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Style Profile is an ongoing series of interviews with some of Nashville’s most stylish women. Today, we are thrilled to interview Tina Adams, founder, and CEO of Your Style Vault (formerly Tina Adams Wardrobe Consulting). 

By CATHI AYCOCK

Tina, we have known each other for a hot minute. I remember when you worked at J.Crew! And now you own a thriving wardrobe consulting business. Tell me about your background.

Yes – that was back in 2007 I believe! I’m a 4th generation Nashvillian, so I have the pleasure of bumping into friends I’ve known forever almost everywhere I go (my best friend since kindergarten still lives here!), and I’ve added so many wonderful new friends who moved here from somewhere else, like you!

Isn’t that what we love about Nashville? it’s a little big town. Anyway, when I met you, I had just returned from London, where I was working at Sotheby’s Auction House in the Jewelry Department, and had been brokering fine and estate jewelry in Nashville for a year. I sensed the recession looming in the background and knew I wouldn’t be selling a lot of jewelry. So that’s when I became a stylist at J.Crew. Always loved it when you came in – your bright and cheerful style, and way-cooler-than-me vibe!

So I was using my counseling degree every day in the fitting rooms, helping women feel better about themselves by not concentrating so much on the clothes (even though I’m a total clothes horse) but on how you feel wearing them, and the life you live in them. It really resonated with my customers. Plus, I knew I had a knack for hunting and gathering great finds anywhere I shopped. We’ve been in close to a thousand Nashville and Williamson County closets in almost 10 years, and now we’re helping women all over the country through our style blog and online shopping service, www.YourStyleVault.com.

Why do you think your degree helps you with clients?

Working with someone’s wardrobe can be a very emotionally sensitive experience for them. We’re all about relationships. My stylists know this job is more about loving women than fashion.

We’re listeners, but we’re also truth-tellers. You’re going to get from us a real opinion about what works and what doesn’t, and why. We know how to lead a person gently along, and we know how to laugh at ourselves. All good things when you’re helping someone who is really intimidated or just plain hates to shop.

You share your gifts via Your Style Vault. Tell me about this cool concept.

The style blog I started about 6 years ago had really taken off, and we’d built a pretty loyal following of women from all the over U.S. Our biggest audience outside of Tennessee is in California, Texas and New York. But we’ve got women in Wisconsin, North Dakota, Boston, everywhere, who love the fact that we’re not fashionistas per se; we’re real women who are looking for a few good tips on how to put together an outfit, or how to buy the right pair of jeans, or how to wear a summer dress in fall without spending more money.

I was floored by how many women wanted to pay us to be their wardrobe consultant! And since we couldn’t travel to them, I created Your Style Vault, where members get to shop our must-haves and see how to wear them. We love to shop, but a lot of women don’t. So it’s fun if you love to see what’s new and fresh every week, and it’s a great time-saver if you’re super busy, and it’s a life-saver if you hate to shop.

So there is no pay for play in your fashion picks? That is practically unheard of! Does this give you credibility with subscribers?

Probably the most frequent feedback we hear is our members love that we are real stylists and that they can trust us because no one is paying us to push product on them. They’re not being “sold.” We hear all the time from our members how refreshing it is to trust us and to shop in an easily digestible format all our weekly must-haves. Before something ends up inside theStyle Vault on one of our must-have lists, we’ve looked at thousands (literally thousands) and tried on hundreds (literally hundreds) of options to find the best ones for you. We’re in a position to often negotiate strong discounts for our members that no one else gets.

How would you describe your own style?

Modern Classic.

Is there a place for everyone at the fashion table? No matter age, size or budget? What are some things that you love for fall that nearly everyone can wear?

Oh yes! Style is a great equalizer because everyone has their own and it’s what makes the world interesting! Everyone, everyone, can wear bootcut jeans. They are the most universally flattering shape for the female body, and that’s science. They make your legs look longer and leaner. The more petite you are, the smaller the flare. The more hippy you are, the wider the flare for balance.

What are the top things you are buying for your fall wardrobe?

I wish I were in a buying season, but I just bought a new website ha! I’m creating my fantasy fall must-have list as we speak. On it you’ll find velvet heels, floral blouses, and a new black leather moto jacket. Basically picture a kind of tougher side of romantic. Here’s what I’m pulling out and making new again: my faded bootcut jeans (actually I never stopped wearing them) and my turquoise jewelry (ditto).

What things are you retiring? Those (few) trendy pieces that you bought for fun and now have played out?

Collar necklaces, tassel necklaces. Good thing we never let our clients overspend on these!

Do you have a style icon?

Ricky Lauren
Lorie Duke

 

What are three things do you see clients struggle with that you and your team can fix?

Wearing the wrong shapes for your body type. For example,  the skinny jean is not the best option for pear shapes.
Wearing crew neck tops instead of v-neck, scoop neck or bateau neck. A crew neck can make you look busty and wider than you are. An open neck draws the eye to the center of the body and creates a long, vertical line.
Overspending on the wrong items and cutting corners on the important wardrobe builders.

 

Tell me about your non-profit.

I was one of those with an 89% risk factor for developing breast cancer due to family history, so I made the choice to have a prophylactic double mastectomy to reduce my risk to 5%. During that season, I met and became best friends with Deidre DeFelice at the Blowout Co, who has a heart of gold and enough energy to run 50 charities, so we decided to pool our talents and help other women dealing with breast cancer. The Pink Chapter comes alongside women battling what can be the hardest chapter of their lives. There’s no question that feeling good about yourself can make a big difference in attitude and confidence while being treated. A style and beauty makeover can restore some of what treatment steals during a time when it can be difficult to wash your own hair (or you lose it altogether) and dress yourself. We help you feel pretty again. And we’re super excited because we’re in the process of becoming a 501(c)(3) – so official!

What are you reading right now?

Pat Conroy Beach Music and Jesus Calling. Deidre sends it to me every day.

What is one thing that nobody would guess about you?

I prefer to swim in a river over a pool any day!

Thank you, Tina, for the style inspiration! I’m running home right now to pull my turquoise jewelry out of storage.

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As editor of Style Home Page, I believe that New York and LA fashion forecasters are are not style boss of you. The place we call home is full of creativity, beauty and innovation. In a word, style. So much style in fact, that we can barely keep up with all the fresh, fun places to shop, eat and play in our own backyard. But like your best friend, the one who shares insider secrets on shopping, the newest restaurants and is always invited to the best parties, Style Home Page will share the local style love with you every day. Because I believe in helping you be the boss of your own (amazing) life and style, right here in the place we call home. -Cathi