Native New Yorker Eman Fendi always has wanted the best of the best.
When it comes to anything luxury, pretty, or expensive-looking, she has to have it. Through her role as a "fashion architect" and full-time personal stylist, she wants to help you have the same.
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The 26-year-old specializes in fashion show production and wardrobe styling. One of her services as a personal stylist also includes a closet audit, if yours is ready for a makeover. She'll help you decide what to keep, what to toss, how to mix and match, and help you discover what elements are missing from your wardrobe.
"Fashion is a lifestyle and a really good distraction," Fendi says. "It's a good outlet that lets you express yourself, and you have a right to express yourself."
While she lists fashion as her lifestyle, it's not what Fendi is going to school for. She's a microbiology major and biochemistry minor at Arizona State University. "I told them to call me 'Dr. Fashion,' but they won't even let me wear pumps in the lab. You should see my lab coat! I'm getting it tailored."
When she first began her career in fashion, Fendi did a lot of work for free. She knew she wouldn't be anything if people didn't trust her, and people wouldn't trust her without experience. She did freelance work and helped with fashion shows, and then, she says, "You get to a point where you know your value and then you set your price."
Her clients pay a pretty penny for her closet audits, but Fendi believes that your closet is your investment to everything and a huge representation of who you are. When she comes in and tells people to get rid of this or that, she knows it can be a little scary, but ultimately necessary.
Fendi's goal with her fashion lifestyle is to be involved in more fashion show production. Right now, she's currently hard at work planning ASU and Go Red for Women's "Be My Valentine" fashion show happening on February 5. "It's beautiful to work on a project and see it evolve right there in front of you and get to work with so many different people," she says. "I would love to work backstage for New York Fashion Week."
The fiesty fashionista is also very much involved in philanthropy. After her father passed away from lymphoma, she became involved in a lot research organizations' benefit fashion shows. Fendi wants to ultimately do research for the cause, but for now is focused on having fun with fashion.
Her style icons and inspirations are people who faced plenty of adversity but still look great, something Fendi has mastered.
"Everyone has their own style, and I like when people take ownership of that. A lot of girls look very cut and pasted, but I'm happy with my own style and eye for fashion. Make a statement and opportunities will come to you."
What are you wearing? An olive moto jacket by BCBG Max Azria, a taupe maxi dress from Neiman Marcus, my pumps are Kenneth Cole 925 Technology, and my scarf is from Nordstrom
What was the last item of clothing you bought? A new scarf! Obviously, I'm Muslim and I have to wear my scarves, but I like to be fashion-forward. Every time I see a new print, I snatch it up. So I bought a scarf and these rings from BCBG and Bebe.
Where do you usually shop? BCBG Max Azria, Neiman Marcus, SAKS, Nordstrom, and Fendi
Name five items every woman should have in her closet. 1) Every woman should splurge on one really good statement handbag in her life. 2) A LBD or LWD, just make sure it's a pencil cut and very flattering. 3) Blazers. 4) A really good nude patent leather, non-platformed pump 5) A dark-wash skinny jean.
What's one fashion trend you can't stand? Denim on denim -- it's disgusting. We are not stuck in the '90s. What are you doing?! I grew up watching Full House... Why are you looking like Stephanie Tanner?
Give us a childhood memory of you clothes. When I got approved for my Neiman Marcus credit card... I think "OMG" sums it up. I bought a fur coat, Gucci platforms, and Chanel flats. Do you remember the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic? Like she says, they're magic cards.
What is your one piece of fashion advice for Phoenix? Putting "fashion" and "Phoenix" in the same sentence is an oxymoron to me. I think Lululemon is destroying women's fashion. You can still be casual without looking sloppy in pajamas, like you just went through a breakup. I don't think a lot of Phoenix understands this, because their idea of casual is yoga pants. I wish more women would wear fewer yoga pants in public and utilize their closet better. Purge the bad in your closet and build a foundation of casual-chic pieces.
