Celebrity stylist shares fashion tips with local shoppers

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Visitors to Ponte Vedra’s Mainstream Boutique had a chance to be “styled” by a nationally recognized fashion expert last week, when celebrity stylist George Brescia traveled to the First Coast to help introduce the boutique’s customers to the Bo & Nic line of apparel.

In addition to mingling with guests at a June 20 cocktail reception, Brescia signed copies of his book, “Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life” (Simon & Schuster), before offering personal style sessions to local shoppers throughout the following day.

While the visit was Brescia’s first to the Jacksonville area, the fashion expert said traveling across the country is a regular part of his job as a stylist.

“I dress everyone from soccer moms to Oscar-winning actresses,” Brescia told the Recorder, noting that he recently helped Broadway actress Kate Baldwin (“Hello, Dolly”) select a custom-made gown for the Tony Awards. “Women I’ve never met will fly me across the country to where they live.”

Far from being a grind, however, Brescia said his travels help him keep his finger on the pulse of American fashion trends.

“Traveling around the country keeps me educated about what women want,” said Brescia, who has appeared as a fashion expert on numerous television programs, including the TODAY show. “As a stylist, I’m always looking for something that will make my clients feel more special.”

The Bo & Nic line does just that, Brescia said, because it features an exclusive collection of colorful prints not found anywhere else.

“These prints are so happy and fun,” said Brescia. “The four-way stretch fabric is so flattering, and because the prints are exclusive (to Bo & Nic), you won’t see yourself coming and going.”

The line also complements the fashion tastes of First Coast women. “The style here is more colorful than in other parts of the country,” he said. “You feel a little bit of the beach vibe here, for sure.”

Expert tips

So, what advice does Brescia have for First Coast fashionistas? The style guru offered three fashion rules of thumb: 

  • Illuminate yourself: When selecting outfits, take into consideration your skin tone, eye color and hair color. “You want to create a look that will ‘pop the eyes,’” Brescia said.
  • Accentuate your assets: “If you love your legs, play up your legs,” he said. “If you like your back, play up your back.”
  • Accessorize your look: “Accessories, accessories, accessories,” Brescia said. “It’s all about a great pair of earrings.”

Brescia’s book offers numerous other tips to help women create their own unique style.

“When you know what looks good on you, shopping becomes a very different experience,” he said, adding that the goal is to learn the “secret language of clothing” that will spotlight the person, not the outfit.

“You want people to say, ‘That dress looks amazing on you’ – not ‘That’s an amazing dress.’”