SHOCEO^® Reading for Success: 7 (Seven) Minutes.

 

For this edition of the She’s Her Own CEO^® Interview Series, we are excited to introduce you to George Brescia!

Style expert and author of Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life Because You Can’t Go Naked!, George Brescia has appeared on NBC’s TODAY SHOW and Cheddar.com. His other television has included red carpet commentary, fashion, and trend reporting for CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX. He wrote Playbill.com’s “Best Dressed” column, where he covered the Tony Awards and Broadway openings and galas. His award-winning webseries DRESS-Up featured George working with Broadway’s top stars preparing them for their opening nights and premieres.

George regularly appears as a brand ambassador on QVC representing LOGO by Lori Goldstein™. He travels the country doing guest lecturing, special events, and regional television shows for affiliates. George has also been featured on NPR’s Market Place. His background includes twenty-five years working closely with top fashion leaders Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, and with the fashion directors at Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, and Lord & Taylor.

As the man behind Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life, he’s also a top-tier NYC-based stylist and image consultant with clients ranging from A-list celebrities to everyday men and women looking to improve their appearance and gain confidence. His philosophy is that clothing is so much more than style. Every single thing you wear communicates something about you to the outside world. And it also has a significant impact on the way you feel. Your clothing has the potential either to enhance or to hinder your personal brilliance.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Hi George, thank you for speaking with me today! Please share your experiences that have made you into the respected fashion expert you are today.

George Brescia, NYC Style Expert: Thanks for this conversation, Kathryn. My career in fashion started with my mother. She was in the business, so you could say I was destined to continue in it! In college, I was extremely focused on fashion and was obsessed with Ralph Lauren. I graduated from Lynchburg College with a major in Communications. I was also a singer and dancer and have been heavily involved in the Broadway community. My career has perfectly paired my education with my passion!

I have held leadership positions at many of the large fashion houses and I am grateful to have learned both the retail AND the wholesale side of the fashion industry. My career after college began at Ralph Lauren, where I was in charge of visual merchandising for all of the Polo stores. From there, I held an executive position at Tommy Hilfiger as the VP of Creative Services. My career journey has taken me to Rafaella, Carlisle Collection, Benetton, and Donna Karan.

After Donna Karan, I developed myself into a TV host and guest and I now regularly appear on TV as a style expert.

My passion for Broadway has continued throughout my career and I have dressed countless Broadway stars. I have brought my fashion commentary and style advice to many magazine fashion columns and to my hosting duties during the Tony Awards red carpet.

I write the “Best Dressed” column for Playbill.com and was so honored to win the Best Reality Series Award for “Dress Up! With George B. Style” at the 2015 Vancouver Web Fest. I am also the author of Change Your Clothes Change Your Life, published by Simon and Schuster. Catch me regularly on QVC!

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: On ShesHerOwnCEO.com, we often talk about how one can best Lead, Provide, and Create™.  Each of us, in our respective world, has opportunities to Lead Ourselves, to Provide for Others, and Create for the Larger World. George, please share with me your favorite example of how you Lead, Provide, and Create™ in your professional and/or personal world!

George Brescia, NYC Style Expert: I lead through my book and in everything I do by communicating that your look is not just about being pretty or handsome. I teach the “Power of Clothing” – what it means and how it can affect your life.

 

Proper dressing gives my clients the power and confidence to go out and achieve what they are trying to accomplish

in their lives, whether it is a new job, the love of their life, or nailing that red carpet moment.

 

Clothing is an emotional thing, and it affects how people feel about themselves.  It can make us feel empowered to take on challenges. I help my clients make clothing decisions that support the image they want to project to the world.

When you’re leaving the house, it’s important that you look clean and put together. You never know who you’re going to run into in the world. It is never a powerful place to be in to be caught in public looking disheveled. I coach on being present and aware to how you are presenting yourself ALL of the time…especially in order to avoid those potentially awkward moments where you want to apologize for yourself! The right style can enhance your self-confidence and self-worth. It doesn’t have to be overly complicated, either – simply putting on a cute sweater, some jeans that fit, and a cute flat can transform your day!

 

Whether or not you are a celebrity, style can directly affect how you feel on a daily basis.

The common theme among people of all income levels: we all want to look healthy, good, and fresh.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Being the CEO of your world can take many forms (for example, volunteering in your community, holding a formal corporate position, or engaging in creative pursuits). In your opinion, what is the best way to achieve success and to become the boss of your world?

George Brescia, NYC Style Expert: It’s a combination of things – by helping clients with their self-confidence, I feel like I’m giving back through emotional as well as stylistic support. Yes, I get paid to dress people, but it’s much more inclusive than that. I have participated in Dress for Success and have spoken to charities in the past. I’m constantly inspired by people with physical challenges, as they truly dress for the body they’re in.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®:  Any additional advice you can share with motivated, aspirational professionals?

George Brescia, NYC Style Expert: Do what you love. If you can do what you love and monetize it and make a living at it – that’s the place in which we all want to be. Maybe it’s not your #1 choice, but your #2 or #3 choice – it’s still a very good combination for success.  Be authentic to yourself. Find what brings you joy and makes you feel valued. If you follow that, success will come at some point in your life.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: George, thank you for so sharing your fashion career insights and perspectives on style as a way of life!

 

Learn more about George’s work here:

Website:             www.georgebrescia.com

Instagram:          @georgebrescia

Facebook:           @george.b.style.ny

Twitter:               @georgebrescia

Pinterest:            @georgebstyleny

Looking for even more #CEO Insights? Check out my other interviews and be sure you’re subscribed below!

 

xx Kathryn