self confidence has really taken a big knock but with your help, I feel like I can get back to being the person I used to be in my 20′s… not caring about what people thought of me and holding my head high again!!
This morning I gave away another big bag of clothes to Vinnies after yet another clean out of my wardrobe. I didn’t want to put any of my new clothes in there until I had gotten rid of all the crap that I had been keeping. It was so liberating!!
I want 2009 to be the year that I get out of the house and take on the world again and thanks to you I know it will be!! I feel positive and alive again.
I really do believe that you have a gift and it is obvious how much you enjoy what you do. How you look/dress is such a personal thing and to have someone like you assist with that should never be underestimated.
Words will never be enough to express my gratitude to you!
Michele
(Newcastle)
