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Don't change your body. Just change your clothes.

Client Stories

No before and after. Just now and moving forward.

It's always fun to view before and after photos of people to see their transformation. But at Poplin, we believe that the client already has a personal style, and we are here to help her communicate that to the world. Using the client's body type, coloring, lifestyle and three words that communicate her style, we provide easily accessible tools to transform a woman's look. It's not about before and after. Just now and moving forward. 

Want to hear more of what people are saying? Check out the Mentions page.

 

Photography: Felicia Schumacher
Makeup: Kurumi Schulz

deborah

Feminine, Classic, Luxurious

Deborah found Poplin through a fellow consultant who happened to be a Poplin client. When we first spoke, she already had a solid understanding of the process and was confident that it was a fit for her. Within the first few minutes of her consultation, it was evident that we were a fit. Deborah’s life is jam packed with outings, travel, work and more. As a consultant, she works with new clients every few months or more and it’s vital that her look communicates confidence, competence, and authenticity. Plus, she needs to be able to dress up or down depending on the situation. As a constant international traveler, simplicity was key. And as a woman raised in Nigeria, she was well versed in the magic of tailoring.

Approach:

The first step was helping Deborah understand how to dress her frame. Despite her best efforts, she wasn’t able to figure out how to minimize and maximize the areas she wanted. Seeing her body in flattering pieces changed the way she saw herself and empowered her to dive into shopping now that she had the tools for success.

From the client: 

Best decision of my life! Working with Melicia was the best thing I have done for myself as a single, professional woman living in the city. Creating a unique style approach for my body type and lifestyle has made getting dressed so much more peaceful and inspiring. Now I look put together as I've always hoped to look. Shopping is SO easy for me now, because I find and style pieces that work for my lifestyle. Forever will work with Mellicia!

Read more on Yelp.
Watch Deborah’s Video.

Photography: Andrea Prudente
Hair and Makeup: Jessica Rockwell

aileen

Classic, Mix of Masculine + Feminine, Edgy

Aileen and I met prior to the pandemic and had to cancel our sessions before we started. When it was time to offer services once again, Aileen was ready to go. She had lost her sense of style over the years and it was evident that she had a very cool, edgy side that wasn’t coming out.

Approach: 

It was time to do a major overhaul. Years of struggling to understand what pieces would flatter her frame and communicate her style, Aileen’s collection was an array of pieces that didn’t feel like her at all. She wanted easy options that helped her feel great in her body, aligned with her values and her authentic style. The top priority was listening to her and ensuring that she felt comfortable taking a big risk. She was nervous, but when her Uber Wishlist arrived, it was clear that we were on the right track. Over three years later, we continue to collaborate on additional lists (loungewear, accessories and clothing) and new outfit ideas. Initially, she was lost, overwhelmed and confused. Now, she shares brands with me and is a style icon.

From the client: 

Working with Mellicia has provided me with a clear understanding of what clothes work for me and why taking into account my body shape and my unique style.  I now have a closet full, but not overfull, of clothes that I feel great in and am confident in combining in fun ways to meet the occasion - dressed up or down or somewhere in between.  And if I'm ever uninspired I have outfit photos Mellicia curated for me to get ideas. …I wasn’t much of an internet shopper at the time but Mellicia led me through how to determine what size to order, making sure items were returnable, and reading reviews to find out if an item ran big or small.  It seems obvious now but wasn’t for me at the time and I appreciated her guiding hand…. It has been such a positive experience for me and I will benefit for years to come. 

Read more on Google.
Watch Aileen’s Video.

Photography: Andrea Prudente
Hair and Makeup: Jessica Rockwell

ISA

Bold, Powerful, Sexy

Isa arrived in Seattle during the pandemic. Within a couple of years, she discovered that the Seattle “uniform” of dark colors had taken over and she didn’t feel like herself anymore. She was ready for her clothes to reflect her bold, sexy style. Upon meeting her it was obvious that this was true and I was dying to have the opportunity to go full force into her style. She had very clear ideas of what she was going for and shared Pinterest Boards to communicate her vision. We had a mission.

Approach: 

Isa is a woman who knows what she wants. Her challenge was finding those pieces, understanding how to put them together and helping her support brands that align with her values. With a curvy petite hourglass figure, tailoring was a must and having access to a stylist with a tailor was essential for her. Creating comprehensive wishlists for her (Uber Wishlist, loungewear list and a follow up vacation wishlist) was the ideal way to illustrate our destination and share details about the brands we recommended.

From the client: 

TL;DR - if you have the funds, Just F%@&*ng Do It

This is gonna be long. Strap in…..

After a full hour (seriously, a full hour) tearing my room apart and manically laugh-crying at the absurdity of how weirdly emotional I was getting, I came to the realization that I’d become one of those people with a closet full of clothes and “nothing to wear”. And after drinking some wine about it, I recognized that what was *actually* making me feel some type of way was the fact that in the nearly two years that I’d been up here, I’d completely lost my identity.

I went from a wardrobe of fitted pieces in canary yellows, emerald greens, hot pinks, royal-blues—the type that would make even a bird of paradise or a mantis shrimp go “damn, bitch, you are *extra*”—to one of the bruise palette, with everything in baggy fits of desaturated, purples, blacks, and blues. So it was at 11:45pm on a School Night, almost a bottle of red deep, that I went on the lookout for a stylist and Mellicia’s name popped (or Poplin’d, as it were…sorry) up, and I requested a consultation….

Ya’ll. Most worthwhile 90 minutes of my life….

Read Isa’s Full Review
Watch Isa’s Video.

Photography: Andrea Prudente
Hair and Makeup: Jessica Rockwell

bridget

Luminous, Polished, Effortless, Happy, Creative

Bridget has boundless energy and is always on the go. Living in a more casual environment, far from the city, she was looking for opportunities to amp up her style. Her life is very full as she balances her career with parenting three high school and college age kids in partnership with her husband. The two of them are artists at heart and that is evident in their home. Additionally, she help raise money for causes that are important to her doing stand up comedy and gives back to the community on a regular basis. Bridget has made self care a priority recently. When she purchased her styling package she said, “I’ve spent more on landscaping in one season. I realized that I should be able to spend that investing in myself.” And so she did.

Approach: 

Preparing Bridget’s Uber Wishlist was a dream. She was ready to experiment and celebrate her figure. Committed to exercise and healthy living, she was excited to celebrate her shape in mid life. She is also deeply committed to ethical sourcing of materials and fair labor standards. The intimates wishlist was a continuation of our pledge to honor her values, celebrate her life AND encourage her to continue making self care and beauty a priority.

From the client: 

If you had asked me a year ago if I felt confident choosing clothing for myself, I would have answered, “Yes”. I move boldly through my life, and I thought I knew what looked good on me.... Something I read led me to Mellicia’s website for Poplin Style Direction. Hours went by as I scrolled through her clients’ photo shoots, style sheets, style profiles, and testimonials. I was captivated. Several women expressed that they had spent so many years focused outward, on work, family, etc., that they could no longer see themselves. That resonated with me.

Working with Mellicia has been an enlightening and transformative experience.... By embracing the process, I had more fun than I could ever have imagined. I now have a colorful, stylish, unique wardrobe that reflects my creative spirit and my desire to support sustainable brands made by diverse designers. I learned so much about what looks good on me and why. I now know specific brands, colors and styles that flatter my particular body type. I am asked daily about what I’m wearing, and I get to say things like, “This jacket is made of cactus leather” or “This bag supports craftswomen in Ethiopia”.

Mellicia brings her big heart, keen insight, and years of experience in fashion to every aspect of the process. Whether I’m meeting with clients, going to a party, performing on stage, or walking my dog, my clothes are a reflection of my newfound joy and pride in my appearance."

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Chamonix Browne
Hair and Makeup: Jessica Rockwell and Kat St. John

 Caitlyn

Intentional, Hip, Polished

As a leader in tech, Caitlyn was struggling with her desire to look polished, but not be overdressed in a very casual work environment. When we met, it was clear that she was frustrated with the lack of options that fit her body and communicated anything close to the style she desired.

Approach: 

We started with defining her style and introducing her to brands and retailers that would inspire her. Then, we embraced luxurious quality pieces (often on sale!) that could be tailored so she could look and feel her best. And, of course, it was all about illustrating how she can make something feel more casual for work, then dress it up to go out.

From the client: 

Mellicia is the best!… I went to Poplin as I was sick of trying to find clothing as a plus-size short gal who didn't want to look like a secretary. I was in a rothys-skinnyjeans-top rut. I hated shopping and did it as a matter of necessity. She taught me SO MUCH…. She did exactly what I wanted, worked with where I'm comfortable, and pushed me into newer, hipper territory.

Read more on Yelp.
Watch Caitlyn’s Video.

Photography: Chamonix Browne
Hair and Makeup: Jessica Rockwell and Kat St. John

 Laura

Whimsical, Vintage Inspired, Edgy

Laura uses her eye for design in her work and when decorating her home, but she was struggling to integrate that sensibility when getting dressed. She had a fun collection of vintage and vintage inspired pieces but was struggling with making cohesive looks that felt authentic to her and functional for her life. Laura wants to support individual makers and embrace brands that reflect her values, whenever possible. When we met, she was ready to take bold steps with her style, but wasn’t sure how to move forward.

Approach: 

Because Laura is petite and appreciates pieces that are off the traditional path, finding items that fit has always been a struggle. We decided to find pieces that were new and of high quality, but inspired by fashion in the 50’s and 60’s. Shopping online empowered us to find makers from the US, Canada and even Seattle boutiques who have a unique style and commit to ethical practices. We did a major tailoring overhaul, updating existing pieces in her wardrobe and altering new items to flatter her frame and make sense for her urban lifestyle. Her two piece coordinated set shown in the photo, was originally a dress from a designer in Canada, for example.

From the client: 

Once upon a time, I enjoyed shopping and creating outfits. Fast forward decades later... changing body due to motherhood and age, limited time / energy / interest in shopping, and a few years of pandemic doldrums and I needed to hit the fashion reset button…I work in a creative field, so I almost felt embarrassed that I had to ask for help dressing myself! But it was more than that. I had lost touch with where to find clothes that fit my lifestyle, age, shape, and mindset… Mellicia helped me see beyond the online photos of a tall, slender model to how I could rock the same look. I would wholeheartedly recommend Mellicia to someone interested in a clothing overhaul. You'll feel better on the inside as well….

Read more on Yelp.
Watch Laura’s Video.

Photography: Chamonix Browne
Hair and Makeup: Hanna Mazur

 Angela

Fierce, Sophisticated, Feminine

Approach:  Working as a nurse during COVID, Angela hadn’t had much time or energy to invest in herself. Her good friend, a Poplin client, suggested she work with Poplin. Angela’s virtual closet edit was quick because her wardrobe consisted of just a few basic pieces. She was ready for a total overhaul and a fresh start. We opted to go for pieces that made getting dressed fun and tailored several items to help her look and feel her best.

From the client: 

I love working with Mellicia! I'm super busy with work and family and COVID quarantine really highlighted how sad my closet was looking. Mellicia shared her expertise, kept the process on track and now I've got gorgeous things to wear and am not in hoodies and leggings 24/7. She kept my budget in mind and helped me figure out the style that works with my life and makes me feel effortlessly pulled together.  This was such a great use of my limited time and energy. I completely trust Mellicia to help me look and feel good about my new wardrobe. I'll definitely continue to work with her.

Read more on Yelp.
Watch Angela’s Video.

Photography: Chamonix Browne
Hair and Makeup: Hanna Mazur

 Vibha

Elegant, Playful, Approachable

Approach: 

Vibha’s previous life included a much more polished, elegant approach to clothing. But, when she started working in the tech industry in Seattle, she found her style getting increasingly casual. After having her daughter and then working from home during the pandemic, she realized she had lost touch with her sophisticated side and wasn’t sure how to bring it back. Offering her clear filters of what flatters her frame plus new inspiration and resources with an array of fresh retailers for her petite frame will take her to the next level. Vibha worked with tailors in other countries, but had yet to experience the full range of services from a high end tailor domestically. Connecting her with that resource will empower her for years to come.

From the client: 

When I reached out to Mellicia early this year, the pandemic fatigue had finally gotten to me. I knew I needed a transformation and it was long overdue but I had been putting it off. I was a bit unsure about how the styling service would work in this new pandemic world that we now live in and was still on the fence on whether I should go forward with it. It took just one meeting with Mellicia and I knew I could trust her to go on this journey with me. Mellicia has been so AMAZING to work with - she really listened and took the time to understand my needs, aspirations and created a customized styling profile. We did a closet edit - online! - guess what, having Mellicia in my closet virtually worked out pretty well. The uber wishlist was great and so was the fitting session - I now own clothes that are tailored and suited for my style and body type. Mellicia then paired all my clothes and accessories to put together an awesome Outfit catalog that I can refer to anytime, and that really takes the stress off of dressing for a busy mom such as me! The photoshoot was so much fun, and because it was all outdoors, I felt super safe to participate. Overall, I feel a renewed sense of confidence after going through this process. Mellicia has really helped me get my swagger back!

Read more on Yelp.
Watch Vibha’s Video.

Photography: Chamonix Browne
Hair and Makeup: Jessica Rockwell

 Hana

Girly, Joyful, Effortless

Hana’s first Uber Wishlist focused on fall and winter and a year and a half later, we added a double wishlist featuring warm weather items. Her photo shoot incorporated pieces from both lists as the Poplin approach is always about maximizing flexibility and functionality. When we met, she adored designer pieces but often found herself returning items because she couldn’t figure out how to make her overall look represent what she was going for. She was ready to experiment and wanted clear guidance on how to find pieces herself and what would flatter her frame.

Approach: As a software engineer who also loved leaning into her creativity, it was evident that the clear guidance on her personal profile would be essential to her achieving self sufficiency when it came to her personal style. Showing off her shape with crop tops and belts, but still keeping her look fresh and relaxed in luxurious designer pieces would ensure that her vision met reality.

From the client: 

Mellicia really helped me find me. I always had an idea of the kind of vibe that I want to give out to the world through clothing, but I could never get it quite right. I struggled with expressing myself in a that way and often looking and the mirror and thought, “this isn’t the real me.”… After Mellicia helped me, I not only started to wear clothes that I truly enjoy, but I am also starting to get better at finding the exact kind of clothes that I want from the sea of different kinds of stores online.”

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Chamonix Browne
Hair and Makeup: Hanna Mazur

 Lisabet

Edgy, Chic, Powerful

Lisabet has mastered the art having a personal stylist. From day one, she identified her stumbling blocks and we made a plan to alleviate her pain points. In addition to her initial Mobile 360 Package, we’ve collaborated on an array of unexpected an interesting projects. From finding hip uniforms for her employees to helping her find and transform her dream wedding dress, and then through a career change, Lisabet is filled with ideas and the confidence in Poplin to make them happen.

Approach: My favorite thing about working with Lisabet is the amount of trust we place in one another. This comes from several years of listening, experimenting, and risk taking. When it was time to do a photo shoot for her residential realty business, it was obvious that we’d want an unorthodox approach to the photos. Staging the shoot at a home she sold, we could communicate so much about her with her look and her surroundings.

From the client: 

I've been working with Mellicia and Poplin Style since 2013. She helped me develop my signature style when I was a new business owner to uniforms for my spa employees. She even helped me pick out my wedding dress! The gal is multitalented. After Covid and months of living in loungewear, I was ready for something new, and since I had shifted to real estate, rebranding was at the top of my list…. The actual photoshoot felt like one big party. I changed outfits, chatted with everyone, and the best part was we all laughed a lot. I never felt awkward or that I had to smile in a forced way. As someone who has always felt dorky with a capital D in front of the camera, I finally relaxed and enjoyed the whole experience.

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Chamonix Browne
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

 SARAH

Creative, Sophisticated, Approachable

Sarah will always have a special place in my heart because just after our initial consultation, everything shut down for the pandemic. I refunded her money and we just waited. 15 months later, when Poplin came out of hibernation, Sarah was one of the first clients I saw. She was so flexible and seemed to understand even more the value the service would have for her. We were both ready to dive in. As an author and a math and science tutor, Sarah’s pre-pandemic life included lots of in person travel to clients plus interaction with high school students and their parents. Her new reality includes a professional life that is almost totally working from home. At home, she had been living in leggings. At work, she wore more traditional collared shirts that didn’t quite feel like her. Her pieces needed to command authority with parents while feeling approachable to her students. And now, they all needed to be comfortable for working from home or heading out into the world. Equally important, Sarah is committed to sustainability and ethical fashion, so her new wardrobe would need to be ethically sourced.

Approach: The added year made Sarah even more willing to experiment. With a closet that consisted of old t-shirts, leggings and fleece, she opted to do something drastic- start from scratch. She wanted a, “polished yoga retreat,” vibe and had lots of quirky interests that we wanted to include in her collection. These created deep cuts with the kids and references that made her feel powerful in items that were authentic representations of her. We also limited pieces to sustainable options in soft fabrics that felt comfortable without looking sloppy and reflected her values. As a petite person, this would inevitably include tailoring so that she would shine in every outfit.

From the client: 

One thing I was nervous about, when thinking about working with a stylist, was whether I would feel awkward, or like I was dressed as someone else. It was clear from the first meeting, though, that that was absolutely not going to be the case. Mellicia asked me so many questions, and I could tell she was digging down trying to really understand my sense of style, and what felt good to me. And holy cow she completely nailed it.

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

delight

Elegant, Powerful, Fun

Visiting Delight’s closet was like going on an adventure at an exclusive new boutique. There were layers and layers of clothing, most of it jammed in and hidden behind other options. I could see why she was overwhelmed. Surprisingly, she never wore 99% of her pieces. With a job in technology, she ended up opting for leggings and a sweaters most days despite having the freedom at work to up her game and still fit in. Our plan was to kick her shopping habit and instead teach her to shop from her own closet and bring new life to treasured pieces with the help of a great tailor.

In her words:

I've always loved clothes, but hated getting dressed--until I met Mellicia.  I decided to hire Mellicia because I was tired of wading through an overstuffed closet full of clothes--many that I never wore--and I didn't want to buy new clothes but instead wear the items that I already owned.  Mellicia helped me refine my style and use that as a guide to determine what to keep.  After cleaning out my closet she helped me breathe new life into dated pieces by bringing her tailor to my home where Mellicia and the tailor used their expertise to update each piece and ensure that it was modern, reflected my style, and fit properly.  As a busy working mom I appreciated that the tailor then came back to my house and had me try each piece to ensure the proper fit.  This was an amazing service and I loved that I could extend the life of clothing I really liked and was shocked by how much better the clothing fit after it was tailored to me.  And did I mention that I didn't buy one new thing as a result of working with Mellicia?  The result is that I feel like I have a brand new wardrobe but didn't spend a dime on new pieces!  Mellicia not only changed my closet, but my life. 

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Chamonix Browne
Hair and Makeup: Jessica Rockwell

GWEN

Clean Lines, Feminine but not Girly, Polished

Gwen had nailed a particular look. But, after that, she was stumped. She loved tailored pieces, but wanted to make sure everything felt feminine. As a high school teacher who lives in an urban, walkable neighborhood, we wanted to find pieces that fit her lifestyle. Our strategy was to elevate her style without feeling fussy. From the first look on our shopping trip, it was clear that we were on the path.

From the client:

From start to finish, Mellicia made the whole experience completely stress-free and so empowering. My confidence in how I present myself is greater than it's ever been, and I couldn't recommend her highly enough.

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Lauren

Americana, Feminine, Relaxed Simplicity

Lauren had mastered the jeans and t-shirt look and she had an innate sense of what worked for her. What she lacked was the confidence to go for it. With a job in technology, we wanted to be sure she could opt for more casual looks when appropriate and then amp things up for going out. My goal was to push her to embrace her curvy figure and her authentic style that could be both comfortable and sexy.

In her words:

I decided to look for a personal stylist after quickly gaining weight due to a new medication. The department store I usually shop at offers personal stylists without a fee but I was really looking for someone who could come into my home, see the way I live, see what I already own and work with me to formulate a plan based on all that info. I'm so happy I found Mellicia as she does all this and more! She made me feel instantly comfortable and picked up on my insecurities and areas of concern right away. I wanted someone to push me out of my rut of jeans and sweatshirts and she delivered ten-fold on our shopping day. 

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

ashley

Expressive, Authentic, Effortless

Ashley taught me the power of pilates and I taught her the magic of tailoring. We wanted to express her values through her pieces starting with shopping at second hand stores and maximizing her existing clothing. Items needed to be functional for her urban lifestyle and reflect her status as the owner of a pilates studio. The key was focusing on what was flattering for her figure and how to tailor used clothing to make her look her best.

In her words:

Working with Mellicia gave me the opportunity to think more deeply about the woman I am and the woman I want to be and how to embody this through the clothing I wear. She's given me tools to take more risks and feel more empowered and confident in how I present myself…. All this to say, Mellicia is a pleasure to work with, she teaches you so that you are walking away with tools to sustain the changes you're making and she provides generous support along the way. Do yourself a favor and get on her waitlist!

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Chamonix Browne
Hair and Makeup: Jessica Rockwell

Fiona

Effortless, Structured, Feminine,

When I met Fiona, she was in the very early stages of planning her transition. She knew she wanted to get clothes that communicated her style. But, other than that, she wasn’t sure what her style was. Our approach was to use the body type filters to help her understand how best to dress her figure, do a deep dive into the foundations, then experiment with different looks. Putting her in the wrong outfit, was just important as putting her in the right one. She was apprehensive but also courageous and was up for anything.

From the client:

I've always struggled with clothing and fashion--I've spent most of my life giving up that battle and falling back on the 'jeans, t-shirt, hoodie' paradigm that's so common in the tech industry. To add injury to insult, when I decided to transition in my 30s, and the resulting need to overhaul my wardrobe, I was faced with a mostly alien world. Walking into a big clothing/department store, with a seeming infinite of choices, and intimidating salespeople, and weird sizing (and my weird sizes!), and not having any idea of a style or objective in buying things... well, it was frankly terrifying. So I decided to call in an expert, in Mellicia, and I'm so glad I did!

She turned shopping trips into something of a 'guided tour' experience, and helped break down a big scary thing into pieces I could manage and understand.

I never felt like I was being steered or railroaded into one particular fashion. In fact, much to my surprise, I found out I did actually have opinions about these things, and Mellicia was super attentive in picking up on what I liked. Iterating on that feedback, she helped me find a style that legitimately feels like me, and now I have a mental model of what's probably going to work for me when I go out shopping now.

I'm sure there's places that can pick out coordinated outfits and call it a day, but by working with Mellicia I've managed to overcome something that's stressed me out for a really long time, and was a major sticking point in achieving my transition goals, and it was entirely a fun and enjoyable time. Well worth it!

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Becky

Glammed Up Vintage Casual

Moving from “dressier” cities to Seattle can be tough. Pair that with a job in technology and a busy family life and many women end up tossing on jeans and a, “nice top” each day. Becky struggled to find a way to translate her authentic style to this casual lifestyle and opted to just, well, opt out. Instead, I encouraged her to own what makes her feel most confident then created outfits with dressy and casual options.

In her words:

Mellicia takes time getting to know the real you so that she uncovers your innate style. I was the mom that threw in the towel after moving to Seattle where people seemingly didn't care about fashion. But that just wasn't ME! Mellicia helped give me the confidence I needed to embrace fashion and adapted my style for my very casual work and home life settings. She is direct, efficient and just gets it!

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Amy

Expressive, Approachable, Happy

Amy has been a Poplin client since 2014 and the collaboration continues to evolve over time. Initially, our goal was to ensure that her clothing more accurately represented the level of design she brings to her work. She works with clients, from an office and at construction sites. So, pieces needed to work for a range of situations. Over time, her style has become more casual and we have committed to maintaining her polished look while opting for pieces that are comfortable and fun.

From the client:

Working with Poplin Style has been a wonderful experience to aid in my confidence, acceptance of my body now that I have clothes to match my body shape, and establishing my brand for my small business. I began to understand how my confidence, mood, and attitude are affected by how I feel in my clothes which directly affects my business and my brand. It's fun getting dressed in the morning knowing that it's already been figured out for me....I just need to decide the type of mood I'm feeling.

I continue to work with Poplin Style to not only keep my wardrobe pulled together, but also maintain my confidence and brand image.

Read more on Yelp.

Photography by Chamonix Browne. Hair and makeup by Jessica Rockwell.

Natasha

Modern, Effortless, Polished

Natasha is a New Yorker who found dressing for new life in Seattle very challenging. Because Seattle culture is more casual and she works in technology, it was like a double whammy. Her polished pieces felt inappropriate. She had a collection of “going out” pieces and then jeans and more jeans. Our strategy: show her that you can look both polished and effortless in pieces that work for her urban lifestyle. We opted for retailers she loved but showed her how to find the perfect pieces for her style, body type and lifestyle so she could end her cycle of buying clothing she never wore.

In her words:

I first got to know about Poplin through my coworker who hired Mellicia and saw how much her confidence, poise, and overall presence shifted at work...I had to have in, and it's been worth every penny. I've always loved shopping, but I found myself spending money on clothes and leaving price tags on for months (sometimes years) because I either didn't know how to put them together with other clothes in my closet or I later felt they didn't actually suit me. Believe me when I say, I cried tears of joy during this experience when Mellicia's touch not only allowed me to more effectively express my personality through my clothing and shop efficiently, but also to look at my closet and feel like I have 100+ outfit combinations that I'm excited about and represent me. Thank you Poplin and Mellicia for changing my life!!!

Read more on Yelp.

 

Photography by Chamonix Browne. Hair and makeup by Kat St. John.

Ashley

Preppy, Punk

When I meet a prospective client, I’m always trying to determine what her true style really is. During Ashley’s consultation, she mentioned that she adored her handbag and it was representative of her true style. But once I got insider her closet and had a deeper conversation with her, I realized that she loved that bag because it was unique, unexpected, eye catching. It was just the beginning of our journey to her true style destination, “preppie punk.” When we landed on it, we both knew it was just right. Because she chose the Uber Wishlist, I had a field day finding the perfect pieces for her from memorable designers while shopping on discount sites, saving her cash. I was elated when she chose the photo shoot because I couldn’t wait to show off the real Ashley.

In her words:

I was sick of taking 30 minutes every morning to find something to wear and still ending up feeling frumpy, so when I found Mellicia on yelp it was honest to god a dream come true. After we had our first meeting, I was so excited because I felt like she "got" me and had some really fun ideas about what my fashion sense was & could be….

Read more on Yelp.

Photography by Chamonix Browne. Hair and makeup by Jessica Rockwell.

Ann

Banana Republic Meets Southwest Chic

Ann was transitioning from a more formal career and needed clothes that fit that change. Additionally, she had been struggling with weight fluctuation and has young children, so she hadn’t invested in pieces for herself in some time. Plus, she had little success when she did purchase items, mostly from Target as she navigated parenting and working full time. Our strategy was to have a fresh start, only keeping items that truly communicated her authentic personal style and fit her properly. Shopping at accessible stores, we also were mindful of her budget and purchased a smaller collection of pieces that would mix and match easily and ensure she felt like her best self everyday.

In her words:

Working with Mellicia is like working with your best friend.  She is fun and kind and knows just what to ask to figure out what I like and want.  After we cleaned out my closet I had nearly nothing to wear - literally one pair of pants and a few shirts!  Even so I was very apprehensive about shopping.  But the trip was amazing.  Working with the style guide Mellicia had come up with based on my personal style, everything we tried was my style and came from stores I can easily visit to update my wardrobe in the future.  I will happily continue my work with Mellicia and would recommend her to anyone!

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Lusha

Stylish, Current, Intelligent

Lusha loves fashion. When we met, she had already accumulated an array of current pieces with all sorts of bold choices. Her closet was fun. She had been experimenting for years, but struggled to bring everything together into different looks. So, she often found herself repeating outfits as she wasn’t sure of other ways to use each piece. I recommended a small list of items to move her forward and focused extra time on outfit creation giving her lots of looks for each piece. 

From the client:

Mellicia took my daily styling to a new level! Within just two hours, she transformed my closet with my existing clothes with new styling photos that I can't stop browsing and refer to every day when I dress for work or fun. The most important thing I gained from working with her is, no matter what body shape you are in, love yourself and be confident in your look, because everyone can look amazing when the styling is right. 

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

amanda

Aggressively Whimsical, Fun, Sophisticated

When I met Mandy, she was a big fan of another client’s style. “I want that,” she declared. But together, we discovered that she has her own style that is fearless, fun and polished. As a technology executive her position includes corporate travel to Europe plus work at the local office. Her style strategy is all about finding pieces that express who she is in any environment and understanding how to tweak her look to suit the occasion without sacrificing her sense of self.

From the client:

My life is now divided into "Before Mellicia" and "After Mellicia." In the Before Mellicia times, I'd spent eons idling in front of my closet, surveying the wasteland of anything that could be construed as an outfit. Sure I had clothes, but nothing that resembled style. After Mellicia, going into my closet is a much more "hell yeah!" kind of experience….Besides being a delightful person to work with, Mellicia provided tactical, actionable advice that I could take away and dress myself like a pro on my own.

Read more on Facebook.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Jeannie

Bold, Fun, Tailored

Jeannie lives life to the fullest. Every minute of the day is filled with ways to learn, grow, enjoy others and improve the world. It’s extraordinary. So, her wardrobe needed to communicate her self confidence and drive while also working for her very busy life as a professional, a mom and wife as well as her new past time, grad school. We committed to elevating her wardrobe to the high standards she achieves everyday without taking away her sense of fun and whimsy.

In her words:

Working with Mellicia was fantastic!  I hate to shop, I didn't know what my personal style was, and my wardrobe was uninspired.  Mellicia helped me see what clothes work best for my body.  We shopped together and I got a whole new wardrobe (in 3 hours!).  I felt like a new person after working with Mellicia!

Read more on Facebook.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

agA

Cosmopolitan, Unexpected, Effortless

In the first few minutes of Agnes’s closet edit, I discovered an awesome pair of pants. I asked her about them and discovered that she had made them herself. That sent things in an entirely different direction. We combined her love of thrift stores with her collection of finds from all around the world and her love of creating new things with her lifestyle and body type to create her hip, urban style. Adding in a few new pieces and offering up suggestions for her to find while thrifting, her style transformation began. It’s been over two years and her look continues to evolve as we dream up new ways for her to express herself.

In her words:

Mellicia is a wizard: creative, confident, professional and very flexible.She has fantastic social skills and makes you feel great, and also revolutionizes the way you see yourself. The first free interview hour gave me huge hopes and I wasn't disappointed! We met up for a 3-hrs closet edit and it was a thrilling experience. I was left inspired and motivated to dress like there is no tomorrow. Mellicia is really efficient and inspiring. 

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

nancy

Confident, Functional, Sexy

Nancy is a travel writer. She is either working from home or traveling the globe with a small suitcase. We wanted to be sure that she felt classy and sophisticated for international trips while also ensuring that her pieces worked for multiple purposes so she could travel light. Nancy is also limited to a number of shoe brands and wanted to be sure this wouldn’t restrict her style. It did not. My favorite new pieces: her yellow vegan leather jacket that works well in rainy weather and her long sleeve blue velvet dress that keeps her warm for formal occasions with or without adding the jacket.

In her words:

Collaborating with Mellicia to elevate my fashion style as a travel journalist and communication skills coach has been nothing short of miraculous - plus, so rewarding and such fun! I had gotten bored having the same “go to” outfits for every occasion and wanted to work with someone who would challenge me to stretch my fashion comfort zone both in color and style. I found that person in Mellicia. From our initial consultation to my closet overhaul, from creating my wardrobe wishlist to our photo fashion shoot with her stellar makeup and photography artists, my entire experience was a delight. Every woman deserves to spend a day with the Poplin Style team!

Read more on Facebook.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Swathy

Elegant, Sophisticated, Fun

Swathy is a force for good in the world. Growing up, fashion, makeup and hair didn’t come up in conversation either at home or with friends. As a young professional, she discovered that she was at a complete loss when it came to these areas. Creating a framework that provided her with guidance on what to choose and why helped give her confidence. Then, our shopping trip provided the opportunity for her to see herself in a new way and it all took off from there.

In her words:

I appreciated that Mellicia didn't try to put me in clothes that were too over the top or that didn't represent me. She found items that were very me but took it to the next level. I couldn't believe how good I looked! She's helped me feel more comfortable in my own skin. I'm so happy that I went with Poplin Style!

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Abby

Hip, Minimalist, Globally-Inspired

When I met Abby, she had everything that defined her style, except the clothing. She was already living an urban lifestyle with a great career and an enviable passport. She also knew which boutiques she liked. But beyond that, she was stuck. After a deep dive of her likes and dislikes and a clear message that she was ready to fearlessly address her style woes, we were off. We integrated a globally-inspired piece in every outfit-whether it was from her travels, a local maker or a fun boutique. We also found sophisticated and effortless minimalist pieces to act as canvasses for her eye catching design elements.

In her words:

Working with Mellicia is amazing, seriously. She helped uncover my personal style and provided me with the tools and education needed to maintain it. Before working with Mellicia I felt frumpy and dull. Shopping was not fun for me and I wanted to change how I dressed, but didn't know where to start. Mellicia helped me see elements of my personal brand that were right in front of my eyes and decoded patterns and waistlines so I could dress for my body type. I cannot say thank you enough to Mellicia and the Poplin team for helping develop my style!

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Gretchen

Approachable, Sexy, Effortless

Gretchen and I met over four years ago. She was the first potential client to ever interview me. I suggested we skip the interview and do the standard consultation and then she could make her decision from there. We started working together right away and have been connected ever since. She is an example of one of my favorite transformations having gone from an earthy, comfortable Seattle-ite to a bombshell confident business owner who isn’t afraid to be unabashedly sexy, unique and driven.

In her words:

When I decided to hire a stylist, I researched as many as I could find in the Seattle area and met with my top three choices. They all offered comparable services/packages, and even though Mellicia was a little more expensive than the other two, it was no contest…One of the things I've come to appreciate the most over the years of working with her, is that she doesn't pigeon-hole her clients into any one style and she ensures your style evolves as you do. In the last couple of years, I've been undergoing a personal transformation and I wanted my style to reflect that. Mellicia immediately understood what I was going for and made that happen. Work with her. You won't regret it.

Read more on Facebook.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Tarah

Tailored, Bohemian, Distinctive

Tarah is the genesis of “Tailored Bohemian” for me. As one of my very early clients, she described herself as preferring all-black, fitted items and was looking for items to make her look her best after having her second child. Some batik curtains on her wall suggested she might actually go for a combination of tailored and boho, and when I brought it up she said, “Yes! What’s that?” to which I responded, "I don’t know. Let me figure it out." We figured it out, and nearly four years later, it is very clear what that means and that Tarah embraces that style everyday.

In her words:

I have been working with Mellicia for over 4 years now and have gladly referred her to many friends and colleagues. Since then, I've considered myself to be in "maintenance mode"— as she sends me a wishlist of 12-15 items about 4 times per year, and yes, I continue to get the excited flutteries in my stomach every time I receive a new wishlist from her! At this point, I simply consider Mellicia a staple in my life because you know what? She just makes me feel good!

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Lauren

Fearless, Costume-y, Steampunk

Lauren expresses herself through her clothing. She prefers pieces that feel like artwork. Over the years, she struggled to find ways to put all of those interesting pieces together into cohesive outfits. She balances running an international organization, frequently interacting with CEOs and heads of state with motherhood, working from home and presenting to large audiences. We developed a strategy to stay true to her style while simplifying her routine and introducing key pieces to bring it all together. 

From the client:

Let me save you some time: just pick up the phone now, call Mellicia, and make an appointment. You will never look back…No more digging through things that don't work for me -- my closet is a dream these days -- and mornings are fun again… Best of all, Mellicia is totally honest while respecting what her clients want. She helped me narrow down what I really like and am most comfortable in, then helped me tailor choices that were appropriate to the situation.

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Rebecca

Classy, Interesting, Relaxed

Rebecca was ready to start from scratch. She was in a major life transition and we were both empowered by the freedom to reinvent her style. The process was unforgettable as we worked through the steps in three different cities in the Seattle Metro area and at every point you could feel the momentum of the transformation within her. Importantly, she was moving to an especially casual city, but with a professional job in a leadership role. We balanced both and found her a retailer that she could easily access from her remote location to make shopping in the future easier for her.

In her words:

Preparing for a new job and a new life chapter, I decided it was finally time to tackle my closet.  Mellicia walked me through every step of a wardrobe update, and she made the process fun, informative, and affirming.  Mellicia has a unique talent, and I feel so fortunate to call her my stylist!

Read more on Yelp.

Photography by Justin Marx

Chieni

Classic, Boho, Stylish

Chieni was ready for a full on transformation. When we met, she told me that she hadn’t invested in new pieces that she loved, “since I had the girls.” Her oldest is nine. She struggled with what to choose, why to choose it and how it could work for her lifestyle. Chieni works with children and frequently sees her clothes damaged and destroyed. So, opting to invest in new items seemed impractical, and yet she was dissatisfied with her overall look. Plus she loved boho pieces but found herself at a loss with how to wear them.

Approach: Help Chieni fall in love with the feeling of looking great and use this to motivate her to add that little extra something everyday. Teach her how to shop for her body and integrate boho pieces into her daily look while still being true to her classic aesthetic. Embrace high/low shopping to ensure that she has pieces she can be proud of to wear on an evening out, traveling the world or on the floor with kids.

From the client: 

Boy, has my life changed after working with Mellicia! After many years of the frumpy mom look, it was really time for a change! And I feel like the change represents so much more. I've found the real me again! This was definitely worth the investment.

Read more on Yelp.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Julie

Rock ‘n Roll Meets Modern, Corporate Sophisticate

As a fertility coach, Julie works to empower women who are facing great challenges. She also is the mom of a young son and has a varied schedule everyday. Whether she’s at a conference, working with clients or taking her son to school, her look needed to reflect her authentic self. We wanted to show the world that she is a strong woman who is capable to take on life’s biggest obstacles and empower others to do the same.

From the client:

I hate shopping ... unless it's with Mellicia. An added bonus in our work together was seeing myself in whole new, more confident way. If you've ever thought working with a stylist was a luxury for other people, think again. Work with Mellicia -- it's a great way to practice loving, self-care.

Read more on Facebook.

Photography by Justin Marx

Kate

Urban-Boho, Polished, Funky

Kate's clothes were a major form of self expression in her college days. As time went by, she found herself struggling with pieces that were both age appropriate and still very hip. Working in technology for a fashion retailer, she has freedom to express herself at the office, but had lost sight of how to do that. At the time of this shoot, Kate has been a client for over two years receiving regular wishlists that keep her style current. 

Approach: Make sure that Kate's style distinguishes her from the mainstream, but is still polished and functional for her life as a mom of a young daughter. Also, work with her body type to highlight her assets and show her ways to mix patterns and prints for a more fun wardrobe that is authentic to her naturally hip style.

From the client: 

I had no idea how she was going to blend "Funky, Feminine with an Edge, Urban-Boho, Polished" but she totally nailed my style.

Read more of Kate's initial experience on Yelp and hear from her on Facebook and Google after 3 years as a Poplin client.

Photography: Amy Catherine Paine
Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

I-Hua

Modern Classic, Tailored, Chic

I-Hua is a doctor, a mom and a true fashionista. When we met she had all the key components of the elevated, classic wardrobe. Yet, she ended up in an expected, “uniform” everyday wearing outfits that made her feel uninspired. Working in a male dominated industry, she was struggling to balance her fashion sense with looks that were appropriate for her career and comfortable for time with family. We took her instincts and ran with them. From tailoring pieces she loved but no longer wore to mixing subtle prints together, this classic beauty never looked back.

In her words:

My husband purchased a Style Update package from Poplin Style. While appreciative, I was also mildly offended because I think I have serious style game. ;) Despite that fact that I enjoy fashion, I had fallen into a serious rut - basically a micro-wardrobe for work and another for play, plus a closet full of clothing that needed major tending and culling. Like many working professionals with young kids, I was short on time and energy to devote to my closet and settled for "good enough." … I went from a nonbeliever to upgrading my husband's prepaid package to the Style 360.​ I truly believe she can work with any body type, any budget, and will stay true to your personal style. I'm so glad I ​dusted off that gift ​certificate off and gave her a call!

Read more on Yelp.

Photography by Justin Marx

Anneliese

Hip, Sophisticated with Masculine Influences

Anneliese is the very definition of cool. She’s creative, works in technology, and is the hip mom of dreams. When we met, she already had a very strong sense of style. What she was lacking was an understanding of how to dress her body, especially as it changed over the years. How does one look cool without dressing inappropriately for her age and looking like she’s trying too hard.

Approach: Building on Anneliese’s sense of style, we started with identifying her body type and letting that drive decisions about how to select pieces. Then, it was all about shopping at the right retailers for her urban, effortless and sophisticated personal style.

From the client:

Mellicia is a warm and wonderful person who is highly skilled at reading people and honing in on the things that will get you where you want to be, style-wise…. Bottom line: You only live once, you might as well look good!

Read more on Yelp.

Photography by Justin Marx

Jess

Feminine, Sexy, Modern

When Jess and I began working together she was on the precipice of a new phase in her life. About to leave her career in business to find her new passion, she wasn't sure exactly what she needed clothes for. She had long struggled with finding pieces that she loved when shopping and found the one area of her life that lacked inspiration was her wardrobe. 

Approach: Jess is an adventurer at the core. Ensure that this side of her comes out in her clothing. Expose her to new retailers that deliver high quality pieces that work well for her curvy figure. Teach her how to balance new offbeat trends with classic elements. Choose pieces that will work for a wide variety of situations depending on the styling. 

From the client: 

Buying her "Style 360 Package" is some of the best money I have spent on myself. Mellicia was not only helpful and encouraging of my new ventures but tremendous in looking forward to what I would need stylistically.

Read more on Yelp.

Photography by Justin Marx

Tammi

Daring, Functional, Tailored

When Tammi and I met, she had a lovely closet filled with current, tailored pieces. With a successful career in external sales, she was on point for client meetings and the day to day. Unfortunately, she felt her pieces didn’t show her individuality. As a sports fan and the mom of two very active kids, she was at a loss when it came to translating a polished style to the weekends.

Approach: Find more daring pieces that are still work appropriate to integrate into her wardrobe. Create a framework for Tammi to follow to look and feel like herself on the weekends, even at the most casual events. Introduce her to new retailers that give her more freedom to express her fashion forward side.

From the client:

Mellicia takes every aspect in your life into consideration. She helped me find the style that helps me feel confident but also fits into my crazy lifestyle. I cannot say enough about what she has done for me and how much I look forward to working with her in the future.

Read more on Yelp.

Read Tammi’s entire story, see her Uber Wishlist and her outfits on the blog.

Photography by Justin Marx

Brooke

Preppie, Effortless, Bad Ass

Brooke is climbing her way to the top in her career. Her work in sales requires her to make the right first impression. When we met, she was ready to take her look to the next level. She wanted to be more polished, but still age appropriate. Brooke especially loves the color pink and her trusty Converse sneakers; but was struggling to incorporate those elements into a more sophisticated look that was still authentic to her personal style.

Approach: Leverage Brooke’s array of current and flattering pieces by supplementing with the right new items to bring all the elements together. Teach her how to style outfits that blend tailored pieces with on trend items. Create a strategy for shopping that ensures she picks up only pieces (whether dressy or casual) that maintain her polished style.

From the client:

We all have that one outfit we just love, and feel super confident in...but imagine if all your clothes were like that. This is how Mellicia helped me transform my attitude and outlook about clothes. If you feel good about how you look and what you're wearing, the day seems much easier to conquer.

Read more on Yelp.

Photography by Justin Marx

Connie

Classic, Sophisticated, Rock & Roll

Poplin client, Tarah, gifted her mom a Poplin package for Mother’s Day. When I met Connie, she had lost 80 lbs. and had been wearing a size 18+ for over 20 years. Needless to say she was ready to dive into fashion, for the first time in two decades. She had the freedom, but now she was overwhelmed. She had never had the opportunity to consider what her style might be and had no idea how to dress her new body.

Approach: Listen to Connie to help us both determine what her style is. Then, help her understand how to choose pieces that communicate that style and flatter her figure. Provide examples and a strategy that she can utilize for years to come.

From the client:

Enter Mellicia and her mad style skills. She sent my Uber Wishlist and I shopped until 2 am. I had a roadmap! I had a list! I had some easy rules to follow that would keep me in style but my comfort zone, plus a few items that were so different from what I would have ever chosen for myself, but LOVED as soon as I wore them. She put much thought and effort into every item on the list…The cool thing is she asked me what I was thinking of spending on this new wardrobe, and I had no clue - but she wasn't trying to be pushy or anything - just wanted to know  where she should look within my comfort. Also, she said there's no pressure to purchase all of the choices, but to choose the ones I liked…. Friends and family have noticed and approve! Hubby loves my new look. I'm hooked - feel like I have a whole new life and it feels wonderful. 

Read more on Yelp.

 

Photography by Justin Marx

Jo

Minimal, Menswear Inspired, Engaging

Jo’s closet was filled with a rainbow of colors. Looking at it, just made you happy. Unfortunately, she struggled with finding a more modern, relaxed way to style it all. As a very active technology professional, her pieces vacillated between workout clothes and conservative button downs. She needed her overall look to be more authentic to her personality and lifestyle.

Approach: Fill in her wardrobe with current pieces that tie together her other items. Channel her love of menswear and tailored looks and integrate those with Seattle-tech appropriate casual pieces.

From the client: 

Mellicia was amazing & working with her was a delight. She made shopping fun for someone who hates it. I still love my workout clothes but now they are used primarily for sports activities.

Read more on Yelp.

Photography by Selena Kearney

Brooke

Bold, Refined, Distinctive

Another client referred Brooke when her life course was shifting. After a successful career in public service, Brooke's primary focus had moved away from the office but her wardrobe had not. She was struggling to find clothes that were functional for her new life and still expressed her love of all things bold and interesting. Instead of the dedicated staffer in the shadows confined to a conservative wardrobe, she was now a philanthropist with the opportunity to wear whatever she chose. But, she was having a hard time choosing. 

Approach: Ensuring that her carefully curated pieces had the opportunity to shine, we embraced her love of Kate Spade, Marimekko and the like while investing in high quality workhorse items that complemented her triangle shaped frame. Shopping local we also stayed true to her love of boutiques. Most importantly, we rid her of pieces that made her feel dowdy despite seeming practical. This way, every item in her closet made her look like the woman she had become and still worked well whether she was at a board meeting, a charity event with her husband or hanging out with her son.

From the client: 

It's been said by many others, but it bears repeating: Mellicia Marx changes lives.

Read more on Yelp.