#sstips

Meet Danielle Lancaster - Snap+Style Stylist Operations Manager

We are so excited to announce a new addition to the Snap+Style team! Danielle has joined us as our Stylist Operations Manager. We sat down to see what makes Danielle tick.

I am Snap+Style’s chief stylist liaison and oversee the day-to-day talent operations, including operational strategies, standards/best practices and training programs. It's wonderful and exciting to work with such an amazing and talented team.

I have over 15 years of experience in retail branding and styling at various companies including Anthropologie, BHLDN, and Bergdorf Goodman. I teach Fashion History and Textiles and I hold an M.A. in Fashion Business Management from University of Westminster, London and a B.A. from NYU.  

S+S: How would you describe your personal style?

Danielle: My personal style varies, and I am influenced by vintage discoveries, art, culture, history, music and travel.

S+S: Favorite styling tip?

Danielle: If you spill something on your clothes when you’re out, use a little bit of unflavored sparkling water on a paper towel to dab out the stain. Your stain will disappear! However, don’t try this on suede because it will make a mark on your garment.

S+S: Why use the Snap+Style app?

Danielle: It's a perfect solution for the busy woman who wants to look effortlessly pulled together and does not have time to find the solutions on her own.

In recognition of American Business Women’s Day, we connected with Snap+Style Co-founder, Anna Jensen. 

American Business Women’s Day is an American holiday, nationally recognized.  September 22 marks the 1949 founding date of the American Business Women’s Association, the mission of which is “to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership; education, networking support and national recognition.”

Anna was born and raised in Alexandria, VA. She has a deep love for her family, friends, travel, DC, University of Tennessee sports, and the cutest/sweetest Chocolate lab ever, Dakota. She dedicates her time and hard work to Snap+Style!  S+S is an App that allows shoppers to have access to their own personal stylist; they’ll create looks for you based what’s in your closet and what’s missing. For example, the other day I wanted to buy a skirt with feather trim. S+S helped me figure out how I could wear this with what’s already in my wardrobe.   Explain how you got here. S+S came out of a personal need. I was standing in a shoe store in Georgetown and fell in love with these camouflage booties. They were WAY out of my comfort zone and I stood there contemplating spending $200 for way too long. I was uncomfortable and the sales associates were probably annoyed. I then thought, wouldn’t it be great if I could just snap a picture of these booties and send them to a professional stylist who could come back to me with 10 different ways I could wear these boots.? Amazing! Not only would I have walked out with a purchase I was excited about, but I would’ve had a way to see SO many different ways to wear it. I needed someone to push me to make the purchase, but in a confident “you can do this” sort of way. I immediately went back to my office and did a ton of research to find a service that could fill this need. I saw there were many people trying to play in the space, but none that resonated entirely with my specific need. From there, I put together a presentation and approached industry experts I knew in the fashion and technology fields. Two of them are now my investors and one is the CTO! Now we are here with S+S. As Co-Founder, what is your day to day schedule? Depends on the day! I go from interviewing and building team members, to building relationships with brands and sponsorship partners. My real passion is being the voice and face for Snap+Style in a way that women can relate to. Although we are focused on women for now, it applies across the board. When you look good you are more confident. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend thousands of dollars on clothing or a personal stylist. Snap+Style is a platform meant to encourage and inspire women to be their greatest. With a  “what-to-wear” and “how-to-wear” easy communication and visual process, Snap+Style is empowering women across the country and worldwide.  Name one instance that having a professional stylist at your finger tips has helped you get out of a styling rut. HA! Just one?? My favorite thing is having extra time at night watching my favorite show, staying out with friends, longer walks/runs with Dakota in the morning, or just an extra hit of the snooze! I no longer spend time standing in front of my closet in the morning contemplating what to wear to work. My stylist has already done it for me! I also loved when one of our stylist’s, Michelle, suggested a pair of snakeskin Tory Burch heel sandals. I HATED them! She convinced me to give them a chance. I bought them and fell in LOVE!! They are now in my top 3 favorite pairs of shoes. I wear them all the time, from Snap+Style’s launch party to dinner with my girlfriends last Tuesday night. I would have NEVER purchased them without the extra bump of encouragement from my stylist saying, “You can do this and here is why!” To save time, do you plan your outfits in advance? As I said before, S+S has been so helpful for getting help in the morning for the office. I have noticed that my suitcase is lighter when I travel, which I love. I have always been an over-packer. “What if I do THIS and I NEED this??” Now my packing is so much more practical and transitional. Also, I love getting the stylists’ advice about how to transition looks from the office to dinner meetings that night. I used to think it had to be an entire outfit change. Now, I know it’ s more of how to make a shoe change, take the sweater or blazer off, and add a pop of lipstick color. What color and fabrics do you tend to wear the most? I am a denim, silk top, and leather jacket girl. Oh and can’t forget the shoes! Best advice your mom or female mentor ever gave you about style? GG, my Grandma, always looked amazing and well put together. She had very classic style that I get a lot of inspiration from. She believed in wearing your Sunday best to church, no white after Labor Day, and I don’t recall her ever without lipstick or earrings (except when she was on the phone because she only wore clip-ons!). She loved her pocketbooks and I always admired her shoe collection and minimal but elegant jewelry. Even though I may not agree with her white after Labor Day rule, she always exhbited a well put-together confident look and had so much appreciation for the small things. I loved and admired that so much. What advice do you have for young women to stay resilient and successful in the fast-paced world of fashion/tech? READ! Stay current on what is happening in the industry. Oh, and invest in staple pieces. They are WORTH IT!!

Do you have a motto for success? LISTEN. Learn when you should talk. You never know what you will miss when people are willing to give you a wealth of information and you are too busy concentrating on the “best” response that you lose their message.

Anna was going to a Broadway show and wanted a little black dress look!

This is a look that anyone could pull off with any body shape. Pairing her new favorite Tory Burch heels with this perfect Kate Spade cocktail dress was fun and easy. Throw on a chunky Michael Kors necklace and the PERFECT mini Rebecca Minkoff bag and your night at the theater will be a hit.” -S+S associate style editor Michelle of New York

SSTIP - “Your S+S stylist can help you find that perfect black dress that you can dress up or down for any occasion. Just throw on accessories and go! “

SHOP THIS LOOK ON SNAP+STYLE : 

Necklace – Michael Kors Dress- Kate Spade Bag- Rebecca Minkoff Shoes- Tory Burch Watch- Michael Kors

We are excited to introduce you to S+S associate style editor Michelle of New York. “I come to S+S from multiple editorial internships prior to graduation. After I graduated I met Christine (our creative director)  and was given the opportunity to work for S+S directly. It has been an AMAZING experience and I am so lucky to get to work with the entire team.  My job fluctuates between being a classic stylist for Anna and our clients, a style editor for content on the app, and relaying style/ fashion information to the entire team.”

How would you describe your personal style? My personal style is pretty classic. I like clean colors and lines, easy pieces. I am an accessories maven so I think that perfection is in the details. If I could, I would spend my entire paycheck on little pieces to up my look.

What is your favorite item in your closet? My favorite item I own doesn't hang in my closet. It's on my finger every day. For my college graduation my mother trusted me with her and my father's engagement ring setting. She set it with a stone of my choosing and I haven't taken it off since. To me personal pieces are the best.

If you could choose a celebrity closet to shop in, who's would it be and why? I love Miroslava Duma. She has such a fun take on classic looks. She always looks effortless.

What's the best style advice you've received? From my mother, " If it doesn't feel like you, don't wear it".  I really feel that style is a personal expression of your inner self. It is a way to show the world who you are in a quick snippet. Don't waste it!

Why should one use the S+S app? It is seriously like having a fashionable best friend to text for advice. Our stylists are honestly the best in the business. They have years of experience styling everyday women, celebrities as well as working in editorial. They know what they are doing, and how to get you looking your best.

With fashion week being in full swing what is the key to getting a great street style look. Don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd. The best street style shots are made with an interesting piece.

You work closely with co-found Anna, what do you keep in mind when styling her? Anna is a beautiful woman with classic style. I love that she likes to keep things clean and colorful. I always keep in mind that fit is everything. Keeping things perfectly tailored is so important for Anna because of her tall frame. I also keep in mind that Anna's comfort is our number 1. Her personality has to shine through in everything we do.

Your #1 styling tip. If you feel comfortable and ready to take on the world you're doing something right. Whether it's that perfect shoe, or a dress that hits you just right, don't stop till you find it. Our S+S stylists know our brands, understand your style, and are ready to help you rock it.

Fall is around the corner, the evenings start to get cooler how do we make this transition? My favorite thing to do come late summer is to start working my black booties back into my wardrobe with more classic summer looks.

What is the must have piece for fall that we can buy through S+S?  I think my fall must have is the All Saints Brooklyn Leather Biker Jacket. It is cut so that honestly any body type could wear it and look incredible. It's a bit of an investment piece, but a classic that will last you for years.

S+S stylist Reese Timberlake has always loved researching the latest trends and seeing the broad range of style people have just walking around New York City. “I grew up in Chicago, moved to Savannah, GA for college, lived in Hong Kong for a quarter of college, and then very recently moved to New York City.  Living in Asia as well as different parts of the US really opened my eyes to different cultures and styles.  I love styling because it allows me to see a variety of different styles customers have while also being able to form a personal connection and meet new people!”

How would you describe your personal style? I would say I have a very classic, feminine style with some edge.  I love trying out new trends, however I always find myself being drawn to vintage pieces in classic silhouettes.  I also love dressing very minimally focusing on one statement piece per outfit.  

What is your favorite item in your closet? Right now my favorite piece would have to be the Carven dress I got from Paris this summer.  It's from the SS15 runway collection and is Japanese inspired.  It's a very comfortable knit material, has Carven written across the front in Japanese Katakana, and also has a half zip feature in the front of the dress.  I had never seen anything like it and had to have it!  

If you could choose a celebrity closet to shop in, who's would it be and why? Blake Lively!  She looks amazing 24/7!

What's the best style advice you've received? Although this is a bit corny... "Confidence is the best accessory."  I can sometimes be a bit shy and have found my self second-guessing my own appearance and style at times.  However being confident in your own skin and clothes makes such a difference!  Never be afraid to wear what you want when you want to!

Why should someone use S+S? S+S is honestly the way of the future.  We use the internet for almost everything in todays world.  Online shopping has made the entire retail business a different game.  According to MIT's report, Behind the Checkout Cart, 80% of shoppers go online before making a purchase. Whether this is to check pricing, different style options, or compare against other brands, it allows the customer search for exactly what they want before making a decision on where to make their purchase.  With so many consumers using the internet as a tool to shop it only makes sense to have an app to style for them too!  Snap+Style is such an amazing tool because it gives consumers feedback quickly from anywhere while still offering a very personable connection with a professional stylist.  What more could you want?!

Current to-die-for accessory for Fall on the app right now? I looooove the Vince fall bags on the app right now!  They have such fun exotic skins as well as beautiful suede leathers that truly go with so many outfits!  I would love to have a unique staple like that in my closet!

Fall is around the corner, what are some key wardrobe pieces every woman should own? I cannot wait for Fall!  Women should look into investing in a nice pair of heeled boots.  You can dress them up or down as well as wear them to the office and out to drinks with friends after! I am also obsessed with tortoise right now.  I have a pair of Stella McCartney thigh high boots with a tortoise heel that I cannot get enough of.

A customer is interested in accessorizing but doesn’t know where to start. What are your tips? Accessorizing can be tricky because you don't want to over do it.  I would definitely say less is more.  Try focusing on one main accessory you want to highlight in your outfit.  For example if you have a terrific chunky necklace from Kate Spade, pair this with small stud earrings. This will make your outfit less cluttered and you will look very put together.

Central Park is the most lush at this time of year, the grass is green and the flowers are in full bloom. As summer is winding down we are looking for any excuse to pull out our fun summer dresses one last time. 

This Rebecca Minkoff dress is that perfect summer dress for a day out that could take you till dawn.” - S+S stylist Michelle of New York

SSTIP : “The trick with these dresses is not to over do it. This RM dresses intricate detailing speaks for its self. Pair with black or cream accessories and you’re out the door!”

SHOP THIS LOOK ON SNAP+STYLE :

Dress- Rebecca Minkoff Bag- Kate Spade Shoes- Manolo Blahnik Watch & Bracelet- David Yurman

Introducing S+S stylist Sari Zoe of New York! Sari knew fashion was it from day one, “I have been obsessed with fashion for as long as I can remember! So logically I decided to study Fashion Design, and finished my degree at FIT.  I have worked in many capacities in the industry leading up to this point, starting with design, high end-retail, and working at the Stella McCartney showroom here in NY. Then I had my first day as an intern on a photo shoot – and I was sold! Styling was it! I started by assisting some of the best people in the industry like Katie Grand & Giovanna Battaglia. And then began to build my own portfolio.  I have also had the privilege of working on fashion shows for some incredible designers.  I worked on the Marc Jacobs show for 11 seasons, which was of course amazing; as well as fashion shows for other designers including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Anna Sui, Edun, Victoria Secret and more! Most recently I have been working as an E-commerce stylist, which is a whole new world of fashion styling! And I love every minute of it!”

How would you describe your personal style? My personal style is all about comfort! I need to feel like I can move and breath in my clothes!  So my go-to designer is Isabel Marant for sure.  She cuts clothes that are feminine, special and beautiful; but you always feel comfortable! I also have always loved vintage; especially because you know that no one else has it!

What is your favorite item in your closet? It is impossible to pick just 1 favorite item, so I will narrow it down to 3! 1. A pair of Lanvin nude silk high heels that have a ‘disco ball’ gemstone heel and a black grosgrain ribbon bow at the ankle.  Every single time I wear them both men and women stop me to say, “Omg those shoes are incredible!” They are literally a party on your feet! 2. An Isabel Marant peasant blouse I bought while in Paris working on the Louis Vuitton fashion show. 3. A gold locket that was given to my grandmother on her 16th birthday in 1944.  It is engraved with her initials, which are the same as mine, so I never ever take it off.

If you could choose a celebrity closet to shop in, who's would it be and why? If I could raid anyone’s closet it would be Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot’s in the 70s!

What's the best style advice you've received? The best style advice is from my mom, “Go with your instincts!”

A styling tip to live by: Always be comfortable in what you are wearing! If you are not, it will show! If it doesn't feel "right" when you are in your apartment, move on to the next look!

Summer is coming to an end, what must one do when the city is still hot and you want to look cute? I love a light weight cotton shirt-dress in the summer! And always bring a cardigan for the air conditioning once inside!  You can tie the cardigan around your waist for a nice shape too when you're not wearing it.

What is the #1 benefit to using Snap+Style? The best benefit to using S+S is having a quick and really thoughtful response that is catered to the clients specific request! It's a great way to have a personal styling experience without literally meeting face to face!