Clothing for confidence

JANELLE Gilmer-Reeves has spent her whole career helping other people feel good and look good.

For decades, her focus was hairdressing, but in the last 10 months, clothing has come to the fore.

Ms Gilmer-Reeves is Ballarat’s new representative of Sparkle with Suz, a personal styling business based in Colac, catering to women of all ages, shapes and sizes.

Stocking affordable pieces from Melbourne’s Trish G Store, Ms Gilmer-Reeves is “empowering women so they feel comfortable and love the skin they’re in.

“It’s a unique, personal, one-on-one styling boutique,” she said. “Ladies contact me, book a complimentary session and I style them. It’s all very trendy, but there’s also your classics.

“I put clothes on them that they wouldn’t necessarily try on, to try and get them out of their comfort zone. Anyone can wear any print.”

Every garment is stocked once over in each size, and the only cost is if a piece is purchased.

Often clients are surprised by colours or prints that they may not normally experiment with, and having styled young ladies and women over 70, the feedback Ms Gilmer-Reeves has received “feels wonderful.

“Women will put it on and go ‘wow, I’ve never worn orange before’ or ‘I didn’t think I could wear orange’ or whatever it happens to be. More than not, they end up purchasing not what they initially came for,” she said.

“Everyone goes away happy. You can see it in their face. They feel good in themselves and that makes me feel good,” she said. “It’s very empowering for me as well.”

If you’re interested in a complimentary styling session search ‘Janelle Sparkling with Suz’ on Facebook.

Catch her at the Ballarat Business Women Members Market Day at the Sporting Globe from 12pm to 2pm on Thursday 23 May. The market will showcase all the businesses within the thriving network of local women. Find out more at ballaratbusinesswomen.net.au.