Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephene Bloom.
Hi Stephene, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story began long before I ever stepped onto a sales floor or called myself a personal stylist. It began with a family that taught me the power of showing up for others, the importance of individuality, and the confidence that comes from feeling good in your own skin.
When I was two years old, my parents began fostering children, ultimately opening our home to 132 children over the years. From clothing and shoes to emotional support and a sense of belonging, my parents made sure every child had what they needed to feel cared for. Growing up in that environment shaped the way I see people. I learned early on that what makes someone feel confident is deeply personal, and sometimes, the smallest details can make the biggest difference.
That philosophy naturally found its way into fashion. I spent years helping my siblings discover their individual identities through clothing. Were they drawn to bold, statement-making sneakers and a sporty aesthetic, or did they gravitate toward delicate dresses, florals, and feminine details? I loved helping them explore who they were and express it through what they wore. Without realizing it, I was developing an instinct that would eventually become my career.
Before fashion became my profession, I was already styling friends for dates, work, and special occasions. What began as something I genuinely loved soon evolved into an opportunity to pursue personal styling at Nordstrom’s Domain location in Austin. That was where I began to truly blossom, developing my eye, refining my approach, and discovering that my talent extended far beyond putting beautiful clothes together. I had a gift for understanding people, recognizing their potential, and translating their personalities into a wardrobe that felt authentically theirs.
As my clientele grew, so did my reputation. Repeat clients and a growing social media following led to recruitment opportunities with Neiman Marcus and later Saks Fifth Avenue Club at the Commodore Perry Estate. Each experience expanded my perspective on luxury, service, and the art of building a wardrobe. Today, I have returned to Nordstrom at Barton Creek, bringing years of experience, an established clientele, and an even stronger vision of what personal styling can accomplish.
For me, styling has never been about simply selling clothing or dressing someone in the latest designer label. It is about creating a thoughtful, cohesive wardrobe that reflects the person wearing it. I consider lifestyle, body proportions, personality, color, fit, and the way a client wants to feel when they walk into a room. I love combining elevated investment pieces with accessible finds, mixing designers with unexpected discoveries, and creating looks that feel current without sacrificing individuality. A beautiful wardrobe should work for your life, not just for a photograph.
Living in Austin and watching the city evolve has played an equally important role in my journey. Austin has grown into a vibrant, style-conscious city where individuality and creativity continue to flourish. I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside it, watching my clients evolve and encouraging them to embrace new possibilities. Sometimes that means introducing a bold silhouette, an unexpected color combination, a statement shoe, or a print they never imagined wearing. I believe in pushing clients just beyond their comfort zones—not to turn them into someone else, but to help them discover a side of themselves they may not have known was there.
My approach is rooted in trust. I want my clients to feel understood, never judged or pressured. I listen, observe, ask questions, and pay attention to the details that make each person unique. Over time, those relationships become something much more meaningful than a shopping appointment. They become partnerships built on confidence, creativity, and the freedom to evolve.
Although I’ve worked with several luxury retailers, my passion for styling has never been confined to a company or a title. I’ve continued styling independently because this is what I love to do. There is nothing more rewarding than watching a client see themselves differently in the mirror—not because the clothes have changed who they are, but because the clothes have helped reveal who they’ve been all along.
Fashion can sometimes get caught up in price tags, prestige, and labels. I believe true style lives beyond all of that. It is the ability to combine pieces thoughtfully, wear something with intention, and feel completely comfortable in your own expression. You don’t need an entirely designer wardrobe to look extraordinary. You need the right pieces, a clear understanding of your personal aesthetic, and the confidence to make it your own.
If my journey has taught me anything, it is that confidence begins long before you enter a room. It begins in the way you see yourself, the way you carry yourself, and the way you choose to show up in the world.
My goal is simple: I don’t just want to help people get dressed. I want to help them transform the way they feel when they get dressed. Because when you feel beautiful, confident, and unapologetically yourself, you can walk into any room ready to take on the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve worked through in my life has been learning how to do a lot with a little. Growing up, money was often limited, and that shaped the way I approached fashion long before I ever considered it a career. Thrifting, searching for hidden gems, and learning to recognize quality and value became second nature to me. At the time, I didn’t realize I was developing the very skills that would eventually set me apart as a personal stylist.
Those experiences taught me that great style has very little to do with how much money you spend. It comes down to having an eye, understanding proportion and quality, and knowing where to invest and where to save. Today, I bring that perspective to every client I work with. I’ll encourage someone to invest in a beautifully tailored blazer, a timeless handbag, or a statement piece they’ll wear for years, while showing them how to incorporate more affordable pieces and trend-driven finds without compromising the overall look.
I don’t believe in dressing someone head to toe in designer simply because the labels are recognizable. I’m conscious of value because I understand what it means to have a budget and want to make every dollar count. Some of the most compelling wardrobes are created by mixing high and low, unexpected finds with investment pieces, and timeless staples with something fashion-forward. My goal is to make my clients feel extraordinary while helping them shop with intention.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a personal stylist and wardrobe curator who believes fashion should be as individual as the person wearing it. I create thoughtful, fashion-forward wardrobes that blend luxury investment pieces with accessible finds, timeless staples with unexpected statements, and personal style with a little rule-breaking creativity. My approach goes far beyond shopping—I study my clients’ lifestyles, personalities, proportions, and aspirations to build looks that feel authentic, elevated, and entirely their own.
With years of experience in luxury retail and personal styling, I specialize in helping clients see their wardrobes—and themselves—in a new light. Whether I’m refining an existing closet, building a wardrobe from the ground up, or introducing someone to a silhouette or trend they never imagined wearing, my goal is to push boundaries without losing individuality.
I believe the best style isn’t dictated by designer labels or price tags; it’s defined by how confidently you wear it. Through a thoughtful mix of high and low, investment and discovery, I help my clients dress with intention, embrace their individuality, and step into every room feeling like the most confident version of themselves. I don’t just style—I transform.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Looking back, I realize that what once felt like a limitation became one of my greatest strengths. Having to be resourceful taught me creativity, discernment, and the ability to see potential where others might not. Those lessons continue to influence the way I style today. I can walk into a store and envision countless possibilities, but more importantly, I can look at a client and see how to build a wardrobe around their lifestyle, personality, and budget.
I’ve learned that obstacles don’t always have to define what you cannot do. Sometimes, they teach you how to do things differently—and that difference can become your greatest asset. In my case, it helped shape not only the stylist I am today, but also the philosophy I share with every client: you don’t have to spend the most to look your best. You simply have to know who you are, what works for you, and how to make fashion your own.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @fashionsempress
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephene-bloom-7b26138b
