An Interview with Ros Giles
THE MIDLIFE STYLE MAKEOVER
MIDLIFE STYLIST
How long have you been doing what you do, and how did you become a midlife stylist?
To answer this question, it’s probably best that I share with you a defining moment, and a resulting story that brought me to where I am today – coaching people like you on exactly what to do to be modern, confident and effortlessly stylish in midlife.
That defining moment in my life happened in May 2016 when I was made redundant at the age of 46 from my role as Group Brand Director, a job I imagined I would be doing for the rest of my working life. I was at the top of my career, having studied clothing and fashion at University and worked my way up the ranks from Buyers’ Assistant at TopShop to Creative Director of Viyella to Brand Director of the Austin Reed Group.
Following that blow, my life changed dramatically, I went from a career woman to housewife and mother overnight. Although I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my children (a new experience, having previously relied on nannies), I felt a void in my life; I missed the fashion world and the buzz of business.
A year later, I managed to secure a fashion consultancy role; it was a good job and provided a good salary but I didn’t feel fulfilled and I believed I wasn’t providing anything of any value. Of course I was, but I couldn’t see it! When I lost my high profile job, I not only lost my identity but I took a massive confidence hit too; I had tipped over the edge into feeling unworthy, invisible and outdated in the workplace.
After the consultancy, I knew I needed to stay working in fashion and use my retail knowledge and experience, so, I took the plunge, trained as a colourist and personal stylist and in May 2018, I set up my own styling business. Things were going really well; I watched other women’s confidence grow and saw them discovering a new sense of self, gaining recognition, securing promotions at work and building new relationships. But then my marriage broke down - and to top it off; hot flushes, headaches, loss of memory and insomnia came at me with force!
There are no two ways about it; divorce turns your world upside down! Guilt, regret, anger and sadness over what felt like ‘wasted years’ consumed me. I really didn’t think I'd get through and on numerous occasions, I crashed in a heap of despair. But with the help of counselling and the love and support from my brilliant sisters and dear friends; I’ve not only come through, but I feel liberated, stronger and happier as a result.
And then there’s the menopause!!!!! Arghh!!!! - At first, I tried to ignore the symptoms and convinced myself that it wasn’t really happening to me. I ignored the hot flushes and hoped the feelings of hopelessness and the 5am wake-ups would pass. Then, I remember looking in the mirror and visibly seeing that I’d aged from the previous day; I literally felt like I was fading away and this strange woman, lacking in confidence, was staring back at me asking for help. To add to it all, my daughters would often comment that I looked fed up and tired.
This wasn't me at all. I had allowed the menopause to get hold of me because I did not want to embrace this new phase in my life. Owning my menopause, living in the present, accepting the changes (not easy) and getting the right help (really not easy) allowed me to figure out who I am now and what I want to achieve in this next exciting chapter of my life.
My midlife crisis crescendoed as a result of my divorce and hitting menopause but it was also the catalyst that allowed me to reflect on my past, examine my choices and understand why I followed (rightly and wrongly) the paths I did and therefore be able to map out a clear plan for my future . At the peak of my despondency, I believed (and felt quite normal thinking it) that my best years were well and truly over. But I was just in the wrong marriage, not fulfilling my dreams and trapped by myself - unable to see the beautiful world and possibilities in front of me.
There are many triggers to finding yourself in midlife mayhem; divorce, menopause, children becoming independent and leaving home, elderly parents becoming dependent, career crossroads, retirement, redundancy or simply - growing older. Whatever the cause, it can feel like the loneliest, most unresolvable scenario that you've ever faced. But there really is a glowing light at the end of the tunnel.
Once I could see a clear path ahead, I used style as my superpower to reflect my newfound identity; I started dressing differently and as a result I projected a new aura and if it doesn’t sound too corny - I found myself and I liked me. It's taken me a long while to discover who I am and what I really want. But for the first time (in my mid fifties) I'm excited about my future because I know that my best years are ahead of me!
As a result, I have made a commitment to dedicate the rest of my professional life to helping other women who are tackling the challenges of midlife. I want to help women find their inner confidence, feel empowered, regain independence and discover that the future is exciting and actually - just beginning!
I have created The Midlife Style Makeover, a series of 6 steps, building inner and outer confidence that every woman facing the challenges of midlife needs to gain self acceptance, self love and a renewed, empowered self image.
The midlife style makeover program
Who are your clients?
I work with people just like you, middle aged women who have lost their identity, are weighed down by life, feel either frumpy or like mutton dressed as lamb, are struggling with what they should or could bewearing (due to changing body shape, ageing, switching lifestyle or just not having a clue!) and need to reinvent themselves and feel relevant, worthy and self confident.
What makes you different from other personal stylists?
Although, we will touch upon hair and make-up and lots of other elements of renewing your self image, you have me as an accountability partner and all-round style consultant, specialising in midlife. I’m concerned with getting your self confidence glowing and your passion and ambition reignited. You can be sure I will always tell you the truth about what’s standing in the way of your success and how to get rid of it FAST so you can start getting results in record time and I combine style and strategy to deliver a methodology that really works and gets accelerated results!
What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?
The 28 days to Effortless Style in Midlife was created for people who are serious about rewriting their story; starting afresh, creating a new self image and attaining their goals – it means not running around all day long, beating yourself up anymore, saying: “I’m a lost hope, too tired, too old and past my best.” It was created for you to put systems in place within a month (sometimes weeks), which will eventually lead you to a new, empowered, confident persona that can smash your goals and ambitions. Being an ambitious woman myself, I’m known to work best with other ambitious women, people who are committed to their success no matter what, who are super-ready to get going and just want to know exactly what steps to take to discover their new and empowered identity that will allow them to flourish and succeed in their next chapter. My clients often tell me – “just tell me what to do and I’ll do it!” Consider what you’ll do with me to be a crash course on everything you need to know to glow with confidence on the inside and out. You will be expected to take serious and consistent action. No excuses, just a very different way of thinking and full support while you achieve this incredibly exciting goal: to uncover the new, stylish and empowered YOU!
For what type of woman is your program NOT going to work?
Please know I’m very selective in who I work with, choosing to (gently) turn away people who aren’t suited for my programs and won’t get the results for which they would have signed up for. (It wouldn’t be fair to them.) The 28 days to Effortless Style in Midlife program is NOT for those who have no resources available, at least not right away. It’s been my experience that people in financial crisis; do not trust the recommendations I give them and do not do the work (probably because they are preoccupied with their finances which causes a major distraction.) If you fall within this category, it’s absolutely OK. We’ve all been in times of financial crisis at one point or another. I would encourage you to join my free Facebook group, “Midlife Style Society” here. The videos and free content will get you started towards your goals until you’re ready to work with me one-on-one.
When you’re ready, call me and we’ll get you started. I’m in no rush and will be here when you need me…
What exactly is The Midlife Style Makeover Strategy and what does it include?
The Midlife Style Makeover Strategy is a step by step, fast track to style and confidence transformation program, that blasts midlife “what to wear'' angst, saves time and eliminates shopping stress. It begins with understanding your true value, who you really are and what you want to achieve in the second chapter of life and then dresses that newfound persona, through a series of personalised strategies and formulas.
Here’s what the System delivers:
Step 1 - The Roadmap to Change
We will create clarity around your midlife identity so you’re ready to step into the next chapter, looking and feeling confident from the inside out. We examine where you are in your life, identify any blocks or obstacles and get you CRYSTAL clear about your values, your desires and what you want to experience in your next exciting chapter.
Step 2 - The Colour Confidence session
We’ll celebrate you as you are NOW, in middle age, and reveal the colours and palettes that bring out the best in you; that put a spring in your step, make your eyes sparkle and skin glow. You’ll also learn how to use YOUR colours to balance your changing shape, coordinate your NEW wardrobe and build outfits with confidence and ease.
Step 3 - The Midlife Bodymap Formulas to Effortless Dressing
We’ll embrace YOU and your beautiful body - lumps, bumps, sags and all! You’ll learn how to showcase your best bits, diminish the ‘not so good’ and how to dress and balance your unique body shape. You’ll receive style formulas that will accentuate your best assets and give you an instant, modern, put together look.
Step 4 - The Mental and Physical Cleanse
Through an honest editing of your wardrobe, we’ll remove the past, cleanse and uncover your true style potential. We’ll extract the pieces that no longer serve you, suit you, fit you and are outdated and threadbare; making way for a new, considered, relevant wardrobe that reflects the NEW modern confident you.
Step 5 - The Time and Money Saving Luxury Concierge Service.
Saving you time, effort and stress, this luxury step delivers the perfect seasonal wardrobe, tailored to your exact needs, to your home; where it is styled, accessorised and coordinated for you. A plethora of stunning outfits will be created and photographed; meaning you’ll always have something to wear and more importantly, you’ll now know how to wear everything with confidence and ease.
Step 6 - The Midlife Style Manual
Congratulations! You're all set to demonstrate your worth, attract new opportunities and live the second chapter of your life with ease and abundance. You’ll receive your personal Midlife Style Manual to keep you aligned with your new and empowered self image.
Does this really work?
Yes! The result of my work is an approach to accepting yourself as you are, believing in yourself and radiating and projecting your new self image both inside and out to achieve success in the second chapter.
What results can I expect?
Here are some example benefits that my clients have experienced:
• Creating new standards for yourself • Discovering your individual style • Reaching for your passions in life • Set goals and reach them • Feel empowered & excited about the future
• Truly love the version of yourself that shows up to play this game called life • Find your happiness • Have more ease in your life • Enjoy shopping and trying on clothes, in the knowledge that you know what suits you
• Look forward to each new seasons’ trends and picking out the items you’d like to buy • Watch your best life unfold with ease • Attract the right people into your life • Find a new life partner or friends
• Rewrite your story • Raise your self-esteem and self confidence • Gain unshakeable confidence in yourself • Start living your passion and purpose with ease • Embrace your menopause
• Self acceptance and appreciation • Look forward to getting dressed each morning • Enjoy your wardrobe and creating outfits • Get endless compliments • Thrive in midlife!
How quickly can I expect results?
That depends on how quickly you can make those inner shifts. Some clients are ready to go and start re-creating their empowered self image in a very short time frame, sometimes even a few weeks while others have a bit more work to do first. It also depends on what has triggered your need to change things. That might be one or a combination of the following; menopause, divorce, empty nest syndrome, job loss, feeling invisible, dependent elderly parents, loss of a loved one or just a happiness slump.
How can I guarantee myself that I will get more confidence and results, in record time?
Do all of your homework. Be totally committed to your success. Understand that this is a process, a proven one, that works if you take action and implement all of the steps. All my clients who have diligently applied every step of the Midlife Style Makeover program have successfully transformed their self image and found inner confidence in much less time than they would have on their own AND have gone on to achieve their goals, make significant changes and welcome new opportunities in their lives as a result.
Transform your self image in 28 days..
Ros, based on everything I’ve read and heard about you, I know you’re the one I want to learn from. What are my options for getting started with you?
Congratulations on making a decision for success! I’m happy to work with you to release your style and help you become the best version of yourself. The best way to work with me is in my 28-day Midlife Style Makeover program.
OK, I’m ready to do this for myself, but I have a couple of additional questions. Can I call you?
Good, sounds like you’re ready to be pulled into your future! Yes, if you have a couple of questions, just email me at ros@rgpersonalstyling.com or call me directly on 07980897540 and I’ll be happy to walk you through the steps and discuss the program with you. Alternatively get in touch here.