Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Bastaroli
Hi Emily, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved fashion, even as a little girl. My favorite childhood memories are of back-to-school shopping with my mom, sisters and great aunt. When the fall JCPenny catalogues came in the mail, I would scour them for days picking out the pieces I wanted. And I loved seeing all the new fall clothes at the mall and in the department stores. I was heavily influenced by TLC’s What Not to Wear in the early 2000s, and that was the time I started getting the notion of having a career in fashion. I loved fashion magazines (Seventeen, Glamour, Vogue) as a teenager and young adult; I got all my styling tips from reading them cover-to-cover. Then, when I saw The Devil Wears Prada I knew I wanted to work at a fashion magazine in New York. This was a big dream for me, coming from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA. I ended up getting my Bachelor’s degree in journalism, but during my junior year of college, I started working at The Limited. That was the first time I really learned how to style women. I loved this job and felt like it was my true calling – not writing for a fashion magazine. A year after I graduated college, in 2015, I moved to Dallas, TX and got a job at Tootsies, a large luxury women’s boutique. I worked as a cashier/stylist assistant for a year, learning all the ins and outs of the store and clothing brands; and observing how the stylists interacted with their clients. I was then promoted to a stylist after my first year at Tootsies. This was such a fun job and experience – I was styling everyone from young high school girls for homecoming, prom and college visits; to working women needing professional and fun wardrobes; to brides and mother-of-the-brides. I styled these women head-to-toe: clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories. I also styled clients for in-store fashion shows and galas. In 2019, I moved to Denver, CO and got a job with A Line Boutique as a stylist, where I currently work. At A Line, we really get to know our clients through personal relationships. I have met countless incredible women through A Line, and have helped them build their best wardrobes so they can show up feeling their best. When our owner announced we were we opening our sixth location in Salt Lake City, I jumped at the opportunity to move to a new state and bring the A Line movement to Salt Lake City. My clients range from young professional women to middle-aged and beyond. I love helping my clients navigate style by curating their wardrobes. As a Senior Stylist, I am constantly thinking about my clients and sending them new pieces for their wardrobe or outfit ideas with their items purchased at A Line. I went to New York Market in 2021 where I learned the buying process; and have continued to assist in the buy by thinking ahead for my clients and choosing pieces for them for the upcoming season. Building these relationships with my clients and seeing them glowing in a new outfit is the best feeling in the world!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I first moved to Dallas from Pittsburgh, there was a bit of a culture shock. With Dallas being a much bigger city and a vastly different culture from what I grew up in, I had a lot to learn. I’m thankful I had a year at Tootsies as a cashier/stylist assistant before becoming a stylist, as it really helped me understand the client, fashion, and lifestyle of our demographic. I was always on the shier side, so moving to a new state by myself kind of forced me out of my comfort zone. I learned a lot about myself and built my confidence by observing my co-workers. When I moved to Denver and started at A Line, I was completely starting over again. I didn’t know anyone and had to work really hard to grow my book of business. About 7 months into working at A Line, my co-worker quit, and I was working at the store alone. While it was manageable, I really had to learn how to be self-motivated and confident. But it was a great experience and helped me build great relationships with my clients.
As you know, we’re big fans of A Line Boutique. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
A Line Boutique started in Denver by our owner Karmen Berentsen as a luxury women’s boutique. We specialize in personal styling – from workwear, casual, to travel and events. As a Senior Stylist, I have a book of business that I personally manage. My clientelle ranges from young professionals, stay-at-home moms, retirees and everything in between. When you walk into A Line, you are greeted as if you have entered our home. We truly want to help and style the women who come in. I love curating my clients’ closets so every pieces they have is a winner and they feel amazing in. We are full-service – offering tailoring, closet edits and travel packing assistance. What I’m most proud of in my career is all the women I’ve styled who are showing up in their lives better because they feel comfortable and confident in what they are wearing. Clothing and style really does have an effect on how people feel in their day-to-day lives, so seeing that everyday in my career is what drives me to serve my clients. It’s also been amazing seeing all the clients meet each other and become friends because they met at A Line; it really is a community of incredible women.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I would say I am a risk-taker – when it feels right for me. With all of my moves to different states in my adult life, each move was a risk. But they all felt right to me in my gut. Most recently, moving to Salt Lake City from Utah, was a big risk. Although I was keeping the same job, I was giving up a a strong clientele in Denver. With a new store opening, it’s always a big risk, but our owner was confident and I was confident in the opportunities this would bring. But I think if you believe in something and are driven to work hard, you can achieve your goals. Making a big change is scary, but for me, the risk will be worth it in the long run.
Pricing:
- Clothing – $100-$3000
- Shoes – $300-$1500
- Jewelry – $80-$8000
- Handbags – $500-$2000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aline-online.com/personal-stylist-emilyb
- Instagram: emilyb_alineboutique
