Tara Kitami just recently started Kitami Ropa, her image consulting and personal shopping business, but the effervescent San Rafael resident has 15 years’ experience in the fashion industry as a buyer for successful boutiques and producer of fashion shows. “In this economy, it is imperative, now more then ever, to make smart choices with any kind of purchase, especially clothing,” she says. “We start with a lifestyle assessment to find out needs, desires and wants. We then write up a plan of action. Once we have created a unique, tailored plan, we typically do a closet audit.”??Kitami, who charges $125 for a general assessment appointment and then the same rate per hour for all services, says people often fall into trends without considering what will look good on their body shape. “People have said to me, ‘Once I lose a few pounds I’ll go shopping.’ You need to dress your body now, and once you feel good with who you are now, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish, including losing that extra weight,” she insists. “Quality clothes can be taken in, but clothes that never work are a waste of time and money.” She also offers a 24-hour wardrobe crisis hotline and sends out a monthly newsletter with tips and advice.?Kitami’s client June Ahern, a life coach, used her services while preparing for a book tour in Manhattan. “It was a treat, especially in these economic times,” says Ahern. “It was the best gift I could have given myself.” Kitami brought various choices for Ahern’s self-described ‘goddess’ body-type and even worked through her closet to donate six garbage bags of clothes to charity. Ahern says if you’re wary of hiring a personal shopper, at least let her come over and give you ideas. “I wore that outfit she picked out in Manhattan and I felt confident. I felt like stepping out. I had a spring in my step. She has an eye and she surprised me. And you know what, down to the shoes, she got it right.”??Anyone can benefit from an image consultant, but even if you can’t afford it, all three women say, the one thing you should absolutely require in your closet is order. And that’s free.

Marin Magazine, January 2009